The problem is that at i really would like to make my valiant handle like a performance mopar in 1965 would have handled and that handling really needs those blue streaks or some tires compearable. Are there any bias ply radials in the market anywhere? I suppose coker has not...

A bias ply tire isn't radial because of the angle of the cord. Radials have a zero degree cord angle which is what makes them different from a bias ply. The Blue Streak was a shallow angle bias ply tire somewhere in between a regular bias and a radial. I think you would find and most people would agree that tire tech has come a long long way since the Blue Streak, Wide Oval and other 60's performance tires. Modern radials will flat make your car handle better. Does anybody that's driven Mopars on both types feel differently about that?

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"Former Owner" of '65 Barracuda, 225, Auto, MP 2bbl intake, MP cam, Dutra Duals. Presently Moparless.

Yea, I prefer the old bias belted design...

Just kidding. I can tell you this story: in 1985 I bought a 65 Valiant 100 stripper, no options, bias ply tires. It ran basically OK. Teeny bopper that I was, I thought it was fine... but maybe that's just because it beats walking.

Thanks to a little encouragement from my Dad, when it came time to buy a new set of front tires, I opted for the best P185/80R13 money could buy. I was absolutely shocked at the difference... much quieter and smoother ride, it responded to my requests to turn corners, and the first thing I noticed (before I'd driven as much as 20 feet) was that it honestly felt like someone had added power steering. Incredible.

When it comes to tires, I've never looked back since. I have proven to myself time and again on many different vehicles, that a high-quality tire makes a world of difference in driving enjoyment.

- Erik

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Lots of early Valiants and Barracudas have crossed my path.
Also a handful of other toys for variety now and then.

Boy, you had me going for the first sentence, mpg
The difference between bias & bias-belted, and radials is so huge its hard to put in words. I would never, ever, go back to those crappy things. That said, I still have a "good" set of G/Y Polyglas GT's for my '70 Cuda. If I ever sell it, the next owner may want them.

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'66 Cuda 225/4spd
'66 Dart GT convertible 225/auto
'64 Dart GT 340/4spd

yeah, if you really want the handling to be authentic 1965 style youll have to track down a set of bias plys. I cant think of any radial tire that was intentionally designed to give the poor feel and fuel economy that the BPs had. As for blue streak tires? If there are any left they are probably deteriorated to the point that they'll self destruct after only a few miles. You may find a set of nice looking ones on EBay but they won't drive for very long. Period vintage tires are really only useful to the chap who wants to park his car in the living room and rub it down with a diaper. Getting new "vintage style" bias plys from the dealers like Coker Tire are as close as you can safely get to the Blue Streak tire.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Gee, must be good advertising by the tire manufactures.

There really isn't that much differance between a performance bias ply and a radial in the 60 and 50 series of tires. I have driven both on the same vehicle and never noticed a really big differance.

There is a very big differance between a cheap bias-ply and a radial in the 70, 75, 78 and 80 series of tires. The bias-plys would always follow the grooves in the road, the radials very seldom do.

A bias-ply is smoother over the road when compared to a radial which are harsher. I never had a bias-ply seperate its tread when the tire starts to get worn down, this seems to be standard practice on radials.

Dumb question here... I'm not sure what the series 60, etc refers to. is this a quality demarcation?

When I replaced the 20 year old bias plys on my '62 Valiant with radials, the big thing I noticed was a drop in comfortable cruising speed. The radials seem to be about an inch or so shorter than the old tires, so I assume it changed the ratio. I've thought of going to the larger rims to compensate, but am also kicking around the idea of just getting a nice set of bias plys. Are there still 'performance' bias plys manufactured?

tim

The "60 series" refers to the aspect ratio of the sidewall height to tread width. A "60" series tires has the sidewall height at 60% of the tread width.

I suspect some tire manufatures are still making bias ply tires. The differance between the bias ply and radial tires is how the cords run thru the rubber on the tire. A bias ply tire usually has them crossing in a 75* crosshatch pattern, while radials tires used 90*. Performace bias ply were getting closer and closer to that 90* crosshatch before they were phased out in favour of radials.

Achtung!
Save the bluestreak and redline knockoffs for the resto crowd. If you're gonna drive it getcher self a set of radials and be done with it.
Do they make performance bias-plys? They sure do!
Hoosier makes some kick-arse units that are employed by nearly every championship autocrosser that can exploit them. Goodyear still supports the bluestreak in "vintage" arenas-- ie sportscar specials and the old can-am shtuff. Brace yourself, they're SPENDY!!
check 'em out here:
http://www.racegoodyear.com/products/racect36.html

for the real poop on bias-ply vs. radials check out:
http://www.michelingc.com/na_eng/News/85.html

For those of you looking for replacement rubber on a budget you can't go wrong here:
http://www.tirerack.com/

When it comes down to it, do you wand substance or style? Do you want your car to handle well, stop great and be safe or would you rather it look "period correct".

Me, i'm all about the driving. That's what these cars were made for. I'll take a set of performace blackwalls with that buldgy underslung look on a set of cop rims over redlines and wirewheel covers anyday of the week!

-JYH
blathering on as usual
64 Dart
69 Cuda

Why don't you get a set of cheapy white walls, and dye the lines blue or red? Cheap and easy. Heck, if you're near me in California, we can trade tires. I hate white walled tires.

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

One question still up... Any comments on the height issue?

i wasn't thinking of going back to bias plys for the 'retro' look, I was thinking of going back so that the tire height would be back where it should be. The original tires on my car were real pizza cutters. The drop in cruising speed was noticeable when I went with the radials.

Are radials lower than the comparable bias ply, or is it my imagination? Can I buy a 'taller' radial that would compensate? Or, should I just track down a set of 14" rims (assuming one'll fit in my spare tire well)?

tim

What size tires did you buy?

Croz, tires are available for your car in a variety of different aspect ratios. Im guessing you have 185/75r14s or something like that. I would go with a 65 or 70 ratio. Ive been trying to find the correct dimensions for a radial on my car as well. But I have 13s.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

I have 13's too. I replaced my bias plys with 175/80R13s. I just took the advice of the guy at the tire place. Mistake?

That should be an OK size. What size were the old tires?