Coker Tire, The Alliance, & More...

I think these things vary depending on your location but in New England hand down the most common tire combo on open cars is a 5.50.16 front and 7.50 16 rear. I have 4 sets of Firestones in the garage from Coker in those sizes. If I were going to give those radials a shot they’d have to be in a comparable size.
I’m a 100% bias ply on everything guy but that tire looks good so far. I’d try a set.

 

Had the previous version of the Excelsor from Coker on two cars and was most impressed. I'm about ready for some new tires on the Model A Super Cab.

 

@Ryan - You mentioned that Coker "just brought the Excelsior Roadster Radial back to market". Isn't this a new offering?

I'm on my second set of Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials on my roadster and would definitely consider the Roadster Radial for the next set!

 

Best news for the serious buyer.
Thanks Ryan

 

Actually, tradition would dictate the use of used tires. In the fifties and sixties, I can't think of anyone that bought a set of new tires for their hot rod. One of our regular treks was to the local "furrin" car dealership to see if anyone had replaced the tires on their Volkswagen. When we occasionally scored a matched pair of those 5.60X15's it was big deal. We also used to haunt the local gas stations just hoping to find some "Cadillac tires" (no tire stores back then). There was a pair of Ellingson recapped slicks on 7.60X15 Goodyear casings that ran on 5 different cars that I know of (two of them mine). One of the first things we did was get rid of 16 inch wheels and tires because they were out of date.

The first new tires I ever bought for a Hot Rod was a pair of N50's for the back of my "T" bucket in 1969. When I stored the car over the next winter, somebody stole them.

 

& for big back tires u looked for a pick up upgrading to big meats. Back tires were always pickup tires. Lower the air pressure until a decent ride

 

"... a few hardcore, traditional tire guys inside the company."

uh, shouldn't that be everybody at coker?

 

I'd be in at a set of 5.50x16 and 7.50x16's. They sure nailed the look on these!

 

words matter. legitimately that line could be taken more than one way regardless of the writer's intent.

 

This is good news to hear because I am really wanting to put a set of SoCal knockoffs on my Shoebox!!

 

I found this all very interesting and inticing and it was enough to finally make me pony up the buck$ for the Alliance membership! I did that yesterday, clicked on the link for the Coker special discount, and shortly had the code from Coker. It is good for 1 week, so I went online and tried to order 4 of the Roadster radial tires. Two 750x16 and two 450/475x16. Since they are not even made yet it wouldn't let me finish the order. I left them in the "cart" and this morning had an email from Sara at Coker and an email about the tires in the "cart" being 750x16 and 500x16 instead of 450/475. I went and looked and can not find them in 500x16 in the new Roadster series. (Wish there was)
So, I called and got Ricky. After going thru everything again I got the 450/475 and the 750 tires ordered. Being a good salesman he talked me itnto the 5 year whatever replacement warranty on all 4 tires. I was hoping but realizing it was not going to happen, to get them delivered to the Portland swap meet in April but I doubt they will even be manufactured by then. Who knows?

I'm currenty running 195/65r16 on the front and 235/80r16 on the rear so these should be just about the very same height.

Thanks @Ryan for working with Coker to get this discount.

Dave

 

So, I don't have any 16's but I did look up some WW for my Model A and Damn! When I go to replace mine, it will be $1800 for rubber. Prices have gone up a bit and this is cheap.

Mike

 

I guess I am behind the times. I have not been keeping up on you, Ryan. At one time you were anti-radial: bias-ply only. I have been running radial tires since probably 1981. For many years, it was imperative that my car not wander all over the road late at night. I have kind of grown out of that by now.

 

@Rand Man i think the loop hole is radials that look like biasplies

 

I’m sure you’re right Tim I just remember getting shut down on a biased look radial thread a few years ago not trying to be a smart ass just looking for some clarification. I’ll be the first to say that radials look terrible on the wrong car bias look radials are a good idea and if these new tires are an improvement over what’s currently on the market I am all for it.

 

was the 20% for joining the email a limited time thing? I was already on there. I might gotten the deal when I ordered some tire a month ago, is that the main deal? just wondering about shipping also. I also did notice some tire came back down in price, the WW radials.

 

Has anyone got the Roadster bias look radials from Coker? I ordered mine on the phone from Ricky way back in February and also talked to him at the Portland OR swap meet. No tires as of yet, but I see they are showing as being available.
Guess I'll call them tomorrow.

Dave

 

I called Coker today. Took the friendly fella a little to figure it out because Ricky had spelled my last name wrong! I'm used to that! Wollam is correct spelling. Anyway, The 7.50 and 4.50/4.75 are expected in around the end of September/early October. Don't have to change tires yet!

Dave

 

Slow ship from China?
Wonder if the import tariff battle is the holdup?