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Possible decent solution for 65/66 owners who wish to have a reasonable priced radial tire that has the spirit of an original look with a 5/8" WW.
I've been researching this a lot and found three options (not counting Diamond back) that look close.
First (and winner) is the hancook Optimo H724. This tire actually comes with a WW that is just a hair under 5/8" WW. It comes in 205/75/15 and 215/70/15.
I went up and looked at them at my local tire place and took these pics. Price was $335 for 4 tires, mount and balance not included.
The second option is the Uniroyal Tiger Paw. it has a WW that is about 11/16". I'm not sure if the Uniroyal comes in a 205/75 though.
A third option is the Cooper Trendsetter. This tire has a 3/4" WW
Just putting it out there for folks who are looking for affordable radials that have a somewhat correct look.
I recall that the original US Royal Laredo 7.75-15's on my '66 had the 5/8 ww positioned further from the rim than the three tires you show and it was a good and unusual look. So far, no one has been able to tell me how far from the rim the ww was on the original tires.
If I can find that measurement, I may spring for some Diamond Backs..
The Uniroyals do indeed come in 205/15-75. I just put a set on my 66. The cost was $83 per tire.
I recently bought Uniroyal 205 75R15's for my '66 also, for the same price, from Walmart. But I had them mounted elsewhere!
I also looked hard for the correct width 5/8" whitewall before deciding on these, after reading many reviews. Compared to the repro Coker 7.75's, the car rides like a C6 now. Love it.
I recently bought Uniroyal 205 75R15's for my '66 also, for the same price, from Walmart. But I had them mounted elsewhere!
I also looked hard for the correct width 5/8" whitewall before deciding on these, after reading many reviews. Compared to the repro Coker 7.75's, the car rides like a C6 now. Love it.
While not the 5/8 inch ww, it appears that the 75 series tire is a more authentic look than the Tiger Paw in the 70 series (215 70 15). The distance of the ww from the rim looks more like the spacing on the old 7.75 15 Laredo.
It is back in the carrier or I would gladly measure it for you.
QUOTE=After38Years;1589632415]Many thanks Technite73. If the tire is still out of the carrier, would it be possible for you to measure the distance from the rim to the WW?
I recall that the original US Royal Laredo 7.75-15's on my '66 had the 5/8 ww positioned further from the rim than the three tires you show and it was a good and unusual look. So far, no one has been able to tell me how far from the rim the ww was on the original tires.
If I can find that measurement, I may spring for some Diamond Backs..
I still have the original US Royal Laredo spare tire in the spare tire carrier in my '67 coupe. I'll drop the spare and take a picture for you, with a ruler placed on the tire so you can verify the distance from the rim.
I'm out of town until Sunday, so I can do this when I return. Let me know if you want to me to do this for you.
[QUOTE=Mr Fufu;1589632642]I still have the original US Royal Laredo spare tire in the spare tire carrier in my '67 coupe. I'll drop the spare and take a picture for you, with a ruler placed on the tire so you can verify the distance from the rim.
I'm out of town until Sunday, so I can do this when I return. Let me know if you want to me to do this for you.
Cheers, Alex.[/QUOTE
Thanks for the offer - really appreciated. The picts posted by Technite73 give me a really close estimate of the distance from the rim to the ww stripe, so no need to pull the spare and measure.
I have a set of the Hankook H725s on a mid-60s Chevy (non-vette) with a 5/8" whitewall. They seem to have stopped making these, which is a shame. The sidewall was a lot "cleaner" without the big block letters and serrations that are on the H724. They are decent tires, but they don't hook in first gear with a hot SBC and a Muncie. I guess you can expect that with a high-mileage all season radial.
I recently bought Uniroyal 205 75R15's for my '66 also, for the same price, from Walmart. But I had them mounted elsewhere!
I also looked hard for the correct width 5/8" whitewall before deciding on these, after reading many reviews. Compared to the repro Coker 7.75's, the car rides like a C6 now. Love it.
This is an angle photo of the Uniroyal.
That's a beautiful car, can you post a better picture of the tires showing how clean the sidewall is so I can compare it to the Hankook.
Maine Doc.
Do the Uniroyals 205-75R-15 that you just put on your car have the narrow 5/8" whitewall or at least close or are they 3/4"? I have not been able to locate any thru any of my local tire dealers or even the local Wal-Mart's on our area. I would be willing to send you a check for 5 of them and the cost of shipping if you can locate them for me. That also goes for anyone else who might be able to locate the Uniroyal tigerpaws or any other Uniroyal with a similar sized whitewall.
Please help.
Thanks
Gary
The whitewall size is 3/4 inch on the Uniroyals. Have you tried Tire Rack? I bought them locally at Waterville Tire here in Maine and they had no trouble getting them for me. You might have issues with that size tire in the spare tub. Many posts about this issue. Bill
That's a beautiful car, can you post a better picture of the tires showing how clean the sidewall is so I can compare it to the Hankook.
TIA Tim
My '66 has been at the paint shop for a week getting the hood and rear deck repainted and blended (car was repainted about 10 years ago). Hopefully I pick it up tomorrow and I'll post a picture of the white wall tire up close. All other pictures were at car shows with the 7.75's. Thanks for the compliment. My brother kept it immaculate since new.
05-12-2015, 07:25 PM
Radial Tires for a 66 with an actual 5/8" WW
