What's with Radial TA's?

[CanadianPoncho]

Why do 99% of the musclecars I see that don't run original style bias ply's have BFG Radial T/A's? It seems like a given on every musclecar I see. Did I miss the memo?
eg:

http://www.justinssite.com/images/70GSX%20Front.jpg
http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/amc.programpage.footer.jpg

Todd

[Mr70]

Nope..they did.

[Nova Jed]

TA's are overrated! Unless you meant TnA? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[GM-26]

My car drives surprisingly well with bias ply tires. F60's up front and L60's out back.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/rpo-z15/DSCN3595-2.jpg

[Canuck]

Its all about availability of sizes. If Goodyear had the sizes and style I would buy them.

[TDW]

Here in Michigan we have the worst roads in the Country. The crowns are horrible. If I drive my cars with the original style tires, it is a scary battle to keep it between the ditchs. The TA's make it a lot more driveable. I think they do wreck the look, but it's worth it to me.

[camarojoe]

Here's the memo on Radial T/A's: They suck. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/hotrodchassis/RADIALS_ART.jpg

[njsteve]

The radial T/A tire has been in existance since the musclecar era began (since 1970 I think). A good analogy would be if Goodyear still made the Polyglas GT today as a commercially available tire. That is the main reason it is used: an unbroken pedigree of the same model line. It is also a radial and for those of us that drive the cars frequently, they seem to make the cars handle better.

Though I've had them on my car for 21 years (various versions of the T/A that is), I will probably be getting a pair of Mickey Thompson L60x15s soon for the rear to match the NOS F7815s I have in the garage, for the front. I always loved that old vintage "Fat and Skinny" look and I'm looking forward to reliving my youth again by remembering how badly these things actually rode way back when. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/nk15268/1970Charger_beauty2A.jpg

[68l30]

About the only thing they do well is.... hold air... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My Camaro would ride the same with Wide-Treds, tractor tires or TA's........You just look like a bobblehead going down our crappy roads.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Steve

[owners2]

[ QUOTE ]
My car drives surprisingly well with bias ply tires. F60's up front and L60's out back.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/rpo-z15/DSCN3595-2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ] Your car looks really sweet. I have old goodyear polyglass G60's on the front & L60's on the back & i dont really drive on them because i didn't think they repoped the sizes i have.I figured once there gone theres know replacing them.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/65z13/TiresNOShardasarock.jpg
these belted tires felt like rocks with my mostly original suspension http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif








http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/65z13/TirenewBFGrta.jpg
the car does not want to jump into a tree as much with these T/A's.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gifshow and/or go. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[CanadianPoncho]

I'm all for running original bias ply's if that's what the car came with when new. Although my 69 Pontiac Laurentian isn't a musclecar, it looks pretty damn good with the G70X15 Wide Oval redlines I put on it.
Teaser shot "sans center caps":
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/tstclr/69%20Pontiacs/redlinerear.jpg
Now to put a 427 between the fender wells... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
The emblems are already there!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/tstclr/69%20Pontiacs/HPIM0334.jpg
Todd

[GM-26]

Jeff,
Thank you for the compliments. This summer I will own my Chevelle for twenty years. I am certainly concerned, when I have to replace my rear tires. I love the look with the two different sizes. I am really surprised that there isn't a company making Polyglas GT L60's. I would think there would be a strong demand for them.

[GM-26]

Years ago, my Chevelle also had bias ply Pro-Trac tires with Centerline wheels. This was a popular look in the day. The car looks totally different with the original wheels back on.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/rpo-z15/CarShow1988.jpg

[StealthBird]

BFG Radial T/A'sere cheap in the late 70's-late 80's, and they wore like iron. When the public rediscovered Musclecars around 1983-1985, most Musclecars that were featured in magazines and books were wearing BFG Radial T/A's. There weren't too many alternatives back then for a white-lettered radial tire similar to the old 60's-70's style lettering. Goodyear stopped producing bias-ply small white letters, and went to those giant blocky white outline versions, very popular in the day. Their "high performance" radials were Wingfoots, with a thin white stripe, or those giant blocky white outline (or blackwall) Eagles. Firestone had their S/S Radial white letter tires, but that lettering was HUGE, and detracted from the car in my opinion.

The only alternative was the BFG Radial T/A, and they were very good tires. They rode great, wore like steel, but were slippery in a straight line. I think around 1983 or so, due to public demand, Goodyear began making Eagle ST radials, with small white letters and that "eagle head" logo.

By the way, Coker is now selling the old BFG Radial T/A, and yes, they're still cheap! Time for a resto mod, of a 60's Musclecar, the way it looked in the 80's.....

