Tire reviews

[Garagekulture13]

I've looked on the Internet and here on Ford Barn without much to go off of. I'm in the market for new tires and I could not find any reviews for Model A tires or explanation of the the different materials they are made from. So I figured no better place to start one than here. I want to hear about your tire experience. Cold weather, hot weather, etc. I drive my car year around and would like to hear about you opinion on all driving conditions and your tire of choice. While shopping I see some tires are polyester and some are nylon. What's the best? I assume you pay for what you get but am unsure. Also the most important aspect which tires are the safest. My family rides with me and safety is huge factory. Reason why I'm buying new tires anyway. All of your information will be much appreciated so I/we can make the best educated decision on our next purchase of tires. Thanks guys/gals look forward to hearing what you all say.

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[JimK1930A]

My Firestone's have worked well for me on my 1930 Coupe.
I bought the slightly blemished black walls from Coker about 8 years ago. My tires have less that 4,000 miles on them, as I only drive 500 miles per season in Minnesota.

[Dick M]

I am running my second set of Firestone tires. I ran my first set for ten years and 20,000 miles. I have been happy with the Firestones.

[Tom Wesenberg]

We had a tire store owner give a presentation at our club meeting a couple months ago. He brought in a 19" Goodyear radial and a 21" Firestone bias, and I was very impressed with both. Two of my A's use the 21" so that's the one I was most interested in. The 21" Firestone had a very heavy sidewall and good tread depth. I'd like to have a set for my A when the present tires wear out.

[Bruce Adams]

I have had no concerns in over ten thousand miles with my Goodyear Diamond tread tires. The Diamond tread and print on the sidewalls are consistent with the OEM for the car. They track and hold well in all conditions. There is no sign of wear. I understand that while the Goodyears fit the side mount, the Firestones are a bit wider at the sidewall and do not fit in the sidemount without deflation. They are somewhat expensive but their good looks and performance made them my choice, and I will buy them again when the time comes..

[JohnLaVoy]

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Do you plan on driving, seriously driving your car? Not a simple around town local tour stuff. If driving is what you have in mind the Excelsior tires from Coker are worth the money. They have a 50,000 mile tread warranty. They are modern steel belted radial tires but sized for the Model A. we have them on a couple of cars, the only reason they are not on the sedan we use most of the time is they are not yet available in white walls.

[Capt Quahog]

Reviews . . . ? My reference points are somewhat dated. Haven't bought a new antique car tire since around 1969. Therefore, I will stick with the 40-year old ALLSTATE zig-zag pattern 6-ply baloney skins that are on that old 31' Tudor sitting out in the garage.

[modelAtony]

I run Goodyear on my 31 tudor and have always gotten around 36-38,000 on each set . My speeds are normal on interstate 63-66 mph . Montgomery , AL to Lafayette, LA 2 years ago running 66-70 mph when in low traffic. I have always had great mileage with ww 19' goodyears. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[29spcoupe]

I have 21" Lesters on my coupe. They ride smoother than the Firestone. I have only 1600 miles on them so I cant say how long they will last. So far, I am very pleased with them.

[C26Pinelake]

If you can afford GoodYears you can't go wrong. Contrary to your search I find the site full of reviews concerning Model A tires. Wayne

[2manycars]

My firestones lasted about 10,000 miles, and I replaced them a few years ago with Lester tires. I really like the Lesters. Very quiet, good handling, very nice ride, and I like the appearance.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

My firestones lasted about 10,000 miles, and I replaced them a few years ago with Lester tires. I really like the Lesters. Very quiet, good handling, very nice ride, and I like the appearance.

.......... And cheap! Wayne

[Russ/40]

How about the cheep Lucas bias plys from Vietnam? $99 Any feedback on those? Surely someone has run them.

[My1930ModelA]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

How about the cheep Lucas bias plys from Vietnam? $99 Any feedback on those? Surely someone has run them.

I put them on my 30 Town Sedan last year, they ride and handle fine in my opinion, and look nice too.

[Garagekulture13]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

How about the cheep Lucas bias plys from Vietnam? $99 Any feedback on those? Surely someone has run them.

