"big letter" goodyear eagle tires

Fred Douglass · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2007, 07:36 PM

I am interested to find out more about the Goodyear tires which have the big white "billboard"
letters. I have seen them in various ads (Kirkham) and in several other photos. I assume that they're not DOT, and possibly biased ply, or everyone would have'em. What is the title or name of this tire? Also what are the basic specs?

Any comments/info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Randy Rosenberg · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2007, 07:39 PM

Roger Kraus sells them here: http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/Cobra/

Stentor · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2007, 07:54 PM

Fred,

The Goodyear "Billboards" are indeed bias-ply tires, and they are not DOT.

They do provide good wet and dry traction. However, they can tend to "wander" on rough roads, and they do get flat spots after sitting (that go away after a few minutes of driving).

It's hard to beat the look of the tires. However, some folks prefer a radial tire.

I bought a set from Roger Krause Racing (link to website provided in earlier post).

Good luck.

Jamo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 01:12 AM

Fred...much better than the Hoosiers. I think they would work well for you.

Fred Douglass · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 06:51 AM

You guys are great!

For some reason, my antedeluvian compootah doesn't work too well on the Kraus site. I couldn't get the tire-size charts to download, but I DID note that they seem to be aiming at 7.5" and 9.5" rims, which are much narrower than my 10" and 12" wide wheels. What to do? Do they in fact have the equivalent of c. 255s and 295s(+)?

Roscoe · #6 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 06:55 AM

Fred: They have this thing called a telephone. If you can get a hold of one you might try calling Krause. Remember, you don't have to yell into it to be heard on the other end.

Warm regards,
Roscoe

Buzz · #7 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Phreddie, two dry coconut shell halves and some good fishin line works for me. The hard part is getting Krause on the other end, but hey, what's life without a little challenge, right? I ASSume you're still on the wagon, but I'll mention anyway - mixing a bit of gin with the coconut water generally makes the whole process seem a lot more satisfying somehow.

Fred Douglass · #8 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 12:18 PM

Call 'em I shall. Jeez, what's that ccalled agin?/ A tellyfone? Perhaps they'll be open on a Saddy afternoon, too.....

Ar, etc......

REAL 1 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 03:50 PM

Fred: I have them on my car. I agree with the comments above. They look great but take some getting used to when you get behind the wheel. The definitely wander and hunt.

eagle4444 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-02-2012, 09:37 PM

Can anyone tell me if you can purchase goodyear eagle tires with the billboard lettering that has not been stencil painted on the tire? Can you get a real billboard tire? I would love to get a set for my 67 cobra. Please help!

Earl J · #11 (**permalink**) 04-02-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle4444

Can anyone tell me if you can purchase goodyear eagle tires with the billboard lettering that has not been stencil painted on the tire? Can you get a real billboard tire? I would love to get a set for my 67 cobra. Please help!

No. These are Race tires, though some brave folks will drive with them on the street for the look.

If you want the stencils, here's the link:

Tire Lettering Stencils : Raceline Digital, Do More for Less

I've seen Hoosiers with Goodyear logos as well as BF Goodrich TA's with Goodyear, Avon and or Firestone logos on them. I guess if a person is sponsored by a certain tire company and need to comply but prefer a different brand, here is a solution. These are great for the posers too...lol

Cheers,
~Earl J

eagle4444 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-03-2012, 03:56 PM

Thank you guys very much for the info. I just registered on this site, and am liking it alot.

MaSnaka · #13 (**permalink**) 04-03-2012, 11:00 PM

Those tires did not work for me. Be careful what you wish for. I had no trouble selling them with about 400 miles on them so there is a back door so to speak. Some guys swear by them and they do have a look that is awsome. Good luck.

John

Silverback51 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 03:32 AM

Funny, I never considered myself "brave" for running the BB's.

Personally I love them. In fact my Avon's should be done by the end of this summer, and I'm going back to the Goodyear BB's.

elmariachi · #15 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle4444

Can anyone tell me if you can purchase goodyear eagle tires with the billboard lettering that has not been stencil painted on the tire? Can you get a real billboard tire? I would love to get a set for my 67 cobra. Please help!

Not sure what you mean by a "real billboard tire." The tires come from Good Year with the white lettering spray painted on. The GY workers don't always stay between the lines when they paint and when some of them show up the lettering is already chaffed off. On this last set I bought, the lettering was pretty scuffed up from shipping and one tire was missing the paint altogether on the word "Eagle." I suspect these are made in the same Akron, Ohio plant where the NASCAR tires are made and realizing they are manufacturing vintage racing tires, not much attention is paid to such cosmetic details. You can remove the GY white lettering with one of several solvents, or you can go the other way with Ranger Tire Paint and make them look prefect.

The tires are a very soft compound. They're sticky, they throw rocks, they flat-spot in 15 minutes and as was already noted, they follow the grooves in the road. They are quite unmannered and are a departure from the smooth ride and easy handling you'll find with normal 15" street radials. But there is no substitute for the look and they are very predictable in the way they handle when you are pushing the car.

Lew Ledyard · #16 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 09:09 AM

Check out sascosports.com as well. They are on the east coast. Look at the Avons as well. Sasco sells Avons and Goodyears.

razerwire · #17 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 12:58 PM

They leak air also. If you don't check and run tires with low pressure the side wall flexes and will crack and paint will come off. Goodyear slicks , at least the ones I have really leak air. I thought it was the mag rims but finishline sealed the mag rims before the tires were mounted, and put under water you can see bubbles coming out the side walls of the slicks. B.B. take quit a while to lose air. I put avons on the hilibrand mags and they now hold air just fine, confirms that the mags are sealed.

ERA Chas · #18 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razerwire

I put avons on the hilibrand mags and they now hold air just fine, confirms that the mags are sealed.

Razer,
Are you talking real mag Halibrands or aluminum Trigos or Vintages?

razerwire · #19 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 01:52 PM

Hilabrand made a run of real mag wheels about 4 or 5 years ago. I have a set of those. I do think they added something to them to help with the oxidation. I only have to clean up about every 3 months time. As a youngster I remember using steel wool on my neighbors top fuel dragster every week to keep them up and they had a more gold tint to them. I have the bill boards on trigo wheels. Put the avons on the mags since the avons weigh more.

ERA Chas · #20 (**permalink**) 04-04-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razerwire

Hilabrand made a run of real mag wheels about 4 or 5 years ago. I have a set of those.

Not Halibrand 4 or 5 years ago. I have the last from Halibrand-circa 1992. Yours may be by M &A or Kress.
Glad the mag holds air so well-it's definitely the G'years leaking.