Paul Dobbin Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I know we've discussed the use of white wall tires and that some us of love them andothers don't share that emotion. This thread is not about choice, it's about cost. Aside from the personal choice part of whitewalls for early cars, for many cars now eligible for AACA membership under our 25 year rule, white walls were common. Remember the days when whitewall tires and blackwalls were the same price? The dealer would install them inside out if you preferred the “European Look”(Blackwall tires where a choice) Now if you own a 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's car, it's blackwalls only for $62 to $100 each. If you want to be more stylish and correct you must go to a specialty tire dealer and pay $200 & up per tire, just to get white walls. Apparently they cost about the same to make, so why don't we see them for sale at reasonable prices? Three of our cars have radial whitewalls that are 5 years old or older and look likenew but are of the age that cord separation begins. Time to tire shop. Last year Ireplaced the whitewall tires on the 34 Ford Fordor at a cost of almost $1,000, now our 36 Buick, 66 VW & 81 El Camino all need new radials, in whitewalls. I'm getting prices over $3300.00. That's NUTS! I don't get it. Are we being gouged? I think so and I'm not happy about it and blackwalls are still not acceptable because they all came with whitewalls when new. Your thoughts? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I figure routine repairs and general maintenance averages about $600 per old car per year. Some years it is a little lighter, some years more. Owning 4 old cars for ten years one should "budget" about $24,000 and that is close to the life span I get from tires. Two import things can be done to improve the outlook. 1. Own less cars. 2. Don't use "remember when" in reference to anything money related. If the sickness is so bad that you have come to the realization too many cars is just the right number; be sure a few are Buicks. They tend to cost less and need less repair in the long run.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Your '81 ElCamino & '66 VW should both take narrow whites which are still priced reasonably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vila Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) The cost of the 220-55VR390 Michelin TRX metric radials for my 1984 BWM 633 CSi are ridiculous, $429.00 each. The other original size and style tire for this car was the Michelin XWX 205/70VR14 and they go for $440.00 each, but at least I could get other styles and brands in this size for cheaper. I have a set of 5 rims in both sizes, but like the look of the TRX tires. Edited May 24, 2015 by Vila (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Unfortunately it is the price of being in the hobby ! I also budget at least $1500 each year of each of my cars. If you don't spend it as you go along it will catch up to you. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob duffer Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I just spent 1099.76 for 4 new white walls for my 34 Buick from Coker Tire. And another 100.00 to have them mounted and balanced by a local tire shop. Well worth the money to me . Better ride and just knowing i have NEW tires makes me feel at ease about dry rot on the old ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 We are absolutely getting gouged. Due to low demand regular tire companies don't make whitewalls anymore and the specialty tire industry is a monopoly with almost no competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Not only do they not make whitewalls, they don't make larger 15" tires anymore either. Anything past a 205-15 is likely to be very old stock or Chinese production. A large 14" tire? Fuhgeddaboudit! Vila, I passed on a couple of very nice 80s Fords because they had those TRX 390MM wheels and tires. I just could not see being held hostage to one brand of tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I just spent 1099.76 for 4 new white walls for my 34 Buick from Coker Tire. And another 100.00 to have them mounted and balanced by a local tire shop. Well worth the money to me . Better ride and just knowing i have NEW tires makes me feel at ease about dry rot on the old ones.Would have been nearly $1800 if you had also replaced the Dual Sidemounts as well, like I did on mine... But the new tires will give you comfort and safety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky43richard Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Has any body tried the white wall "Flappers" ....Good or Bad ??..... What are your thoughts?R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machinist_Bill Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I just spent 1099.76 for 4 new white walls for my 34 Buick from Coker Tire. And another 100.00 to have them mounted and balanced by a local tire shop. Well worth the money to me . Better ride and just knowing i have NEW tires makes me feel at ease about dry rot on the old ones.Amen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Has any body tried the white wall "Flappers" ....Good or Bad ??..... What are your thoughts?R.Look good for a while then they start to sperate from the tires. Not worth the time or money no matter how cheap they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky43richard Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Are they that bad? Any other opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Look good for a while then they start to sperate from the tires. Not worth the time or money no matter how cheap they are. Plus they discolor from the black bleeding through........