Goodyear 'billboards'

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

Awesome......

By the way, I see you went with the gray centers, not the polished centers - reason? Are the Torq-Thrusts from American Racing? Where did you purchase the billboards? Also, what size are the wheels (width [front and back]) - I'm assuming that they are 15 inch wheels.

Thanks.

Nice Cobra. How large is the 'Goodyear' lettering on the tires (i.e. 2", 3", etc)?

[cobraviper_99]

Thanks for the compliments. I went with gray centers because I recall seeing them in that configuration back in the 1960's on competition Cobras. I've always liked that look. The wheels are American Racing and are 15-inch diameter. The fronts are 7 inches wide and the rears are 9.5. I got the tires through HRE when the car was being finished. The large letters on the tires are 2-and-an-eighth inches tall.

[MaSnaka]

Hey Sideoiler10, Yes I'm happy with the MT's (ET Street Radials) and everyone I have met who use them seem very happy also. I have 235/60/15 in the front and 275/60/15 in the rear. The Cobras are light cars and the softer side wall is nice. On a heavier car I don't how the cornering would be. There are a lot of windy canyon roads out here (Mulholland Hwy.) for example that I frequent and these tires hold the corners very tight. I know another guy with a Superformance and I believe he has 275 fronts and 325 rears. That's more tread than I need but they look evil.

John

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99

Thanks for the compliments. I went with gray centers because I recall seeing them in that configuration back in the 1960's on competition Cobras. I've always liked that look. The wheels are American Racing and are 15-inch diameter. The fronts are 7 inches wide and the rears are 9.5. I got the tires through HRE when the car was being finished. The large letters on the tires are 2-and-an-eighth inches tall.

I have original Halibrands with the center painted black, also a good look. Frankly, I wouldn't want to face having to polish the centers, also. I'm thinking that HRE is the only source for billboards.

For some reason, 15 inch wheels look perfect on a Cobra.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

Hey Sideoiler10, Yes I'm happy with the MT's (ET Street Radials) and everyone I have met who use them seem very happy also. I have 235/60/15 in the front and 275/60/15 in the rear. The Cobras are light cars and the softer side wall is nice. On a heavier car I don't how the cornering would be. There are a lot of windy canyon roads out here (Mulholland Hwy.) for example that I frequent and these tires hold the corners very tight. I know another guy with a Superformance and I believe he has 275 fronts and 325 rears. That's more tread than I need but they look evil.

John

Nice look!

Geez, I'm confused relating to tire size - I currently have VR50's on my Cobra, 245/50 front, 265/50 rear - Roger Kraus Racing has billboards, 26.5X8.0 and 26.5X10 - is that equal to my rear tires with the 26.5 really mounted on an 8 or 10 inch wheel?

Avon tires are listed from 225/65VR15 to 295/50VR15, so it's easy to relate those sizes to my tires - but, Dunlop's are listed from 475/1000-15-CR65 to 650M15-CR65 - WTF?

Also, it's seems to me that the diameter is important with my current tires around 24" and the billboards at 26.2 front and 26.7 rear. I'm thinking that the higher diameter numbers will look the best, although more diameter may not result in a better driving experience, I'm clueless on this issue.

Anyway, any input will be appreciated.

[cobraviper_99]

cobra de capell:

The Mini Power Ball from Mothers makes polishing the centers on Torq-Thrusts a snap. Five minutes a wheel on my Typhoon, tops. There have been some other threads here regarding Billboards and there are a few places to get them. Billy Andrews at HRE probably knows who they are. Agreed on the 15-inch wheels. It's a matter of taste but 15-inches just look proper to me.

[FUNFER2]

I love the Billboards on Cobras, they just make the car look even more "racier"

To each it's own, but any larger than 15" make the cobra too much like a hot rodded car, and I love Hot Rods. They just look too big for such a small car. I don't think anyone, can honestly say that the ride of 17" + low profile tire, isn't real harsh. Now for racing, I can see how the wider and taller tires help a great deal. Plus, for 15's, there is not much of a selection of tires.

Here's a question like several of you have asked. I would like to have Billboards on mine too.

My front wheels are 15x8 with 235/60 tires.

The backs are 15x10 with 295/50's. I changed my tires from 60's to 50's for a wider tread and, the fatter tire just looks better. But, now that I've lowered the rear, I get some tire rub. I will not raise the rear back up because I don't like the "raked look", nice & level and having the wheel well filled up with tire is the look I want.

Here are some of the things I can do for the back.

Go back to the 60 series taller side wall but sacrifice the wider tread.

