Repro Vintage 13" Whitewall Tires

ahetzel

ahetzel

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I am trying to replace my very old 13" whitewall tires. Anyone purchased 13" tires for their stock 13" steel wheels lately? I know that the original tires size supplied was 5.9x 13 with a 1" inch wide whitewall. Coker makes a number of bias ply and radial that are close. I am looking to see if anyone has any experience with what is available today.
 
Not sure what's even available today. I would start with Coker Tire as they seem to have the best selection of old tires.
 
Seen this Company

?

https://www.universaltire.com/

Saw your post, thought of the red line tires on a Jag looked them up on search, found above link.
Call me weird but I like the old R.W.L. BF Goodrich TA Radials or Tiger Paws they had red stripes too as I recall.
 
For the record, these tires are not old tires that were sitting around covered with dust on some shelf. They have a production date code of 7/11 if I recall correctly. To be sure you could check the production date with coker tire before you order.

That said, they are what they are and their limitations must be respected. I try to keep the max speed around 50 and no throwing the car into turns at speed.

If you do decide to go with these, make sure you get 5...as mixing in a radial as a spare is verboten.

Duke...hope all is well in your new job.
 
Learning Curve

I have driven hard on bias ply (conventional new tires and recaps including cheater slicks) on a'56 Chevy. Along came muscle cars and bias belted Firestone wide ovals on a 442. Next ride was on true radials a BMW '69 2002.

Bias ply tires handle much looser than the belted tires that replaced them. Max grip, such as it was came at high slip angles relative to any belted tire. They do communicate better with the driver when they are near their limits in a corner. Forgiving.

Learning? Early radials were known for high cornering limits and precision to a point where they would let go in a big way. Not forgiving. Those early steel belted radials had another literal failing. They could not get rid of the heat buildup a steady high speed cruise. My Dad found that out on the way to Las Vegas in his new Lincoln (late 70's?). CHP tried them about that time and they were not successful at first.

I had a friend with a Tiger in late 60's who had a problem with his tires? They did not last as long as they should have ( His nickname was Squirrel.) His Dad spotted an ad for Montgomery Ward tires. 40,000 mile guarantee radials. A week after he bought them Vic went back for his money. Really hard rubber compound, no traction and too Scarey.

Rick
 
tires

randy,
I have two 13" A 78 snow tires with studs. the brand is JC PENNY. you might want to buy them from me and use them this winter. we found them in the trunk of out 69GT when we bought it in 2006. they don't look like they have been used.
 
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