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Hot Rods You gotta admit it, bias ply’s make any car cooler

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by lilCowboy, Nov 1, 2025.

?
  1. Definitely cool on a traditional hot rod

    15 vote(s)
    44.1%
  2. But very cool too on a 50-60’s hot rod/ custom too

    19 vote(s)
    55.9%
  1. lilCowboy
    Joined: Nov 21, 2022
    Posts: 153

    lilCowboy

    Es True
     
    427 sleeper likes this.
  2. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,894

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cooler on anything 60’s or older.
     
    427 sleeper, chevy57dude and lostn51 like this.
  3. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,635

    Beanscoot
    Member

    How can this thread possibly go off the rails?
     
    downlojoe33 and 427 sleeper like this.
  4. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 17,055

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    They especially cool on a freeway with cut lines…
     
  5. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,298

    Budget36
    Member

  6. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,962

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    In the real world if you don't have a number of vehicles in the garage to choose from you have two pairs of mounted tires. The Bias tires that "have the look" for shows where that counts big time and the set of radials for day in day out driving and road trips where miles count more than Bubba Points. I'm looking at a 16 ft camp trailer to tow behind the 48 and room for four mounted Bias tires might be a consideration in the choice.
     
    Just Gary and 26 T Ford RPU like this.
  7. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,414

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

  8. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,424

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    o_O if it makes you happy.
    Park it when when wet:oops:
     
  9. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,309

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    sidevalve8ba and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  10. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,309

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    That and whenever it snows and you have to drive in a lane where the big trucks have been using their tire chains
     
    Tow Truck Tom and Budget36 like this.
  11. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,644

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I wanted to vote for both. I'm a bi ply guy!
     
  12. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,309

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    Me too:)
     
  13. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,424

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    I'll admit to this:
    Early '90's I was running deliveries in my own vehicle ( van ).
    While cruiseing thru a 'lower rent' section I spy an old vintage tire,
    with artful, hand applied, maybe 3 inch ( paint ) side wall.
    The look of its tread and pie crust, forced me stop, get out and toss it in my van.
    I gave it a home with all my other treasures. Just to look at and think about when they were everywhere. Of course when it was time to relocate, to a new home, Mrs and the guy helping with packing, Forsook my judgement and pitched it.
     
  14. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 4,013

    oldiron 440
    Member

    I’ll take my drag radials for the hook, I find no pleasure in the lousy performance of bias ply’s.
     
  15. ckh
    Joined: Jul 1, 2013
    Posts: 92

    ckh
    Member

    I worked at a Standard gas station in 1967. Every tire we sold were bias plys. Anyone remember Atlas
    Bucrons? They were like a cheater slick. Worked well but wore out quick. Chevron Custom Supreme
    102? octane leaded gas was 39 cents a gallon. Those were good times. What year did radial tires first come on the market?
    CKH
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2025
  16. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,430

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.

    If your looking at tire that close,your looking at the wrong stuff I think !. No one can tell as I drive by,,ya, my rad.s are same high an wide as my old bias, but ride a lot better. Don't go bump bump when I start out..The look rolling is same,just way better ride an I save $ too. < So,ya,I don't get using bias. not even a little bit. Do what ya want,just have fun with your Rod or Custom...
     
  17. AccurateMike
    Joined: Sep 14, 2020
    Posts: 785

    AccurateMike
    Member

    Michelin 1946. They came over on Citroen 2CV's. Like the one in American Graffiti. By the early 60's they were here on tea bagger's cars.
    Mike

    Edit: In 1966, 13% of tires sold in America were radial (from Michelin's Wiki)
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2025
    williebill and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  18. lostn51
    Joined: Jan 24, 2008
    Posts: 3,309

    lostn51
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Tennessee

    I remember when my dad bought my mom a new Charger in ‘73 it had gl*** belted tires from the factory. So maybe around 1975 or so they were the go to tire for factory rides
     
    chevy57dude and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  19. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 10,695

    Rickybop
    Member

    Bias ply.
    With one old snow tire on the front.

    Actually, the snow tire on this one isn't worn out enough to be traditional.
    Not quite to my strict standards.

    chrome_screenshot_Nov 2, 2025 9_38_40 AM EST.png
     
    jet996, Toms Dogs, LOST ANGEL and 3 others like this.
  20. TCTND
    Joined: Dec 27, 2019
    Posts: 748

    TCTND
    Member

    Every opinion on this subject is biased.
     
  21. mrspeedyt
    Joined: Sep 26, 2009
    Posts: 1,064

    mrspeedyt
    Member

    I prefer the look of bias but I won't buy them unless they're cheap.
     
    dana barlow and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  22. sidevalve8ba
    Joined: Jun 16, 2009
    Posts: 2,609

    sidevalve8ba
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Did someone say ATLAS BUCRONS?

    upload_2025-11-2_11-28-47.jpeg
     
    jet996, dwollam, lostn51 and 9 others like this.
  23. Ratmother
    Joined: Jan 23, 2022
    Posts: 55

    Ratmother
    Member

    Depends on the ride… IMG_5731.jpeg
     
  24. proartguy
    Joined: Apr 13, 2009
    Posts: 812

    proartguy
    Member
    from Sparks, NV

    I tried everything I could think of on my ‘34 to keep the 16” bias plys and have it drive good. Finally switched to “bias look” radials and it doesn’t follow every pavement flaw now. I appreciate the appearance aspect, but for me it has to drive good. It might be because I am an old guy. Then, again, I have run radials on old cars since the early ‘70’s.
     
  25. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,424

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    Now That's Funny:p:p:p
     
  26. downlojoe33
    Joined: Jul 25, 2013
    Posts: 937

    downlojoe33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I don’t get the “IT HAS TO HAVE BIAS PLYS TO BE TRADITIONAL “ thing. I know there’s a lot of cars running them that do just fine with them, and a lot of guys that are willing to put up with poor handling from their cars to have “the look”. I’m not. My 55 Tbird had wide white bias plys on it when I bought it, and it drove so bad it was unsafe to drive. Followed every groove, darted left to right or right to left, depending on the road. Maybe it was the Firestones, I don’t know, but after I put a set of radials on it, drives like a dream now. Function over form for me thank you. But if bias plys are your candy bar, eat away.
     
  27. Admit NOTHING of the KIND! I would run radials if I was kicked off this forum! Or ANY forum!

    Ben
     
    Tow Truck Tom and downlojoe33 like this.
  28. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 24,877

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    Bias ply tires only look good on other peoples cars.
     
    Tow Truck Tom, tubman, ydopen and 3 others like this.
  29. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 8,757

    RodStRace
    Member

    Tow Truck Tom likes this.
  30. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,424

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    This may be the last time I feel compelled to speak of it.
    Since the thread is at this point, I may as well pile on.
    More than 30 years ago, Thanks to bias ply, one Friday afternoon my life changed.
    I had the strongest back one could ask for, able to carry a hundred pounds any distance.
    I had a growing nest egg in the bank.
    The wreck cost me my savings and gave me an injury to My left side, back and hip.
    Each time I stand up I get reminded of my error of relying on bias ply.
    :p:eek:
     
    dana barlow and Toms Dogs like this.

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