Tires for 1948 Plymouth

[flemingrj]

I have owned and driven  a 1948 P15 coupe for over 30 years . A have tried using tubes and not using tubes . I have tried bias ply and radial tires . Experiance has taught me the following. Tubes are not needed with any tire sold as a tubeless tire. In fact it is easier to properly mount and balance tires when not using tubes . Your P15 will handle better and wander less when equipped with a set of four matching radial tires. I order to get the right size tire a suggest you buy from one of the companies which specialize in selling tires for antique cars . Give them your original bias  tire size and ask that they convert that size to radial. A radial tire that is to wide will rub against stearing or suspension parts on the left front.  Once you have new tires be sure they are balanced . I have only received a good balance job by finding a shop with the equipment to spin balance the wheel and tire assemblys on the car. Off the car spin balance did not work. Finally when you get your tires buy five and have a matching spare. I hope you will enjoy your Plymouth as mush as I enjoy mine.

[Wm Steed]

I'm a little late in adding my comments to this topic, here I go anyway.
I am a firm believer in radial tires on old cars... I have had radials on my '57 T-Bird since the day I bought it in 1973.. I have used radials on all of my cars, trucks and RV's since the late 1960's, many of the trucks were solid axle '59'/64 1/2 ton and larger.
My '39 Plym conv coupe has radials, P205 60 R15 on specially made 7" rims/wheels. The wheels should be of some concern when opting for radials. The early wheels tend to be a little narrow, in the 4.5/5.0" range, for radials. The narrow wheels pull the sidewalls in which limits the tread contact to the road. Generally speaking a wheel that is 6./6.5" wide is preferable.
I don't fool around with the specialty "mail order tire dealers", I go to a local dealer, someone I can make eye contact with, or if need be get by the throat.
The front end alignment has to be adjusted a little bit for radials, as I recall it is the toe-in, you also have to watch the inflation of the radials, contrary to what most people think, radials are high pressure tires. I use 32-35 lb.s front and rear in my '39 Plym, the car is very stable on the highway at 65 +....Bill

[CHS]

I put Radial tires on my 55 Plymouth about 8 years ago. The handeling improved 100%. I used the orignal wheels. If I remember correctly the valve stems are thicker than todays valve stems. I wanted the wide whitewall look that came with the car so I ordered them thru Diamond Back Classic Radials 1-800-922-1642 they also have a website  www.dbtires.com.   
Good luck and Happy Motoring!
Chuck

[RC Drown]

I agree radials are the way to go.

[SD Glenn]

In 1976 I worked for a Ford Dealership in SD. A Customer bought a New 1976 Ford 3/4 ton Pickup. This pickup came from the factory with the Bias ply (polyester) tires, pretty normal in 1976. The customer wanted the Radial ply tires all around. We had the pickup parked on a level floor and pushed it by hand to a stall to replace the tires. Three of us pushed the pickup into the
stall. After the tires were replaced "ONE" person was able to push the pickup back out of that stall. It made a firm believer out of me, on with the RADIAL PLY TIRES.... .... Most every Tire manufacturer has great tires, I say take it to the same dealer you use for your everyday driver.
Good luck, Glenn

[MRR41 COUPE]

radiials all the way, ride is great.

[patsy13]

I have to purchase new tires for my 1948 Plymouth Deluxe Coupe.
Where is the best place to purchase tires?
Can radial tires be used with my current suspension?
Can I use tubeless tires with my existing rims?
Would nylon polyester tires be a better alternative?
What are the advantages & disadvantages of each?
Thanks for any help you can give.