Would that be a retro-resto-mod? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

http://store.coker.com/catalog/BFGoodrich-T-As-productcode0-p-1-c-449.html

[GTO_DON]

Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

[musclecarjohn]

I've always run them over the years,mainly because they looked better then the others.That was important to me.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC04974.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC04987.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC04985.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC04980.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Firestone, BF Goodrich and Goodyear combined don't have as many damn tires as you do....what you got a 50,000 sq.ft warehouse....???


wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[GTO_DON]

YES SIR! Also have L http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif60 polyglas and Firestones in stock!

[WILMASBOYL78]

We are pleased to introduce the one and only Tire King http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/313605-h-top.gif

[GTO_DON]

Im happy you now understand! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[RamAirDave]

I like them fine for a street radial on a car that gets driven regularly. Have a good look to them compared to many of the cheesy looking, more-generic radials out there, and inexpensive to replace.

[tom406]

They're the only game in town for inexpensive RWL tires these days. They've got a reasonable sized lettering, and a simple name. No "Super Defender Pro Grand Prix G/T" in billboard letters down the side. I don't mind Cooper Cobras, but given the cobra name, they usually end up looking best on Mustangs of some sort. Goodyear has inexplicably left this market again with the passing of the Eagle GTII's, which really had lettering that was almost too big. Firestone? INDY 500 billboards don't work for most cars.

My wish? I would like to see someone take the old '80s Goodyear Eagle GT molds (square shoulders, blocky tread) and produce some with old small Polyglas/Wide Tread style lettering. Like a no-size Polyglas, just with "Eagle GT" instead of "Polyglas GT". 215/70/14, 215/65/15, 245 or 255/60/15. You could even do the OWL on the reverse side, for all of the guys restoring Monte SS's, Buick GN's, and '80's Vettes and Camaros.

I agree that bias looks best, but there are times when folks would like radials. There should be more options - at least BFG is consistent and there when needed.

[233monte]

GM-26, your chevelle is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Chateau Slate 66]

[ QUOTE ]
They're the only game in town for inexpensive RWL tires these days. They've got a reasonable sized lettering, and a simple name. No "Super Defender Pro Grand Prix G/T" in billboard letters down the side. I don't mind Cooper Cobras, but given the cobra name, they usually end up looking best on Mustangs of some sort. Goodyear has inexplicably left this market again with the passing of the Eagle GTII's, which really had lettering that was almost too big. Firestone? INDY 500 billboards don't work for most cars.

My wish? I would like to see someone take the old '80s Goodyear Eagle GT molds (square shoulders, blocky tread) and produce some with old small Polyglas/Wide Tread style lettering. Like a no-size Polyglas, just with "Eagle GT" instead of "Polyglas GT". 215/70/14, 215/65/15, 245 or 255/60/15. You could even do the OWL on the reverse side, for all of the guys restoring Monte SS's, Buick GN's, and '80's Vettes and Camaros.

I agree that bias looks best, but there are times when folks would like radials. There should be more options - at least BFG is consistent and there when needed.

[/ QUOTE ]


Very well said! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[ANDY M]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/newshoes3.jpg

Jegs sells the BFG TA's in the size I wanted, for 15" rims. No other tire store had them in stock, and they all wanted more money. The factory tires wore out fast, due to extensive road testing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
When day two really was more like year two of ownership, and it was time to replace the wheels and tires, the TA's were a popular choice. So were Uniroyal Tiger Paws, which were also used by Pontiac on the GTO. Less expensive, but hard to find today, so I went with the TA's.
If you really want to look like back in the day, just buy the cheepest RWL off brand tires you can find. Check out the old photos of barn-finds, and that's what you're likely to find.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/feature0001.jpg

If you were going to street race, you had a set of slicks for that. If you wanted to show off by buring rubber, better to buy the cheep tires. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif JMO

[Steve Shauger]

[ QUOTE ]
Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought a set of Cragars with L-60-15 for my 69 Z28, from K&G speed in Havertown, PA. Chris Gaines (sp) set me up in 1976. They were the first design tread.

[ANDY M]

Here are all of the sizes from Jeg's, most of them for 14" or 15" wheels.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_746885_-1_11287

[DaJudge]

Correct me if I am wrong but the first design T/A's were a little more square and the lettering looked more like the other Tires from that era???? I think I remember the old style and they looked good on muscle cars http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

And I would rather have the T/A's then the Daytona radials http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[tirebird]

Well, among all of us, I have a probably the best reason to run the tires. Many of you know the "Tirebird" got it's name from BFG, who had the car built as one of 5 race replica's in 1971 for the SCCA TransAm series, to promote the, then new, BFG T/A Radial. BTW, the Hot Rod Magazine Ad(attached) is from 1978.

