A little confused about tire sizes for my '66 Satellite

[NvrSatisfied]

Hey guys, I just acquired a freshly restored '66 Satellite a couple weeks ago. I had wanted one of these cars for a long time, but I am a rookie when it comes to knowledge on them. I noticed my car currently has 235 70r15 tires with covered up whitewalls. I am not a big fan of these tires, even though they are brand new. First, I'm trying to figure out what size I should run? I am thinking a 26" tire might look a little better than the 28" that are on it now. Second, what's the consensus....should I invest in a period correct tire or run a modern radial? The car isn't all original and I will cruise it on sunny summer days with my wife. What are your opinions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cranky]

Have you ever driven an old car with the old style bias ply tires? They suck!! Keep the radials. I ran similar sized tires on my 66 and liked them. What is it that you dislike about them? Nice looking car too!

 

[mopar 3 B]

I think you should run exactly what is on it. If you do not like the tire height go to a 60 series tire of the same size. If you want to slide around a lot go back to the bias tires but I am with Cranky it would be a gross mistake.

 

[NvrSatisfied]

Sound advice and I appreciate it. The only bias I've ever run was a 28" M/T ET Street on a '70 Chevelle, so my experience is very limited. The main reason I am going to replace the tires that are on it, is they are whitewall tires. The previous owner used something to black them out. The problem is, the coating (paint or marker) is cracking and if you see them in person, the dingy white color is starting to show through. I thought about just having them turned around but the other side of the tire has HUGE lettering on it and look goofy.
In the short time I've had the car, I've had a couple people ask me if I was going to put the redline tires on it. I guess that's where my question about bias ply came from.
As far as size....my thought was to switch the 70's out for 60's (235 r60) and I was looking for confirmation that this was an OK idea.

Thanks again for the replies

 

[rscurtis]

I just installed a set of BFG red-stripe radials on my '66 Coronet which had been upgraded to 15" wheels before I bought it. I used 225/70 R15's. It drives like a new car. If you've been driving radials, you won't want to go back to bias ply tires.

 

[TX67RT]

I have reproduction red line 7.75 x 14 bias ply tires on my 67 R/T, and they are not great. I put them on strictly for show, and they are not good at all for driving. Little to no traction, it hunts and wallows on the highway, and there is virtually no handling or road feel. However, they look really good on the car.





I'm going to start driving it again this summer, and am going to swap over to a set of stock-sized whitewall radials on some vintage E-T torq-thrust-style wheels. It's a compromise between original and acceptable road manners.

There are places like Coker Tire that sell modern radials with red line side walls that might appeal to you. Not a cheap option, but should be a decent looking and driving selection. Let us know what you end up going with. That is definitely a sharp looking 66, by the way. I love white cars!

Cheers!

JD

 

[NvrSatisfied]

Thanks to all who've replied with their advice. I am thinking I might want a raised white letter on the tire. Maybe the BFG is a good choice for me. I did look at the redline radials Coker has and they are salty. Whatever and whenever I decide, I'll be sure and post an update.

 

[TX67RT]

Thanks to all who've replied with their advice. I am thinking I might want a raised white letter on the tire. Maybe the BFG is a good choice for me. I did look at the redline radials Coker has and they are salty. Whatever and whenever I decide, I'll be sure and post an update.

I ran RWL Eagle ST's on 14 x 7 (Ford) Magnum 500's for a few years back in the day and liked the look. Road performance was also pretty good. RWL tires will definitely look better than black walls on your car, but my vote is for red line radial. That would just look stunning on your white car (and period correct). It would really stand out from the pack on the street. Ultimately, go with whatever you think looks best; it is your car, and your choice. It already looks good; tires are just the icing on the cake.

 

[Cranky]

The guy most likely used tire black to black out the white walls. I used to do that too but you have to go over them from time to time. It lasts longer the 2nd time around so if you like the way those tires perform.....get some tire black and do em again. The red lines will look good with the white paint but I think the solid black tires do too....or tires with the small raised white letters.

 

[YY1]

...or flip them around so the whitewall is on the inside.

 

[NvrSatisfied]

I ran RWL Eagle ST's on 14 x 7 (Ford) Magnum 500's for a few years back in the day and liked the look. Road performance was also pretty good. RWL tires will definitely look better than black walls on your car, but my vote is for red line radial. That would just look stunning on your white car (and period correct). It would really stand out from the pack on the street. Ultimately, go with whatever you think looks best; it is your car, and your choice. It already looks good; tires are just the icing on the cake.

Thanks for your input. I do like the BFG redline radial.

The guy most likely used tire black to black out the white walls. I used to do that too but you have to go over them from time to time. It lasts longer the 2nd time around so if you like the way those tires perform.....get some tire black and do em again. The red lines will look good with the white paint but I think the solid black tires do too....or tires with the small raised white letters.

Thank you, I might have to try that and see if it helps for a while (at least until I can decide which tire to go with).

...or flip them around so the whitewall is on the inside.

I thought that was the logical solution until I noticed the unusually large lettering on the opposite side of these tires.

 

[Gary67]

Hey guys, I just acquired a freshly restored '66 Satellite a couple weeks ago. I had wanted one of these cars for a long time, but I am a rookie when it comes to knowledge on them. I noticed my car currently has 235 70r15 tires with covered up whitewalls. I am not a big fan of these tires, even though they are brand new. First, I'm trying to figure out what size I should run? I am thinking a 26" tire might look a little better than the 28" that are on it now. Second, what's the consensus....should I invest in a period correct tire or run a modern radial? The car isn't all original and I will cruise it on sunny summer days with my wife. What are your opinions?

Thanks in advance!

Something else to consider, If you drop 2" in tire height it will change your effective gear ratio. I think you'll be doing about 200 more rpm with the smaller tire at cruising speed, more "pep' but more fuel burned too.

 

[Dennis H]

I like the Cooper's.

 

[NvrSatisfied]

Well, I ordered my tires yesterday. I stuck with the 235 70r15 and I plan to have them installed on Friday. I would like to thank all of you for your input.....it was greatly appreciated!

Here's what I decided to go with....

 

[Greg Ducato]

Dang!! Those are sexy

 

[rscurtis]

Expensive, too.