Its time for new tires for my 67 and I have seen many people using these Goodyears versus modern looking Radial TA's or black walls. I haven't decided what to get because I wanted to see where these tires are available and the cost. If there are current sources you know of let me know. Thanks.
https://www.kelseytire.com/
Thanks. I see they say its a Speedway 350 and fits 67/68 Shelby's but only came on 68's. These do look great - I'm now wondering what people are using for 67's so I can consider the right look for 67.
I may have just found the answer to my own question on the Kelsey site- it looks like small letter speedways came on 67's and large letter ones on the 68"s.
The 1967 Shelby's were first built with Large Letter Goodyear tires (first 230 base units built by Ford at their San Jose plant).
This was followed by the Small Letter Goodyear tires (remainder of production).
Keep in mind cars were not completed at SAI in sequential order, but the earlier in production, the more likely they would fall closer in the range.
An internal SAI letter was found noting the approximate 230 units, built from Ford, would change over to the smaller letter version once they were completed.
The 2011 Registry notes this number as 280 units, but that may very well be a typo.
For a number of years Kelsey only reproduced the large letter (shown in the photo in the opening post) but now they offer both the large letter and small letter versions. Note Both are bias-ply tires not radials.
Further discussion on this topic can be found in the following thread.
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=923.0
Don't know if they carry what you want, but there is also this company -
https://www.lucasclassictires.com/FR70-14-Goodyear-Polyglas-RWL-Radial-FR7014RL.htm
- Phillip
Quote from: cboss70 on November 02, 2020, 08:54:34 AM
Its time for new tires for my 67 and I have seen many people using these Goodyears versus modern looking Radial TA's or black walls. I haven't decided what to get because I wanted to see where these tires are available and the cost. If there are current sources you know of let me know. Thanks.
The speedway large letter (67 early production ) or Speedway small letter (67 later production) are bias ply and have different driving characteristics compared to radials. You don't know how many people have told me stories of buying the reissue Goodyears because they are good looking but hated how they drove. If you pleasure drive your car I strongly suggest getting a radial tire . If staying with the BF Goodrich or Cooper Cobra tires I would ether mount with the blackwall out or black out the white letters. Even the cheapest radial will drive better then the bias ply reissue tire . This is not to say they are worse then the original tires because they are in fact the same as the original tires. If a show car and very little pleasure driving maybe you should compromise. If a show car only definitely the Speedways. Some owners have a set of wheels and tires for show and another set for pleasure driving. I don't want you to have a unpleasant surprise like so many others. I just want you to be informed so that you can make the best decision for your particular situation.
+1 on Bob Gaines post regarding bias ply tires, I have the blue dots on a Carryover Shelby and they are incredibly bad. As was suggested I will save them for shows and buy some modern radials that mimic the same sizing but ride far better.
Two sets of wheels and tires for mine. Coker has a Firestone Wide Oval Radial that is RWL and looks period correct on the car.
Its darn too bad they do not make both E70-15 and F60-15 radial small letter Goodyear!!!! I just drove my BLAH tire GT350 and I thought, its just too bad!
Problem with bias plies is they catch on seams in the road and pull you in that direction,which can be terrifying...trust me.
Keep them armoralled I've heard of cracking problems with a lot of the repro tires.
You can make radials to look any way you want.
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=9962.msg83416#msg83416
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 02, 2020, 07:36:24 PM
Keep them armoralled I've heard of cracking problems with a lot of the repro tires.
First off, Armoral is just mildew in a spray bottle. Secondly, if you get that on the treads of these biased ply tires you have just put banana skins on and you can't even pick where the car will run off of the road.
If you notice the original air pressure recommendations of the bias plys, they are 26psi. That's the only way they can be made to ride acceptably.
It's not just the bias v radial ply, it's the compound of the tread. On a damp surface, high speed winding tight two lane highway they are just a death wish that might come to be.
Bias plys are something about "the good old days" that you just don't want to bring back again under any circumstances, BUT they do look VERY good!
Thanks for all the feedback. I do think I'd be happier with radials and with it being in nice driver condition I may as well make it one with radials. Now I have to go look at pictures and decide to have the white letters exposed or go black wall- we will see!
Bought my spare tire for a 68 GT 500KR at Speedway Automotive, as they had a large discount available at the time.
Don
gt350bp
Some things else to consider, I got GoodYear radials and then painted the top of the molded black GoodYear with white acrylic paint so I could have a good performing tire and have it read white GoodYear. Painted photo below...
