65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Drivetrain => Rims & Tires => Topic started by: Mark Ascher on January 18, 2013, 08:27:22 AM
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On Coker's website, 7.75 x 14 redlines are now listed at $202. ea. If anyone knows of an alternate source for these, please post.
Last year these were $170. ea.
Mark
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Mark,
I don't have an alternate. Why redlines?
From a judging point of view, they are incorrect and would be a mandatory point deduction.
Just asking out of interest.
Loren
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Loren,
The redlines have that musclecar "look." The 7.75 x 14 whites are $186. There is no blackwall available, you'd have to turn the whites in
if you wanted black. I need five of those things, so I figured I might as well get what I want for the grand, even if the reds would be a deduct.
Mark
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I agree that they are definitely more cool.
I looked at it from a BCA judging stand point, and when a "mandatory" deduction is applied, the Senior award will not be given. FWIW
Your car is on track for a definite gold and senior award. Not a lot of cars can do that.
Loren
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I have the whitewall tires with the whitewalls turned in on my GS. Sprayed the whitewalls black with some SEM color coat black before I put them on the car so the whitewalls would not be so visible under the car. They are 7.75x14 Firestones.
You can get them from Lucas tire for alot less money. They have an old stock of them since they were made new in Australia not too many years ago. I think they are more like $100 or $120 each from Lucas.
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Hi Mark,
I have a good friend that manages a local tire store. While I was pricing tires for our Jeep, I was surprised to see how expensive tires have become. I was told that there was a big price increase over the last few years because of the price of oil. Doubt if tires will get any cheaper in the near future.
If I may make a suggestion, have you considered buying two sets of tires? Buy a wider, redline radial tire for driving. Then have a set of bias ply tires whenever entering a judged show. Sure, it's going to be more expensive, but you will be much happier with radials for driving. Redlines do look good on a '65 GS.
John
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Mark, I think this is the answer for your car:
http://lucasclassictires.com/14-775-x14-Firestone-NOS-7-8WW-517810L.htm (http://lucasclassictires.com/14-775-x14-Firestone-NOS-7-8WW-517810L.htm)
$99 each. Turn the whitewalls in and spray them black. (note that the pic on the website shows a wide white wall, but these are actually just a 7/8" whitewall).
If you decide to drive the car at some point in the future, then you can buy a set of redline radials and put them on another set of rims. I did that with my GS--I have another set of rims and center caps with blackwall 215-75-R14 tires on them. I only put the bias tires on when I take it to a judged show. I also have the rims with the radials painted black in the center since I think it looks much better than the argent gray that came on the '65 rims from the factory.
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I too have a set of "show tires". also have a couple of different set of radials mounted on the sport wheels.
Brian and John are so right when they say to go with radials for non-show driving. The difference in handling and stability is beyond description.
Loren
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Brian, thanks for the link on Lucas! that is the way to go. I'm pricing upholstery fabric now, and if things work out,
I may have enough to get fabric and buy some tires. Thanks Loren & John for the added info. I have the set of five
spoke mags and bias ply 70 series redlines on it now. Not ideal for driving to cruise nights or out of town for sure.
Once the car is done, I'll have to spring for some redline radials. It would be worth selling the bias ply 70s to do that.
Mark
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Mark
You haven't said anything about what wheels you are looking to use for your show set.
I have a set of five 14x6 steel wheels with the marking hole and bumps by the valve stem hole as displayed elsewhere in this forum for station wagons and GS.
I don't know what I have left for the correct spinner hub caps. We used to pull the bird centers and use them on the rally wheels because they weren't available in early 80's.
You could stop by on the way back from one of your Spirit Mountain family ski trips or I could drop them off next time we get together at your place.
These aren't NOS just used originals. Have spray can will travel.
For FREE is what I had in mind considering the fact we have to get this car on the road or trailer at least for the BCA Nationals in Fort Wayne in July.
I agree with Loren. Evan the newest BCA Judge will pick up on the wrong tires and center caps.
It would be a shame to miss an opportunity for big awards with a car as fine as yours is.
I wish I had a set of good rally wheels for ya but I don't at this time.