Yea I was wondering about these myself.

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[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

How about the cheep Lucas bias plys from Vietnam? $99 Any feedback on those? Surely someone has run them.

I've worn out a set of those (and a number of other brands) and think they are fine for those who just go for a potter around town now and then. If you REALLY want to drive, there are better. Lucas tend to wander a little and roll on the rims IMHO. You get what you pay for and what's good enough for you depends on how much you drive and how. We're going on a rally soon where most of the other cars don't have an O/D. I'll use what's left of the tread on my Lucas tyres for that one.
I have enough tyres to keep the rims off the ground for quite a while yet but I think I might give the new radials a try when I need more.

[Mike V. Florida]

I had very poor luck with by firestones, lasted only a few thousand miles, evenly worn front to back left and right.

[goodoldvic]

x2 what Mr. Mike V. typed

[Mitch//pa]

X3 ,,,I like the goodyears correctness and wear... Plus the painted flag

[mshmodela]

Lucy is surely a beauty...

[1955cj5]

Originally Posted by Russ/40

How about the cheep Lucas bias plys from Vietnam? $99 Any feedback on those? Surely someone has run them.

I too bought a set of five last year.

My old tires were early 60's vintage Riverside.

I noticed the Lucas ride better but you can feel that the sidewalls are a little more flexible..

To be expected when compared to 45 year old tires.

I balanced them on the truck.

Three took over an ounce to balance and one took only 1/4 oz...

800 miles so far......

[H. L. Chauvin]

As opposed to how long they should last ....... but ..... as far as "road handling and softness in ride on back roads" ...... has anyone had any experiences to share after trying the Black-wall Coker Excelsior 475/500 - 19, "Nylon" Tires @ $142.00 ................... vs. ............... the Black-wall Coker 550/19 Exlessior Stahl Sport "Radial" Tires @ $271.00 ....... about $516.00 difference for a set of four (4).

[Garagekulture13]

Has anyone tried a larger tire on the rear with a stock 19" wheel. I see Lester's offers some.


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[TomballMottershaw]

I really like my $99 Lucus tires I just drive for fun, but they are nice run quite and are round.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by TomballMottershaw

I really like my $99 Lucus tires I just drive for fun, but they are nice run quite and are round.

I like mine too! But only have about 50 miles on the so far. What impressed me was their service. I ordered on line, had instant conformation of my purchase via email. A couple hours later I had a shipping notice, and they were on my doorstep 2.5 days later. Even got to use paypal for the purchase. Time will tell how they hold up, but anything would be better that the cracked "disaster waiting to happen" that were on it when I bought it.

[Tom K.]

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Have had Lucas tires on my wife's Model T for 6 years and on my A for 2 years with no problems at all. They look good and seem to be wearing fine

[C26Pinelake]

Spend the extra few bucks and buy the W/W. Black walls are for old guys! Wayne

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

We had a tire store owner give a presentation at our club meeting a couple months ago. He brought in a 19" Goodyear radial and a 21" Firestone bias, and I was very impressed with both. Two of my A's use the 21" so that's the one I was most interested in. The 21" Firestone had a very heavy sidewall and good tread depth. I'd like to have a set for my A when the present tires wear out.

Tom,
If you have Garfields on the phaeton they may never wear out... they wear like iron but drive horrible. I'm sure you will like either new tire and feel like you have a new car when you get them.

Larry

[Tom Wesenberg]

Years ago I bought a new set of 21" Insa tires when they were cheap, but I still haven't installed them. I also bought a set of 5 new 19" Goodyear whitewalls all mounted with zero miles because the car was being rodded. Those will go on my 31 T/S someday when I get it out of storage.

[sphanna]

H L Chauvin: I have the 5.50/19 R Excelsior Stahl Black tires. What made me pick them over the 5.00/19R's was that the 5.50 tires have the same mounted and inflated diameter as my Firestone 4.75-5.00/19's. This makes them the same size so I use a very good Firestone as my spare. At the price of the Radials, I did not want to buy 5 tires. I know that it's not good to mix Radial and bias, but at least I have the same size tire. Not one smaller if I have to use the spare to get me to shop. I am very pleased with the ride and steerability. The 5.00 Radials were of a slightly different diameter.