[Steve Shauger]

I think its all a matter of taste and your goal. If you are into competing in a high level judged event, then you need to get a set of appropriate repops. I have two cars with orig tires, and i don't feel that comfortable driving the darn things, I usually end up with white knuckles and feel every rut in the road. Also being 38 years old and deteriorating adds to a real driving experience.

I drive all my cars and have several sets of TA radials which I interchange. This tire has always performed well and is the accepted standard for the muscle car market. Decent look (yes i agree an original bias ply looks better) great performance, have a size for most applications and reasonably priced...Whats not to like!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[DarrenX33]

It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/Copy_of_Dave_s_Car.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

[47Hammer]

[ QUOTE ]
Correct me if I am wrong but the first design T/A's were a little more square and the lettering looked more like the other Tires from that era???? I think I remember the old style and they looked good on muscle cars http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

And I would rather have the T/A's then the Daytona radials http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]





These T/A's were some of the first tread designs from the mid '70's. The bias ply Goodyear tires look great but these T/A's worked well if you wanted to go around corners.
I think they look good, for radials http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/megavin/DSCN2849.jpg

[vince]

i remember running mickey thompson L60 14 racing profiles. they had a thin white line ran all the way round the tire up to the lettering then stopped.and the fronts were firestone super sports RWL.does anyone remember these http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif im getting tired of the TAs. would like to get those old tires back http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[47Hammer]

I was running T/A 50's on my '70 Z in the late '70's, notice the worn edge on the front tires from hooking it around corners..

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/megavin/img156.jpg

I loved this car! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Paul_S]

Yup, I noticed that early tread design on the Z in your other post. I was looking/expecting that tread design on the Coker site. I know of a '74 Z that still has those. -Well, in the front. As mentioned, it mainly comes down to the look (clean sidewall) and the size options.

[Survivor 69/Z28]

I will except a musclecar even with white walls. BUT, nothing looks better to me than a car with the original style skinnies. The cars just look right with these tires.
I installed some original style tires on my Z and absolutely love them. The car sits good and drives great!

[70 Forest Green Zee]

[ QUOTE ]
It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/Copy_of_Dave_s_Car.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]



Hey D.....this thing is sittin up so high....is it 4 wheel drive??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[DarrenX33]

1975 Randy. 1975. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Andy]

Cool pictures. I run them on my 67 Camaro. They are inexpensive, look good, and have good ride quality. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://people.clemson.edu/~jaander/images/car%20pics%20384.jpg

[The Dude]

I run them on my Olds but turned in. I dont like white letter tires at all.

[ddmrk]

I am Running Original Polyglas G70x14 fronts and H60x14 rear no problem here

[rubbinisracing]

For me its all about what I ran back in the day....Cragers, T/A's, windows down,Stranglehold and a High Life. Like a scene right out of "Dazed and Confused". Ten foot tall and bulletproof

[BARN FIND]

[ QUOTE ]
It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/Copy_of_Dave_s_Car.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

If anyone is interested, I was talking to a guy in NE today that has a set of these on a old Street Rod project he bought 15-20 years ago that he never finished. He thinks the fronts are E60s and is not sure about the rears. If anyone is interested PM me for his name and number.

[BARN FIND]

[ QUOTE ]
It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again... http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/Copy_of_Dave_s_Car.JPG http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]I was looking through some fotos and came upon this one of my SS Camaro with L60-15 BELTED TAs on Cragars. I put these on about week after I got the car (I didn't like the flat gray painted Z28 wheels and F60s on it, Oh how things have changed!).

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/Barnfind/BeltedTA.jpg

[Keith Tedford]

The old Uniroyals look fine.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2625518210101686729kBgoYU

[Shankin]

I have polyglas on my nova but i am putting a set of bfgs on my 69 c10. For the money the bfgs are hard to beat. Most everything elst the sidewall looks terrible. The wrong choice of tire to me can ruin a nice looking car.

[Keith Tedford]

The T/As look about the same from the side.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2797172860101686729xnNZiu

[ronebee]

"stranglehold and a high life", now thats some funny stuff right there. Believe me, when we cas see some "Terra Firma" when all the snow melts and the salt is washed off the roads here in Upstate New York, I'll be crusing with the windows down, Terrible Ted coming out of the radio, bur probabley drinking bottled water. good Stuff.

[redline]

I liked the first-generation T/As, I bought a set in 1979, they had the small block letters very similar to the Polyglas Gts, they rode better and were nice and fat.

Later on, they switched the font on the tires to a 'slanted' font, and the letters were larger. I never liked those tires as much as the earlier versions. I would buy another set of te early ones if I could find some in nice shape. Old pic, color is washed out, car was a Hemi Orange 440-6 4-speed.



http://www.yenko.net/attachments/328130-sm-bs97.jpg

[69 Post Sedan]

I liked them on my Nova I had.....until last year. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif