Whitewall tires for '70 Fleetwood

[J.C.]

Hi, Everyone!

Can anyone comment on the correct sizing of whitewall tires for a '70 Fleetwood?

According to the "Authenticity Manual Class 22 - 1967-1970," the tires are supposed to be L78 x 15, load range B tires.  But the dimensions and configurations of the whitewalls are not completely clear to me.  See the attached images of the relevant pages in the manual.  There is an image with a ruler against some stripes but the picture is a little blurry.

I made my own drawing (also attached) with my best estimate on the measurements of the whitewalls.  Can anyone tell me whether or not these are correct?  It looks like the tire should have two strips, one thick and one thin.  The inner stripe should be 1/2" thick and it should be 1.5" from the inside of the tire, right?  The second, thinner stripe should be 1/8" thick and another 1/2" should separate the thick and thin stripes, right?

If I'm calculating and measuring correctly, then, the first distance, A, from the inside of the tire to the inside of the thicker whitewall is 1.5", and the thickness of the fatter, inner white wall, B, is 1/2", and the distance from the outer edge of the thicker whitewall to the inner edge of the thinner whitewall, C, is also 1/2", and the thickness of the outer, thinner whitewall, D, is 1/8".  And this would mean that the total distance from the inside of the tire to the outside of the thinner strip is, E, 2 10/16". 

Am I on the right track, here?  When ordering new tires from Diamondback, is this how I should tell them to design the tires?  All input appreciated!  Thanks!

J.C.
Coral Gables, FL

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

JC,
This subject has been heavily repeat heavily discussed. I suggest you do a search. It wasn't that long ago.
Bob

[35-709]

Briefly, note that Diamondback only makes radial tires, the L78x15 is a bias-ply tire not available at Diamondback.  They DO make a radial with the correct dual whitewall stripe, just give them a call and talk to them.  The corresponding radial tire size would be P235/75R15.    https://dbtires.com/product/cadillac-specialty-wall-designs/

If you must have a bias-ply L78-15, you are most likely stuck with Coker.

[chrisntam]

Good on Geoff for answering the post!   

Bob just tossed a wet blanket on it.....   

I recall Cape Cod Fleetwood and Scot Minesinger have the correct (whitewall) tires.  I get my tires from Discount tire (at least it's a whitewall) and my batteries from Sams.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

When a horse has been beat to death it's a good idea to cover it with a wet blanket! Keeps the flies away. Maybe some of you like to rehash topics over & over. I think it's a waste of time! I had Diamondback make the correct 70 tires years ago. I think I was the first one to do it. Chris, I'm glad you stepped up & got whitewalls.

[Scot Minesinger]

There really is no tire you can buy (even the Coker bias ply with correct stripe) that will not suffer a deduction at GN if the judges follow the rules strictly for primary and higher classes.  If touring there is no point deduction for radial tires.  If you are driving the car a great distance on the highway, buy the Diamondback radials with dual stripes - see my photo.

[76eldo]

I have a set of the DB dual stripe radials. The big stripe is a bit too big on these as compared to two original spares I have.   If I get another set for my Eldo I’ll specify the sizes when I order them.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Correct DiamondBacks on my 70 Fleetwood - just buy them.
Ask for Rusty in sales, he's terrific.

If you're not mounting them yourself they'll ship directly to the tire
shop of your choice, you'll need an excellent old school installer since
the wheel weights can only go on the inside.

\m/
Laurie

[J.C.]

There really is no tire you can buy (even the Coker bias ply with correct stripe) that will not suffer a deduction at GN if the judges follow the rules strictly for primary and higher classes.

Why, Scot?  If the tires are bias ply, and they bear the correct stripes, and they're L78 x 15, then why would there be point deductions?

[76eldo]

On the Coker bias ply L-78-15 there should be no deductions.


Brian

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Here's a pic of mine.

[J.C.]

On the Coker bias ply L-78-15 there should be no deductions.

I contacted Coker Tire today; they don't offer anymore the bias ply tire with the correct whitewall configuration - they only have a BF Goodrich with the thick stripe on the outside, not the inside.  I also called Lucas and Universal - also no dice.

So my options are to get a Diamondback radial with the correct whitewalls or the Goodrich bias ply with the incorrect stripes - there's apparently no way to get the perfectly correct tire.  Unless anyone knows a place still selling the bias ply with the correct whitewalls? 

J.C.

[David Greenburg]

Does Diamondback make the Auburn (looks/sized  like bias ply but is a radial) in that size?

[papas52cad]

My 2 cents,
BUY FROM DIAMONDBACK, PERIOD.!!!!
Do not buy Coker!! Ever, never!
FYI.

[35-709]

Does Diamondback make the Auburn (looks/sized  like bias ply but is a radial) in that size?

Diamondback does have the Auburn tire in that size.

[J.C.]

Diamondback does have the Auburn tire in that size.

You were right, G - they had 'em!  I just ordered four.  Hope I can have them on my car in time for the GN!  Thanks everyone for your advice!

[cadillacmike68]

You were right, G - they had 'em!  I just ordered four.  Hope I can have them on my car in time for the GN!  Thanks everyone for your advice!

Get on the phone and order a 5th one! And rotate the 5 tire pattern as outlined in the owners manual.