Who makes T tire specifications for manufacturing?

[Bill Dizer]

I would like to know who, if anyone knows, draws up the specific manufacturing details on what the company in Vietnam makes? How do our everyday suppliers know what the specific information on design is? Does that company or companies just build whatever they want and put it up for sale, or does a wholesaler go to them and tell them what they want? Does anyone know who the manufacturer is and how to contact them? Has anyone done so to tell them of wear concerns, fit and size, tube quality? I read about all the gripes about the tires, but is any feedback making it to the manufacturer?

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I don't know the answers to your questions. However, concerning wear, if you were a tire manufacturer/seller, and you wished to protect your sizeable investment, and remain in business for the foreseeable future, would you manufacture a tire that would last maybe 30,000 miles, for cars that get driven maybe 1K - 2K miles per year? Probably, 80% of T's don't even get driven that much. I seem to get 5000 miles or so out of my T tires. They last me about 4 or 5 years. My modern cars need tires at about the same interval, maybe 6 years if I stretch them. Given that, I don't think T tires do so very badly. In addition, when I do need new T tires, I'm damn happy that they're available, (usually). And, why are they available? Because someone is making enough of them, and making them frequently enough, to make it worth their while. As for price, I find it remarkable that such a low volume tire is, roughly speaking, still priced at par, (or maybe even a little less), with modern tires, that are made in FAR greater numbers.

As to your questions of fit & finish, you've got a point.

[TXGOAT2]

T-tires are bias-ply, and they for that reason, they will wear faster than the radial tires we've become accustomed to. I believe that T tires made today have a soft tread compound, which promotes traction while sacrificing wear resistance. I find that tires made for ATVs and SXS vehicles wear rapidly, probably for the same reasons. Model Ts lack shock absorbers, which contributes to low tire mileage. My car has an older set of Lucas 4.40-4.50 21 tires on it, and they seem to be holding up well, all things considered. They don't hold a pressure setting as well as modern tires, but that may be typical of lightweight, tube-type tires. Gas station attendants used to routinely check oil, tire pressure, and radiator fill level. Compressed air was readily available at the pumps in most cases. Model Ts concentrate braking forces at the rear wheels, which is not conducive to good tire mileage. I believe that most modern vehicles have more rubber in contact with the road for their weight than Model T's do.

[Rich P. Bingham]

Having fiddled around the "old car hobby" for 60 years, I have noted how "reproduction" parts, wear items and accessories have, more often than not, failed to meet original specifications for material and performance in service precisely because "old cars" simply do not get driven much. The older the car and the higher the level of restored perfection, the fewer the miles. Most owners are satisfied with an item that fits (more or less), looks original (more or less), and allows the car to be driven (less than more).

Jerry makes an excellent point about the durability of new tires for such cars. We've read on these boards about some of our fellow Model T enthusiasts, many who drive their cars a lot who have rolled on the same rubber for decades before replacing tires. This speaks of the quality of the tires that were made in the past to high standards. I'm pretty sure the USA made Riversides and Firestones of 40 to 50 years ago were much better than the best that was available when our Ts were new.

Currently it seems there is a notable scarcity of tires for our pets, and a lot of us would be glad to get our hands on any that are no worse than the tires that have been available through the past decade ! All told, the worst of them have probably performed better than tires that were available a hundred years ago.

If the Blockley Co. can impose high standards on their Asian contractors, that promises to be a source for long-wearing tires, but the company seems to have "ghosted" interested folks on this forum. Any news ? Anyone ? Anyone ? Bueller ?

[Steve Jelf]

The company marketing the tires sets the specifications. The factory makes the tires according to those specifications. One company currently markets tires of its own design under its own name and claiming superior quality. I think there are probably two companies having reproductions (at least in appearance) made of T era tires. That's my guess because different brands are available from different dealers.

