When started US to use radials? On a early to mid -50s car, was it possible to get radials to use? Or, did the 60s get them?
Michelin introdused the radials 1937 so you could probably get radials in the 50s but it was not common in europe before the late 60s and in us probably the late 70s early 80s
Got into a discussion on behalf of a friend,who did get refused by a carshow entrance with his 64 BelAir. He ment the whitestriped radials was period correct, but he was turned of by the show because "no radials was offered in the 50-60s to US cars". Just wonders if this is for shure,or could someone give proof,or remember if it was possible to get it that time....
I don't recall cars offering them as standard equipment in the 60's but I recall our first set (well my folks) sometime in the early 70's.
There's a difference between standard equipment and 'available as an option.' They were available as an option in the second 1/2 of the 60's, of course exactly when that began to occurr would have varied between brands and models. p.s. I don't think BelAir Chevs would have even had them as an option in '64 if you're talking factoy and probably not available in a suitable size in the aftermarket either.
what i can remember of the 60s , the only radial tires i saw were on foreign cars. a car i bought new in 1972 did not have radials...but a car i bought new in 1975 did
i have rims from a 54 ford with michelin x radials and the car was scraped 1959 and the tires is worn out so atleast from 58 i think
michelin was in the 50's but i bought a 1973 comet new & it had bias plys on it( I switched over to radials & you wouldn't think it was the same car!!) I worked in a dealership at that time & lincolns where coming thru with radials JimV
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