MTFCA Forum

A survey posted on FB asked how many people use 30 x 3 beaded edge tyres. This was to get some idea of the potential US market for the new Blockleys in that size. Since a lot of T folks wouldn't see that survey, I thought I'd post the question here.

I expect I will try some Blockleys when my current Riversides need to be replaced. At £149 ($187.74 USD) they cost 19% more than Wards. If they last 20% longer (or more) they are actually cheaper. (Outside the EU we don't pay the VAT.) They actually cost less than most brands of Vietnamese clinchers, so any extra mileage at all will be gravy. The company has 30 x 31/2 tyres available now, and expects to have 30 x 3 within six months.

I use them on 5 of my cars and am still running some very old non-skids on some of them. I have been waiting for decent tires to replace them.

Our '14 runs 30 x 3 on the front - I have 1 pair of Lester's left but that won't last me another 10 years, hopefully !

I just bought a new pair of Montgomery Wards for the front of our 16

Ron Dupree

I run 30x3 on the front of my 1911. Unfortunately ALL the current 30x3 tires (except non-skind and maybe smooth(?)) are oversize. The outside diameter of them are all about 31-1/2". On the early cars, they look like clown shoes. I hope they make the Blockley 30x3 tire (or tyre) a TRUE 30x3 with an outside diameter of 30" (or 762mm).

: ^ )

Keith

Quite a few small early cars used 30x3. The first Model 10 Buicks did, although when they went to four seats they strengthened their tires to 30x3-1/2. My 1907 single-cylinder Cadillac runabout has them, but the heavier-bodied touring car version had 30x-1/2.

I've got a '14 and a '17. I need 30x3's for the fronts and 30x3 1/2's for the rears. I'd buy them.

I’m in for a pair of 30x3s. Tread is currently more or less a mere suggestion on all four tires on my ‘13. I’m in no hurry to buy tires that have an increasingly poor performance review. I like the look of the Bockley tires, and I’m very interested in them.

I replaced some very old and rock hard ones made in New Zealand that were disintegrating of advanced age, with the ones made in VietNam that developed radial cracks above the bead within a year, and while I love the non-skid pattern, I am anxious to see what the Blockleys offer when the 30x3's come out.

Susanne,
I had a set on NZ Firestones years ago that completely wore out before any cracking...

I have four early ‘50s Non Skid 30 X 3s on my ‘11 Hupp. I’m in for a new set of Bockley’s...

I’m in. Need a pair soon

I had a set o[f] NZ Firestones years ago that completely wore out before any cracking...

I bought some of those NOS a couple of years ago. They were gorgeous. Coming out of the wrappers they looked brand new. Country roads ate them up in no time. No matter what anybody says to the contrary, rubber deteriorates with age.

They looked wonderful...

...but they weren't.

A friend of mine used to own a 1907 Model R Ser. #888 and I seem to recall it had 30x3 Samsons (made in Los Angeles) all around. Can't recall if they were beaded or not.

Funky Tread pattern

Just installed a set of worthless Viet Nam tires out of desperation, the old ones were 1979, fused to the rims and dry rot well-advanced. 30x3 on the front (1912 ). I will let the Viet Nam trash wear out, but have already emailed Blockley asking when the 30x3's will be available.

Blockley Tyres now have an Agent in Australia. After speaking directly with the Owner in UK I will be buying
a set of four 30 x 3 1/2 and the matching 100% Butyl Quality Tubes. Being 67, I see these lasting me out without the issue of continually dropping pressure as the low quality, blended material thin wall ones do.
Alan in Western Australia

I have 2 Model T’s that have 30x3 tires on the front.

I have them on three of my cars my 14 touring and my 15 and my commercial Roadster 12

I like the current Firestone 30X3's made in Viet Nam. They are easy to mount, and wear good. I have a friend who has white tires on her car, and even though they look nice, they wear out quickly.

Steve,
My NZ 'stones were black...
-Keith

I RUN 5 WARDS 30X3 1/2-- 0N MY FORD, AND LOVE EM.

In Steve's initial post he stated that his riversides were 19% cheaper than Blockleys, which in turn were less than most other Viet Nam sourced clinchers.
Blockley tyres are made in Viet Nam, to Blockley's specifications. If they prove to be of superior quality, and that improvement is starting from a very low base, it is not the Vietnamese source which is the problem. Rather, it is a problem with the US vendors specifications. Perhaps now we will finally get a quality product that will give a reasonable lifetime of service.

Allan from down under.

Allan wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:36 pm

Blockley tyres are made in Viet Nam, to Blockley's specifications. If they prove to be of superior quality, and that improvement is starting from a very low base, it is not the Vietnamese source which is the problem. Rather, it is a problem with the US vendors specifications. Perhaps now we will finally get a quality product that will give a reasonable lifetime of service.

Allan from down under.

Did you wonder why Lucas Tire or Coker don't stock the Blockley "T" Tires when they stock other sizes? It is because they are the folks having the "Other" Viet Nam tires made. They want you to buy their inferior product and not Blockley.

Friend is going to need 2 for his 1912 at some point soon if I ever get done with his wheel painting, well along with 2 30X3-1/2s.

Precisely Chris! If the Blockley's give better mileage and don't crack up while they stand, we are way ahead. Given the small price differential, it just reinforces my opinion that the junk we have had foisted on us is a deliberate strategy by the current suppliers. I'd be peprared to pay a few dollars extra for Blockleys just in a 'punishment' factor.
A most disappointing factor in all this is the loss of the Australian Olympic tread pattern and quality. For a while, these were manufactured with Lucas branding, then the without the Lucas brand. I guess they may just have been too good to last.

Allan from down under.

I use 30 X 3 clinchers on the front of my '13 T. In my opinion, the Blockley tread pattern is not very pleasing to the eye nor does it have a very vintage appearance.

Dan

Dan, the Blockley tread pattern is very similar to the diamond tread pattern on Goodyear clinchers. I took 3 of these off Henrietta when I got her roadworthy. It certainly is more period correct looking than some of the present offering.

Allan from down under.

I run them on the front

Allan - the Blockley tread pattern is quite an exaggerated version of the Goodyear tread - I'm not too keen on it myself.