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Discussion Topic:
Blackwalls vs white walls
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wilmalcolm |
03-15-2013 @ 7:26 AM
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Member
Posts: 64
Joined: Nov 2011
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In a recent discussion about spider hubcaps a poster said that 36 black walls vs white walls were the authentic way to go. I have a Ford publicity photo of a '36 3 window coupe with not only white walls but double sided white walls. Which tire is authentic?
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ford38v8 |
03-15-2013 @ 9:51 AM
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Wil, that "poster" was me, I believe. Both black and white were authorized for 1936. Blacks were standard equipment, while double whites were accessory items. Perhaps my using the word "authentic" wasn't appropriate here, and I apologize for the confusion. What I meant was that back in the day, you'd see whitewalls maybe one out of ten or fifteen on a Ford/Chev/Plymouth, whereas today you see blackwalls in one out of twenty. The same goes for most accessories, you see more on the restored cars today than were ever installed on the cars when new.
Alan
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kubes40 |
03-15-2013 @ 1:25 PM
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Also keep in mind that Ford did not offer single side whitewall tires until late in the 1940 Model year. Before that, if you wanted whitewall tires on your new Ford, they were two sided.
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wmsteed |
03-17-2013 @ 8:26 AM
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As Allan pointed out, black wall tires were the norm when the majority of the early V8 Fords were in very day service.. This is especially true in the climates that experienced bad weather most of the year.. One must keep in mind that the majority of the pictures seen today depicting old cars are generally promo pix from national publications.. The '36 coupe that I have, I have owned it for over sixty years, is an exception to the use of black walls. I have always had single white walls on my car, however, it has always been customized in one form or another.. The current white walls are 3" 600 x 16, stock hub caps and trim rings.. I have a '39 Plymouth convertible coupe which is restored to stock standards on the exterior. The car has black wall tires, stock looking wheels with stock hub caps and trim rings.. I guess it could be said that personal preference is the guiding rule, if the vehicle in question is used for general transportation.
Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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Stroker |
03-17-2013 @ 8:43 AM
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Like Bill, I've had "custody" of my 38 since the 50's. When Dad drove it, it always had blackwalls, and I've had a couple of sets of single white's since. I kind of view tires as "consumables", and to me the logic of insisting upon a 30's car having the exact tire configuration as originally equipped would imply that I ought to drain out the Delvac, and fill the crankcase with Veedol 30 wt, which I still have a case of. Even my 07 vehicle does not have the horrible OEM tires, nor the same brand of battery it came with.
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TonyM |
03-17-2013 @ 9:16 AM
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When I bought my 1937 it came with blackwalls. I fully intended to switch over to whitewalls when I bought new tires. After some time with the blackwalls I have found that I really do like the way they look. So I am going to buy tires in June. Now I am hem-hawing over whether I should buy blackwalls or whitewalls. I like both. The wife has now chimed in without any prompting or previous discussion and she came out for whitewalls. Still trying to decide. TM Here is a photo with blackwalls.
. . . 78-73B
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supereal |
03-17-2013 @ 10:27 AM
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It is interesting to note that when tires were originally invented, they were usually all white, tread and sidewalls. Later, to combat sun damage, carbon black was added as a protective agent. During, and shortly after, WWII, tires were stamped "35 MPH" because they were made with less actual rubber, a scarce war material. When the late 40's arrived, most cars had whitewalls as part of a dealer added package. Cars were in heavy demand, and it gave dealers a boost in profit. They were usually "wide whites", with 3 inch bands, still popular with those of us with cars of the era.
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37RAGTOPMAN |
03-17-2013 @ 2:45 PM
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Posts: 1992
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My 1937 with WHITE WALLS I would not have it any other way, this is at OWL'S HEAD TRANSPORTATION MUSUEM,MAINE check out their web site, if on a vacation be sure to check this out, also the SEAL COVES ANTIQUE CAR MSUEM,this is up by BAR HARBOUR,MAINE 2 Great ANTIQUE CAR Musuems. MY 3 Cents, 37 RAGTOPMAN
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TomO |
03-17-2013 @ 5:43 PM
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Tony, There are only 3 opinions that count when you want to make cosmetic changes to your car, your wife's, your wife's and yours, in that order.
Tom
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wmsteed |
03-18-2013 @ 8:01 AM
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I guess I should have incorporated the old adage," a picture is worth a thousand words" in my response to the tire sidewall thread.. Attached is three pix showing the evolution of my '36 since '53...
Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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