The Cal-look Lounge

Hi guys,

Still looking for my rear tires setup... I remember already seeing bugs with Firestone Wide Oval rear tires but can't find them anymore on my H.D...

Can you post some there so that I can make my mind... They seems a little to large for my 67 rear setup... But who knows???

THANKS

Laurent (El Dub)

hi laurent,

marc from gezuvor has them on his bug. maybe you find more pics on luftkraft.ch or gezuvor.ch.

cheers
andi

one night shot of this car under evolution with cal parts wheels, owned by anthony from orange meca crew of Paris.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/herrvee/divers/Dsc00561.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/herrvee/divers/Dsc00564.jpg)

nice tire please eldub call me I can't have you by phone !!!!!!! ???

hey eldub

I am very interesed too this firestone wilde ovale tire and I seek ca made a long time
if you find the supplier or the shop special tires
call me on a pm
thanks liou 

To me, those tires just don't look right on a Bug.  It's the right brand, just not the right tire.  The correct application for those is an early 70's Chevy Luv truck !  ;D

Laurent,
Picture from my friend Satoshi...
I love the look of these tires - really look like recapped slicks! I put them on the Oval a couple of months ago. Be warned: Handling is far from perfect, and if you like driving on twisty roads (not too many of those in LA/OC!), radials are definitely the way to go.
White letters are only on one side of the tire, so I put them on the engine side, after painting them black. (I'm not a big fan of white letters on California Look VWs - just my taste).
You can buy the tires from Coker Tires.
Steph

they are too wide for my taste  ;D

They look perfect to me!

THANKS SO MUCH for your precious help guys! This sure help me to make my mind... Yes, I also think they look just right at home under the bug rear arches... So I think I will order 2 of them... I'll keep you posted! Again, Thx!

I think you would have to switch to short axles, which in my opinion on a GTV is a no no...

yep, that's what I was thinking too

That's what I am afraid, and I certainly do not want to switch for short axles... Considering the EMPI are 5,5', I was thinking that they would look just right? Look at Stephane rear wheels whith short axles, it seems there are some spare room to fill ;) No??? Your opinion? I hate the tires choice because it can ruins the look of your car... And I certainly don't want that...

Zach => XWX 185/70/15 Michelin are sooooooooo expensive... Would be crazy to buy them... More that 600 euros for a pair... (750$ I guess).

THANKS

Yes, I think you may have to switch to short axle...
Nothing wrong with that! Could have been a period correct modifications in 1967, as parts were available!
Steph

like liou if you find dealer for them let me know laurent I think they are perfect on steph bug but don't change the gtv ask to danny to say you wich tyres were used on gtv at their commercial period may be he have the answer

what about using the Vredestein Sprint Classic instead ?

picture of the vredestein tire is on my blog...  www.rassers.blogspot.com

I just love the look of "muscle car tires". These tires are produced in the old moulds and are exactly like in the late 60's/early 70's.
I agree that white letters don't suit all callookers, but I really like the look they give on Stephans car. Spot on!

They give acceptable handling if everything in the suspension is set up right and is not worn out. Less "forgiving" than modern radials.
Being bias ply tires they work best with bias plies on the front too, but that doesn't look right on a traditional looker..
Lucky for me I can get away with it on my "pre cal" car that is set a little further back in time..

The Wide Ovals can be bought from Coker or any of their retailers around the world. 
http://store.coker.com/product.php?productid=16571&cat=0&page=1

F70-15 is the size most suited for bugs. Claimed to equal about 215/70-15, but is actually more like 205/70.

I ran this size Mickey Thompsons for a couple of years, but decided to change them for this season. Almost bought a set of Wide Ovals, but opted for the other classis muscle car tire, the Goodyear Polyglas.

By the way, Rasser DK, I have Vredestein Sprint Classic on my bus and like them very much.
They have a vintage look and modern technology, a very nice radial.

Yikes!!  :o

sure they look nice rasser, but what would roll up front? vredestein 155?
i still have a few 155s as about every standard beetle in holland drives them but they're all dried out and not as fancy looking anymore as your's  ;)

i would really like to see them on your car to get any idea of the looks.

pictureas are on the blog....  but when i get the new gearbox in the car (with shorter axles instead of long), I will take some better pictures out in the sun.

In the front i run toyo 135R15...  actually a really good looking tire that doesn´t look all to modern.

i do not agree that white letter doesn't fit a cal look car.
maybe wont fit a late seventies car with fuchs, one piece windows, tinted glass and total dechroming.......but on a "aronson white sedan" period they could be great.....especially on a dechromed car with chrome vent windows and scrapers, handles, light rings and boards profile.
we must remember that 1965-73 was explosion at same time of muscle cars and growing of cal look. so it's normal to have an osmosis. just like cotter and pin hood lock, 48idas, grant steering wheels.
then again, goodyear blue streak was, without possibility to tell not, one of most rapresentative cal.look tyre.
well.....seem to me tht bluestreak have a blue stripe and white letter on the side.

@Rocket-Racing: damn those Goodyear Polyglas tires look sexy!

@all: Ok I'm a bit partial maybe but I like the look of white letter tires on a cal looker. BUT it depends on the whole look of the car. And if a more understated appearance would be more appropriate, I'd mount the tires with the white lettering on the inner side. Thus, I'd still have the cool looks and classic shape of the Wide Ovals, but in a more subtle way.

And I don't think Wide Ovals are too wide. In fact they aren't as wide as 205-70 Radials. But they're a bit taller. Which is what I don't like too much about them. If they were a little bit less tall, they'd be perfect. Except for their handling. But that's another story.

Some examples

(http://www.harfees.com/images/PICT0051.jpg)

(http://www.harfees.com/phot/images/2004_0317510-20116NOVALL.jpg)

(http://www.luftkraft.ch/blackbug/36.jpg)

(http://www.luftkraft.ch/blackbug/31.jpg)

Some more pictures on my website http://www.luftkraft.ch (http://www.luftkraft.ch)

These tires are quite popular in Japan in particular.
Yellow sedan: Firestone with the "wide-O-oval" painted black
Beige Sedan: Mickey Thompson

hey stepahn S

I ask this oval is tires firestone F70/15 or F60/15
thanks liou

Liou,
I use F70-15 tires.

thanks stephan S  ;)
this oval is nice picture lol I love see
regards liou

stephan what is your front tire on the pictures with your white oval
and do you know the size of the firestone WILDOVAL
thanks for your help

Front: 145-15.
Rear: As stated before, size is F70-15. Tire is (about) as wide as a 205 radial, but it's taller. Great for the freeway!