How to Choose Tires for a Classic Car
When it comes time to choose tires for a classic car, you'll have to decide if you're going to show the car, drive it on the streets or if it's a "muscle car" of the 1960s. Here's some things to decide before you choose tires.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Consider if you are going to show your classic car in a concourse show where the correct reproduction tires may be required.
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2
Research the size and style tire your classic car uses by checking the specifications in the owner's manual or online at websites such as Coker Tire.
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3
Learn how to convert your car's old tire size to today's radial tire size. You'll find an explanation of how to do this at Second Chance Garage. (See link in Resources.)
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4
Decide whether to have one set of street safe tires if you drive your car on a regular basis and another set for classic car shows.
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5
Place an order for your classic car tires from a reputable tire source such as Coker Tire. It's the world's largest supplier of antique and classic car tires. (See link in Resources.)
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Tips & Warnings
Many aftermarket tire suppliers purchased original molds from manufacturers. These tires are exact reproductions of the originals.
Modern radial tires do not come in redline, wide white wall, double white wall or the small white letter style tires. They are available in single white wall style, which is acceptable on most of the classic muscle cars.
Most cars made prior to 1972 had two or four ply tires. Many earlier cars had inner tubes.
Be aware that using original styled bias-ply tires on your car doesn't give the same handling ability of radial tires.
