Coker American Classics tires

[richardbergquist]

Anyone has any experience with these tires. I replaced them today. They had 2500 miles and 1,5 year and three out of five were done for. Spare was out of round. Two on the car had impact damage and one was out of round. $165 a tire these.

[TJ Hopland]

How old are they?   Based on the date code, not when you got them.   

[richardbergquist]

Week 16 2017

[Jon S]

Anyone has any experience with these tires. I replaced them today. They had 2500 miles and 1,5 year and three out of five were done for. Spare was out of round. Two on the car had impact damage and one was out of round. $165 a tire these.

Impact damage?  From potholes or curbs. What do you mean by out of round?  On a dynamic wheel balancer?  Tire shape should not change.

[TJ Hopland]

Age sure should not be an issue.   I too am curious to hear more about the issues.

Most of the Cokers are made as is vs modifying another tire right?   So it should not be something to do with the modifications that weakened the basic tire?

[35-709]

"« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2018, 07:43:28 AM »
White wall yellowing and tires out if round are common problems with the Cokers."

This from Dan LeBlanc back in November to which I can only add my agreement.

[Jon S]

Agree with T J. I bought a set of Coker's B F Goodrich Silvertown radials 10 years ago. They are fantastic and stay white!  Last cleaned 4 months ago:

[gkhashem]

My Coker's look fine, I have some modern Cooper tires and they love to get a brownish color.

[Lexi]

Any comments as to whether Coker bias ply tires have less issues than their radials? Clay/Lexi

[Jon S]

Any comments as to whether Coker bias ply tires have less issues than their radials? Clay/Lexi

Clay/Lexi - I have had zero issues with cokers radial tires and would highly recommend them to anybody

[Lexi]

Clay/Lexi - I have had zero issues with cokers radial tires and would highly recommend them to anybody

Jon thanks. I have to replace my Coker bias plys. Have had no issues with them either. Clay/Lexi

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I have a set of Coker bias plies on my '55 Eldorado
that were mounted in 2007.  They are still nice and
white with no aging issues (no cracks, etc.).

I know they should be replaced by now however
the car is a "trailer queen" and driven less than
100 miles per year an not on highways.

Mike

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Any comments as to whether Coker bias ply tires have less issues than their radials? Clay/Lexi

"slowly I turned... step by step... inch by inch..."

Clay, 2 words Diamond Back. Remember I put Coker bias ply on The Ark, and couldn't get them off fast enough.
The Diamond Back radials are 'correct' with their dual white wall stripes vs the Cokers and ride like a flippin' dream.

https://dbtires.com/  Ask for Rusty in sales, tell him I sent you. KEWL guy.

\m/
Laurie

[Chuck Swanson]

Any comments as to whether Coker bias ply tires have less issues than their radials? Clay/Lexi

Have had the Coker bias ply tires on my cars for years (Caddy and non)  and they are excellent!  My '65 Eldo is a driver and had radials (non Coker) and the ride was horrible.  Took the radials right off after I bought car and use them to move around my parts cars   Much better with bias ply...5 yrs 6000 miles on my Eldo-triple stripes, and I drive it regularly in the nice weather.  Getting ready to buy another set in Spring for my '66.  Chuck

[Jon S]

 There appears to be two camps in reference to tire manufacturers.  Namely; Coker and Diamondback.  I believe both provide very good tires,  Coker manufactures their own and puts logos on the side wall to emulate OEM tires of the time or their own brand name.  Diamondback on the other hand procures tires made by third parties and eradicates the side wall labeling.  That process alone turns me off in that I like to see is the name Goodyear, Firestone or B F Goodrich clearly on the sidewall. This distinction alone will keep me as a Coker customer.

[Lexi]

All interesting comments. Love what I believe was the old Honeymooners reference Laurie! Clay/Lexi

[richardbergquist]

Maybe they just can’t handle being driven with. I often hit 85 mph, perhaps Cokers can’t handle that. The car rode very well two days ago on the new Coker tires that I got on warranty from Coker. Yesterday driving down to San Marcos from Austin (30 miles) there was slight vibration at 70-75. On my way home it only got worse and worse. I feel this vibration issue is getting a bit old now as I’ve struggled with it for some time and had the car to the tire shop four times and I’ve myslef probably had wheels on and off 16-20 times by my own arm.

[Jon S]

Any new tire needs to broken in. Drive at a stead 35 for a bit, then stead 45, etc. this was the training in the 1950's. Never do 85 until broken in.

[Bobby B]

Goodyear Bias Ply on the '47...No problems going 65-70 MPH all day on the Highway.  Comfortable ride, Smooth as silk. Just can't go taking turns like you're driving a Sports Car. You must know your limitations......
                                                                 Bobby

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

All interesting comments. Love what I believe was the old Honeymooners reference Laurie! Clay/Lexi

Clay! the 3 stooges!

\m/
Laurie