[Big hammer]

I must be the only one using BFG's , not a fan of firestone long story. And had problems with modern goodyears coming apart. BFG's where less $$ than F or G's and larger dia !

[Garagekulture13]

I'm with Art. I have Goodyears on the car now and were on the car when I got them. They have cracks all over the side wall.

Big Hammer I don't guess I've seen any BFGs offered on the usual hunting grounds.

Has anyone run a 650 on the rear with a stock 19" wheel. From the tire site it appears to add about 3" OD and about 2" with the width. I don't imagine there would be any clearance issues.

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[Big hammer]

Coker Tire, their web site gives you more information than you need !

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

I must be the only one using BFG's , not a fan of firestone long story. And had problems with modern goodyears coming apart. BFG's where less $$ than F or G's and larger dia !

And are all made in India and have been for 5 years ! Wayne

[duke36]

got the Lucas, Nam tires ; so far so good @ 100 miles. Have to check tire pressure every so often, however, which may be due to lack of use. Valve stems appear to be fine.

[Garagekulture13]

I made a quick tally of the tire reviews. If someone said something good about a tire I gave 1 tally. If someone said something bad about a tire I subtracted a tally. Here are my quick results. I am more than happy to update as more info comes in. Thanks everyone.
Lucas: 5
Goodyear: 3
Lesters: 2
Excelsiors: 2
BFG: 1
Firestone: 0

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[CarlG]

I counted 2 guys praising the Excelsiors.

[Garagekulture13]

Originally Posted by CarlG

I counted 2 guys praising the Excelsiors.

Thanks CarlG I corrected it.

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[Fred K-OR]

I have Firestone on both of my rigs and am satisfied with them for the driving I do. I only run them mainly in the local area and do not take long drives. Have had them a couple of years.

[Ed Saniewski]

I have the 21" Universal tires on my 29 pick up, and got 10,000 miles out of them so far. But I had over inflated them with 38 p.s.i. and the are worn in the middle. probably could have gotten another 5,000 out of them with proper inflation.

Firestone tires on my 31 town sedan and 30 roadster with great results. I got about 18,000 on the roadster before they were replaced.

[barkleydave]

2000 miles on my Firestones new last season. So far they have been good. Even wear and track well. I also like the looks on my truck.

[klrh20frank]

Any information about the Universal tire sold by Wallace Wwde?

[CarlG]

I just took the plunge and ordered a set of Excelsiors yesterday.

[Phil Brown]

Another thumbs up for the Lucas tires. At 3000 miles and still going great

[31Abone]

Bot 5 Michelins 19" black have not mounted them yet ? are they worth a fk ?

[John in SATX]

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I am using WW 19" Goodyears and am very pleased with them. They show even wear and little tread wear after 4,000 miles. I did put full liners in the tires and that firms the tires considerably. However, I cannot tell much ride difference from my very old Alstate's. As always keeping them inflated properly is essential.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I have Firestones on my 29 coupe and are happy with them. I had Lesters on my 31 TS and they gave a nice ride and held up well so I would recommend either.

[inex01]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

As opposed to how long they should last ....... but ..... as far as "road handling and softness in ride on back roads" ...... has anyone had any experiences to share after trying the Black-wall Coker Excelsior 475/500 - 19, "Nylon" Tires @ $142.00 ................... vs. ............... the Black-wall Coker 550/19 Exlessior Stahl Sport "Radial" Tires @ $271.00 ....... about $516.00 difference for a set of four (4).

I now have over 8000 miles on my Exlessior Stahl Sport Radial Tires in my 31 Sedan and it has been one of the best investments in tires I have made to date.

They are eight ply and the car is so much more controllable. I also have a 31 Roadster with Lester bias ply and when I drive that car I really can appreciate the radials, but the bias ply give you a smoother ride.

If you drive you car often and want safe tire "8 Ply" that handles well the extra cost if Radials is worth it, if you only drive to car shows less that a couple of thousand miles a year not worth the cost, at least to me anyway.