I've used radial tires uneventfully on original Studebaker wheels since Michelins were first mass-marketed (through Sears) for domestic cars fifty years ago. But just because I've never had a wheel failure doesn't prove anything more than my avoidance thus far of bodily lightning strikes.
That's why I'm about to order up some bias ply tires for my Speedster... something I never expected to do. The wheels are original, prior owner boasted of years of high-speed exploits. The so-called "Speedster wires" (the simulated wire wheel covers and center caps standard on this car and optional on other 1953 through early 1956 models) are so identified with this model that I don't want to swap them out. Unlike ordinary Studebaker wheel covers, these doubtless wouldn't fit the wider Ford wheels of the sort I use with nice 215/75R15 Goodyear radial wide whites on my 56J. Besides, the only 75-series radials close to the diameter of the old 7.10 are the 215/75 size, seriously wide for the old wheels. The bias-look 7.10R15 American Classics look the part but are $$$. Besides, there's the lingering concern of use of radials on the well-used early wheels.
I'm inclined to chance the continued use of quality Michelins on the Avanti. Wheels are indeed factory but NOS, only recently peeled off the South Bend parts numbers and installed. Car isn't going to see a lot of thrashing in my hands. Using the original set of wheels, the prior owner of the Avanti used radials happily for about forty years. Realize that's only anecdotal, but wondering if the risk might be slightly overblown under some circumstances. Still, it's foolish to ignore informed advice.
For the '55, I was thinking of the Firestone or the Goodyear "Super Cushion Deluxe" 7.10-15 tires with 2.75" whitewalls. Anybody out there have any specific experience with either tire?
Gil
That's why I'm about to order up some bias ply tires for my Speedster... something I never expected to do. The wheels are original, prior owner boasted of years of high-speed exploits. The so-called "Speedster wires" (the simulated wire wheel covers and center caps standard on this car and optional on other 1953 through early 1956 models) are so identified with this model that I don't want to swap them out. Unlike ordinary Studebaker wheel covers, these doubtless wouldn't fit the wider Ford wheels of the sort I use with nice 215/75R15 Goodyear radial wide whites on my 56J. Besides, the only 75-series radials close to the diameter of the old 7.10 are the 215/75 size, seriously wide for the old wheels. The bias-look 7.10R15 American Classics look the part but are $$$. Besides, there's the lingering concern of use of radials on the well-used early wheels.
I'm inclined to chance the continued use of quality Michelins on the Avanti. Wheels are indeed factory but NOS, only recently peeled off the South Bend parts numbers and installed. Car isn't going to see a lot of thrashing in my hands. Using the original set of wheels, the prior owner of the Avanti used radials happily for about forty years. Realize that's only anecdotal, but wondering if the risk might be slightly overblown under some circumstances. Still, it's foolish to ignore informed advice.
For the '55, I was thinking of the Firestone or the Goodyear "Super Cushion Deluxe" 7.10-15 tires with 2.75" whitewalls. Anybody out there have any specific experience with either tire?
Gil
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