Tyres

[langlj00]

Morning All,
Haven't been here for a while......
I've had the '74 since 2004 and when I got it, it had new-ish Cooper Cobras on each corner - still on original steel wheels.
20 years later - I figure I ought to change the rubber - loads of tread left, but for safety's sake......

So I have looked on Northants tyres and can get the same tyres (215/70R15) for lots of money (£198):

Cooper Cobra Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Cooper Cobra Radial G/T Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 Increased tyre to road contact which leads to improvements in treadwear and handling Designed for resistance to irregular wear while providing solid, all season performance Reversible for your choice of Raised white Letter or black...

northhantstyres.com

Or BF Goodrich (£187):

BF Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letters - 215/70R15

B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 A long wearing sport tyre derived from the original race winning street radial! Designed for a wide competition look with low profile and advanced block pattern, the Radial T/A is the perfect choice for the US manufactured sports and muscle...

northhantstyres.com

But they also do:
Galaxy R1s (£128):

Vitour Galaxy R1 Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Marked Tyre Size: 215/70R15 Make: Vitour Galaxy R1 Sidewall Design: Raised White Letters Tyre Type: Classic Radial Tyre Season: Summer Whitewall Width: - - Overall Diameter: 26.85" 682 mm Section Width: 8.46" 215 mm Tread Width: - - Load Capacity: - Load Index: 97 H Speed Rating: 130 MPH...

northhantstyres.com

I've never heard of the Galaxys and haven't seen them on anyone's car (not been to a show for at least 5 years).
So are they any good? Clearly a saving when doing all 4!
I don't drive the car very much - less than 500miles a year and I don't rag the h3ll out of it.

Thoughts appreciated.
Jeremy.
PS. Not looking to change wheels or tyre size - just new rubber.

 

[Roscobbc]

You need to have a chat with Andy Maskery, Essex Rep. He has the Galaxy tyres fitted on his modified '76. An ideal person to ask/discuss as he has used them on his car for organised track events at North Weald. You'll presumably know the Galaxy's have a far higher speed rating than Coopers, Goodrich and any other alternatives. Not making any presumptions that you'll ever reach the heady heights of 149 mph (or what ever the rating is)........but I would be more comfortable knowing the tyre has been tested at higher speeds........remembering that C3 sized tyres in design terms are over 50 years old.............

 

[Mr. Cricket]

I would also try speaking with members that have bought RWL tyres in the last few years and see if the Blooming issue is still with them. I bought a full set of RWL BFG's that turned brown sat in the garage. Nothing I did could get them white again and research led to new environmental restrictions changed how the tyres are made resulting in oil leaching out turning the letters brown. It didn't help that the tried and trusted treatments for keeping them white such as Bleche White and others have changed their formula again due to environmental controls making them lest potent. I switched to relines on my C3 and very happy with the look and not having to spend hours fruitlessly trying to get RWL white again.

Another based on a mistake I made. Always check when the tyres you are purchasing were manufactured (DOT code on the tyre wall) as tyres such as RWL, white line, redline etc can sit unsold for some time and even years. A set of redlines I bought in 2019 were made in 2016.

And yes, your tyres are well overdue replacing and new rubber will transform the ride on your Corvette.

 

[Roscobbc]

My experience with BFG's was that the older they became, the harder the rubber seemed to become (and would they ever wear out?), the less they gripped but inversely the more they would 'squeal' when cornering at anything over 10 mph!

 

[teamzr1]

I use the BFGs for some years with no issues for my 1999 C5
They come in the street bias or I use the more designed for street and track

 

[antijam]

I bought a set of 215/70R15 BFG RWL's last year to replace very aged but relatively unworn Goodyear Eagle's on my '71. Four tires cost me £607 inc. VAT.



I've had no problem with browning but normal road dirt is very easily cleaned off with this....

 

[Roscobbc]

I use the BFGs for some years with no issues for my 1999 C5
They come in the street bias or I use the more designed for street and track

View attachment 26881

View attachment 26880

We don't seem to see these in the UK.

 

[teamzr1]

Maybe asking on BFG website can say who sells them in the UK ?

