And since I need to be getting tires for my '63 hardtop to replace the aged-out Goodyear Arrivas currently on it (15+ years old now and less than 10,000 miles including our drive to Portland, OR for the VTCI International in 2005 from KCMO), I need to start thinking serious about this topic, too. While I currently have Hankook Optimo 724s (? - search for my post on replacing tires/tubes on my Roadster a couple years ago) and the price was very reasonable ($50-60/corner for the tire itself), I'm not real thrilled about the whitewall width nor the 'furrin' country-of-origin. What about Diamondback? I thought they offered a custom whitewall width to a purchaser's specifications. You'll have to use 205/80-14 with 5.5" rim and 3.8" backspacing to represent the 8.00 -14 originals but that should get you close. There are a number of sites that let you compare the specs of different size tires. If you go to a different rim, you can always play with the backspacing (assuming you can find the right rim) to adjust clearance outboard and inboard of the tire. That should give you enough clearance for your skirts, but each tire is slightly different so you'd have to check. On the same rims that would make the tires stick out about 10mm (0.4") more on each side of the tire. That being said, if you do use 225 tires they are about 20mm wider than the standard 8.00" tires (which are about 205mm). 225 tires really need at least 6", or preferably 7" wide wheels like Bill used. But I'd be a little leery of using 225 tires on the stock TBird rims. You will be very glad that you did.I'm not going to wade into the raised white letters vs whitewall vs blackwall silliness except to say to each his own. Simply give us a telephone call or email us for more information and pricing. Let us explain all the advantages of having your chrome Thunderbird wire wheels and tires purchased as a package. ▪ Shipping Costs: It is less expensive to ship a wheel and tire package than to purchase wheels and tires and have them shipped separately. Many owners plan on installing their old tires onto their new wheels, only to find out subsequently that a responsible tire shop will refuse to work on tires over six years old! ▪ Safety: More and more states and countries are outlawing or imposing liability for harm caused by tires that are six years old or older. We make sure that you have the right size, quality, and price when you select your wheel and tire package. ▪ Great Selection: We offer our customers nearly any brand, size, and style of whitewall tire on the market. Worse yet, the installer will cause your wheel to leak or the installer might not be able to balance your wheel and tire at all! All the while, the customer is spending hours watching, waiting, and hoping that the installer does the job right and without harming their new wheels and tires. What often occurs is that an inexperienced technician will scratch, dent, or drop your wheel, causing harm to it. Most tire shops do not have proper, modern installation equipment or experience to do the job right. ▪ Ease of Installation: Sadly, there are too few tire shops capable of mounting and properly balancing wire wheels and classic, whitewall tires. ▪ Best Value: when you add up the cost of purchasing wheels, tires, inner tubes (if needed), professional mounting and balancing, valve stems, special German no-lead stick-on weights, and the value of your time, you cannot beat purchasing your new wheels with tires as a package from us. Why Buy a Thunderbird Wire Wheel and Tire Package? Precision mounting and balancing by the wire wheel experts. Radial tires may NOT fit in Continental Kits. The American Classic tires are speed-rated, all-season, and have an estimated tread life of 45,000 miles. by a tire manufacturer in busines s since 1915. Please call us for tire prices on any of these optional tires.Īmerican Classic whitewall tires are made in the U.S.A. We are proud to offer Firestone, BF Goodrich, Coker, and Goodyear bias-ply tires. Please contact us for pricing.) You may also order at extra cost, BF Goodrich, Coker, and Goodyear steel belted radials. (*Bias-Look American Classic tires are available at extra cost. Our packages come with American Classic or other brands of steel b elted radial tires. Red, black, blue, or plain chrome.įour wide whitewall tires. Includes, four 3-bladed spinner style, center caps with your choice of color center logos. Included are the following items and services in our Thunderbird wire wheel and tire packages: