MTFCA Forum

Merry Christmas everyone.
Has anyone run Universal White Ribbed tires? If so how many miles did you get? How many miles can one expect from Black ties as opposed to White?

How old are these tires? Unless there is something I haven't heard, I think it has been awhile since they have been made?
The white rubber is much softer than most anything else. Mileage on most black tires will be several times what most white tires will give under similar conditions.
The "Universal" ribbed tires were better than many other white tires because they had thicker tread than most other white tires. However, several people have reported exceptionally poor miles out of old white tires, or rough road use.

White tires sure look wonderful on a lot of early cars! But getting only maybe a thousand miles out of a set is not uncommon. And more than anywhere else? "Your mileage may vary."

How old are these tires? Unless there is something I haven't heard, I think it has been awhile since they have been made?

Beware. Nothing in the ad said the white Firestones I bought were NOS, but they were. They were NZ tires, I figure about thirty years old. They were pristine, coming out of the wrappers looking brand new and gorgeous. Country roads ate them up lickety-split. I don't think got 1000 miles out of them. No more whites for me, especially if they aren't brand new.

I have heard very bad things about NOS White tires and what Jeff posted above is a very good example.

I have a 1915 Touring and I sure think the white tires would dress the old girl up. The most affordable new are the Universal white ribbed at $222 USD a pop, and from what I understand 4k is the absolute high end for life if you drive on good roads and keep the pressure right. I know its a short life but for me that's about 4 years so I am on the fence.

Thanks for the above comments and keep them coming.

Ron

This is a photo of my 1915 touring with black tires that I painted white. They have held up well but the paint can chip if something hard hits the tires.

Ron, I have the Universal white ribbed tires on my '13 right now. I've got about 3,000 miles on them, IF I'm lucky I'll get another thousand next season. That's about it, and indeed stretching it. Previous set only got around 3500 miles on them. I have a full set of black tires that I'm gonna try painting also.

Ron, also forgot to say, as of this fall, there were no white tires to be had, maybe except for Coker and not even sure there. I did see they feel their tires are "like gold" if you know what I mean.

BTW...what did you use for paint? Friend of mine has a Model A who's white sidewalls were painted with get this...shoe polish!
The former owner did it years ago and they still look pretty decent.

Hey Tim
I used Plasti-Dip rubberized paint after giving my old cracked tires a quick sanding. After the Plasti-Dip dried I gave them a coat of Krylon mat white as Plasti-dip would quickly turn yellow with UV exposure. They have been painted for over a year and seem to be holding up but I am seeing some cracking just from hitting some bumps in the road. Overall I would say its a lot of work knowing that you have to go back every so often and repaint sections.

How many mils would you expect to see out of black Universal White tires? I think 3500 to 4000 is piss poor but the white does make my 1915 Touring pop. If I were to do it again I would paint a whitewall on both sides of the tires to avoid as much repainting as possible. As for now I am on the fence as the Universal White Ribbed are in stock at the moment.

Ron

Tim
If you have a photo of your 1913 please post it. I would love to see it.

Ron

Tim
If you need a new set the Universal White Ribbed Tires they are $222 at Coker and are in stock........up till 1/3/23 you can get 10% off with free shipping.

Ron

Hmmm...good price Ron! Thanks for the info. I will look into it today. I'll find a phot of Clara in her white shoes now. Thanks.

Model T Ron wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 29, 2022 6:18 am

Tim
If you need a new set the Universal White Ribbed Tires they are $222 at Coker and are in stock........up till 1/3/23 you can get 10% off with free shipping.

Ron

Yep Ron! Thanks! I just ordered a "set"...2 for the rear one for the front, as I already had one 30x3 in stock at home, so we're good to go for another 2-3 seasons! I'll run my existing one's til they're almost smooth which should get me to about July. Not worried about smooth tread, these crazy tire casings are tough as nails! Well, that's about the only thing that WILL do 'em in... ha ha...don't ask how I know!

Thanks Tim
The photo of Clara in her white shoes convinced me to order a set as well. My painted tires just do not look the same as the real deal. I know the black last longer but the look of your car is wonderful and I think 200 a tire with free shipping is a good price. The way I drive that should be about four years for me.

Ron

Ur welcome Ron! The more I thought of it the better the deal is. Saving close to $300 with the lower price, discount and free shipping! Yeee haaaa!
Have a safe Haopy New year, all year long.

