Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
|
Author |
Message |
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: Radials and Crossplies. |
|
|
Can someone correct me if I am incorrect here?
Back in the 60's, crossply tyres used to be designated in inch sizes, eg 6.00 x 13. Radials used to be given Metric sizes, eg 155 x 13. Is that correct?
Also, is a 155 Radial the equivalent of a 6.00 crossply?
When US cars had factory radial tyre options, part of the package was stiffer suspension, to compensate for the softer radial tyre sidewalls. More out of curiousity than anything else, was it the same with british cars? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Greeney in France
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 1173 Location: Limousin area of France
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Only the american market cars suspension was different, not for any technical reason though as it was just about feel, the radials had a bouncy feel and the yanks god bless them didnt like it. vehicles also became lighter due to the advancment of the radial tyre as the tyres no longer needed the weight for stability and steering loads
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/help.php will give you an insight of tyre sizes _________________ www.OldFrenchCars.com
We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4124 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Did american cars have suspension in the 60's ? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Greeney in France
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 1173 Location: Limousin area of France
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They positively wallowed i think _________________ www.OldFrenchCars.com
We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yet another urban myth to discuss.
Yes, by our standards, US cars did wallow. But americans preferred comfort to handling. Try one that is fitted with the optional heavy duty suspension package, and you will soon see that they will outhandle any british car of similar size and weight....
One of the reasons that I enjoy my 300 is the fact that it is fitted with the letter series suspension option. ie, from the factory lowered and stiffened with heavy duty shocks....handles beautifully, even though you lot probably wont believe me! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Greeney in France
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 1173 Location: Limousin area of France
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh I do believe you if you say UJ, I must say the limited experience I have had with US cars is that my dad had a valiant for about a year, so I cant offer much in the way of an argument _________________ www.OldFrenchCars.com
We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I thought that there would have been a better comment than that....
So its time to add a little spice...On March 24th, 1970, an american 5 passenger car became the first car ever to lap a closed circuit at an average speed of over 200mph...I believe it actually covered 4 laps over the magic 200 mark...any car that fast must handle....
The same car a year earlier was timed at 243mph...is that a record for a 5 passenger car? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richard2509
Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 2
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Uncle Joe wrote: | I thought that there would have been a better comment than that....
So its time to add a little spice...On March 24th, 1970, an american 5 passenger car became the first car ever to lap a closed circuit at an average speed of over 200mph...I believe it actually covered 4 laps over the magic 200 mark...any car that fast must handle....
The same car a year earlier was timed at 243mph...is that a record for a 5 passenger car? |
yes...but did it have to fill up with fuel on every lap??? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
No, it didnt need fuel, what it did need was a new set of tyres every 5 laps or so....
Does anyone know how this compares with F1 or Endurance (Le Mans)cars of the same era? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stuchamp
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA
|
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Uncle Joe wrote: | Yet another urban myth to discuss.
Yes, by our standards, US cars did wallow. But americans preferred comfort to handling. Try one that is fitted with the optional heavy duty suspension package, and you will soon see that they will outhandle any british car of similar size and weight....
One of the reasons that I enjoy my 300 is the fact that it is fitted with the letter series suspension option. ie, from the factory lowered and stiffened with heavy duty shocks....handles beautifully, even though you lot probably wont believe me! |
I like that term wallow! Yep, they wallowed just like an old barge on the river.
Most American cars had standard suspension, but you could get heavy duty options that included heavier springs, shocks, (front & rear) and most important, stabilizer or anti-roll bars for both the front and rear. Before radials, lower profile and wider polyglass tires were popular. Later came quick ratio steering boxes and then rack & pinion.
Myself, I hate cars that float. I want to feel and drive the car with my butt!
Sorry UJ, but comparing a Nascar race car to a stock 5-passenger vehicle is like night & day. Totally different animal altogether even back in the 60's & 70's. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
stuchamp, I couldnt agree more with your comments. The point that I was trying to make was that american cars CAN be made to handle, as well as go a wee bit faster than a Mini....Its just that at that time, I think americans put more value in comfortable cars. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brian M
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 783 Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Come on UJ - isn't it time you gave up trying to defend the gas-guzzling, wallowing, space wasting, US iron that you support?
I thought I was a lone voice but now UkDave, Greeney and Richard have joined me.
The 243mph car was undoubtedly running on a highly banked track - the only way the Americans have found to keep their cars on a race track.
As you and Stuchamp have admitted, the only way to get a Yank to handle is to fit suspension and steering items that are copies of what was totally standard on UK and European cars at the time. _________________ Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Job-Rated
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1010 Location: Sugarbeet County
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Say what you like, I love my 'Merican trucks. _________________ Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!
http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stuchamp
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OUCH!!!
We are talking mainly about cars from the 60's, correct?
Steel belted radial tires weren't considered standard on all the "Yank Tanks" until 1982. They were first optional in 1973. I remember the early radials weren't very good and didn't really improve until the late 70's.
High banked tracks?
Please look up the SCCA Trans-Am Series that began in 1966. Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaro's, (Pony Cars) etc, that raced road courses and did it well.
Post edited due to poor memory! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Uncle Joe Guest
|
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Why do I get the feeling that BrianM doesnt like american cars, and Mopars in particular? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
php BB powered © php BB Grp.
|