Re: IML: Bias vs Radials

["Greg and Russell" <65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On one of my collector cars ('63 Thunderbird), I chose to put the correct 
bias ply tires on it.  My first priority was to get the car looking like it 
did when it was new and the radials that were on it when I bought it caused 
it to sit too low and gave it sort of a 'dumpy appearance'.  It just didn't 
look like the vintage photos I have of the car when it was new.  I worried 
about the ride and debated back and forth regarding the additional cost of 
the bias ply vs. a set of radials.  Of course, to be honest, I have also had 
the entire front end rebuilt and new shocks and springs all around.  I went 
with the bias plies and the ride is far smoother and more cushiony than the 
radials provided.  It feels like I'm riding on a cloud regarding how smooth 
even rough, irregular pavement feels when I am out driving that car.  My 
only objection is the 'noise' the tires make when you turn a corner.  You 
really hear them as contrasted to the quieter radials.

On the other hand, I have radials on my other collector cars and their ride 
is pleasant enough.  I have radials on my '65 Imperial but I can't say how 
it drives as it is still undergoing the frame-off restoration and isn't 
totally put back together. Since I drive my cars occasionally, I wasn't too 
concerned about the number of miles I would get out of a set of radials vs. 
bias plies.  I wanted to experience how my T-bird drove and handled when it 
was new and with that as a priority along with the car looking correct and 
sitting at the proper height, I chose the bias ply tires.

It was a no brainer for that car but for the others, I had to really weigh 
both sides of the argument.  I hope I don't have to make that decision again 
as I really stressed over it for a while before finally deciding!

Good luck!

Greg

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <RandalPark@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 3:36 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Bias vs Radials


> I have "tried both". I grew up on bias plys, and switched to radials in the 
> mid '80s.
>
> The ride isn't really "harsher" it's just different. Even with radials, 
> the ride of a '60s Imperial in good condition is smoother and softer than 
> the ride of a modern front wheel drive car.
>
> I chose radials due to their handling improvements which to me add more 
> safety. They also last a lot longer. I never got more than 25,000 miles 
> out of the best set of bias ply tires. I have gotten as many as 45,000 
> miles on a set of radials on my '65 Imperial. It also improved fuel 
> consumption on the highway by as much as two miles per gallon.
>
> I have only installed radials on my torsion bar cars, since that 
> suspension package was, in my ever so humble opinion, far better than the 
> tires that were available when the cars were new. I have felt that I get 
> the full advantage of the torsion bar front suspension by combining it 
> with the highest quality radial tires.
>
> Again, this is one owner's opinion, but it is one that comes from much 
> experience with both tire types. I may soon try a new set of radials on my 
> '55 as well just to see how they feel.
>
> Paul
>
> In a message dated 12/9/2004 1:27:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, Kenyon 
> Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
> > You asked about looks in your original question.
> >
> > The Bias Ply tires are larger and more "correct" for the car. They fill 
> > the wheel wells better and give the car a much more authentic look as well 
> > as delivering a smoother more comfortable ride.
> >
> > Radials are not correct for the car and will impart a harsher ride and sit 
> > the car lower to the ground because they are not baloon tires and are a 
> > smaller diameter. The steel belts in the radial carcass transmit road 
> > shock more directly, and the suspension was designed with the assumption 
> > that the stock bias ply tires would do some work (more than radials do) to 
> > absorb roadsurface irregularities.
> >
> > The club archives are filled with vitriolic back and forth messages from 
> > people championing whatever tires they have found to be the best, so this 
> > may come down to an issue of aesthetics more than anything else. Take a 
> > look on the club website and do some research about what you think is the 
> > right look would be my advice.
> >
> > Personally I chose bias tires with smaller white-walls because I 
> > personally felt that the big whites are overstated on a car that is 
> > already overstated (my 1960).
> >
> > Most of the ads and color brochure on the site show the 1961 car with 3" 
> > white walls.
> >
> > I have not heard much from others that have tried both bias and radial 
> > here, as most people seem to go one way or another. Having tried both, I 
> > chose the bias ply for ride and look. Besides a possible mileage advantage 
> > and small cornering advantage, I can't see any way that the radials 
> > out-perform the bias ply tires after all components are factored in, as I 
> > will not be putting 40k onto my car soon, and like the old-fashioned feel 
> > that comes with the bias tires.
> >
> > This is my car with the bias ply tires mounted to it:
> > http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Kenyon64/index.htm
> >
> >
> > Note the obviously poor performace of the radials in snow:
> > http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/BobZubkowski/index.htm
> > Also, consider what fitting radial tires will say about you to others:
> > http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/KenGilbert/index.htm
> >
> >
> > But seriously, check out these two contrasting pictures of what I "think" 
> > is a car on radials and a car on bias ply. The one facing left looks lower 
> > to me, and the wheels don't seem to fill the wheel wells fully. Maybe it's 
> > just me, but...
> >
> > Bias Ply:
> > http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Kenyon64/4-reg.jpg
> >
> > Radial?:
> > http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Joe/coupe.jpg
> >
> >
> >
> > Ask me how I feel about disc brake conversions for all-drum cars sometime, 
> > too.
> >
> >
> > Kenyon Wills
>
>
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