Author Topic: Tires for 65 GS  (Read 5325 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Tires for 65 GS
« on: January 18, 2013, 08:27:22 AM »
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
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2013, 09:03:05 AM »
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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2013, 09:10:24 AM »
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
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2013, 09:37:05 AM »
 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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline Brian

  • Global Moderator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1096
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2013, 10:23:16 AM »
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.   
'64 Skylark 2dr ht 4 speed, 300-4
'65 GS ht, 4 speed,2-4s,AC,PS,PB,PW,Pseat,Tilt
'66 Skylark 2dr ht 300-2 automatic
'78 Yamaha DT 400 2 stroke
'88 Ford F-150 4x4 (used to be 4x2)
'89 Ford F-350 4x4
'03 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6-speed manual (daily driver)

Offline nut465gs

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 529
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2013, 11:58:29 AM »
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

Offline Brian

  • Global Moderator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1096
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2013, 12:12:24 PM »
Mark, I think this is the answer for your car:
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. 
'64 Skylark 2dr ht 4 speed, 300-4
'65 GS ht, 4 speed,2-4s,AC,PS,PB,PW,Pseat,Tilt
'66 Skylark 2dr ht 300-2 automatic
'78 Yamaha DT 400 2 stroke
'88 Ford F-150 4x4 (used to be 4x2)
'89 Ford F-350 4x4
'03 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6-speed manual (daily driver)

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2013, 12:44:29 PM »
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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2013, 12:55:10 PM »
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
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline mdkd

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 538
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2013, 05:36:53 PM »
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
65 White GS HT My Pride & Joy
31 in Registry 2022 BCA Gold
65 Red White GS Convert 99 in Registry
SOLD to a good home in Ohio
65 Black GS HT - SOLD to a good home local
Several 64-65 non GS HT & Convert Sold
64 Special 4dr parents bought new not 4 sale

Offline mdkd

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 538
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2013, 05:50:35 PM »
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
65 White GS HT My Pride & Joy
31 in Registry 2022 BCA Gold
65 Red White GS Convert 99 in Registry
SOLD to a good home in Ohio
65 Black GS HT - SOLD to a good home local
Several 64-65 non GS HT & Convert Sold
64 Special 4dr parents bought new not 4 sale

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2013, 09:53:31 AM »
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
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2013, 11:11:23 AM »
 :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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline dl7265

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 146
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2013, 09:22:33 PM »
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

Offline campfamily

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 256
Re: Tires for 65 GS
« Reply #14 on: January 21, 2015, 10:32:20 AM »
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
65 Skylark GranSport, Convertible, Burgundy Mist, White Interior, Mostly Original, 70,000 miles