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted sweet Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 hancock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 So you buy new safe replacement WW tires to feel good and be safe... but then in five years they need to be replaced again because of cracking. It seems thats the way it goes with these low production antique tires. This does not make me feel good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky43richard Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Looks like buy the modernl tyres and add whitewall flappers, cheaper to replace than the whole, Ok then !!.... .Spelled Tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I agree that whitewalls are expensive, but considering what we have in our cars, and how much we enjoy them, we might just have to say "grin and bear it", spend the extra bucks, and just get out there and enjoy wearing them out. The other options may just aggravate an ulcer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 A guy died and found himself at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter opened the big book, thought deeply, and then raised one eyebrow. "You died with high tread, dry rotted tires and money in the bank," he said with a scowl. "Do you have no sense of the meaning of success?"Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) I'm really none too pleased that there's really only one game in town for antique tires. Radials? Not really a problem, but when I went looking for new 20-inch tires for my '29 Cadillac, I discovered the Coker makes them all, regardless of what brand is on the sidewall. I paid $465 per tire (times six--sidemounts, don't you know) plus $90 each for six innertubes, plus $45 each for flaps, plus $40 each to mount and balance, plus shipping, and wouldn't you know it, they turned yellow within weeks. Many headaches later, second set of tires, wheels beat up by a second dismount/mount process, three new inner tubes, and I have a different set of wide whites that turn yellow even faster than the first. I can scrub them and they'll stay white long enough for an afternoon show, but by the following weekend, they're yellow again. So yes, I do think we're being screwed. Quality sucks and since there's no other game in town the lone manufacturer doesn't have much incentive to work out the problems. Edited May 29, 2015 by Matt Harwood (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Kudos to Marty Roth....he GETS it........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Looks like buy the modernl tyres and add whitewall flappers, cheaper to replace than the whole, Ok then !!.... .Spelled Tire.Dicky,Over here in the states we call them "Portawalls" and they were the rage in the early '60's.Paul,I just priced a set of Lester 7.50-16's for my '40 LTD from Universal tire @ $238.00 each. They have a 5" whitewall. Coker's Firestone's have a 4 1/2" whitewall, and that ugly "piecrust" edge. The Lester's have a smooth edge. Right now I'm running Martin Custom Tires, and according to the court documents I've found, they filed for bankruptcy in 1942. No I do not believe in time travel, so where did they come from ? Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Anyone buying radials from Coker ---------- BEWARE!! Remove the tag inside the tire before placing the tubes in. If you don't, the metal-like tab will puncher the tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I bought my first car when I was 12 and then there was this 38 year old woman when I was 15. If it only could have been whitewall tires all these years. Seven cars, one wife, and never divorced; where do I send the check for the tires? B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5219 Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Just out of curiousity, is there anyone here with a positive experience using portawalls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Installed many a set of porta walls growing up in Dad's tire shop in the 1960's, Properly installed, and there is a trick to it, they last and look decent until the first time you scrape a curb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 They turn brownish, especially the edges, from bleeding through. If tubes are used, the edges along the bead start to bulge out. If you like that look, fine. I didn't, so I spent the money and bought 3 sets of wide whites $$$....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 Re: Portawalls. Apparently they were an invention for bias ply tires only. I tried them on our 66 VW with radials. First set turned brown as they leached the black dye from the tire. On the Second set I painted the back side with elastomeric paint and they stayed white for a few years. However the constant flex of the tires wore a ridge in the tires at the edge of the portawall. I had to r replace the tires with wide whites from Coker. I love then except for the price. Re: Whitewalls, White wall tires are like additional trim on vehicles. I happen to like flashy cars instead of what I see in old black and white movies. Re: White rubber tire: A few years ago I heard that nobody was making the beautiful whote rubber tires for the early brass era cars. What a shame! Re: Price and availability of whitewalls in the original post. I know several posts have said "ït's part of the cost of the hobby". That I agree with however I still think it's a rip off to charge 150% more for the whitewall. Re: Tires needed: Some said they are available, but I can't find them. I need some 165/75/15 for my VW or 175, 185 or 195 in whitewall. I need 215/75/14 for my El Camino, or others that may fit in whitewall. Anybody out them found them for under $100 each? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 (edited) try here................for the Elhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Hankook-Optimo-H724-Tire-215-75-14-Whitewall-10703-Set-of-4-/391151016267?hash=item5b126ad94b&vxp=mtr Edited May 31, 2015 by Skyking (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 I ran porta walls once and had to check the air daily. Hated em.Well, I was about 19 and didn't know the right way to install them I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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