Is it true Diamondbacks dont make tires

[60eldo]

Called my supplier today , told him I wasnt happy with the ride and hardness of my diamondbacks. My tires are Toyos. Why I asked him. He said when you order tires they just buy different tires from manufacturers and stick on the white stripe. So when someone says diamondbacks are the best and ride great,that depends on what tires your riding on. WOW I dint no that

[Clewisiii]

True they don't make many tires. I assume tge Auburns are made by them or they contract to have them made. The other brand tires are stripped and white wall applied. One of the legal reasons they say they are only for classic cars I believe we use is because of shaving off some lettering and tire markings. Or at least that is what I have been lead to believe from looking at them over the years.

[chrisbutnut]

I have a set of what I thought were Diamondbacks, however nowhere on the tires does it say "Diamondback", but it does say "designed in the US".  That makes me wonder where they were made.  I wouldn't have paid anywhere close to the $1,500 that the previous owner paid for tires that AREN'T made in the US.  I'm assuming these came from somewhere in East Asia, unfortunately. 

[35-709]

My 235-75R16 Diamondbacks on Big Red, with an added 7/8" whitewall, are made by Michelin.  You can specify the tire you want as the base.  The tires do not say Diamondback, the tires they use are not manufactured by Diamondback.  They modify the tire you want with the width WW you want.  You can tell them what tire manufacturer you want, if you do not specify, you get what they choose.  All of the pertinent information (brand name, size, load rating, date code) is still on the backside of the tire.  This is/should be no secret, ask the questions when you talk to them, do the research.  The AUBURN tires that Diamondback sells are not made by Diamondback, but are made in a European country (not going to go out and look now) FOR Diamondback to their specs.  I have used Diamondbacks on some of my cars for several years and have no complaints, Big Red has Michelins modified by Diamondback as noted above, my Auburn Boat-tail Speedster has Diamondback's AUBURN wide white tires on it.  The Michelins perform as expected, and the Auburns do at least that well also.
Call them on the phone, ask the questions, do not assume.  dbtires.com
Toyos would not be my choice, Hankooks would be better (in my opinion) if you don't want to pony up for the Michelins.  The Michelins may well time out before the tires wear out.
     

[Carfreak]

Rusty is no longer at Diamondback tires.

He left and started his own vintage tire company.

https://handsometire.com/

[Roger Zimmermann]

Auburn tires are not made in Europe. I saw on the tire "design in the USA" and somewhere is the name of the country where they are manufactured. It could be Pakistan, but I don't remember. I cannot just go in the garage to see it, my cars are at 10 miles from home.
For the few miles I'm driving, they will last a long time...
On my other car, I just ordered 235R75 with the white wall I wanted; the tires are indeed Toyos.
It was a time you could ask for a specific brand, but no more. If Michelin is no more manufacturing those dimensions, bad luck...

[z3skybolt]

The "Auburn" tires on my 1940 LaSalle were made in Thailand.  I have 7,000 miles on them.  Normal wear, smooth ride and fine handling.  They are tubeless but I installed tubes. Overkill I am sure.

Happy with the tires.  No complaints.  Perhaps something cheaper may have performed just as well.  Only the tire gods know for sure.

Paid just over $1,400.00 for a set of four, three years ago.

Bob R.

[35-709]

Here is another tire company patterned after Diamondback that is just getting started - https://handsometire.com/
At least one of the principles, Rusty as CF noted, is a former Diamondback manager.  I talked with these people at the huge vendor area while at "Cruisin' the Coast".  They promised I could name the tire I wanted modified assuming, of course, that the tire manufacturer still makes the tire size I need. The Michelins I prefer with a 7/8" whitewall would be no problem.
I also talked with them about fact the that Michelins, being such a high mileage capable tire, often time out before they wear out, by a good margin.  They suggested to me that for my next set I request Hankooks which they consider an excellent tire but less expensive than Michelins and with a shorter mileage life.  I will need a set of 235-75R15s for my Caribou soon and I just may go that route.     

[scotth3886]

I agree that I'm not interested in Toyos.  Last time I replaced tires on my 63 GP, I ordered Michelin Primacys from Tire Rack and had them shipped to diamondback to convert to a redline.  Couldn't have been happier. 

[LaSalle5019]

I bought Diamondback Auburn Radials for my 1939 LaSalle and I am very happy with the purchase. Thailand sounds about right for manufacturing country. Bill Chapman (CEO of Diamondback)  was very forthcoming when we discussed my purchase. They are manufactured to Diamondback's design. I do not run tubes and run them around 45 psi. Great ride, great wet traction, great tracking and great look.



I have Universals on my 1921 Olds and 1923 Studebaker. They are made in Vietnam and quality is not great but options are very limited. Decent tires for vintage cars have become a rare commodity.

I did buy Goodyear Endurance Trailer Tires (Load E) for my enclosed car hauler since they are made in the USA. So far I have had good success with them....much better than other brands I've used.

[joeinbcs]

Yes, the Auburn Premium tires are made in Thailand to DB's specification.  The guys at Diamondback are fully transparent about the sources of their tires, whether you specify these or some other tire brand.  I've have at least half a dozen sets of these tires.  Before I specified them I did a little research.  Thailand is now the global leader in tire production, and produces world class products.  I've been very happy with every set of Auburn Premiums I've owned, and will buy them again.  I only wish they also did bias ply tires, as I always try to put them on cars that had them when new. 

[60eldo]

 So if your like me and everyone tells you to get diamonbacks cause they are the best. When you order them , you dont know what tire ur getting. And I ended up with Toyos, a very hard, bumpy tire.