[cjatx]

I have a set of JW wheels that I'm refinishing. They'll be done soon and I'll need new tires for them.
I've looked at the Goodyear Polyglas tires online. Do these provide inferior performance to a steel belted radial? I show my car some and have been invited to display it at the Houston Auto Show at the end of January. I like the original look, but prefer not to sacrifice handling and performance. Any recommendations?
Thanks,
Chris

[SD73]

I've been running the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s for the past 5 or 8 years. My car came with Firestones and I am pleased with the retro look these have and the outstanding performance they give. I'm not sure if they're still available, but they're certainly worth checking for imho. I'm running the 255 / 60 / 15s on all 4 corners.

[blue71ta]

BFGoodrich Radial T/As, 235/60R15 is what I would recommend

[giles]

If you drive the car at all you'll want radials. Big difference. The polyglas are a period piece. They are harsher, nibble at ridges, breakaway with less warning...shall I go on?
Best solution is to put polyglas on OE wheels and have a driver set of rally IIs with radials.

[Aus78Formula]

The BFG Radial TA's look the best, but have poor riding and handling compared to nearly everything else. It isn't just a retro look, the technology stayed there too even though the tread changed a few times. Of course, they are superior to the Polyglas, since owners don't buy that tyre for anything beyond look.

[71GP76TA]

I have Polyglas on my '70 and it drives just fine.. the car is properly aligned...the front end is nice and tight... I run 40psi in the front tires. Only difference I noticed is hard cornering steering response and some ride quality.. Once in a while it will catch the ruts in the road... As long as I keep a lot of air in the front tires I really don't notice it...

If I feel the need to beat a car and drive hard... I jump in my '09 Challenger R/T that's set up to do that..

[bird72]

Go to the BF website and spec width and HEIGHT before buying. Everyones popular wide 60 ones often wind up shorter than original look. Stay with 70 series for original stock height and look. 60 series in same size are shorter.

[weranc55]

The BFG 235 60 today are not the same size they where 25 years ago. The new tires are about a inch shorter. I usually put poly glasses on my car but I don't drive it far either.

[Norwood]

70 series tires on any 70-72 Trans Am are a NoNo. Go with 245 /60-15 all round. You can see the polyglas on my car below they are now gone , I just didn't feel safe at hi way speeds wit them

[bird72]

Originally Posted by Norwood

70 series tires on any 70-72 Trans Am are a NoNo.

out of curiosity, why is that? I may be thinking more correct for Formula.

[Norwood]

Because they never came with a 70 series tire, as simple as that. Formulas also could not be had with a 15 inch wheel and a 70 series tire. If you put a the same hight tire on, the 70 will be narrower and why would you want that?

[njsteve]

1973 was the first year for the radial tire option and that was a GR70x15 (the ill-fated Firestone 500)

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Norwood

70 series tires on any 70-72 Trans Am are a NoNo. Go with 245 /60-15 all round. You can see the polyglas on my car below they are now gone , I just didn't feel safe at hi way speeds wit them

I run 70 on the freeway and my car feels fine with the Polyglas.

I have a set of 16x8 torque Thrusts with 245/50R16 on the '73 and it handles like a go cart. When I had the same wheels and tires on the '70 it caught the ruts worse that the Polyglas. I have never put the Polyglas on the '73 (no reason too) I'd have to look up the alignment settings on both cars... I'm guessing that's why one drives better than the other..

off topic a little ... - I have a set of 16" Torque Thrusts with a 4" BS that are on the '73. I also have a set of 16" Vintage 45's with a 4.5 BS on my '69 Chevelle. When I put the TT's on the Chevelle the car drives like crap... but drives perfect with the Vintsage 45's... the 1/2" difference in offset makes a world of difference.

[Norwood]

I took my PolyGlas off before my trip to the Nats last year. I didn't want to do a +600mile trip on them. They are fine and look killer around home .

[dpoltzer]

I am putting 15" Rally IIs on my 70 Formula and was also looking for input on tire size recommendations. I want the car to handle great but don't want to go too wide. Any one have pictures of a Formy with 15" Rally lls with the 245-60-15 mentioned below? Thanks.

[Norwood]

245 on the front 255 on the back. No rub

[Tazzz2]

Go ploy on the JW's and then have some fun with a driver set... These were my choice..


18 X 35 X 335 on all four corners ;-)

[71GP76TA]

I kinda like driving on the bias plys... makes driving more "interesting"..

[cjatx]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm thinking of staying with radials. The only options with RWL seem to be BF Goodrich Radial TA's, Mickey Thomsons, and Cooper Cobras. I'm leaning toward the TA's. It seems Firestone and Goodyear don't make RWL any longer, at least in sizes that fit the Trans Am.
I may stretch another year or two out of my Goodyear Eagle GT ll's. They're eight years old, but seem to be in good shape. I'll check the inside of the tires when they take them off the rims.

[RicksGTO]

if money (and correctness) are no object and you like the small Goodyear lettering, you could get the Polysteel Radials reproductions...