Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Wanna give my nova the original look with the steel wheels and dog dish caps. Having a hard time deciding what to get though. Radial are good for drivablity around town, but I still would like the "original" look of the E70-14 red line bias. But I have been told there really only good for trailer queens, and show cars. I will not be trailering my car at all, just local cruising and shows within a hour of home, with mostly city/town driving, and minimal highway miles. Thanks in advance for ALL your opions or suggestions on my delema. Darcy

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I have the F-70 Red Lines on my 67 SS and they have their moments!! LOL They tend to get into ridges in the road and follow them so you must be alert! They are ok on the highway. Mine are the bias ones. Driven every where... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Dave
67 Nova Boy

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I can tell you the bias ply hooks alot better at the track. Very good 60 ft times on a pure stock LS6 chevelle.
Kevin

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I have Coker red line Bias plys on my 67. When they wear out I will go with, Red Line Radials. The red line Bias ply tires I have are the hardest things to drive i have ever had. They follow every groove in the road and will dart left or right with the least little bump. A friend of mine put a set of the red line radial on his 66 vett. they looked good a drove good. I THINK "black diamond tire"
Larry

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I like the BF Goodrich Silvertown Radials, same tire & tread as the T/A with a nice redline look.

Grant

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

i have had bias ply tires since 1984 on many of my cars.
nice soft ride and they sound great when you burn out.
they hook good too.
just keep your hand on the wheel when your on the highway as the ridges on the road wants to shift the steering sometimes but no big deal.
IMO nothing looks as nice on a vintage car than original style tires https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I personally hate radials on old cars. I think the negative comments of bias ply tires must have something to do with the proper alignment and condition of the suspension bushings and hardware, because I always hear horror stories about using them on older cars for street driving. I do it all summer (remember summer?) and haven't really had any problems. Last year I put over 5000 miles on a '32 highboy with skinny bias plys and it always tracked down the road straight as an arrow and smooth as silk.

A few years ago I had G70-14 redline Firestones on a '69 El Camino and experienced a little of the "tracking/wandering" issues mentioned above, but never enough that I'd have swapped to radials. I drove it alot too.

I've actually found that driving in heavy rain at highway speeds to be the only time bias ply tires ever make me a little nervous. The drive home from Columbus last year was in the rain the entire way, and my bias plies did seem to like to hydroplane a bit easier than my buddies' radials...but if you're aware of this and don't drive like an idiot, it's not really a big deal.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Radials do ride nice and handle better, but there is nothing like the look of a bias ply tire on these old cars.. I guess you kind of sacrifice the look and style for the ride..

My buddy drove his 66 Chevelle on the Hot Rod Power Tour a couple of years back from Cleveland, Oh. to Kalamazoo, Michigan on bias plys and he said the drive was fine except for driving in the rain like Joe stated above. He said the car got a little "squirrely" on the road and he had to really take it slow...

Rich

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

We have a mixture of both bias-ply and radials on our cars(not on the same car https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif)...there is no doubt to me that the radials handle better and are safer at highway speeds. That said, I still think the bias-plys are fine for local cruises and shorter trips. It is important that your suspension components be in good shape....any problems will be magnified by the bias-ply tires. We use the BFG Silvertown redline radials, Firestone Indy 500's and the Diamondback Classics redlines..all quality products with no issues at all.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I am glad someone asked this question as I have been pondering the same. Two of the Corvairs I am presently working on are Aztec Bronze and I have 2 sets of original 14x7 Minilites. I have been thinking that between the Aztec Bronze, the silver Minilites and the Red Lines the cars would look great. Maybe I will put the radials on the one that lara would possibly drive and bias on the one that I would be the only driver on.

Thanks for the insight guys.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I would never put radials on an old car. I think it ruins the look and besides, I'm in it for an authentic experience. If I want to drive something with perfect handling and road manners I'll drive a newer car. I feel that the old vehicles and suspensions were designed to work best with the bias ply tires because that is all they had back then. I've experienced the tracking a few times, but once you drive on them enough it becomes a sensation you get used to and you expect to feel. I've never had a situation where the control of the car was put in jeopardy. We've been well over 100 with the G70-15 wide ovals in my dad's 68 Z24, and the car took on the road like a champ! I think we have about 13000 miles on the current set and they still look sweet. I just wish the red stripe was a little brighter.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I ran radials on my car for 8 years and put over 20000 miles on the car doing it. I now have the Polyglas on the car and I would not change it for the world!!!! Just like grapping the thin steering wheel, it is an attention getter! Our cars were all developed and designed with Bias ply in mind. I understand that radials might have better road manners, but I will tell you that the Polys today still have to live up to DOT testing that is far beyond you and I normally push out cars. I have a good friend that is putting more Polyglas on his car after he wore out a set driving across the country and visiting several drag strips. He and his family drove there '69 Hurst/Olds from Chicago to the Grand Canyon without so much as a hiccup! Do what you want, but I still believe that the Biasplys will do very well with what you want to do!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Radials ruin it for me. I see a car with radials and most times I keep walking. I agree with everything Camaro joe said. I have always run bias on my cars and would not have it any other way.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Running the Redline Radials from Coker on my Road Runner and love em.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I really like the G60 15 polyglass goodyears on my camaro and mopar ebody, have no issues with them, they are just fun. I plan to put H60's on the back (very hard to find, but did, it should help even more). F70-14s should be a safe size on such a light car. Radials kill the looks of an old car for me, I keep walking too when I see them on a nice car. It's just wrong.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Take a look at this fine looking tire! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

