Bias Ply or Radial tires??

I am looking for opinions (I know there will be a lot) on what tires I should buy. 68 road runner, all stock. I don't like the look of the red line radials, and I am told I won't like driving with bias ply tires. The car is a toy, I drive it when I want, but not daily. Mostly to shows and just cruising. What do you say?? Thanks!!

If you care about the asthetics of it go with the bias tires. People act like they're so bad you'd think that they were square.

The bias ply are much taller than the radials and look original. The radials do ride better and seem to be a little more forgiving about minor wear in the suspension.

If the original look is important to you then get the bias tires. The car will still be a pleasure to drive as long as the suspension is in good shape. For what you intend to do with the car it is not that big of a deal IMHO.

With it being a toy/not driven much and being all stock if you had some original type tires available I would go with them. An original/untouched/unmodified/time capsule car is a sight to behold. I did vote the other way but I've changed my mind

They're not square, but usually not perfectly round either.
And if you don't mind the flat spots from the car being parked a while then go for it.

I would say if you plan to drive it alot you will like the radials better. I use radials and it handles like a different car on them. I know the bias have the more original look but I drive my 63 alot and use radials up front and a radial slick in the rear. Ron

Having two cars done and driving them both I get your dilemma. My Satellite gets driven anywhere and everywhere. Its no where near stock and I have radials on it.
The Dart gets driven locally to a show here and there but not near the miles as the Satellite. I have bias on it. You do have to pay a little more attention to the road with the bias as occasionally it will find a seam in the road it wants to follow.
I like the nostalgia look the bias ply tires add to the Dart, but I'm not sure I would give up my radials for all around driving.
In the end its yours...

One big difference between the two is that the radials will tolerate a wider range of alignment specs. This means you can put a more modern spec alignment on them, which will tend to improve the driving experience by creating a car the handles better and feels smoother to drive. If your normal driver is newer, using radials on the classic with the new alignment specs will make the road feel between the two eras of cars feel closer rather than further apart.

It is not uncommon to see members post on here about how they love their muscle car, but the driving experience is less than stellar compared to their modern econo-box and its no fun anymore and they suddenly feel they need to drop major coin on a coil over system to make it feel "modern."

So, I vote radials with a new alignment. Get 4-5* positive caster, 0-1* negative camber, .125" of total toe in. This with radials will make it feel like a much newer car.

Anyone remember the Pontiac Radial Tuned Suspension system of the mid '70s? The components weren't much different for the early '70s, they did have bigger sway bars, but the alignment specs were significantly different.

That isn't to say its all hellfire and damnation if you chose bias plys. Just stick with the factory recommended suspension alignment and be prepared for a significantly different driving feel compared to your commuter. They do hunt grooves a bit more, flat spot easier, and take a while to warm up and smooth out on cooler mornings. They also will "broadcast" their grip level much more clearly if you are pushing the traction limits and you may be able to recover traction faster when you do exceed their grip.

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They do hunt grooves a bit more, flat spot easier, and take a while to warm up and smooth out on cooler mornings.

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Yep...

And more $$$, too...

What's not to like???


If yer gonna drive it, radials...