Tire Recommendations

[impalamansgarage]

Greetings all. I have a set of Mastercraft AS IV 40,000 mile tires on my 71 CDV. They are new and came with the car. The only redeeming features are that they have whitewalls and they are new. Other than that, they are not good tires.

Any recommendations on tires? I want an exceptional whitewall tire that rides like an 80,000 mile top of the line Michelin.

[Scot Minesinger]

Recommend a radial tire, and this question was similarly discussed for a 1973 Cadillac.

The two choices that I agreed with were:

1.  Vogue for price and quality, they look good but not authentic
2.  Diamondback for authenticity and quality, they look good as well.

Rob, the owner of the 73 Caddy choose Vogue and I chose Diamondback, pictured.  However in 1970 a double white wall stripe was original equipment and in 1971 a single stripe was factory.  It is very difficult to justify paying $1,300 (the cost of my 5 Diamondbacks delivered) for a single strip tire correct for 1971 that is mildly distinguishable from a conventional/normal single stripe white wall tires offered today.  If I owned a 71 or newer Caddy, probably would choose Vogue as well.  Obviously, I'm going with Diamond back for 1966-1970 Cadillacs with multiple white wall stripes.

Hankook tires were on this Silver Caddy SDV and they were terrible unless you want an audible tachometer function in your tires couple with rough unsmooth ride - even my 16 year old daughter commented on how rotten the Hankooks were.  In fairness to Hankook they were made in 2002, but still I have not rode on worse tires with full tread (they did not have 2k miles on them).  Also have heard and read more bad than good with Cokers, and nothing bad on Vogue and Diamondbacks.  I have Diamondbacks on all my 1970 Cadillacs.

[Coupe Deville]

WOW, Scot that is one slick looking 70' SDV! Whats the color?
Great shot by the way too.

[impalamansgarage]

Recommend a radial tire, and this question was similarly discussed for a 1973 Cadillac.

The two choices that I agreed with were:

1.  Vogue for price and quality, they look good but not authentic
2.  Diamondback for authenticity and quality, they look good as well.

Rob, the owner of the 73 Caddy choose Vogue and I chose Diamondback, pictured.  However in 1970 a double white wall stripe was original equipment and in 1971 a single stripe was factory.  It is very difficult to justify paying $1,300 (the cost of my 5 Diamondbacks delivered) for a single strip tire correct for 1971 that is mildly distinguishable from a conventional/normal single stripe white wall tires offered today.  If I owned a 71 or newer Caddy, probably would choose Vogue as well.  Obviously, I'm going with Diamond back for 1966-1970 Cadillacs with multiple white wall stripes.

Hankook tires were on this Silver Caddy SDV and they were terrible unless you want an audible tachometer function in your tires couple with rough unsmooth ride - even my 16 year old daughter commented on how rotten the Hankooks were.  In fairness to Hankook they were made in 2002, but still I have not rode on worse tires with full tread (they did not have 2k miles on them).  Also have heard and read more bad than good with Cokers, and nothing bad on Vogue and Diamondbacks.  I have Diamondbacks on all my 1970 Cadillacs.

The original spare from 71 is in the trunk of my car. It is a dual stripe bias ply. One thin strip and one thick one. I will upload a photo later.

Diamonback. Interesting. I had not looked at these. Had been looking at Coker recently.

[Jon S]

Diamondback buffs all writing off the blackwall; Coker's replicate the original look.  I have the Coker B F Goodrich Silvertown Radials and highly recommend them from appearance, ride and handling perspectives.

[57eldoking]

Unfortunately finding good whitewalls are getting harder especially if you want more than the 3/4" thickness. Over on Cadillacforums.com several people are recommending a cheap Chineese brand; Lanvigator Primetours. They have a full inch whitewall width and supposedly ride great on full size RWD Cadillacs. I just ordered a set of 235/75-15s for my newly purchased 95 Fleetwood Brougham.

Got a set of 4 for $300 including shipping on eBay! At that price I'm willing to give them a shot, they look great in my book at least.

Here's a link to their White Wall discussion thread: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/rwd-19xx-1984-deville-fleetwood-1985/181612-official-whitewall-thread-37.html

[Scot Minesinger]

Gavin,

Thanks the color is "Pitina Sliver", and the paint is original with original dark blue vinyl top.   I did a complete mechanical refresh replacing every rubber parts on this 35k mile beauty.  Yesterday took the car over to upholster for interior work.  The undercarriage and engine bay are restored to as new nut/bolt, but all cosmetics are original.  Even body to frame bushings have been replaced.

Impalaman,

If that spare is correct and 71 has dual white wall stripes, then you should go Diamondback for authenticity and great ride.  Vogue is a nice choice too.

[impalamansgarage]

Unfortunately finding good whitewalls are getting harder especially if you want more than the 3/4" thickness. Over on Cadillacforums.com several people are recommending a cheap Chineese brand; Lanvigator Primetours. They have a full inch whitewall width and supposedly ride great on full size RWD Cadillacs. I just ordered a set of 235/75-15s for my newly purchased 95 Fleetwood Brougham.

Got a set of 4 for $300 including shipping on eBay! At that price I'm willing to give them a shot, they look great in my book at least.

Here's a link to their White Wall discussion thread: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/rwd-19xx-1984-deville-fleetwood-1985/181612-official-whitewall-thread-37.html

The penny pincher in me is highly tempted. I will keep them in mind. The Made in China part is probably where I will draw the line.

[impalamansgarage]

Gavin,

Thanks the color is "Pitina Sliver", and the paint is original with original dark blue vinyl top.   I did a complete mechanical refresh replacing every rubber parts on this 35k mile beauty.  Yesterday took the car over to upholster for interior work.  The undercarriage and engine bay are restored to as new nut/bolt, but all cosmetics are original.  Even body to frame bushings have been replaced.

Impalaman,

If that spare is correct and 71 has dual white wall stripes, then you should go Diamondback for authenticity and great ride.  Vogue is a nice choice too.

Those tires are really talking to me. Need to save my money. What sort of shocks are you running under there?

[Chuck Swanson]

The original spare from 71 is in the trunk of my car. It is a dual stripe bias ply. One thin strip and one thick one. I will upload a photo later.

Diamonback. Interesting. I had not looked at these. Had been looking at Coker recently.

Here you go:
https://www.cokertire.com/l78-15-bf-goodrich-dual-stripe-cadillac-whitewall-tire.html

[Scot Minesinger]

When I drive my 1970 Cadillac, never do I think, wow, wish I could take that corner faster.  It handles great.  Not a fan of that float kind of feel.  I use the Monroe sensa-tracks and have been installing them on my Cadillacs front and rear since 1997 as soon as I buy the car.

[impalamansgarage]

When I drive my 1970 Cadillac, never do I think, wow, wish I could take that corner faster.  It handles great.  Not a fan of that float kind of feel.  I use the Monroe sensa-tracks and have been installing them on my Cadillacs front and rear since 1997 as soon as I buy the car.

Nice. I'm familiar with those. Installed them on a couple of other cars I've owned. Wasn't sure what they would do to the ride of the 71 however.

[Scot Minesinger]

Rides nice with sense-track shocks