G70-14 Firestone Red line

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/IM001203.jpg

Dave
67 Nova Boy

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Now you guys have me thinking about getting bias-plys for my Bel Air. I too have always been a bias-ply supporter on vintage cars (think it looks better as well). However, because I wanted blackwalls and I plan on driving it a ton, I didn't think I should bother with the bias. But maybe I should?

Hmmm.....and I think I'd probably go for the G70-15s too....

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

When I got my nova it had radials and just did not look right. I bought the cooker bias ply red lines and car looks so much better. Drives a tad diffrent but looks great.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I just think radials look out of place on old cars. I dont care if radials ride/drive better. They had bias plys when they were new and thats the only way to go in my book!!!

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I run bias ply red lines on my 68 L34 Rag top and they look great and perform better than I expected. Ruts in the road can be a problem but on new asphalt they are great. Don't drive in the rain.

Get a lot of comments on how original they make the car and the red lines compliment the body color of Matador Red~

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

What it all depends on how bad the roads are. In Michigan, we have some of the worst roads in the Country. I drove the 68 Z28 for a couple of years with Goodyear bias tires. I then tried some BF goodrich radials. The difference was night and day. I now run radials on all my cars.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

[ QUOTE ]
I would never put radials on an old car. I think it ruins the look and besides, I'm in it for an authentic experience. If I want to drive something with perfect handling and road manners I'll drive a newer car. I feel that the old vehicles and suspensions were designed to work best with the bias ply tires because that is all they had back then. I've experienced the tracking a few times, but once you drive on them enough it becomes a sensation you get used to and you expect to feel. I've never had a situation where the control of the car was put in jeopardy. We've been well over 100 with the G70-15 wide ovals in my dad's 68 Z24, and the car took on the road like a champ! I think we have about 13000 miles on the current set and they still look sweet. I just wish the red stripe was a little brighter.

[/ QUOTE ]

what he said https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

When i bought my 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 just this past September the car had the B.F. Goodrich TA Radials.
I took them of in less than a month as i could not stand the look of modern day tires.to me it ruined what the car was all about "originality" so i bought the Goodyear Poly-Glas Tires in a hurry. after i put them on i said to myself "now that's the look i like" The ride is not bad at all. I am like other people here, if a car is nicely restored to original and you put Radials on that car it looks like Crap and i just keep walking to next car. Original tires really sets your car apart from all the other modified cars at a cruise.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Nice Camaro Tom....I think it needs to be a Members ride?

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Driving a muscle car with radials is like ------- with a condom on. You just don't get the full experience! Lewd analogies aside, I drove/raced my 70 LS5 Chevelle for 13,000 with Wide Ovals, my Yenko Deuce for about 2000-3000 miles also with Wide Ovals, and my 70 396 Chevelle for also about 3,000-4000 miles with Goodyear bias plys. NEVER had a problem. The car was engineered to have bias ply tires so that is the way it should be driven. People who say otherwise must not be truly driving the car the way it should be. If you want a nice smooth ride, then drive a Lexus.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

OK, whatever.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Looks the verdic is out https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif. I'II be order some bias ply red lines from coker when I get back home. For the next question, would you go with the E70-14(original size), or go for the next size up, which would be F70-14 I believe ?? Fill in the wheel wells a bit, or what do you all think. Thanks guys for all the opions, I value ur time. Springs coming soon, can't wait to get out there and listen to the rumble again. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

[ QUOTE ]
Driving a muscle car with radials is like ------- with a condom on. You just don't get the full experience! Lewd analogies aside, I drove/raced my 70 LS5 Chevelle for 13,000 with Wide Ovals, my Yenko Deuce for about 2000-3000 miles also with Wide Ovals, and my 70 396 Chevelle for also about 3,000-4000 miles with Goodyear bias plys. NEVER had a problem. The car was engineered to have bias ply tires so that is the way it should be driven. People who say otherwise must not be truly driving the car the way it should be. If you want a nice smooth ride, then drive a Lexus.

[/ QUOTE ]

If that's truly the case doesn't that throw the whole "day 2" (tires, carbs, traction bars, valve covers with breathers and etc) concept out the window? Those mods and more deviated from how the car was originally engineered. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Original for me https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/447314-tires.JPG

Zero to Hero! What a difference.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Driving a muscle car with radials is like ------- with a condom on. You just don't get the full experience! Lewd analogies aside, I drove/raced my 70 LS5 Chevelle for 13,000 with Wide Ovals, my Yenko Deuce for about 2000-3000 miles also with Wide Ovals, and my 70 396 Chevelle for also about 3,000-4000 miles with Goodyear bias plys. NEVER had a problem. The car was engineered to have bias ply tires so that is the way it should be driven. People who say otherwise must not be truly driving the car the way it should be. If you want a nice smooth ride, then drive a Lexus.

[/ QUOTE ]

If that's truly the case doesn't that throw the whole "day 2" (tires, carbs, traction bars, valve covers with breathers and etc) concept out the window? Those mods and more deviated from how the car was originally engineered. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe Darren. Maybe the way I said it as, being engineered that way, was not exactly the way I was thinking about it. For me personally when I drove my muscle cars I wanted the "full experience." I had most of my cars day 2'ed and would NEVER use any sort of modern style equipment. The rims, tires, valve covers, breathers, basically everything you mentioned, I had day 2 parts from that exact era. When I say "that is the way the car was engineered," I mean that the car was engineered with those tires in mind and approved by the federal government for road use. If they are "not safe" or "squirrely" then maybe they would not be approved for use now of days. Hell, dinosaurs like the Mayor of Donahue and Cumby drove them like that when they were new, in the snow, etc., and had minimal problems I would imagine, as their cars are still with them. Millions of people drove cars with bias ply tires on them back in the day and many of those people are still here to tell us about it.

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Watch it punk. I know where you live. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Hey DC - 'believe that was compliment! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

[ QUOTE ]
Driving a muscle car with radials is like ------- with a condom on. You just don't get the full experience!

[/ QUOTE ]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Bias-ply all the way for me.I have a 68 Impala with G70-15 Wide-Ovals,a 66 Impala with G78-15 blackwalls and a 65 Impala with L60-15 Mickey Thompson "I" gumballs on all four corners!No handling issues at all as long as your front end is aligned...

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

I like my raidials...thank you very much!

But then again...I drive my car...a lot! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Thanks for the input everyone, I have ordered my bias redlined from a member from this site. So now the car will have the "original" look that I have been looking for. I don't recall every driving a car with bias before, so I'II be two hands on the wheel til I get use to them. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the input everyone, I have ordered my bias redlined from a member from this site. So now the car will have the "original" look that I have been looking for. I don't recall every driving a car with bias before, so I'II be two hands on the wheel til I get use to them. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Good choice! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

Another thing radials provide is a much softer ride. Not a big deal if yer just putting around once a year to the local cruise or car show, but radials make a big difference if you actually drive your car.

Put a radial on the front right of the car, and a bias ply on the front left (ummm....don't drive it, this is a static demonstration https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif ), then bounce on each fender. It's night and day. The radial acts like a cushion, the bias ply is hard as a rock. There's no sidewall flex at all with a bias ply.

Obviously, if the look is more important than the performance or the drivability, the bias ply is the way to go. I've put a few thousand miles on my F70 Firestone Wide Ovals, but with the way the roads the way they are around here, you have to grab the steering wheel firmly at all times, and be prepared for a bone jarring ride. Bias plies are a great way to check for interior squeaks and rattles. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Red line radial versus bias ply
 

As the replys indicate,it depends on how much you drive. My Chrysler 300F gets used a fair amount by myself and my wife. It has Coker Radials on it. I would not consider using bias ply on this car because of its weight. My 66 442 has Firestone 775 14,original look and size. I am the only one who drives it and that is not a lot,some cruise nights and some weekend exercise. I used to only put Bias ply on for shows,but I realized how little I was using some of my cars and left the bias plys on for the past two years. My 71 442's have original Uniroyal Tiger Paws and Original G70-14 Polyglass. If these cars were being used more than the 4-5 mile jaunt to cruise gatherings, I would purchase new repop bias ply. I will change over to radial for longer use only because of the fact my bias plys for these cars are NOS.

Paul