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Tires for '68 Shelby

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by mikeljgt500kr, Jan 9, 2011.

  1. Jan 9, 2011 #1
    mikeljgt500kr

    mikeljgt500kr Well-Known Member

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    I am looking for new radial tires for my '68 Shelby. I would like to get the raised white letter tires, and notice the P215X70X15 is the size that is preferred for a certain, trouble free application for all 4 wheels. In that size the choices are few, BFG T/As, Firestone Firehawk, or Cooper Cobra GTs (the Mickey Thompson tire is basically the same). So any recommendations from you experts out there?
     
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 9, 2011
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 9, 2011
    #1
  2. Jan 9, 2011 #2
    Ranger Jerry

    Ranger Jerry Well-Known Member

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    My personal choice is the BFG. I've got 2 sets one for the steel rims and hubcaps and one for the 10 spokes. I like 235 HR 60 15 They just look right on my KR
     
    Ranger Jerry, Jan 9, 2011
    Ranger Jerry, Jan 9, 2011
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  3. Jan 9, 2011 #3
    KensKR

    KensKR Well-Known Member

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    +1
     
    KensKR, Jan 9, 2011
    KensKR, Jan 9, 2011
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  4. Jan 10, 2011 #4
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    raised white letter BFG Radial T/A tires are great looking , but sadly lacking traction performance. If there is a worst tire for wet, or dry, traction I haven't seen it.

    A great tire to consider is the Avon CR6ZZ in 215/70-15 or 225/65-15

    http://rogerkrausracing.com/pages/pricing.html

    http://www.avonracing.com/road_legal_page.aspx

    less expensive than the Avon, but still a better performing tire than the BFG Radial T/A is the Pirelli P6 Four Seasons.

    Z.
     
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
    #4
  5. Jan 10, 2011 #5
    mikeljgt500kr

    mikeljgt500kr Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all the info and opinions. It's true that if you don't care about the raised white letter looks and just go for mileage performance, traction, quietness, speed rating, etc., there is a much larger universe of quality tires like Pirelli and Michelin. But blackwall tires look pretty plain. I have some Diamond Back Michelin X radials on my '67 Vette, where they put the redline sidewall on it, and those look very good and perform well too. Too bad you can't get white letter done that way. I guess the real trade-off is looks vs. performance.
     
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 10, 2011
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 10, 2011
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  6. Jan 10, 2011 #6
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    mikeljgt500kr, I see you give your location as the high mountains of NM. Are you near Las Vegas, NM ? Two springs ago I drove my GT-350 to LV, NM from central Texas. A wonderful road trip. On 2 lane highways the whole way (1550 miles round trip) except for 40 miles near Las Vegas.


    Z

    p.s. in my opinion, the looks of raised white letters tires aren't worth the safety trade off of this tires poor quality. No matter how little you drive your car, you are only one emergency stop from disaster.
     
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
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  7. Jan 10, 2011 #7
    mikeljgt500kr

    mikeljgt500kr Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I live across the mountains fom LV, north of Santa Fe. It is a beautiful area to drive a classic car around. I particularly like the High Road to Taos highway. But speaking of tires, you should have some with mucho traction. I agree with your PS, guess I need to think some more about it.
     
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 10, 2011
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 10, 2011
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  8. Jan 10, 2011 #8
    67GT500#2100

    67GT500#2100 Shelby Forums Pit Crew

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    I agree 100% they are down right scary in even a mist. I put 215-65-15 Eagle GT's on my 67 back in the late 80's and they are still on it.
     
    67GT500#2100, Jan 10, 2011
    67GT500#2100, Jan 10, 2011
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  9. Jan 10, 2011 #9
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    dude, you're driving a 1968 Shelby. Nobody cares what the tires look like. (supposed to be humorous, not snide)


    Z.
     
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
    zrayr, Jan 10, 2011
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  10. Jan 11, 2011 #10
    mikeljgt500kr

    mikeljgt500kr Well-Known Member

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    Correctamundo! Good way to decide!
     
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 11, 2011
    mikeljgt500kr, Jan 11, 2011
    #10
  11. Feb 6, 2011 #11
    mikeljgt500kr

    mikeljgt500kr Well-Known Member

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    I have decided to use Pirelli P4000 Touring radials. They are the only Z rated tire in that size, and it seems many KRs actually had blackwalls from the factory. Also, the P4000 is about to go extinct, very limited suppy left of any size.
     
    mikeljgt500kr, Feb 6, 2011
    mikeljgt500kr, Feb 6, 2011
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  12. Feb 6, 2011 #12
    Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    It was more then many. Most almost all got the E 70 15 polyglas blackwall tire. A reissue of that original tire is in the making by Kelsey tire but probably still a year or two out. Bob
     
    Bob Gaines, Feb 6, 2011
    Bob Gaines, Feb 6, 2011
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  13. Feb 10, 2011 #13
    Swept57

    Swept57 New Member

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    You are driving a performance car on tires that are over 20 years old? I hope it is a trailer queen.
     
    Swept57, Feb 10, 2011
    Swept57, Feb 10, 2011
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