Ford Thunderbird White Wall Tires

THE TIRE SPECIFICATIONS

Thunderbird Concepts Suggested Tbird White Wall Tire:

1) The "Falken" Tire at per set.

• Tire Size: 235/55/17
  2" width white wall

2) "Michelin Pilot" brand (the same tire that comes stock on the Tbird). per set.

• Tire Size: 235/55/17
  2" width white wall.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN TIRES?

We have found a less expensive set of Thunderbird White Wall Tires; The "Falken" brand tires. These tires have better ratings than the Michelin Tires, are easier to get, and $247 less in price. Overall, this is a no brainer... the Tbird White Wall tire Thunderbird Concepts suggestion goes to "Falken".

Here are the ratings for these Falken tires that exceed Michelin Tires:

• Falken is rated with a W Speed Rating at 168 MPH max. Better than Michelin Tires.
• Falken is rated with a Double AA Traction Control Rating. Better than Michelin Tires.
• Falken has an asymetric tire tread for a good look and excellent traction.
• Falken Tbird White Walls sell 10 -1 ration against Michelin Tires.

I hope this helps,

Aaron Scott
Owner

Buy here

TIRE DETAIL
Utilizing the latest and highest quality manufacturing process, these custom Tbird white wall tires made in the USA by Diamond Back will provide you with all of the modern-day safety, handling, and ride quality of a true radial tire with the look of yesteryear.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) How are the tires made?
2) What about browning or discoloration?
3) How to care & maintain for my White Wall Tires?
4) Will the tire specification on "Aspect Ratio" size 55 affect my Tbird's driving mileage or performance?

1)How are the tires made?

White rubber has nothing to add to the strength of a tire’s sidewall - it is purely ornamental. Therefore vulcanizing the whitewall on while the whole tire is being cured, or whether it is added later makes no difference. Since we use only tires produced by major manufacturers, our problems with balancing, traction, irregular wear patterns, excessive weight and noise levels are virtually non existent.

2) What about browning or discoloration?

Everyone has heard horror stories about brown tires, and anybody who has been associated with the sale or manufacture of widewhite radials has experienced this problem.

Discoloration is caused by migration of oils from the tire sidewall into the more porous white material. Today we can proudly say that this problem has been eliminated and that’s a BIG statement. As a matter of fact it was eliminated a long time ago. Please read on this page the section about "Attention to detail".

3) How to care & maintain for my White Wall Tires?

CLEANING TIPS

One of the first things you will notice is that these Tbird White Walls are extremely easy to clean. Most white-walls turn dingy or yellow because of the leeching of chemicals (mostly anti-oxidants) into the white material. Because our process uses a butyl lining to stop chemical leeching, you only have to clean the surface dirt. We recommend frequent cleanings with an abrasive cleaning pad. A fine or medium sanding sponge works well. These are available at most hardware stores.

Any good cleaner works OK - Castrol Super Clean, 409, Simple Green, Greased Lightning - just to name a few. Avoid cleaners that contain bleach. Prolonged use of these cleaners can "dry" the whitewall surface. VIGOROUS CLEANING WILL NOT DAMAGE WHITEWALLS.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL
RST allows us to not only check all incoming shipments for consistency, it also allows us to check procedures and materials to build a better product. How do you improve near perfection? It’s not easy, but we never turn out the light.

• We recommend frequent cleanings.

• Avoid any sealers or products such
as Armorall. These products are
great for the black portion but not
for the whitewall.

• Castrol Super Clean is recommended
and is available at most auto parts
stores and at Wal-Mart & K-Mart.

• Use an abrasive cleaning pad. 220
-440 grit wet/dry sandpaper is best.

4) Will the tire specification on size 55 affect my Tbird's driving mileage or performance?

The stock tire on the Thunderbird is P235/50R 17.

Definition on size 55;

ASPECT RATIO
is the relationship between a tire's section height and its section width. It is calculated by dividing the section height by the section width. When the section height is half of the section width, the aspect ration is 50. In a tire size description, it would be the 50 in P235/50R 17. It is also called the tire's profile or the series.

In other words, the Ford Thunderbird White Wall Tires are a little taller by about 5% greater than the width to accommodate the whitewall.

The tire is a little less wide but would not effect it's performance or mileage!

The difference is minimal and hardly noticeable. Greg Hlinka, one of our customers, put the tires on his t-bird and had nothing but good things to say! See his testimonial below;

TESTIMONIAL
On February 28th, I received my new set of Michelin Pilot white walls! They are beautiful! Great quality tires! No problem at all with shipping and installation! They really look terrific on my T-Bird! The perfect custom accessory! They really add that special touch of class!

Greg Hlinka. (2-15-06)

One of our valued customers, Greg Hlinka, has customized his beloved Tbird with Thunderbird Concepts accessories including the Roadster Tonneau, White Wall Tires, Continental Kit (now discontinued), Borla Exhaust, Hoodscoop, Thunderbird License Frame...just to name a few.

Valued Customer; Bjorn, in Sweden pictured here with his Cashmere Tbird and Wife Agneta