Regarding tires, radials, wide whites, and especially those that last and
don't yellow: Though I don't personally know of any Amphicar owners who have
used them, I expect someone has. I and a number of Woodie owners as well as
owners of other classics and antiques have bought and use tires from Diamond
Back Classic Tire company located in Conway, S.C. ( up in the NE corner of
S.C.)
Toll Free: (888) 922-1642
Diamond Back Classics is a 4th generation family owned business whose owner
is Bill Chapman. Bill is in his 60's and is very personable and knowledgeable
and is glad to talk to you personally and make sound recommendations based
on his experience.
They are competitive with Coker, and a number of friends with other than
Woodies had recommended them to me. They vulcanize the Whitewalls on right there
in their factory.
Two good friends recommended them so highly that when I had to decide from
whom to buy, I went with them and have not been sorry.
They offer up to 3-1/2 inch whitewalls ( though the width may vary with the
wheel size being used ). A number of other friends and acquaintances told me
and I have now experienced that the white walls STAY WHITE and do not tend
to yellow as Cokers seem to have a tendency to do. Bill is very specific
about what not to use on them. for example, he does not recommend the use of
Bleche White ( which I had always used before ) or any other type of bleach.
Bill specifically recommended for my 48 Ford with 16 inch stock rims to use
Radials which I did, as have other friends. They look wonderful, don't yellow,
and as long as the wheels are not rusty or are in good condition, they just
plain do not leak.
Call them up and ask for Bill, though probably anybody there will give you
knowledgeable answers to any questions. They will send you a fact filled
brochure right away ( Coker told me up front that it would take 3 weeks or so to
send their brochure and it did.) I had periodically acquired Coker
brochures, but when I wasn't in the market for tires, I tossed the brochures. Bill
also told me that it would probably require 3 to 4 weeks before mine would
arrive, and mine arrived 16 days after I ordered them.
Diamond Back Classics advertises in Hemmings and several publications, but
they don't seem to be so well known. I personally endorse them highly and
obviously will order from them again. When one friend with a 1947 Sportsman
said he put Diamond Back Classics on and hadn't added any air in a year, I was a
bit sceptical. However, other than common sense monitoring, it is indeed
true. They look great and they do stay WHITE.
Vic nelson with the 1967 "Split Personality" near Daytona.
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