So there is a local tire shop that shaves whitewalls that I've been meaning to take some 205/75/15 Cornell 100s thin white walls to to get shaved. I hear they will shave out to around 1.75" or so. When I talked to the guy at the shop though, he said they make and sell a 2.5" whitewall on a 215/75/15 tire and it is $320 a set of 4, which is roughly the same as buying the cornells and having them shaved. I would prefer the look of a 2.5" whitewall, but would I just be asking for trouble with that size? 53 Ford Mainline Tudor I have some 15x6.5 Crown Victoria steel wheels to put them on. I'm currently on stock suspension, but will be putting some aerostar coils in the front, and perhaps 2" blocks in the rear. It is currently a bear to change the rear tires, even with 195/65/15 tires, but I think a lot of that has to with the current wheels on there (i think they are 15x7 with less backspacing than the crown vics.) Now being only $320, I'm going to ***ume they are a cheaper brand (i'll have to figure out which one) but that would also lead me to believe they are a bit narrower than name brand tires as seems to be typical so that would make them more likely to work right? Tax Return comes in within the next few weeks, so trying to get all this figured out so I can go get them the second it comes in.
Since you have the wheels ask him if they will do a trial fit on the rear before you pull out your wallet. You should be fine with the fronts.
I'm going to try to swing by Saturday and get the tires put on my wheels. If they don't fit I'll just swap the tires over to my Dad's 64 f100. (his tires are dry rotted anyway)
How do they make the 2.5'' whitewalls? Do they vulcanize a white wall on a new tire, white wall paint? Sounds like a good price depending on how they are made.
They have the old school machine there that evenly cuts them. I found out that use Aurora brand (made by cooper) as well as firestones (which are a bit more expensive). This weekend was crazy so I didn't make it over there, but I will try to this weekend.
I'm familiar with the old school machines that grinds the sidewalls. What are they doing to the Aurora and the Firestones? Do you know if they are just grinding away some of the sidewall to reveal a wide whitewall underneath or do they adhere a rubber white wall to them like Diamondbacks?
They grind the sidewall with the buffing tool to evenly cut the sidewalls. I have seen their work on a buddy's car and they look pretty good. This is just an old school tire shop in the hood.
Just found this thread...did you get them done, or...??? Can you please post the number of the shop. I have a friend not far from there, trying to get that done.
I shaved my own wide white wall tires from thin whitewall radials on my '54 Mainline about 12 years ago. They looked fine from far away, but up close they are dull, and hard to keep clean. I did a better job than I've seen come out of tire shops that do the same process or other guys doing it themselves, but there is a black gap between the white and the wheel, which always bothered me. I put Diamond Back vulcanized wide white wall tires on my '56 F100, they were Cooper Trendsetter SE Radials, and they were flawless. Contact Tab at Diamond Back, tell him you're on the HAMB, and he will cut you a hell of a deal on a new set. I think I paid $750 for all 4 shipped to my door. Before and after....
I haven't done this yet... I keep spending my car money on other stuff = [ Hopefully I'll get them pretty soon though. I'll definitely check with Diamond Back first though. $750 shipped I could stretch for I think.
I had mine done at that shop on Jensen in Houston. Mine had raised white lettering that shaved off, looked great for a couple of years, but looking ratty these days. I've seen the adds, I would buy them again.
yep that is the one. Nick's tire shop. 215/75/15s are the best deal for your dollar there, I'm just not sure I can stuff those in the rear fender with the crown vic 15x6.5 rims
On my car above, it had 215/70/15's on the stock wheels and pulling the rear tires off was the biggest pain in the ***. I had to disconnect the shocks and put a bottle jack between the frame and axle, deflate the tire, and pry it out of the wheel well. Reinstalling was just as much of a pain. I rolled the fender lips which helped, but the lowering blocks were the main problem.
So I still haven't got white walls on my car... (life happens), but my plan is to order some from Calli Tire this week. I was planning to go with the 205/75/15 with 3" white walls. Since they have more sizes available is there any other size i should consider?
Just got my tires: 205 75 R15 with 3 1/4" WW from Calli Tire. Very happy Price was $649.00 for all 4. I picked them up in Sacramento
Ordered. $648 shipped. 205/70/15 with 3" whitewall. Will probably be several weeks before they get here, but i'm excited. Now I need to order some aerostar coils and shocks as well as figure out any bushings/etc I should replace to improve the ride/handling. Getting closer to being road trip ready.
Silver, I think you're going to be impressed with the tires & quality of work. I couldn't figure out how to get a 70 series onto my cars rear axle without a lot of trouble. Had to be the 75 series. Jim
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/understanding-tire-sizes-and-types This will explain it the higher the middle number the narrower the section width, the original OEM 670 X 15" tire in today's terms would be a 205/85/15.
i still don't understand. 205/75/15 and 205/70/15 both have a section width of 205... wouldn't the aspect ratio of the sidewall size be moot? I'm also use to sizing with Off Road Tires, i know that 255/75/17 are not only shorter, but VERY slightly narrower than 255/80/17
The section width can vary between brands in most cases the cheaper the tire the smaller the actual section width will be.The charts are mis-leading it's kind of like today's food packaging the jar of Ragu that used to be 1 quart is now 26 ounces or the pound of hot dogs that is now 12 ounces and remember 1/2 gallons of ice cream ? Pay the same,get less.
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