Re: Radial or Bias Ply Tires???

Posted by Jim L. in OR On 2010/10/28 12:24:39

My new '51 Packard arrives Wednesday sitting on 30+ year old tires so I've been following everything written on this string including the one from the Imperial Club Website and I'm getting really confused.
First of all are the '51 rims usable with Tubeless Tires? I see from the above that they were first offered on '54s, hence the question.
Second, I realize that words like "handling" "ride" can be subjective terms. For someone who likes to race through mountain roads good handling and ride has a different meaning than to one who actually likes the very soft ride that was the norm in the '50s. What I've seen here is that bias ply tires for some provide a softer ride while others claim radials are best for a soft ride. What I'm looking for due to a very bad back, are tires that will provide the softest ride. I don't intend to do any high speed freeway driving with this car and my daily driver can provide the "handling" necessary when I feel the urge to drive fast on curves.
Last but not least I know that tire pressure impacts ride as well as the suspension. The "Operator's Manual" for '51 recommends cold tire pressure at 24psi. Of course, that was printed when bias tires were "it". If I did go for radials, what would be the correct psi?

Thank you all for wealth of information you've given during my steep learning curve here. It's gone a long way towards making my long overdue return to Packard doable.

I also want to thank the members in the Portland area like Steve Fisher who have offered help, advice, tools and experience as well as John Wallis who has been of great help in my search for a '56.

Jim L. in OR