I believe my back spacing is 4.75" and could order new wheels. ($$$)

Narrow the Currie 9" rear end tubes & axle. (lot of work and $$$)

Adjust my QA-1 shocks for not compression. ()

I would have to guess, the better & leased expensive, is to buy the Billboards in a 60 series.

I sure like the look of the original cobras or Kirkhams, with the wheels/tires tucked way into the wheel wells a couple of inches. I will never have this "look" unless I narrowed my solid rear end. Even then, I think the tires would hit a brace that's part of the frame and would have to at least notch it. It makes a triangle to the frame for strength. Damn,.... I wish I could afford a Kirkham. lol !

Two fine examples of the "tucked in look", are in the pics below. What great machines these are !

If I go back to the 60 series tire for the back, I'm having problems comparing the 295/60 to the Billboard diameter numbers ect...on Rodgers site.

Please help my pea size brain, (I did pass 12 grade's of education,............... 6th grade twice) on which Billboards I need for my wheels.

Thanks,

[RedBarchetta]

Kevin, you pretty much outlined the trials and tribulations that many have to go through to get "the look." I ended up adding an inch of inboard width to my stock rear Trigos to get my 325/50's to essentially "set" better and not balloon at the rim bead. Cost me $350 for the pair...pro done.

Some cars are just naturally limited to what you can do, and the IRS in the SPF is no different. Even though I still have perhaps 2-3" of clearance to the coil-overs, I now have severely limited clearances toward the front of the wheelwells. These tires have an installed height of just over 27", so they fill up the wheel well nice, but I'd love to have the ability to tuck them underneath another 1/2" (will never happen). I have even eliminated the 1/2" spacer plate on the Trigo adapters, so that alone (and machining the inner hubs slightly to clear the Wilwood calipers) gives me that much more.

Whatever you decide to do, measure three times and cut once.

As for other Billboard sizes, I'd like to hear what others think of the alternative sizes available? I'd be curious to hear if anyone is running any of the G7 series sizes on their cars? More so would any of these alternatives prove to be clearance problems for front or back.

-Dean

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99

Absolutely the BEST metal polish I have ever used! The outer rims of my Torq-Thrust wheels look like chrome! Not too expensive and I think it crushes anything I've used off the shelf--Mothers, Meguiars, Wenol, etc.

http://www.mrbuffer.com/2k4pages/INDmain.html

Product Report - Mr. Buffer......

WOW and WOOHOO! I ordered it, received it, tried it on just one wheel - fantasic! In fact, unbelievable to the max - based on my use of practically every off-the-shelf product out there - I didn't even use my powerball - just polished by hand with a cotton rag - wiped off with a clean cotton rag. Best shine ever! That one wheel after not bearing shined for 3 months - took only around 10 minutes to complete.

This really is an exciting product to find - thanks so much for the referral - it will save time and allow me to keep my wheels shiny continually with little effort.

I cannot put into words the level of effort that I've put into keeping my real mag wheels shiny - magnesium seems like it's alive and requires continual attention to look good. I'm really taken back by this product, wondering why more people don't already know about it.

Mr. Buffer should be contacted by ClubCobra as a potential sponsor – they could sell a lot of product through this site!.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

MAAS does a good job, I've tried all sorts of products - I'm going to look into Flitz and try your entire 'system'.

Valve stems - my exact same experience! Very difficult to polish around them, especially the front one's.

Powerball - the small one is for metal - actually, they are around $25, therefore - they had better clean up! I was so surprised when I first cleaned my powerball - soap and water - comes out looking perfectly clean and almost new! Yes, great for the rear but not so great for the front - but, still good. The pressure that can be applied through the use of a powerball on a drill has a really shiny result without the level of work.

And yes, having real mags is insane - they seem to be alive at times - sort of like rust never sleeps!

AMEN TO THE POWERBALL!

Bought the Mini and went to work on moderately gray mags-haven't touched them in 3 months. Cripes a Mighty! Finished all four to perfection in 1/3rd the time of my old regimen. No more 4-0 steel wool!

Used Mothers polish and my old friend toilet paper to remove residue-took a fraction of the time and my hands don't hurt. I could do this everyday if I lost my mind. Seriously, it's so much easier. I've got it soaking now in hot water, a splash of Castrol Super Clean and Dawn dish soap. I'm really hoping it cleans out well.

Thanks to all you guys for the recommendation-I never bought it because Mr Perfect Foose has been shilling it for years and I thought it was a gimmick. Hearing it from you guys as users was the best.

Now to try Mr Buffer! (but I can't imagine how much better it could be than this...)

[ERA Chas]

Holy Crap! We crossed posts by two minutes!
Now I really know I need Mr Buffer.

