New Bias Ply Tire Question

[Vsixteen]

I want to buy a set of new Bias Ply tires for my 59 Cadillac. I am looking at the BfGoodrich Silvertowns, but the last two sets I bought the whitewalls on all four tires of both sets have cracked. Did anyone else experience such a thing? I am wondering if it is my source, I bought a set from them about 5 years ago and they are fine.
Any thoughts??
Thanks
Steve

[Virgil Perkins #19943]

For what it's worth, I worked in tire recapping in the late 50's and early 60's, where we would buy and take in casings (take off tires when new tires replaced the worn ones) and Goodrich whitewalls were checked and rough more often than not back then. Would have thought that problem would been long gone. The tires that cracked on you may have had a lengthy shelf life, as the checking usually happened with aging. If the checking or cracking isn't severe, they can be buffed to a smooth surface, but it takes proper buffing discs, steady hands and good eyes to avoid having a lumpy sidewall. Have you checked the DOT code for the date your tires were made?

[Lyle Kuhlmann]

Steve,

I have been researching replacement tires for my '39 LaSalle and the decision whether to go with radials or the bias ply. I found this website had a lot of good general information.
http://www.dbtires.com/

[jeff1956]

before i switched to radials on my 56 i had remington cushionaires and they cracked as well.  i bought my set of radials from diamondback and have not had a single issue plus the car drives wonderfully.  i know the debate but radials make the drive so much nicer and i drive my car about every nice weekend at highway speeds and never had an issue in the 6 yrs ive ran radials....

jeff

[Otto Skorzeny]

I've had two sets of Coker Classic bias ply (4.25" www). I got 10,000 miles on each set and never had cracking or performance issues. I now have a set of Coker radials. They handle better (in most cases) but don't look nearly as good as the Bias Plys.

[35-709]

I've been tooting Diamondback's horn for some time now.

[jaxops]

before i switched to radials on my 56 i had remington cushionaires and they cracked as well.  i bought my set of radials from diamondback and have not had a single issue plus the car drives wonderfully.  i know the debate but radials make the drive so much nicer and i drive my car about every nice weekend at highway speeds and never had an issue in the 6 yrs ive ran radials....

jeff

Yeah Jeff!  I did the same.  I've had my Diamondbacks for 4 years.