15 Inch Tires (again)

[John4337]

Happy New Year everyone.

Time to resurrect that old discussion about 15 inch tires. My Firehawks are approaching 8 years old, and while they have served me well for almost 20,000 miles, I’m guessing its time to start looking for replacements. I was on the Summit site and there seems to be few choices. Mickey Thompson, Cooper Cobras, and an apparent new option is Coker Tire selling BF Goodrich Radial T/A’s. They also list a Mastercraft option, a brand I’ve never heard of.

Tire Rack only lists the Radial T/A’s in our sizes Any input from the group? My car is a street cruiser, trips, etc, no track use.

Thanks in advance

John

[Jeff Kleiner]

I answered on the other forum but will copy here foe anyone else with the same question. I built a Mk4 for a customer a few years ago and he chose the Coopers (strictly because they said "Cobra" on the side ). FFR 15X8 & 15X9 wheels, Fox width rear, 235/60 in the front and 295/50 in the rear. Fit perfectly and have served him flawlessly for ~20K miles on his street cruiser.

Jeff

[John4337]

Thanks Jeff, I should have mentioned that I’m running the FFR Halibrands with the ‘old’ IRS. FFR calls for 275’s on the rear, but those are non existent.

[KDubU]

I drove the MT’s and they worked well for the street.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thanks Jeff, I should have mentioned that I’m running the FFR Halibrands with the ‘old’ IRS. FFR calls for 275’s on the rear, but those are non existent.

The T-Bird derived IRS is fox width so you should be fine with 295/50.

Jeff

[Murd]

I have this same set of coopers, black letters out, and very happy.
When I was researching what to get I read often that people found the BF TAs hard and didn’t like them, also some saying the cooper and MT were basically the same tire.

[Joe390]

I went with M/T Street Comps. Great Tires for the money..!

[Gumball]

Avon CR6ZZ - yes, they are a DOT vintage race tire with a low treadwear rating, but I have a set on mine that have seen 13,000 miles over the course of four summers and they still look nearly new. Awesome traction, but they will harden with age and lose some of that initial grip (and the tendency to throw rocks up in the wheel wells) over time. And, the looks are killer vintage with the zig-zag treat pattern.

I made stencils out of the cheap cardboard cut-outs that are available at the local office supply big-box store and some parchment interior dye and they look even better.

Siebkens Full Color.jpg

[John4337]

Thanks Chris, those Avon’s look really nice, but sadly a bit pricey for me.

John

[Hoschton Hotrod Haus]

If you ordered the 15" Vintage Halibrand Replica Wheel and Tire Combo from FFR you get:
15” X 8” Front and 15” X 9” Rear & Mickey Tires, 235/60R15 Front and 295/50R15 Rear

They are available from Summit Racing

[Lickity-Split]

Not a radial, but sure I like this look:

https://vintagewheelsus.com/index.ph...index&cPath=32