My E86 New Yorker from Ecorse, MI

[ayilar]

The new WW tires are sold under the name Ironman. Cooper Tires headquartered in Findlay Ohio bought the tire company from Hercules at some point, and from what I know some are still made in Ohio, but not sure if the WW's are produced there. Most tires are made in China, or S. Korea, like Hankook.
The load rating per tire is at 2033 lbs

IMO, the Ironman tires you bought look great. They are all made in Asia. According to Consumer Reports, the RB12 tires are produced in Vietnam; the RB-12 NWS are a different tire, though, and I have been unable to find out where they’re manufactured.

Tim, can you share your experience with the tires? I am thinking about ride comfort, noise, handling in the dry AND in the rain (just in case). Thank you!

 

[polara71]

IMO, the Ironman tires you bought look great. They are all made in Asia. According to Consumer Reports, the RB12 tires are produced in Vietnam; the RB-12 NWS are a different tire, though, and I have been unable to find out where they’re manufactured.

Tim, can you share your experience with the tires? I am thinking about ride comfort, noise, handling in the dry AND in the rain (just in case). Thank you!

BUY AMERICAN!

 

[ayilar]

BUY AMERICAN!

It is not so simple. To wit, you advised me to buy BF Goodrich tires for Snow White—that brand is owned by a French company.

In the case of 235/75R15 WW tires, I am aware of only three choices:

1. Hankook Optimo H724. This tire company is Korean, but in 2017 it started producing tires in the USA. They are what I’ve bought so far, after doing quite a bit of research each time (2018 for Poppy, 2019 for Medina, 2020 for Ming and Buttercup). I have been very happy with them in terms of ride and noise comfort, but the grip is IMHO just OK — I got caught in a drizzle a couple of times this summer, both in Poppy and in Medina, and I felt that I needed to slow down more than I would have thought. That is the main reason why I am revisiting my decision/doing some more research now for Regina. On a minor note, the H724's sidewall could look better.

2. Cooper Trendsetter. Cooper is an American company, but it has plants all over the world — I don’t know where the SE is made. Some folks have been happy with them, so I may consider them for Regina, my FQ3 ‘vert.

3. Ironman RB12 NWS is the tire that @sixpkrt got for his gold NYer. To my eyes, it looks the best of all three choices. The brand is owned by Hercules, a subsidiary of Cooper Tires and thus an American company, but all Ironman tires are made in Asia. I have no idea how well the tires perform, hence my question. If Tim could get a pic of the DOT markings, we could get the plant ID (I think it is 1YG but am not sure) and thus learn if it’s made in Vietnam or China.

If it were buying a blackwall tire, I would not think twice and would get either Michelin (French) or Continental (German). Not a question of price or nationality — their tires are in my experience much better than their competitors’ equivalent offerings. Tires are too important for safety to blindly go for country of manufacture — if no US company is offering the best product, tough luck. I have driven many (many!) miles on a number of their A/S touring, sport, and winter tires on my daily drivers, and they are simply the best. I also drove some other brands by choice (because the competitor was cheaper and had good reviews) or force (OEM), but except for Pirelli I have been so unhappy that I changed them at a loss (Toyo, Goodyear).

I wish Michelin still made a WW, but they do not. Hence, my question about the Ironman.

 

[polara71]

It is not so simple. To wit, you advised me to buy BF Goodrich tires for Snow White—that brand is owned by a French company.

In the case of 235/75R15 WW tires, I am aware of only three choices:

1. Hankook Optimo H724. This tire company is Korean, but in 2017 it started producing tires in the USA. They are what I’ve bought so far, after doing quite a bit of research each time (2018 for Poppy, 2019 for Medina, 2020 for Ming and Buttercup). I have been very happy with them in terms of ride and noise comfort, but the grip is IMHO just OK — I got caught in a drizzle a couple of times this summer, both in Poppy and in Medina, and I felt that I needed to slow down more than I would have thought. On a minor note, the sidewall could look better.

2. Cooper Trendsetter. Cooper is an American company, but it has plants all over the world — I don’t know where the SE is made. Some folks have been happy with them, so I may consider them for Regina, my FQ3 ‘vert.

3. Ironman RB12 NWS is the tire that @sixpkrt got for his gold NYer. To my eyes, it looks the best of all three choices. The brand is owned by Hercules, a subsidiary of Cooper Tires and thus an American company, but all Ironman tires are made in Asia. I have no idea how well the tires perform, hence my question. If Tim could get a pic of the DOT markings, we could get the plant ID (I think it is 1YG but am not sure) and this know if it’s made in Vietnam or China.

If it were buying a blackwall tire, I would not think twice and would get either Michelin (French) or Continental (German). Not a question of price or nationality — their tires are in my experience much better than their competitors’ equivalent offerings. Tires are too important for safety to blindly go for country of manufacture — if no US company is offering the best product, tough luck. I have driven many (many!) miles on a number of their A/S touring, sport, and winter tires on my daily drivers, and they are simply the best. I also drove some other brands by choice (because the competitor was cheaper and had good reviews) or force (OEM), but except for Pirelli I have been so unhappy that I changed them at a loss (Toyo, Goodyear).

I wish Michelin still made a WW, but they do not. Hence, my question about the Ironman.

So you just said ( paraphrase) if a tire is the best quality but looks bad you will choose that one?

 

[ayilar]

So you just said ( paraphrase) if a tire is the best quality but looks bad you will choose that one?

