My Blockley Story

[Loftfield]

On Sunday, August 21, 2022, I noticed cords showing on one front tire, 1912 Model T touring. Time for tires, obviously. Being a regular reader of the Forum, I immediately opted for Blockley instead of the Vietnamese garbage, yes, those which had given me somewhere between 2500 and 3000 miles at the very best. That very day Blockley was found on-line, 30x3 available, hooray. It was only necessary to type in my name and email to get a quote from
Blockley, which I did. I then settled down to wait for three or four days for the quote to appear on my screen. But what to my wondering eyes did appear, but the quote at 9:00am Eastern time on Monday morning. I then had some questions about expected time of arrival, etc, which I sent at 9:05am, settled down to a day or two waiting. At 9:30am on Monday, 22 August, the response to my queries was received, not only timely but very politely as well. At 9:30am I placed my order for two 30x3 tires having been informed by Blockley that they would arrive in seven to eight days. At 11:00am on Monday, 22 August, I received an email from Blockley advising that the tires had been shipped. Bummer, a whole week to wait. On Thursday, 25 August, FedEx delivered one tire, the second arrived the next day, Friday, 26 August. In all honesty I cannot remember when I ever had such prompt and courteous service from any business. I am still in awe!

[A Whiteman]

Thank you - "two thumbs up" for Blockley

[Steve Jelf]

Good news. I will be ordering this fall or winter.

[JohnH]

I've just installed Blockleys on the back wheels. Very easy to order and fast shipping. They were true to their word, and were here in a week. I also ordered an inner tube which looked very well made.
They cost more than the T Drivers, but from all reports on the forum so far, seem to give better mileage, so thought it was worth trying them. They certainly look to be of better quality, and I actually found them easier to fit.

[Steve Jelf]

The last time I checked, their price was actually a little less than Wards Riversides. Of course, the shipping from Britain is more than from Long Beach, but by all accounts they're more than worth the higher shipping.

[Kerry]

Today I was informed from someone who just fitted 4 Blockley's that in very small print is, Made in Vietnam.

[Aussie16]

I just fitted 4 new Blockley 30 by 3.5 to my T. By the time we convert GBP to AUD my cost is over $500 per tyre! However, based on the reports I was prepared to pay extra for a quality product. I was a bit disturbed when undoing the packaging to find a yellow made in Vietnam sticker on each wrapping??? I thought these tyres were manufactured in England? Anyway, they have been the easiest tyre I have ever fitted, with all four tyres changed over in under 2 hours. No lubrication or powder required. Just one big lever and a mallet to get the very last section of the bead over the rim. Hopefully they will be long lasting for me.

[Loftfield]

It has been well-covered on the Forum that Blockley Tyres are made in Viet Nam, in fact in the same factory that makes the Vietnamese garbage. The difference is that Blockley imposes their own much higher standards on the composition and manufacturing. It is of little difference who makes the tires, or where. What counts is quality control.

[Steve Jelf]

It has been well-covered on the Forum that Blockley Tyres are made in Viet Nam, in fact in the same factory that makes the Vietnamese garbage. The difference is that Blockley imposes their own much higher standards on the composition and manufacturing. It is of little difference who makes the tires, or where. What counts is quality control.

Exactly correct on both points. High quality products can be made in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, India, and lots of other countries. Some of us are old enough to remember when Made in Occupied Japan, and then just Made in Japan, meant junk. It didn't take many years for Japanese manufacturers to show that they could produce superior products. What determines the quality of goods is not where they're made, but what the customer (in this case Blockley, Coker, Universal, Lucas, et al) requires.

[Allan]

Bang on Steve. For years we have been exposed to junk tyres due to the lack of quality demands from the tyre dealers. Hooray for Blockley tyres. Finally we may have tyres fit for purpose and tubes which hold air. Now perhaps we will see some improvements from the others, but I will not be holding my breath waiting.

Allan from down under.

[YellowTRacer]

I may be all wet, but it really agitates me when most of you top it all off with "and it's so easy to mount". 2 things come to mind. Easy to go on, easy to roll off! When you have a tire problem enroute. But most importantly softer rubber, wear faster. The old original Wards Riversides were a bear to put on.....always. Now with NOS originals they're twice that. But they wore (and wear and wear today) like hell!
I'm definitely not a tire man so don't know about the structure/components. You want a clincher tire that's easy to mount, deal with the wearability.

Ed aka #4

[Allan]

That's why I like our Olympic tyres last made in the early 1970's They last! Many wear out a set of the present new tyres in 2500 miles as mentioned before. If they don't wear them out, they crack up in the sidewalls. With the price differential, Blockleys will not have to last much longer than the present crap to still be better value. The mileage they give will be the next thing to report.

Allan from down under.

[TXGOAT2]

I just replaced a worn to the cord Lucas 4.40/4.50 tire with an identical used Lucas tire. Tires were made in Vietnam. I noticed that the replacement tire was much stiffer than the one I took off. None of the tires show cracking. The tube was marked 4.50 -20 and "made in EEC". No brand name on tube. I re-used the tube, mounted everything up, and drove away. It works fine, so far, and a very aggressive stretch of crushed rock washboard did not affect the tread.
The Lucas tires on the front axle show virtually no wear in many thousands of miles of use. The rear ones had less tread to begin with, and have shown substantial wear, probably due to routinely driving over 40 MPH on pavement. I figured the crushed rock/gravel roads would chew them up, but that has not been the case. Wear has been smooth and even, with no mauling of the tread.

[Allan]

Many of the problems come with the 23" clincher tyres, not the 21" standard tyres. I have read somewhere that clincher tyres are not considered tyres for road use on vehicles, and hence they do not have to meet usual standards. Not so any more with Blockley imposing their own standards on the manufacturers. Hooray!
Allan from down under.

[Steve Jelf]

With the price differential, Blockleys will not have to last much longer than the present crap to still be better value.

In the USA the small price differential is slightly in Blockley's favor. Their 30 x 3½ sells for £149 ($174.33 USD). Wards Riversides are $179. Even with the cost of shipping from Britain being higher than from Long Beach, Blockleys appear to be the much better deal in the long run.

[tgreifhahn]

Hello Steve:
What was the landed cost per tire with VAT, taxes and shipping?
Thank you,
Tom

[Steve Jelf]

What was the landed cost per tire with VAT, taxes and shipping?

The VAT applies only only in the UK. All Blockley will charge us is £149 plus shipping. I haven't asked about shipping cost. It's been quite a while since I looked into this, but I think the USA charges import duties on purchases over $500. If that's the case, I'll buy two at a time.

[Chris Haynes]

Today I was informed from someone who just fitted 4 Blockley's that in very small print is, Made in Vietnam.

Yes they are made in Viet Nam. However they are made to a much higher standard the anything from the Long Beach guys.