14" tire choices

[JH27N0B]

I'm doing a long overdue refresh of my FK5 JH27N0B.  Leaky engine being partially overhauled and detailed, and I sent all my old dusty AC stuff that has been sitting in boxes since the previous owner restored the car, to be restored and it will be reinstalled after it gets returned.   
I love the look of the Goodyear Eagle ST tires on it now, but now that I'm going to finally be able to drive the car more than 5 miles without stopping to add a quart of oil, those 25 year old tires ain't gonna do the job.
I'm going to do a little local driving when the car gets back, but will definately be putting new shoes on her before next cruising season.  I've been debating what tires to get. Not a whole lot of choices out there for F70X14 equivalents.
Radial T/As seem the natural choice, and I'll probably offend a lot of people saying this, but I'm a little tired of seeing radial T/As since about 80% of the 60 and 70 era muscle cars have them these days (and another 10% seem to be like me and are still running ancient STs.  )
Looking around, the only tires I've found in my size are repro polyglas and Coker Firestone radial wide oval replicas.  The Polyglas is bias ply.  For the 500-750 miles a year I'd put on them, it probably wouldn't be terrible to have bias ply.  But I'm wondering about the radial Wide Ovals. Seems you get the best of both worlds, a vintage looking tire but better handling radial.  Firestones weren't OE on 70 Mopars, but neither were radial T/As for that matter!  I never see wide ovals on Mopars so haven't got any feedback.  Anybody have any experience with these Coker repro firestone radials?

[Bullitt-]

I know your not really asking this but IF I were looking more for OE size 14" the 215/70-14 Cooper Cobra is the direction I'd go.... Probably upsize to 235/60-14 as that's whats been on mine for the last 30-yrs even though technically the stock rims are to narrow they do OK 
http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Passenger/COBRA-RADIAL-G-T.aspx

This topic, BFG vs Cooper has been talked to death on other forums... Some Hate the BFG & apparently for good reason....Right CP?

[6bblgt]

1st choice - stick with the Goodyear Polyglas F70-14 reproductions

no square shoulders but  if you are looking for radials - I'd step up a size to 225/70/14 - BFG RWL, HANKOOK had a white wall not to long ago,  MASTERCRAFT RWL, Cooper Cobra RWL & was surprised to see a GENERAL RT43 with OWL at Tire Rack 

Coker had their WIDE OVAL radial on display at SEMA & other than the lettering on the sidewall & the similar tread design - the tire still looks like a round radial, I also dislike the look of redline radials 

235/60/14 or 245/60/14 are just too short in a B or E-body wheel well

[70/6chall]

To retain that nostalgic flavor and because it's basically the tires I've been running for the last 30 some odd years. I have used P225x60x14 Kelly Chargers in front and P245x60x14 Kelly Chargers in the back. Seems to work for me as a good work horse tire and still retains the RWL for period look.  Thanks,   Al

[70/6chall]

Another shot.   Thanks,   Al

[Rich G.]

I got the Firestone FR70 -14 tires. Didn't realize they never put on Firestones on these cars. But like you said they never put T/A on theses either. Didn't put them on yet but they do look good.

[JH27N0B]

Good ideas.  I didn't see Cooper 14s when I did a brief amount of looking a few weeks ago, but if they have my size they'll be on my consideration list.
I really do want a vintage look but with optimum ride qualities.  I sought a convertible in the 90s after doing a lot of soul searching about why I didn't like to drive my T/A much.  My brainstorming really nailed it, driving my convertible with the top down on summer evenings is one of my favorite things to do! So I really need a tire that enhances the drive, not diminishes, and I know by experience with my other rides the bias plies aren't as good.
I don't have my BCS so I'll probably never know for certain, but I bet my car originally had whitewalls.
So if I really wanted to get it 100% day one, I'd get whitewalls.  But no way I want to see that on my car!
I wish they still made STs, as it would make my decision easy!

[Shane Kelley]

The reason you see them all the time is because they are the best looking RWL tire in my opinion and obviously most peoples. They have a nice looking sidewall and the letters are nice sizing.  The other nice looking choice would be the reproduction bias ply ones. But those are getting pretty common also. It all comes down to personal reference really.

Barracuda has 14's.

[70/6chall]

Funny but it doesn't matter what tire shop I've been to here in SoCal, especially here in the Inland Empire. Tell them you have a classic car, and an early Dodge  Challenger, that's another story, they immediately say 14" huh! We'll have to order those. We can get the BFG's there's not much choice for the early ones. I know there are other brand of tires for this application, but it seems I'm always steered in this direction.      Thanks,   Al

[6bblgt]

one Advantage to the BFG Radial T/A is the future availability of a replacement - everyone can get them & the "LOOK" has remained consistent for decades

[anlauto]

Man I'm sure glad I'll never own a car without PolyGlas tires.....and as long as my customers stay on board, I'll never have shop for radials.....
I'm working on a 70 Road Runner this Summer, owner want BFG's ...so he's on his own.....