Take a look @ Coker, and if you decide on them, join the Alliance before you buy. You'll get a discount from Coker and help upport the HAMB all at the same time.
I just put a pair of Excelsior Comp V's on my 17 inch bent spokes. They were from Coker and were a pretty fair price. Haven't run them on the road yet but I like the way they look!!
I've seen a few tires on Coker's site. It seems like when trying to search their site, there's not a lot of choice in 17's, and I was wondering if there are any other alternatives I haven't found yet. I'd love to have those Coker 8.20-17 Dirt Track treads, but they're too much for my budget. The 7.50-17 Coker truck tire on Summit Racing...which I can't FIND on the Coker site is dirt cheap AND pretty tall-which will help top speed, but not sure if it'll be too stiff and heavy for a Model A. I'd prefer something with a pie-crust sidewall, but I'm not finding anything AT ALL like the Firestone 7.00-16's that look so good on A's. Bugsy, how tall are they? Section width? If you don't mind saying, how much did they run? I can't find them at Coker's site. Their search must work about the same as the HAMB's, lol.
17's are the red headed stepchild of the tire world apparently. Luckily, there are a few options...depends on what size you want and what era you're shooting for. Coker's Firestone 700-17 has a tread & sidewall pattern that dates from approx 1931-39. Dimensions are: Tread width - 5.66" Section width - 8.25" Diameter - 31.6" Before their assets were sold to Titan, Denman made a superb 525/550-17 tire. Tread and sidewall design on these tires dates to at least 1934. Dimensions are: Tread width - 3.95", Section width - 5.85", Diameter - 28.90" I ended up acquiring a complete set of these from Denman's last run to use on my RPU. Coker also sells a 525/550-17 Firestone - tread pattern & sidewall script on these dates from 1940-41. Dimensions: Tread width 4.00", Section width 5.91", Diameter 29.02" Coker also sells a BFG tire in 17" sizes (not really a pie crust though) and Lester, Excelsior, Bedford, and Universal also have tires in 17" sizes, but I don't know much about them.
Mine are BFG's 550 and 750 They have a pie crust look but not as sharp as a Firestone. This is the best pic I have sorry. I got mine used from Tardel but I think they were from Coker
Here you go! http://www.cokertire.com/excelsior-comp-v.html $107 each. I got new tubes and strips too. A bit over $300 total with shipping. They are pretty light weight so were cheap to ship.
Tiny, How tall are the 750's? And how well do they work with the 'banger-approx top speed? Couldn't find BFG's on Coker's site, but did find them on another.
Racer I think there 32"s tall but don't quote me. They are currently stolen off my 24 Dodge build. They give me an easy 55mph with a tired motor and I've caught myself doing like 63 or so a couple times. I set my phone in my lap with a GPS app my speeds are about 10 mph more than speedo. A nice bonus is 2nd gear Is around 27-28 mph. I don't know about you but nieborhoods wind out 2nd or lug 3rd. Its almost like having an overdrive i guess? ive never had one so not much to compare too, but it really makes it a better driver. I bought them used long time ago so I'm not really sure where they can be bought.
Thanks, guys. Tiny, sounds like you've got a pretty good set-up with those tires. They look good on the car, and 55mph I can live with. Looks like I'll be searching for something ~32" tall.
I looked them up online this morning. Looks like there 33.5"s tall not 32". They are listed at $367.00 WOW!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think I could do that again. I don't remember what I paid as it was about 10 years ago, but I doubt I even paid that for all 4.
I'm in the market for new tires so this is good timing. I am running Denman 7.50x17's on the rear. They are about 32.5 inches tall. I got them for free when I worked at a tire place. 3 pairs actually. They are originally off of a 1934 V16 Cadillac. The fronts are new Firestone 16's. With a tired stock engine the difference between these and the stock wheels and tires is night and day. I don't hunt between 2nd and 3rd as much. It's noticeably slower off the line. But I've had it up to 68 mph which is about 2800 rpm and that's all she would do. I blew the head gasket that time too. I'm considering a swap to 3.73 as I think with this size tire and a more powerful banger it will be just about perfect, but I'm going to try it with the 4.10's first.
That's what there for? People always ask if there off a big truck, I always say no there on a Model A
Anyone ever bought from a place called Only Oldies? A little more than I wanted to spend, but looks promising (pic shows WW, but listed as BW): http://onlyoldiesgarage.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16505&cat=253&page=2
Never have but that's them. If they have a Les Scwabb tires near you they can powder coat the wheels for you and put them on. I paid 100+tax to have my set done in black. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The Jalopy Journal
