[SCG] Good news about 1966-9 concours tires

[Kent Sullivan]

Mark--don't make assumptions! Nothing has been committed to at this point.
And your feedback is similar to other feedback Duanne received after I sent
this email. Seems like there are different considerations to balance and
that may take some time to sort out.

For example, the VCCA, an organization that some people would like to show
their cars in, does not allow anything but factory stock type tires. So,
that would mandate bias ply construction... But I know too little about
tires to say whether a radial tire can be made to look like a bias ply.

And yes, I have a car too that I like to keep as stock as possible (my
yellow convertible) but drive it regularly, so I want radial tires for that
car. But it's not clear whether we have to go to Coker for them... For
example, Larry Claypool has apparently found a source again for 185/80 13s
with a 5/8" whitewall, which is just after we had almost concluded they
weren't available anywhere now.

--Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Corbin [mailto:airvair at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 8:31 AM
To: Kent Sullivan; scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com; Duanne Luckow; Bruce Schug
Cc: Tony Vizyak; Robert Landers
Subject: RE: [SCG] Good news about 1966-9 concours tires

All,

Since I was left out of the loop, I might as well put in my two cents worth
as soon as possible (as if I haven't voiced my opinion on this to others
before).

The most common tire (that I know of) that was used on LM Corvairs was the
USRoyal Larado rain tire. An example can be found on #5999, courtesy of
Bruce McIntosh.

As far as a bias ply goes, that's an invitation for LOW sales, if there
ever was one (IMHO). Most people will drive their cars, even the show cars,
and NObody wants to drive on anything but radials. Without radial
construction, you can probably discount the idea of ever selling them in
any quantity worth the effort. Sorry, but we're spoiled. 

My recommendation would be to use the outer tire mold (design) BUT with a
radial carcass. Ok, so the federally mandated labeling won't match the
"original" 7.00-13. So what? It would at least be a tire worth driving on.
Maybe not the greatest 13"er, but at least a show-worthy one.

But at this point, I imagine the project is too far along to do anything
about this. Certainly, I don't expect to be taken seriously. Never have
been, so why should this be any different? But then, a prophet is without
honor in his own land. At least you won't be plunging into this debacle
unwarned.

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> From: Kent Sullivan <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
> To: <scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com>; Duanne Luckow <daluckow at aol.com>;
Bruce Schug <bwschug at charter.net>
> Cc: Tony Vizyak <glt at cros.net>; Robert Landers <corsarob at charter.net>
> Date: 7/5/2008 10:01:23 PM
> Subject: [SCG] Good news about 1966-9 concours tires
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>  
>
> Duanne Luckow asked me to let folks know that discussions are progressing
> with Coker Tire about reproducing a correct bias ply tire for 1966-9
> Corvairs. I started a conversation with them a few years ago and it ground
> to a halt. Duanne has been successful in restarting the conversation.
>
>  
>
> We were able to help things along a little by producing an original
> Firestone 7.00"x13" bias-play tire, courtesy of a Corsa convertible that
> Duane Wentlandt purchased. The latest communication from them is:
>
>  
>
> "I now have drawings for the original Firestone tire. We can proceed. I
need
> for you guys that are interested to put the word out that we are
developing
> this tire with a January 2009 availability."
>
>  
>
> So-I will buy at least one set. Who else is interested? We don't have a
firm
> price now but assume the price would be similar to other, similar, tires
> they sell today, like the 6.50"x13" bias ply tire.
>
>  
>
> Thanks,
>
>  
>
> --Kent