Excelsior Tires? Firestone Tires? 700 x 19"

scott12180 · December 31st, 2006

Happy New Year to all my fellow Packard owners !

I need a new set of tires for my 1932 902 Victoria Coupe. A set of Bedfords from the previous owner are on now but they are highly out of round, both side to side and up and down. (Rims are OK). They look great but are not good for driving.

Coker offers Firestone in 700 x 19" as well as Excelsior in 700 x 19". Firestones are $143. The Excelsiors are $386 !! Of course the Excelsiors look alot better, but are they worth the extra money? Are they a better tire?

For instance, I have Lesters on my 1926 236 Phaeton (700 x 21). They look awful but more importantly, they wore out uniformly and completely in about 12,000 miles. Others have reported similarly poor wear on Lesters. I won't buy them again.

If the Excelsiors will last least twice as long as the Firestones, they are worth the price.

I also need the tires to be high quality, ie: ROUND !!

Thanks for the advice.

--Scott

imported_Speedster · December 31st, 2006

Sorry, I don't Know anyone that can Afford Excelsiors. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> LOL <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

imported_PackardV8 · December 31st, 2006

I read your post and it sounds like u intend to DRIVE the car and not just show it.
In that case u need tyres that are intended for driving and not just show or occasional parades.
That means u need to buy modern tyres that will fit your wheels.

imported_Speedster · January 1st, 2007

Quote:

That means u need to buy modern tyres that will fit your wheels.

That's the Problem, Modern tires that are available to fit those wheels, don't Last Long. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As well as Don't Look original, which is a primary objective when restoring an antique. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Albert · January 1st, 2007

i have seen people put on used motorcycle tires on a model T just so it can be moved around thought.. but they look weird

imported_Speedster · January 1st, 2007

The only Modern good quality 20" tires I've found are 10 ply tires made for trucks. They have a very aggressive thread, a good rubber compound and are very strong. But they give a rougher ride and are not available with whitewalls. But that's why I desided to go with blackwalls on the 645, along with the fact that that is what the original tires, that were on it, were.
Of course 19" tires is a completely different story, I don't think those are available in the 10 ply truck type.

imported_Speedster · January 1st, 2007

BTW, I remember reading in another forum, that since the Excelsior tires were No longer made by the Excelsior Tire Company, he thought they were made by the Denman Tire Company, using that more famous Name (and increasing the price accordingly). I have a set of Denman tires, with the Denman name on them, that are very good tires.
I'm not sure how accurate his info is, but maybe Coker will give that Information, if someone want's to call them and ask?

scott12180 · January 1st, 2007

In regard to the price of Excelsior tires, it's not really the outright price that one can or cannot afford. If tire brand X costs $150 each and tire brand Y costs $300 but lasts twice as long or more, then it's false economy to keep buying cheap tires. Especially if the tread pattern on the expensive tires is preferable.

Someone also commented that if I drive my car I should buy modern tires. Yes, I agree. But 700 x 19 tires are only available in vintage-style tires. :-( I thought about finding modern truck tires but none are available on 19-inch rims.

My other car, the 1926, takes 700 x 21. Another hard-to-find size. Man, I sure have a knack for owning cars with weird tires.

--Scott

tbirdman · January 1st, 2007

Quote:

Happy New Year to all my fellow Packard owners !

I need a new set of tires for my 1932 902 Victoria Coupe. A set of Bedfords from the previous owner are on now but they are highly out of round, both side to side and up and down. (Rims are OK). They look great but are not good for driving.

Coker offers Firestone in 700 x 19" as well as Excelsior in 700 x 19". Firestones are $143. The Excelsiors are $386 !! Of course the Excelsiors look alot better, but are they worth the extra money? Are they a better tire?

For instance, I have Lesters on my 1926 236 Phaeton (700 x 21). They look awful but more importantly, they wore out uniformly and completely in about 12,000 miles. Others have reported similarly poor wear on Lesters. I won't buy them again.

If the Excelsiors will last least twice as long as the Firestones, they are worth the price.

I also need the tires to be high quality, ie: ROUND !!

Thanks for the advice.

--Scott

Are you sure its the tire that is out of round? The Bedfords were highly recommended tire when I was looking for replacements for my 903. My problem is the rims need truing.

imported_PackardV8 · January 1st, 2007

"... then it's false economy to keep buying cheap tires."

That is a very popular tho gross misconception. It depends on many conditions. If u only drive the car less than 1000 miles/year then it is likely they will dry rot before u wear them out any way. Most people start thinking about new tires about the time thier current tires are 1/2 worn any way. Other issues such as risk of nails, glass etc further diminish the return on premium grade tires. The cheap tire that wears fast will probably ride and handle much better than a hard tyre.

I've found that buying the CHEAPEST tires i can find BUT maybe slightly larger than required is the best tire to buy.