[Longs]

I'm LONG overdue for some new tires on my '67 and am trying to evaluate options. As the attached picture shows, I have OLD (probably 25 years old or older) Goodyear Eagle ST raised white letters on it now. They're showing signs of fatigue and cracking.

The wheels are 15" and I intend to use them with new tires. I have 225/70/R15s on it now, the fronts will occasionally rub the inner fenders on a hard turn. I want to keep all four tires the same size. I was thinking that I'd go to 215/70/R15s to provide a little more clearance.

I'm trying to decide whether to go with raised white letters again, and if I do, that dramatically limits my options - about the only tire that I find on TireRack is BFG Radial T/A. With shipping and installation, I'd probably be in them for at least $150 per tire.

If I go with black sidewall I have many more options and I can probably save $30 per tire or more. I don't put a lot of miles on the car, I'm not out there hot-rodding it, so I really just need a decent tire. We're now seeing press that tires should be changed after about 8 years or less regardless of the mileage, so it doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense to spend a lot for tires that might have 20K on them when they're due to be replaced.

Thoughts? Which direction would you go?

[GT182]

I put BFG 255/60-15 RWL T/A Radials on the rear of my 66 GTO. Helped drop the RPMs a bit for running in the big roads at 65. Rear is stock 3:55. I still have 14" Cragars up front. But if I had 15s I'd put 225s or 235s on.

Very nice lookin 67. The Cragars look great on it.

[Goatracer1]

White ltr tires are kind of out of style now (though I still like them). If you really want to stay with all the same size tire I would go with the P215/70R15. Thats what I have on the front of my 1967 GTO. If you are never going to wear them out go with a bigger tire on the back.

[GT182]

Originally Posted by Goatracer1

White ltr tires are kind of out of style now

Depends on where you're located. RWL tires are popular around here.

[nodwyer]

Love my firestones

[geeteeohguy]

I am in the same boat with my '67.....20 year old Eagle ST 225/70/14 RWL tires. But no cracks or signs of age, as the car is out of the weather 99% of the time. I think your choice of a 215 size tire in 15" is a wise one. It'll still look good, and ride a little smoother than the 225 size. My experience with new tires made in the past few years is that the rubber is inferior and that they age and crack much sooner than the old, higher quality tires. I have some 40 year old Firestones on my '15 Ford Model T that are in perfect shape, and have friends with 1 year old tires of the same make and model, but now made off shore, that are cracking and coming apart. Many won't run tires over 8 years old, regardless. I have no issues with running older, high quality tires if they show no signs of cracking or separation. But I do inspect my tires and air pressures regularly.

[gtospieg]

Many of us are in the same boat...expensive tires that will need to be replaced long before they are close to worn out. Simple solution...smoke your tires often. This will help wear out your tires sooner and you'll feel like you got your moneys worth and have a lot of fun too.

[jd66]

I have 215 65 15 on the front and 255 60 15 on the rear, BF Goodrich on 7" steel wheels, like the look, soon to be on the street. jd grim 66 gto

[Scarebird]

The FireHawk Indy 500's are great - but no longer made...

I ran the predecessor* to these; inexpensive with good traction dry or wet. Far better tire than the BFG at half the price.

*they have closeouts in 225/70/15 with heavier tire body

[geeteeohguy]

gtospieg, I've never heard of a better reason to take up smoking again! Thanks!

[nodwyer]

I just got my firehawks 2 yrs ago. They are no longer made? to bad if thats true

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by nodwyer

I just got my firehawks 2 yrs ago. They are no longer made? to bad if thats true

Yes it's true. I called tire rack trying to match a tire and they told me the same thing.

[Txbobcat]

I just priced some 2456015 BFG $150 each.

[Longs]

I went with these Futura GLS Super Sports from Pep Boys, in 225-70-15. They were $96 each before a 10% off coupon - still getting out the door, with installation etc. I was at $452 for four. They're warranted to 50K miles, I figure that I'll never get close to wearing them out before they're "old" again, and they weren't too expensive. They seem to ride well, and they have a decent look overall.

I thought about going for the Radial T/As but figured that I wouldn't get out the door for much under $700 for four; for the above reasons, I figured that it wasn't worth it. It's not like I'm out there running the car hard through the corners, it's basically just a cruiser at this point.

The Eagle STs on the car before were purchased in 1984, so they were due! I didn't ask them if they crumbled when they took them off the rims. I was just glad that they didn't break the rims or anything in the swap, since i'd never find a replacement.

[Blackened]

http://m.discounttire.com/dtcs/findW...on.do?r=TDSINT
For anyone else looking for tires, Discount Tires (America's Tires) has good prices on the Cooper Cobras. Since they are also a B&M store your local tire store may price match.
Worked for me at Wheel Works.