Also, one of our regulars makes white GoodYear letters that adhere to the tire sidewalls, get the tire, any brand you like, and make them read GoodYear.
+2 on Bob and Steven...... when I got my '67 I couldn't get those damn things off fast enough..... some things just need to be left back in the '60s & '70's.
So what is the "Tyre" size and model....Avon website is a mess. Trying to find a 15 inch is like looking for a cheap Shelby.
Quote from: 67 GT350 on November 03, 2020, 08:37:24 AM
So what is the "Tyre" size and model....Avon website is a mess. Trying to find a 15 inch is like looking for a cheap Shelby.
Try SASCO's site 67 GT350. They offer a DOT approved 215/70-15 in the CR6ZZ which is a quality radial tire.
https://sascosports.com/tires_search_results.asp?tire_manufacturer=Avon
Avon are fantastic tires ,even ont wet pavement, only downside , not deep tread and they won't last long .
Quote from: 67 GT350 on November 03, 2020, 08:37:24 AM
So what is the "Tyre" size and model....Avon website is a mess. Trying to find a 15 inch is like looking for a cheap Shelby.
Wow, they used to have a simple, easy to navigate site. Now it seems to be a phone app. Here are your size choices;
https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/cr6zz?cartype=motorsport
Just click the link to sizes.
I got them as soon as i got my car because i love the look & immediately posted a thread asking if my terrible experience with them was normal ,or possibly something else,many other suggestions where made & i ended up going through the whole suspension & some steering stuff & would have to say most of my issues where not tire related & i find them very tolerable now .
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=9432.msg78357#msg78357
Who os the person that adds the lettering? Would I ship tires right to him?
Youtube is your friend regarding the application of the stickers. Racelinedigital.com is just one of the many suppliers of stickers.
http://www.racelinedigital.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_150_152
Quote from: 67 GT350 on November 04, 2020, 11:01:56 AM
Who os the person that adds the lettering? Would I ship tires right to him?
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=9962.msg83416#msg83416
Just checked Speedway Automotive and they have the small and large letter Kelsey E70 x 15 (Goodyear Tires) for $385 & $405 respectively. I think I was able to score a 10 or 15% discount and bought my black letter E70 x 15 KR spare tire.
Don
gt350bp
Quote from: 2112 on November 04, 2020, 05:08:46 PM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on November 04, 2020, 11:01:56 AM
Who os the person that adds the lettering? Would I ship tires right to him?
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=9962.msg83416#msg83416
I have used the glue on letters before with good success. It can be challenging to find a flat surface area with out letters on a tire to glue the new letters on to. Take note of the process described in the link where they shave the side wall to eliminate unnecessary raised letters to give a flat side wall to glue to. That is the best way.
Given the comments about the high price and short life of the Avon, are they really that much better than the radial T/As? It's kind of funny to think about turning a BF Goodrich tire into a fake Goodyear but it seems like that would produce a good looking and performing tire.
We did 5hese tires, just an example...on shaved AVONS.
To those who know Avons, how well do they age? Do they need to be replaced a few years because they are cracking?
For me, mileage isn't the issue. Dry rotting in front of my eyes is. At their price, they have to give me years.
i have some 7 years now not cracking at all , they are quality tires .
Quote from: CSX2259 on November 11, 2020, 02:48:03 AM
We did 5hese tires, just an example...on shaved AVONS.
What size Avons did you use on the Cobra?
The Avons are really good.
In Europe in historic racing in most series you mandatory have to use Dunlop, but sometimes, especially if it´s wet, teams use Avons even if they would lose their result for that.
We over here also have a small tire company from England called Blockley, they also make very good streetable racing tires, unfortunately they don´t have size for Mustang or Cobra (yet).
Quote from: chris NOS on November 11, 2020, 09:27:17 AM
i have some 7 years now not cracking at all , they are quality tires .
Good to know but 7 years is just a grasshopper for me.
The BFG's like to crack between the blocks on the treads. My t/a's don't throw out and chunks but the all terrains did.
My P7 Pirellis, that's another story. Not only did they start cracking about 15 minutes after I got them mounted but the treads also get very hard and loose elasticity. For a tire that expensive, I still target shoot so I don't loose an edge...just in case one of the exec's happens buy? ;)
I do remember guys racing on like 20 something year old retreads. Who says being called a retread is a negative thing?