I am happy for both of us. Did you ever have any browning issues with the Universals? Are you using any special tubes or are the stock Coker tubes ok with the white tires?

Model T Ron wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 29, 2022 7:43 pm

I am happy for both of us. Did you ever have any browning issues with the Universals? Are you using any special tubes or are the stock Coker tubes ok with the white tires?

Hey Ron..
So far no real brown issues with the universal ribbed. I'm on my 2nd set now, they're just pigged up with road grime cause I drive the car a LOT. I did get a set of Hartfords from Langs when I got the tires from them. Like Steve said, they're adequate, I say they're pretty darned good. Can't make a comparison to Blockley tubes as yet, I'll let the jury decide before I go that route.

I’ve gone through four sets of universal ribbed whites. First set was in 2003 then about 2008 they didn’t turn brown. The next two sets turned brown and got hard and wore out pretty fast. They look really good on an early car but is it worth it?? I just put a set of blacks on. BTW car is a 16 touring.

If the browning effect is caused by emanations from modern black inner tubes, it might be prevented by painting the inside of a new casing with the rubberized products discussed above. I'd be sure to let any solvent-based coating dry completely for several days before mounting the tires. I suppose most white tires were originally used with red rubber inner tubes. Inflating with nitrogen might also be helpful.

I find the discoloration authentic and delightful to depict in paintings. Just my view from the other side of the fence.
Sorry for your troubles.
Rich

The new tires came in fast and I got them mounted over the weekend. They may not last as long but they sure look good.....eye candy in my opinion.

On my 1915 and they sure do stand out. It was a little work to get the old ones off but the new tires went on without any issues. I am much happier than the look of the painted tires.

Looks darn good Ron! Mine are supposed to arrive tomorrow. Like you said...fast service. Mine won't go on til probly next July. Gotta squeeze out as much wear on em as possible. Like I said above, these casings are tough as nails so if they're bald I'm not worried.

Rich Eagle

FINALLY!!!

someone who thinks like I do and is not afraid of the repercussions of voicing such sentiment!

I am not so brave

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:08 pm

Rich Eagle

FINALLY!!!

someone who thinks like I do and is not afraid of the repercussions of voicing such sentiment!

I am not so brave

Aww Scott be brave! Inasmuch as I, like anyone, putting out all that extra cost would like for them to stay "real white" in all actuality I know that is off the table. I'll drive em proud no matter what they do. They still look nice and of course "period correct". Right now Clara's white tires are far from white. Oddly they do look white still in pictures. Very weird. Lord knows they probably looked like crap after one month on those dirt roads anyway!

Thanks Tim
If I get 3500 out of them that's about 4 years for me and I really like the white tires. The look is costing me 200 bucks a year and to me it's worth it. In my opinion my 1915 with black tires is like Macaroni without the Cheese
Some do not like white tires and that ok as well.

White tires are an absolute knockout! Period! And...... period correct. I've had them on a few of my cars and I even had them on old #4.......and it was killer! It was a real tough decision to go back to the mundane unimpressive black Riversides, but I had a couple of flats, and a race car carries no spare. I actually wore out a pair of fronts, one down to the threads, on one of our SCVMTFC endurance runs, taking too many turns at speed. That was the last straw. The original 1918 American speedster that I'm currently restoring will have whites, or whatever color they turn into. I just can't resist!

Ed aka #4

post some pics Ed of the restoration of that.

Tim Williams

Please do post some photos as we would love to see them.

I just got done playing musical cars as I had to change the oil on one of my new cars and needed the lift. Long story short I had my 15 clicking away as the sunset and my goodness she looked good in her white shoes.......for a second I thought I was back in 1915. Not sure what it is about my Touring but it has a certan something that my Model A's lack. Don's get me wrong as I love my A's but they lack the charm of the T .........I think I am getting the bug to buy another T now .....its a sickness but much better than drugs or alcohol.

Response to Tim and Ron. Couple of pictures. Original speedster, not a race car. At this point the chassis is done, waiting, waiting, waiting on the body, a lot of wood rot, it was rough. In the pic. of the body L to R Chad Knickerbocker, the wood guy, and chief sheet metal and all around body advisor Dan Erceg. Don't let the lighting fool you, it's not a boat tail.

Ed aka #4

Those front wheels look kinda familiar

Yeah, Kevin, the Mott wheels. You're an official part of the "bring back the American" crew.

Ed aka #4