[Alan Long]

Blockley Tyres told me their Tyres and Tubes are made to their specifications. No doubt dimensions are well known and haven’t altered since day one. Possibly a bit of tweaking. It’s the material used that’s important and they mentioned their Tubes are 100% Butyl like the old days!
This compound prevents the passage of air so they retain their pressure. Others use a mixture of all all rubber compounds melted down in one pot and the resulting material is a real mis match. Tube thickness, Butyl and a quality looking vulcanising job on the Valve Stem make it a great Tube in my view. Blockley have also use a tread pattern design that is period correct plus have embossed their Company name on the Tyres. Again, this in my view is a good sign of the confidence the company has in their product that is backed backed up with a century of Tyre manufacturing for the racing industry.

Why doesn’t the MTFCA speak directly to Julian at Blockley in the UK and have all these questions answered? It would save us contacting him individually and they can post the outcome?

I agree with all the above comments and also wonder how the other T Owners currently using Blockley products experiences are? I’ve only heard good news here in Australia and I still like the product 12 months later
Alan in Western Australia

[Rich P. Bingham]

Forum member Seamus Hnat of Michigan last posted on October 23, 2021 that he had sent emails to Julian at Blockley Tires requesting an update on plans to make the tires available in the USA. He had received no reply to date, and speculated on giving him a phone call. The trail ends there. Seamus, we miss you, pard. Hope all is well. Perhaps others should also make enquiries ?

[Alan Long]

As a follow up, Julian did also tell me his Company made new Moulds for the 30 x 3 1/2” Tyres and at great expense coupled
with a Quality Assurance System to monitor the end product.
Alan

[DanTreace]

My car has an older set of Lucas 4.40-4.50 21

That's been my experience too on Lucas (Lester) 4.40-50 (@$169ea today) Got great milage and only changed them because they were 12 years old and the tread was harder. But still lots of tread left. The reason....those were made with polyester. They last. I can only hope they are still made with poly, as if I ever need 21", those would be the choice.

A nylon tire will typically wear faster. Replace the hardened Lester with Universal 4.50-.75 nylon (@$124 ea) and the tires need to be rotated now, wearing rear faster than front (braking on downhills I figure, since I can't scratch-off!)

The Firestone 21" is polyester and is Made in USA @$193 ea.

Now you can get American Classic (Coker) in polyester/steel Radial tire in 21" too, @$227. That might wear best.

For the clinchers,30"
Firestone, nylon, @$236 ea.
Universal T Driver, nylon @$200 ea. or Ribbed tread nylon @ $214 ea.
Wards Riverside, nylon @$162 ea.

For our T's the lower cost of the nylon makes sense, even if wear is reduced.

Just happy to get new tires from time to time, now for tubes, well Brockley is likely the best. Hit and miss with reg. tubes from Univ. Tire, Coker, and Lucas tire. As for flaps, well haven't been able to get the proper tapered edge flaps in 30" that have the printed 'tube this side' on the rubber. Sad, I like 'em on my installs to protect the questionable tubes

[Alan Long]

Dan,
Some would say forget the Flaps and spend those $’s on the thicker Butyl Tubes! I guess having both covers all bases!
Blockley Tubes are size specific and although the Michelin are even thicker / heavier again they suit 3 size tyres supposedly
to reduce inventory levels. So, some applications the Tubes are stretched a bit and others folded?
Tyre wear and life is important but not as much as a failure of new items while cruising at 60 - 70 Klms / Hr on the roads.

The 4.40 / 4.50 x 21” on my 26 T are now 35 year old New Zealand Tyres and still like new! The Tubes are also Butyl and fingers crossed never had a Punture or any issues in all of that time. Tyre pressures also do not drop Year to year.....
Alan

[BLB27]

This does not address the topic, but I would like to share my experience with my original tires on my 1927 coupe. The coupe had not been run since 1960. Three of the tires never lost any pressure during those 60 years. The car was never on jacks.

The car was moved from one storage place to another over that period of time, in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Each time it was moved I found the front left tire completely flat. I would air it up, and it would hold air for several months and then go flat again. I am puzzled how the inner tube could stand going completely flat and still be able to hold air. You would think that it would have developed cracks.

I am replacing four of the tires with new Firestone, and am keeping one for the spare. Saving $ because I don't plan on going on tours!!