One of my 14" tires developed a sidewall split. I was planning on upgrading to 15" rims next year, but I guess that plan's going to be accelerated, no point buying a pair of 14" tires this fall!
So, I have obtained a set of 15x7 rims off a '83 Diplomat, and a set of 15" disc brake covers, the next stop is the tire store. On the advice of our resident tire store employee, I'm hoping to go with 235/70R-15s. So now I need to make some decisions on style, etc.
(As a side note, I actually was only able to pick up 3 standard 15x7's and 1 heavy duty one - shouldn't be a problem, right?)
I'm thinking that what would look best (i.e. period correct) on a '66 NY Sedan would be a thinner whitewall. Generally I prefer the look of a blackwall but I'm not sure it would look right on this car. A wide whitewall would probably be too "fifties", I would think. Opinions, anyone? I've seen pix of blackwalls on slabside 300's and Newports, but does anyone have pix of blackwalls on a slabside NY? Anyone know what would have been original equipment?
If I do decide on the thinner whitewalls, I've looked on a couple of tire websites and not found much if any in that size. Any specific suggestions? I did look at Coker's repro stuff, but man that's big bux!!!!
In May when I was looking for tires for my '70 LeBaron, I ended up going with a Cooper Tire. The Michelin tire with a white-wall that other Imperial folks were suggesting was no longer available. I searched a lot of different web sites and made a lot of phone calls around Chicagoland with no luck.
I went to Coker's site to investigate the "more correct" version of my tire, but as you mentioned here, the cost was out of my range for the type of driving I will be doing.
http://www.coopertire.com/Flash/index.aspx It is the Trendsetter SE. I have the same size you are looking for and just coming back from a @1700 mile trip, the tires worked perfectly.
Though I'm new here, I'm just partial toward the white-wall.
'66 Quick Facts Guide
'66 Crown
I just think your car would look much nicer with a white-wall.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
John, good luck finding a 70-series tire with a whitewall! I know, I tried. I wound-up with a pair of Yokohama 235/70R15s on the front of my hardtop (and 255/60R15s in the back) which have raised white lettering. I asked to have them mounted with the white lettering on the inside because blackwalls don't look as bad as white letters.
For your car, I would suggest instead getting 225/75R15. They have the same overall diameter as 235/70 but are slightly narrower, a bit closer to what the factory tires would've been. 225/75R15 tires are also rated for a 6" to 7.5" rim though, so they're not too narrow for your rims.
Tirerack.com lists three tires that would fit the bill: Kumho Solus KR21, Dunlop SP 60, and Yokohama Aegis LS4. There are others from brands that they don't carry, like the Coopers that Mike Olson suggested. I'll link to the Tire Rack results page. The pics show blackwalls, but the description says they have a white stripe on the sidewall.
Joined: Mon Mar 17 2008, 07:51PM
Location: West Sacramento CA
Posts: 53
My 65 NYer has 235/70r15s up front at the moment. The rears are 235/75r15. The wheels are 80s dippy wheels just like yours. They are Goodyear Eagle GT+4s. I don't think they make them any more. They were available with a whitewall too. You might check the Goodyear line see if they have anything. Travis..
Joined: Sun Feb 26 2006, 08:46PM
Location: Kingston,Ontario
Posts: 5622
John you are in Oakville?? Check out any Harper Tire or Beverly Tire stores. Ask for 2357015 Navigator Gold. Built by Goodyear under the Kelly Tire name. Product # 356-716-722 Standard 1" whitewall and looks good on a slab I have them on my Barge. They can get them from the Cornwall warehouse. I am part of the same company. Another tire available is the Republic Enterprise Product # 353-716-167 Similar tread,and price range.Also under the Goodyear wing. Both tires can be bought cheaper than a white letter tire/SUV tire.Mileage range around 100K guarantee.
I prefer the thin pinstripe whitewall like I had with the Eagle GA's but they are discontinued. Diamond Back tires makes the 3/8" pinstripe radials--for a fee; Click on page 13: http://www.dbtires.com/catalog2.htm Hope this helps.
Joined: Sun Feb 26 2006, 08:46PM
Location: Kingston,Ontario
Posts: 5622
Sorry about the dirt and darkness.I have been driving the car as much as possible before storage time.. This is the 2357015 Navigator: The old pinstripe Eagle Ga's RIP;
Joined: Sun Feb 26 2006, 08:46PM
Location: Kingston,Ontario
Posts: 5622
With the pinstripe white wall.... With new tires standard 1" whitewall..(sorry for crappy pic)
In my opinion both whitewalls are fine on a slab.As mentioned,really wide whites do not work on a slab. Blackwall is OK on a low end model (i.e. Fury I or Polara)---not a New Yorker,IMO.Whitewalls came standard on New Yorkers,FYI,and if you want a "stock" appearing look. The odball rim should do fine,John as long as it is 15X7 more for uniformity than anything.
