Firestone Wide Oval Radials
 

Blasphemy for some, but I just switched out E-70-15 Goodyear GT's for the F-70-15 Firestone Wide Oval Radials. The tires I had on the car were probably 10+ years old. I plan on driving it some and wanted the feel of a radial tire, with the look of old bias ply. Very satisfied with my choice. Here's the only picture because it's raining out. For years I used TA Radials for my drivers and finally there is a good looking alternative.

I bought mine last summer after a long wait for my 69 RS/SS and I agree with everything you said. I wanted period look with radial ride.

I LOVE mine:

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=157808

What are you doing with the old ones Steve? Still waiting. For Bill to get my Morton building up!
Buddy

Steve, do you mind sharing where you bought them?

I've liked the radial look-a-likes since they came out. I just wish they would expand the choices a bit.

Not having the correct tire available for our 69Z has kept me from buying them. But they still do look good on yours.

Well that and also the fact that we put about 10,000 miles a year on it and I don't think I can afford to replace those tires that frequently, lol

So I just stick to the BFG's until the car gets restored and removed from daily status.

That looks good.....real good!

In fact, I like the way the F70-15 fills the wheel well a bit more. I have those same tires on my Dad's 67 Corvette and love them.

I'll echo x33rs in the thought about some more sizes to choose from.

Tim

Looks great. Have they made a Goodyear Polyglas radial yet?

My choice was driven by the fact they had them in-stock. I went to several vendors and was told 6+weeks back Nov-Dec. I kept searching and they had them in stock and best price and included shipping.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Fires...nalQuery=62490

Goodyear is a different company (Kelsey)
Last time I talked to them at BJ they had planned to do some Goodyear radials but I haven't seen anything.

The Firestone radials come from Coker. They were there as well and they had no plans to make any E-70 Sport Car 200's. I guess not enough demand. Would be cool if they did.

First company to come out with the E-70 Radials I'll probably buy them.

Blasphemy no,Sacrilege,yes. :laugh:

I will be trying out a set of the same tires for my Z.
I have three sets of wheels now; and only two sets of tires.

Yes. But they have a funky tread design.

https://www.kelseytire.com/performan...lyglas-radial/

I installed a set of FR/70x14 wide oval radials on my SS454 Chevelle earlier this year.

I spent 15 years working in the tire industry. The wide oval radials appear to be a poorly made cheap tire that they are charging a premium for because of the look. I will say... they do ride nice and look cool. I probably would not buy another set. My SD455 was due for a new set of tires. A couple months ago I bought a set of 245/60R15 Mastercraft Avengers for $108/ea from Walmart. In all honesty... the Mastercrafts are a better quality tire overall... but don't have the "look". I used to be a BFG T/A guy. But BFG quality has gone down and the prices have gone through the roof.

Steve , they look very nice are those the same size as originally came on the car 27” tall seems like with a 3.73 or 4.10 she will be singing …

They look great, Steve. I hope they serve you well.

Tires look great and so does the stance!!

I may keep them for another concours show car. I saw Bill a few weeks ago and mentioned he has a survey scheduled for your project.

----Got a set on my 69 Grand Prix. Love them on that car as the ride is right for a semi luxury/muscle car!.....Bill S

The correct Z tire is an E-70-15 wide tread and Kelsey lists that tire at 26.73 overall diameter.

Their F-70-15 is listed as 26.51 overall diameter.

Pretty close in diameter.

The Firestone however varies a little more and in the other direction.
E-70 Sport Car tire is listed as 26.6" diameter but their F-70 Wide ovals are listed as 26.9" diameter.

When jumping to the radial design from Coker, only offered in the F-70, the diameter jumps to 27.1 inches so they are taller than all of them.

I just texted my buddy - he's on his second set of these tires. Over 38k miles on two sets in his 1971 Corvette that he drives everywhere. Most recently drove from NY to FL in all weather and temperature - no problems to report. This is a great case study on these tires. We put them on a buddy's '70 LS6 Chevelle too. He's loves them as well.

Yikes, 2 sets in 38k miles. That's at least $1500 twice.

That's what keeps me from buying them. We do at least 10,000 miles a year so in less than 4 years I'd spend over $3000 in tires LOL

I'm still running the same BFG's after 48k miles. It'll be time for another set soon.

We'd have to stop driving the thing before I put the nice looking repops on.

I like them, but I gotta keep things in perspective :grin:

Point taken but you and my buddy are in the minority with that type of mileage on a tire that very little different than a BFG but look vintage.

It's the price that's a big difference. That's all my post was meant to reflect.

If I were spending that much on tires for our daily driver I think my wife would have a talk with me :laugh:

Judging by the rubber compound and tread design... they look like they'd wear out quick.

I was wondering if I read that right.

2 sets at 38,000 miles. So about 19,000 miles a set at $370 a piece.

They sure do look good though :biggthumpup:

Back in '69, those tires were only good for 10-12k miles too, but they only cost less than $37 each...:wink:

Taking into account 53 years of material and labor cost increases and inflation, heck, they're a bargain now...:laugh:

We've well established these tires are expensive... To clarify my original statement - my buddy got 28k miles on the first set and he's 10k miles thus far on the second.

Ah well that helps explain things a bit more. That's quite a bit better. 28k isn't bad.

I love mine, and they ride nice.

These tire are expensive due to limited production and uniqueness. I would not compare this to a generics radial tires. My only reason was to improve the ride and handling along with a retro look.


Dan thanks for the clarification on baseline for tire wear. 28k mileage is better than expected.

Lovely car!

I have F-70 Wide Oval radials on the front of my 55 Chevy, rears are radial Towel City Pie Crust cheater slicks, love the look of bias, love the drive of radials.

Man do they ever have a strange tread design. That alone would make me purchase the Firestone Wide Oval's. I do love the original Polyglas look and have a set on my Nova SS.

This car somewhat vindicates your tire choice Steve. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...amaro-z-28-65/

Heck of a price for a car with a re-stamped block !!
Wish I hadn't gone to bat, now I want a Honda shown on the side panel...:shocked: