Coker Tire Bias Look Radials.

[Bigblockbird]

I just received my replacement tires for my '69 Z/28
It had a Brand new set of Goodyear F-70-15 bias ply tires but honestly, I live out in the country and they drive like crap.
They track every crack and uneven piece of pavement. Plus they grossly understeer.

Had my Bias Look Goodyear Wide "O" Oval Radials on Order from Coker Tire in FR70-15 for at least 4 months.
They called me last week and said they were in, and I received them today.
Ran straight in and had them mounted up.

These tires look great, and let me tell you this, they are quieter, less harsh, perfectly round even up to (Ahem) 90 mph
And they drive FLAWLESSLY!
I got so used to over-steering the car to get through a twisty corner that I tend to keep cutting in too far now.
Anyhow, If you are considering them I would encourage it. They look right, drive right, and make the car so much nicer.

Happy guy now,
John James

[abiddle]

Pics please!

[X33RS]

Coker doesn't make or deal with Goodyear, they are strictly Firestone.   Just a heads up for those looking.

They do not yet make the correct Z28 tire in a radial (Sport Car 200 E-70's) and when I talked to them there were no immediate plans to do so (demand isn't there I guess)

I agree they have done a nice job on the radial duplicates though, they look great.   I am hopeful Kelsey will follow suit with Goodyears.

[BULLITT65]

Well comparing the 2 69Z tires, I think the Goodyear wide tread GT, is a better looking tire than the Firestone Sport 200. I like the square profile of the Goodyear, the Firestone Sport 200 set that I saw had to much of a round or bubble side wall when mounted, IMO.

Also maybe it was this specific set of Sport 200 tires but I was told by (Jack92584) that they were hard to balance, and did not go down the road well.

I have had a a handful of sets of biast ply tires. For the few cars I have them on I don't mind the ride for the better look. Radials are a little more spongy, just depends on if that extra cushion is worth it to you.

[BillOhio]

So these are wide ovals not wide treads?

[X33RS]

That's correct Bill.  Coker only deals in Firestones.   The new radials are only coming in a few popular sizes.    The Sport Car Z tire in a Firestone isn't one of them. 

I agree Austin, I don't care for the look of the Sport Car tires either as they have a somewhat odd look to them.  However the other Firestone tires look just fine.   Even back in the day most people preferred the Goodyear tires, but it is kind of refreshing to see an occasional Z with the Sport Car tires.

If you want Goodyear Wide Treads we are still stuck with bias ply's from Kelsey.  Not a bad thing really.  I find they ride and drive fine.  My SCJ drives beautifully with them.   To help with that there are front end alignment specs that are slightly different for a bias tire.  Bias tires don't have to drive terribly.  Finding a shop knowledgeable that will tweak the alignment helps tremendously. 

I find that even radial tires will track on some of these new cars.  When you get very wide wheels with a lot of inside offset it compounds the issue.  Has something to do with changing bump steer or some other front end geometry, and they will track.  Both of my newer Camaro's were doing it.     

[BillOhio]

Thats what confused me a bit.
I have the goodyears on my car and it does have an odd feel once in a while but I do like how it drives.
I have a picture of my original spare and it was an unused Firestone. Looked like something off an old farm wagon. Not sure how it had any traction

[BULLITT65]

Bill you had me laughing on that comment. I also have my original spare, and you called it.  Some tire from a cart at the pumpkin patch at best.

[smallhurst]

I have spoke with Kelsey and he is proud of the fact that he is putting out the most accurate reproduction available.  He is not planning on building a tire that was not built. 

If anyone has questions about the Goodyear reproductions, feel free to give me a call.  My cell is 816-654-3400.

Rusty

[Bigblockbird]

I apologize,
 I had Goodyear stuck in my head when typing since that is what I took off. They are in Fact Firestone Wide O Ovals.
The point is that they make the car drive like a modern car again.
The Bias Tires even on a fully restored suspension drive horribly compared to the radials.
If you want a car to drive instead of a Trailer Queen consider them.

[BillOhio]

Did the first gens  ever come with wide ovals? I don't know what was used in 14 inch?

[Mike S]

Did the first gens  ever come with wide ovals? I don't know what was used in 14 inch?

My '67 L35 coupe still has an original Firestone D70-14 14" red line wide-oval in the trunk. I believe the rim code is 14x6 JJ.
The reproduction red line is located different than the original:
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12303.msg102723#msg102723


Mike