Milton
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Mark
Make that South Bend IN. not Fort Wayne for the BCA Natiionals this year (July 17-20).
I have BCA Judging manuals if you need one.
Milton
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Hi Milton,
I have the wheels I'll be using for show. They are the stock 14 x 6 chrome wheels like most 65s have.
Gotta get the tire thing resolved and we'll be set for that. I'm waiting to get Dan's feedback on a 7.75 x 14 from
Lucas. If he says they are ok, I'll order up a set. South Bend is still a possibility, but not 100% sure yet.
Even if I can get the thing done, I have no idea how to get it there.
Mark
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:dontknow:
It may go further then around the block.lol That wagon of yours should be capable of towing.
The BCA judging manual is down loadable as a pdf, at the Buick Club of America website.
Loren
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On Coker's website, 7.75 x 14 redlines are now listed at $202. ea. If anyone knows of an alternate source for these, please post.
Last year these were $170. ea.
Mark
No kidding ! and the G60-15 for 70 are getting close to $300 EACH ! Getting ridiculous. I found a nice set of polyester red-lines for my Conv.
regards,
DL
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Resurrecting an old thread......
It's time for new shoes for the GS. The previous owner put BFG T/A radials, size 225/70/14 on the car about a year before I bought it, which was about 11 years ago, so I'm definitely overdue. I know that this size is a bit larger than the stock 7.75X14 tires these cars came with. I have a slight rub on the right front fender, at full lock going into a driveway or over a bump. I'm considering getting the same type of tire (BFG T/A), but going a size down to 215/70/14, and putting the white letters in. Seems as though the going price is $122 per tire for these. My car is definitely not a show car, it is a driver, so going for max judged points isn't my goal, driveability is. Would appreciate any comments on my plan....
Thanks in advance,
Keith
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Keith,
I put Hankook Optimo H24 215/75-14 whitewalls on for use as daily driver. Believe Milton (MKD) did also. Inexpensive, good quality, nice ride. Correct size too. Tire Rack has a set on eBay for $316 with free shipping. Bought mine for about that price from Discount Tire.
Good luck, Dan
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Keith
Like Dan indicated I purchased a set of the R75 14 WW last spring as drivers and they have worked out just fine so far especially considering the price.
The WW are less than 1" and are radials but you indicated you weren't concerned about show points at this time.
I consider these worth looking at and see what fits you.
Good Hunting.
Milton
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I've actually got a set of those Hankooks too. The WW is a good width, but the crazily huge ghost branding on the side doesn't do much for me.
I took off a set of repro Coker Silvertown redlines, which actually hooked remarkably well at the track. I wanted to buy the same tire in a pinstripe white, but it would have cost me over 1000.00. So I gave the Hankooks a go and actually like them very much. We'll see how well they hook this spring, but I am not expecting much.....
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well.. Not tryn' to beat a dead horse but... I purchased a set of "stones" red lines for my original 65 to match the original spare dated 3 66 in the trunk... these are mounted on original and CORRECT 65 Ralley wheels. I stripped, sanded and restored the wheels applying the correct charcoal silver metallic 2K paint with a satin finish clearcoat.
My car MAY/mayNOT be entered into 'Survivor Class" havent decided yet... and Im not certain having red lines will make a huge difference in that class, I just like the look of the red lines....
I dont know enuf about the Survivor class yet... but Im sure I will be informed on this site.... :thumbsup:
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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Guys - thanks, all, for the great info and feedback. I decided to go with the BFG blackwalls, $120 each at America's Tire (also known as Discount Tire). The Hankook's were a bit cheaper, at $73 each, but other than the whitewall, I didn't like the look of the tire; to be frank (and I'm not trying to insult anybody here), they looked like they belonged on a Mitsubishi Eclipse or something like that; just didn't look like a tire that should be on a muscle car. I went with the 215/70/14, a smidge over $600 out the door, mounted and balanced, including sales tax (9.0%), and the wonderful environmental and disposal fees this state levies on us. Love the look, and they don't rub the front fenders any more :hello2:
Wheelz, I love the redline look as well, but just couldn't justify the extra $100 per tire to satisfy that love. :crybaby2:
Keith