[FUNFER2]

lol, I guess I'll be making a order too !
What size bottle/package, did you buy ?

For cleaning your power ball and micro-fiber towels, try "Oxyclean", it works wonders.

[ERA Chas]

OK, AMEN OXYCLEAN!

I like you better than Billy Mays...

[FUNFER2]

I see Mr. buffer has a sale, 12oz for $2.95

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by As for other Billboard sizes, [B

I'd like to hear what others think of the alternative sizes available? I'd be curious to hear if anyone is running any of the G7 series sizes on their cars?[/b] More so would any of these alternatives prove to be clearance problems for front or back.
-Dean

Contact Rick Parker on here-I believe he has G7's on his beautiful NAF Slabside.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

AMEN TO THE POWERBALL!

Bought the Mini and went to work on moderately gray mags-haven't touched them in 3 months. Cripes a Mighty! Finished all four to perfection in 1/3rd the time of my old regimen. No more 4-0 steel wool!

Used Mothers polish and my old friend toilet paper to remove residue-took a fraction of the time and my hands don't hurt. I could do this everyday if I lost my mind. Seriously, it's so much easier. I've got it soaking now in hot water, a splash of Castrol Super Clean and Dawn dish soap. I'm really hoping it cleans out well.

Thanks to all you guys for the recommendation-I never bought it because Mr Perfect Foose has been shilling it for years and I thought it was a gimmick. Hearing it from you guys as users was the best.

Now to try Mr Buffer! (but I can't imagine how much better it could be than this...)

I've not tried powerball and Mr. Buffer, but I'm anticipating a real 'event' in that it's got to cut the polishing time to "Hey, that was easy" status.

I would not recommend a so-so product here - I cannot say enough about Mr. Buffer - add powerball and your Cobra will just be that much more fun and practically no work to maintain, at least the wheels.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

lol, I guess I'll be making a order too !
What size bottle/package, did you buy ?

For cleaning your power ball and micro-fiber towels, try "Oxyclean", it works wonders.

Order two large bottles - best deal, under the special noted above is better - that offsets the shipping cost, around $8.00 but no tax. Damn - I'm really happy to find this product. I recently replaced my side pipes with stainless - so that I would not have to re-paint the white pipes every five seconds - I'm good to go.

[cobraviper_99]

Glad that my recommendation of Mr. Buffer worked out for you. I have a friend who owns a truck repair shop, tried Mr. Buffer on the wheels on his Ford Lightning and contacted the Mr. Buffer folks to become a dealer. BTW, I had the stacks on my Webers professionally polished last summer before I discovered Mr. Buffer. They looked great when the polishing shop finished them, but after I hit them by hand with MB, they looked incredible. There are lots of good products out there and had good success with Meguiars Hot Rims on all my polished metal but Mr. Buffer blows it away.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99

Glad that my recommendation of Mr. Buffer worked out for you. I have a friend who owns a truck repair shop, tried Mr. Buffer on the wheels on his Ford Lightning and contacted the Mr. Buffer folks to become a dealer. BTW, I had the stacks on my Webers professionally polished last summer before I discovered Mr. Buffer. They looked great when the polishing shop finished them, but after I hit them by hand with MB, they looked incredible. There are lots of good products out there and had good success with Meguiars Hot Rims on all my polished metal but Mr. Buffer blows it away.

I've purchased 'all' the products for polishing off the shelf and a few online - nothing compares, nothing. Thanks.

It's so cool to end up having a WOW moment - they don't come around that often.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99

Glad that my recommendation of Mr. Buffer worked out for you. I have a friend who owns a truck repair shop, tried Mr. Buffer on the wheels on his Ford Lightning and contacted the Mr. Buffer folks to become a dealer. BTW, I had the stacks on my Webers professionally polished last summer before I discovered Mr. Buffer. They looked great when the polishing shop finished them, but after I hit them by hand with MB, they looked incredible. There are lots of good products out there and had good success with Meguiars Hot Rims on all my polished metal but Mr. Buffer blows it away.

AMEN TO MR BUFFER TOO!

Bill,
I have to echo de capell's rave. Just got my order of MB and putzed around with it on gas cap, expansion tank and about a 2" stripe on my already immaculate (done w/Mothers and PB) Halibrands. Everything is t!ts.

Just hand rubbed and removed w/cloth. Awesome. There's a clearly brighter stripe on the wheel and it has that brilliant, 'hard' shine I've been looking for.
Many thanks for a great recommendation.

Don't see you on TV lately, go back to NHRA. Where you workin? No offence to Dave Reiff(sp?) but I'd rather see you. You doing the IHRA coverage?