White Wall Options (68 302)

[Leeds]

I just got the Marti report for my '68 survivor vert. According to them, my car came with the tires that were standard on the 302:

6.95 X 14-4 Ply Rated Tires
White Sidewall Tires
Heavy Duty Suspension

(I thought I'd also mention the factory "Heavy Duty Suspension" in the off chance that that affects the tire decision in any way.)

I've poured over a number of threads on this site and what I've found is that there are a million ways to go. It seems that most people like the Firestone FR380 tires, but unless I'm mistaken, they have ceased production of those tires.

I don't intend to drive this car in the snow, but I can see getting caught in the rain from time to time. For those reasons I'm hoping to find a decent tire that does well in the rain.

Any opinions?

[Israel]

Can't remember where, but there is at least one company that produces old nonproduction rubber for antiques,..probably not cheap though.

It was probably in a catalog; Summit, Jegs, Sweedway

[Leeds]

Originally Posted by Israel

Can't remember where, but there is at least one company that produces old nonproduction rubber for antiques,..probably not cheap though.

It was probably in a catalog; Summit, Jegs, Sweedway

I don't feel the need to get the exact same tire that came with it, but something that looks right and drives well (even in the rain) is of great importance to me...

Also, am I correct in assuming that the size should be 185/75R14 ?

[slim]

Originally Posted by Leeds

I just got the Marti report for my '68 survivor vert. According to them, my car came with the tires that were standard on the 302:

6.95 X 14-4 Ply Rated Tires
White Sidewall Tires
Heavy Duty Suspension

(I thought I'd also mention the factory "Heavy Duty Suspension" in the off chance that that affects the tire decision in any way.)

I've poured over a number of threads on this site and what I've found is that there are a million ways to go. It seems that most people like the Firestone FR380 tires, but unless I'm mistaken, they have ceased production of those tires.

I don't intend to drive this car in the snow, but I can see getting caught in the rain from time to time. For those reasons I'm hoping to find a decent tire that does well in the rain.

Any opinions?

First off congratulations...IMO the 68 Convertible was the all time best Mustang! Note my sig car!

I have 205/75-14 White FR380 tires on my 68. Got the tires 3 years ago, at last check they are out of production.,

You will find that white side tires in general are no longer available on production tires. Coker or other classic tire suppliers are about it!

You can still get white letter tires. Look on Tire rack or discount tires.


Slim

[slim]

Originally Posted by Leeds

I don't feel the need to get the exact same tire that came with it, but something that looks right and drives well (even in the rain) is of great importance to me...

Also, am I correct in assuming that the size should be 185/75R14 ?

The 6.95/14 converts to 195/75 or 205/75 optional.

[Leeds]

It would appear that white-walls are easy to find online, like this $69 "milestar" 195/75R14 tire.

But I'd be a lot more comfortable driving on sneakers that someone (anyone) vouched for. I know that you get what you pay for in a tire...

[slim]

Originally Posted by Leeds

It would appear that white-walls are easy to find online, like this $69 "milestar" 195/75R14 tire.

But I'd be a lot more comfortable driving on sneakers that someone (anyone) vouched for. I know that you get what you pay for in a tire...

Just curious where did you find this?

[slim]

Keep in mind if you ignore size and brand name, even go for all black tires are still a controversial subject!

[Leeds]

Just a simple google search.

It seems like there are a lot of cheap tires available ($60 to $75) but I wouldn't want to be the first Guinea pig to wear them...

Let's hope someone on this board has had some experience with some of them.

[slim]

Found the same with Amazon search. Good luck and have fun with your 68 convertible. I've had mine since 77 an never a tire problem.

[22GT]

Oddly, the last set of WSW tires I put on my 66 were off-brand from Pep Boys. Bear in mind, any modern, run-of-the-mill steel belted radial will be better that racing tires of the 60's. These ran very well.

[RagTop]

I have 215/70R14s BFG Radial TAs on my 69 vert. According to Marti it came from the factory with the "bandaid" whitewalls and full disc wheel covers too. When I acquired it, it still had the full discs, but was running a set of Grand Auto radial skinny whites. I went to the fatter rwl tires and chrome rallye wheels because I wanted more of a performance look for my granny convertible.

The easiest source of vintage tires is probably Coker Tires. They specialize in all sorts of vintage rubber from the Model T to the 60s bias ply Wide Ovals. They also have some look alike radials. IMHO, you'd be a lot better off and a lot safer with the radial tires. They are much more stable and handle better in poor weather conditions. If you decide on the modern radials, try Tirerack.com as well. They have a huge selection, but you might find that there aren't many suppliers making 14" tires anymore. The best ones I've had on my Mustang were Firestone Firehawks. Much better tires than the BFGs presently on it, but Firestone quit putting their name in white letters on their tires after that ugly bit with FoMoCo over the rolling over Explorers. I bought the BFGs because they still had an American manufacturer's name on them and I was going for the vintage performance look.

BTW, great looking 68 Slim.

[slim]

Originally Posted by RagTop

I have 215/70R14s BFG Radial TAs on my 69 vert. According to Marti it came from the factory with the "bandaid" whitewalls and full disc wheel covers too. When I acquired it, it still had the full discs, but was running a set of Grand Auto radial skinny whites. I went to the fatter rwl tires and chrome rallye wheels because I wanted more of a performance look for my granny convertible.

The easiest source of vintage tires is probably Coker Tires. They specialize in all sorts of vintage rubber from the Model T to the 60s bias ply Wide Ovals. They also have some look alike radials. IMHO, you'd be a lot better off and a lot safer with the radial tires. They are much more stable and handle better in poor weather conditions. If you decide on the modern radials, try Tirerack.com as well. They have a huge selection, but you might find that there aren't many suppliers making 14" tires anymore. The best ones I've had on my Mustang were Firestone Firehawks. Much better tires than the BFGs presently on it, but Firestone quit putting their name in white letters on their tires after that ugly bit with FoMoCo over the rolling over Explorers. I bought the BFGs because they still had an American manufacturer's name on them and I was going for the vintage performance look.

BTW, great looking 68 Slim.

Thanks, it's mostly original including the paint.


Slim

[dalorzof]

I know that you get what you pay for in a tire...

And for the "big names" a lot of what you are paying for is their advertising!

For normal street use with a responsible driver wouldn't hesitate to use the whitewalls shown... its amazing anyone over 50 survived the dangerous and unuseable tires everyone drove on back then!

Absolutely nothing unsafe about them except the driver not knowing their car and how to use it. Funny thing is the "safer" people feel their cars are, the worse they drive.

[victor]

Les Schwab has a narrow white wall in 205/70/14 size. They're reasonably priced, last a long time and offer decent traction.