Opinions Wanted. Coker vs. Diamondback Tires ?

[TOYVET]

Would like members opinions, experiences regarding Coker vs. Diamondback, vs. Other manufacturers tires...Also Radials vs Poly/Fiberglass construction for driving less than 200 miles year... Thanks

[camarojoe]

Diamondbacks are radials, and radials look stupid on old cars. If you're driving less than 200 miles a year its a total no-brainer...get some repro bias plys. I've used Coker repro Firestones and Kelsey repro Goodyears... both look right and drive fine.

[TOYVET]

Thanks for the quick answer Joe...Yep, I did not like the way the radials looked either...I did read some Coker quality issues on the Corvette Forum...Thanks again

[camarojoe]

No problem. What are you putting them on?

[TOYVET]

1969 ex. 427/400 Corvette convertible..have all tank sticker but original engine long gone...now 350/350..
Originally Riverside Gold, I painted Monza Red in 1987..I have owned since 1983.
Thanks;
Greg

[camarojoe]

If you are going with a white lettered tire, go for the Kelsey Goodyear Wide Treads... The firestone Wide Ovals are not the correct style for pre-69.

[TOYVET]

Was thinking of Redlines.

[TOYVET]

Joe, would you go for Coker or Kelsey Redlines for a '69 ?
Thanks

[camarojoe]

Either/or... Personally I'd probably get the goodyears from Kelsey.

[737Driver]

Either Coker or Kelsey would look great. There is a bigger deviation from original with the Coker v. the Kelsey. With the Kelsey, the tread pattern is right on and there are only a few issues with font, mold marks and inspector markings that make it detectable from the original. Of course, the DOT stamps would deviate from original with each. For driving they would both look GREAT!

Enjoy your L68.

Mark