G-Force Comp

Shop G-FORCE™ COMP-2™ A/S PLUS Tires | BFGoodrich Tires

Experience advanced wet and dry handling for ultimate control. Shop G-FORCE™ COMP-2™ A/S PLUS tires for our best ultra-high performance all-season tire ever.

www.bfgoodrichtires.com

Rival-S version

Shop BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S Summer Tire | BFGoodrich Tires

Experience the BFGoodrich g-Force™ Rival S Summer tire. Street, autocross, or time attack - if it's paved, get ready to own it. Buy the g-Force Rival S tire today.

www.bfgoodrichtires.com

Here is BFG in the UK website

BFGoodrich Tyres Official Website | United Kingdom and Ireland

Discover the BFGoodrich iconic collection of 4x4 tyres, SUV tyres, mud tyres, all terrain tyres and much more directly on the BFGoodrich official website!

www.bfgoodrich.co.uk

 

[Chuffer]

Morning All,
Haven't been here for a while......
I've had the '74 since 2004 and when I got it, it had new-ish Cooper Cobras on each corner - still on original steel wheels.
20 years later - I figure I ought to change the rubber - loads of tread left, but for safety's sake......

So I have looked on Northants tyres and can get the same tyres (215/70R15) for lots of money (£198):

Cooper Cobra Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Cooper Cobra Radial G/T Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 Increased tyre to road contact which leads to improvements in treadwear and handling Designed for resistance to irregular wear while providing solid, all season performance Reversible for your choice of Raised white Letter or black...

northhantstyres.com

Or BF Goodrich (£187):

BF Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letters - 215/70R15

B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 A long wearing sport tyre derived from the original race winning street radial! Designed for a wide competition look with low profile and advanced block pattern, the Radial T/A is the perfect choice for the US manufactured sports and muscle...

northhantstyres.com

But they also do:
Galaxy R1s (£128):

Vitour Galaxy R1 Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Marked Tyre Size: 215/70R15 Make: Vitour Galaxy R1 Sidewall Design: Raised White Letters Tyre Type: Classic Radial Tyre Season: Summer Whitewall Width: - - Overall Diameter: 26.85" 682 mm Section Width: 8.46" 215 mm Tread Width: - - Load Capacity: - Load Index: 97 H Speed Rating: 130 MPH...

northhantstyres.com

I've never heard of the Galaxys and haven't seen them on anyone's car (not been to a show for at least 5 years).
So are they any good? Clearly a saving when doing all 4!
I don't drive the car very much - less than 500miles a year and I don't rag the h3ll out of it.

Thoughts appreciated.
Jeremy.
PS. Not looking to change wheels or tyre size - just new rubber.

Ye gods !! 20 year old tyres They could kill you in the blink of an eye , 500 miles a year or not as they degrade just sitting still over time . I have witnessed another club members blow out at speed on a duel carriage way it aint funny . Don`t you get flat spots too with the car standing unused so long ? I also dodged a bullet on aging BFG`s when a huge carbuncle suddenly popped up in the middle of the tread pattern . I don`t think £198 is OTT considering how the price of a black rubber rings has shot up in recent years for any car . I bought a pair of RWL P255 / 60R 15`s BFG `s ( I run 10 inch rims front ant 12 inch rear ) 2 years ago from North Hants Tyres at £216 each + VAT + £19 delivery . The speed rating is not an issue in the festering 70mph country and I don`t do track days in the C3 . If you were a CCCUK member you would also get a discount from NHT . Worth noting that I don`t get the browning issue either on RWL , it`s just a bugger to get the blue protective coating off !!

 

[Roscobbc]

Have to say it Chuffer........ but a 255/60/15 on a 12 inch wide rim is literally 'stretching' things somewhat! - (even a 10" wide rim) - perhaps not like this though!

 

[Chuffer]

Have to say it Chuffer........ but a 255/60/15 on a 12 inch wide rim is literally 'stretching' things somewhat! - (even a 10" wide rim) - perhaps not like this though!

255 /55 / R15 front and 295 /50 / R15 on rear no stretch at all Ross and hopefully the photo shows .

 

[teamzr1]

What a 335/30/18 tire on 12 inch wide 18-inch wheels looks like on my 1999 C5




Inner tubbed the inner fender wells, so no wheel spacing used and not sticking out of rear quarter panels

 

[teamzr1]

Here is what is done to inner tubb to allow for wider wheels/tires to fit without using spacers so it looks like they are stock sized
In my case, moved backside of inner fender 2 inches per side inward of hatch space, but the targa top still will fit in
but cannot use the stock storage latches

 

[Roscobbc]

255 /55 / R15 front and 295 /50 / R15 on rear no stretch at all Ross and hopefully the photo shows .View attachment 26886

Presumed you'd used same size tyres front/rear......obviously not!

 

[Roscobbc]

Maybe asking on BFG website can say who sells them in the UK ?

G-Force Comp

Shop G-FORCE™ COMP-2™ A/S PLUS Tires | BFGoodrich Tires

Experience advanced wet and dry handling for ultimate control. Shop G-FORCE™ COMP-2™ A/S PLUS tires for our best ultra-high performance all-season tire ever.

www.bfgoodrichtires.com

Rival-S version

Shop BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S Summer Tire | BFGoodrich Tires

Experience the BFGoodrich g-Force™ Rival S Summer tire. Street, autocross, or time attack - if it's paved, get ready to own it. Buy the g-Force Rival S tire today.

www.bfgoodrichtires.com

Here is BFG in the UK website

BFGoodrich Tyres Official Website | United Kingdom and Ireland

Discover the BFGoodrich iconic collection of 4x4 tyres, SUV tyres, mud tyres, all terrain tyres and much more directly on the BFGoodrich official website!

www.bfgoodrich.co.uk

Looks as though BFG are only marketing Off Road tyres here in UK - their 'old school' style tyres are imported by independant specialists like North Hants Tyres, who interestingly also ship over MT and Nitto tyres in 'modern' sizes.

 

[Forrest Gump]

Morning All,
Haven't been here for a while......
I've had the '74 since 2004 and when I got it, it had new-ish Cooper Cobras on each corner - still on original steel wheels.
20 years later - I figure I ought to change the rubber - loads of tread left, but for safety's sake......

So I have looked on Northants tyres and can get the same tyres (215/70R15) for lots of money (£198):

Cooper Cobra Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Cooper Cobra Radial G/T Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 Increased tyre to road contact which leads to improvements in treadwear and handling Designed for resistance to irregular wear while providing solid, all season performance Reversible for your choice of Raised white Letter or black...

northhantstyres.com

Or BF Goodrich (£187):

BF Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letters - 215/70R15

B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A Raised White Letter- 215/70R15 A long wearing sport tyre derived from the original race winning street radial! Designed for a wide competition look with low profile and advanced block pattern, the Radial T/A is the perfect choice for the US manufactured sports and muscle...

northhantstyres.com

But they also do:
Galaxy R1s (£128):

Vitour Galaxy R1 Raised White Letters 215/70R15

Marked Tyre Size: 215/70R15 Make: Vitour Galaxy R1 Sidewall Design: Raised White Letters Tyre Type: Classic Radial Tyre Season: Summer Whitewall Width: - - Overall Diameter: 26.85" 682 mm Section Width: 8.46" 215 mm Tread Width: - - Load Capacity: - Load Index: 97 H Speed Rating: 130 MPH...

northhantstyres.com

I've never heard of the Galaxys and haven't seen them on anyone's car (not been to a show for at least 5 years).
So are they any good? Clearly a saving when doing all 4!
I don't drive the car very much - less than 500miles a year and I don't rag the h3ll out of it.

Thoughts appreciated.
Jeremy.
PS. Not looking to change wheels or tyre size - just new rubber.

As Ross says, I‘ve got the Galaxy tyres on my car (225/70R15) and I’ve been happy with them. Performance wise they’re fine for spirited driving. I’ve not tried BFG or Coopers so wouldn't know if they’re any better or worse, but Galaxy does have a higher speed rating, if that’s an indicator of overall performance.
The tread pattern is a more modern design than the block tread pattern of BFG, ie has continuous centre bands, but doesn’t look too leary or out of place on a classic car IMO.
I got the tyres in about 2019 I think it was, and they had only just been launched by Northants tyres. The lettering did turn brown. Its possible to clean them up a bit but not back to gleaming white. (I’m not too bothered about that - my car is a driver rather than show car, there’s usually brake dust covering the lettering!). I‘m seeing quite a few people with Galaxy tyres now and can’t say I’ve noticed or heard any complaints about browning. I wonder if the manufacturers have found a way to prevent it now. I’m sure at one time there was actually a statement on the Northants website about the problem, but I can’t find that now, so maybe it’s resolved.

 

[teamzr1]

Have you tried oil based waterproof tire paint ?
Very cheap and lots of them in many types of colors, including white

Amazon.com : waterproof tire paint pen

 

[Grahamred70]

I have the Vitour Galaxy tyres on my C3, no issues as yet, I also have Vitour tyres on my Chevy truck and they seem to be fine, good value for what would appear to be good quality tyres compared to the alternatives.

Graham

 

[Mad4slalom]

What a 335/30/18 tire on 12 inch wide 18-inch wheels looks like on my 1999 C5

View attachment 26884


Inner tubbed the inner fender wells, so no wheel spacing used and not sticking out of rear quarter panels

View attachment 26885

30 series !?? That’s not a tyre, that’s a cambelt !