Almost certainly, yes. Here are two examples:

a. The tread pattern on the set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S that I bought 12 or so years ago for one of my cars looked pretty bad compared to some competitors, but handling and comfort wise it was much better. I only gave a fleeting thought to looks. Good thing I got the Michelin, as those tires probably saved my life in a curve that had an unexpected slick patch. I barely caught my car.

b. The thread and sidewalk on the Toyo Proxes 4+ that I bought 8 or so years ago for another DD on the argument that they were ‘cheaper but almost as good´ alternatives to the Continental DWS did look great. Well, they ended up aquaplaning not once but twice on a highway where I’d never had an issue with the DWS. I replaced the Toyos, barely half used, after the second scare. Looks be damned, you only get one life.

Tires, like most things in life, are compromises. Choosing typically implies making a trade-off. You correctly inferred my preferences.

PS: I am aware that it may seem ironic that I am talking safety given I drive thousands of miles a year for fun in 50-year old cars whose handling and construction make them much less safe than a modern automobile. However, there are some experiences and pleasures that you simply can’t get from a modern car.

 

[polara71]

Almost certainly, yes. Here are two examples:

The tread pattern on the set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S that I bought 12 or so years ago for one of my cars looked pretty bad compared to some competitors, but handling and comfort wise it was much better. I only gave a fleeting thought to looks. Good thing I got the Michelin, as those tires probably saved my life in a curve that had an unexpected slick patch. I barely caught my car.

The thread and sidewalk on the Toyo Proxes that I bought 8 or so years ago for another DD on the argument that they were ‘cheaper but almost as good´ alternatives to the Continental DWS did look great. Well, they ended up aquaplaning not once but twice on a highway where I’d never had an issue with the DWS. I replaced the Toyos, barely half used, after the second scare. Looks be damned, you only get one life.

Tires, like most things, are compromises. Choosing often implies making a trade-off. You correctly inferred my preferences.

PS: I am aware that it may seem ironic that I am talking safety given I drive thousands of miles a year for fun in 50-year old cars whose handling and construction make them much less safe than a modern automobile. However, there are some experiences and pleasures that you simply can’t get from a modern car.

It is curious as you still drive on 50 year old suspension parts which DO affect the tires performance.
AND you do drive a 50 year old car for whatever the reasons, appearance must play a part.

 

[ayilar]

It is curious as you (...) do drive a 50 year old car for whatever the reasons, appearance must play a part.

Ironic, as I said. We all take some risks for fun. For example, I like to climb tall trees. But sliding on bad tires, or being deafened by tire roar or kicks in the butt that a better tire would not mete out, is not my definition of fun. Go figure

So, back to the question: how’s the Ironman?

 

[polara71]

We all take some risks for fun. For example, I like to climb tall trees. But sliding on bad tires, or being deafened by tire roar or kicks in the butt that a better tire would not mete out, is not my definition of fun. Go figure

Then upgrade your suspension parts ...

 

[ayilar]

Then upgrade your suspension parts ...

What needed upgrading has been upgraded. If you’re referring to springs, the shackles are something I’d rather not mess with unless necessary.

 

[polara71]

What needed upgrading has been upgraded. If you’re referring to springs, the shackles are something I’d rather not mess with unless necessary.

So all your front end bushings have been replaced? Parts replaced? Yes, leaf springs replaced? You can NOT say you are concerned about tire safety and run on 50 year old springs.

 

[saforwardlook]

It is not so simple. To wit, you advised me to buy BF Goodrich tires for Snow White—that brand is owned by a French company.


If it were buying a blackwall tire, I would not think twice and would get either Michelin (French) or Continental (German). Not a question of price or nationality — their tires are in my experience much better than their competitors’ equivalent offerings. Tires are too important for safety to blindly go for country of manufacture — if no US company is offering the best product, tough luck.

I wish Michelin still made a WW, but they do not. Hence, my question about the Ironman.

This is the part I especially agree with. The U.S. should always be offering the best product at a reasonable price - that wins the day, not blind allegiance. There is no excuse for not being the best everytime IMO.

Looks matter to me as well too, however, and the best looking tires (great whitewalls, very wide width tread, long lasting and great handling) that I have ever had on any of my fuselage cars were the Michelin 235/75/15s that I was able to get maybe 20 years ago now. No excuses in any respect and if they still made them today, I would get them no matter what the cost.

They are on my avatar car in this photo:

 

[71Polara383]

I'll take the brand that creates the most smoke.

 

[Xenon]

I'll take the brand that creates the most smoke.

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

to me the looks matter most.
I run BF goodrich dual whiteline bias ply tires on my 69 300.
They drive and handle poorly in any condition but are the best option out there cosmetically.
I dislike them being BF Goodrich tires as the original tires were made by Goodyear. I would love to have factory correct repros.
I totally would not care where they come from as long as they look original.

And the chassis of my 300 is completly redone including all bushings

 

[saforwardlook]

So where are the stock wheel covers if you want the original look? Do I need to send you a set?

How long have you had this 300?

Is the paint all original - I think I see some slight color changes????

Love the car!

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

So where are the stock wheel covers if you want the original look? Do I need to send you a set?

How long have you had this 300?

Is the paint all original - I think I see some slight color changes????

Love the car!

Hi Steve,

original wheelcovers are here I just need to find them for reinstallation.

I own this 300 since 2007. It was supposed to die in a demo derby. The seller in Ohio was a nice guy and I told him I really want to fix it up. We spent 150 hours of welding in 2007 to fix it. All floors are changed, wheelhouses, trunk extension, rear extension, front valance, front fenders fixed. It has mostly original paint but the drivers door got repainted somewhere in the 70s hence the colour difference.

Carsten

 

[69 300 vert]

I thought the dual white stripes didn't start until 1970? I've been looking for a narrow WW radial seems like forever, all I find seem to be too wide. I think a 1/2" to 5/8" stripe was original. In a day two type look I think a 3/8" would be fine? I just can't give up my radials for the proper look, too spoiled.