Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Are affordable classic car tires disappearing? After three and a half weeks hunting for a set to fit the 16-inch wheels on our '64 Falcon Futura, Jeff found out just how hard it's gotten — and what every classic and muscle car owner needs to know before buying.
Finding tires for a classic car isn't like walking into a shop for a late-model sedan — out here, you're your own tire guy. In this episode, Jeff breaks down the real problem of sourcing affordable, good-looking radials in 14-, 15-, and 16-inch sizes, and exactly what to check so you get it right the first time.
WHAT WE COVER
- Why 14", 15" and 16" tire options are drying up
- Getting the correct overall diameter — and avoiding wheel-well rub on a tight Falcon
- Load rating: matching the tire to your car's actual weight
- Speed ratings explained (S, T, H, V) and which one fits how you drive
- Speed-rated and reproduction options — Vitour, Coker, and Kelsey Tire
- The whitewall reality check, and the truth about overseas manufacturing
- The 225/50/16 Uniroyal we're eyeing for the Falcon — will it clear?
YOUR TURN What are YOU running on your classic — BFGoodrich TAs, Coopers, something else? And do you think a 225/50/16 will clear on a '64 Falcon hardtop? Let us know in the comments.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
- Grab a crew shirt, hat, or mug from the store
autorestomod-shop.fourthwall.com
- Join us on Patreon at the $10/month level — monthly Zoom hangouts, tech Q&A, and t-shirt giveaways. It helps pay Joseph and our editor, and keeps the shop running.
patreon.com/c/gasolinemedia
It's Not Madness, It's FORD!
Sponsors:
autokrafters.com
moderndriveline.com
Contact: Jford@autorestomod.com Insta: @autorestomod patreon.com/gasolinemedia
Episode 341 Manic Mechanic
Are affordable classic car tires disappearing? After three and a half weeks hunting for a set to fit the 16-inch wheels on our '64 Falcon Futura, Jeff found out just how hard it's gotten — and what every classic and muscle car owner needs to know before buying.
Finding tires for a classic car isn't like walking into a shop for a late-model sedan — out here, you're your own tire guy. In this episode, Jeff breaks down the real problem of sourcing affordable, good-looking radials in 14-, 15-, and 16-inch sizes, and exactly what to check so you get it right the first time.
WHAT WE COVER
- Why 14", 15" and 16" tire options are drying up
- Getting the correct overall diameter — and avoiding wheel-well rub on a tight Falcon
- Load rating: matching the tire to your car's actual weight
- Speed ratings explained (S, T, H, V) and which one fits how you drive
- Speed-rated and reproduction options — Vitour, Coker, and Kelsey Tire
- The whitewall reality check, and the truth about overseas manufacturing
- The 225/50/16 Uniroyal we're eyeing for the Falcon — will it clear?
YOUR TURN What are YOU running on your classic — BFGoodrich TAs, Coopers, something else? And do you think a 225/50/16 will clear on a '64 Falcon hardtop? Let us know in the comments.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
- Grab a crew shirt, hat, or mug from the store
autorestomod-shop.fourthwall.com
- Join us on Patreon at the $10/month level — monthly Zoom hangouts, tech Q&A, and t-shirt giveaways. It helps pay Joseph and our editor, and keeps the shop running.
patreon.com/c/gasolinemedia
It's Not Madness, It's FORD!
Sponsors:
autokrafters.com
moderndriveline.com
Contact: Jford@autorestomod.com Insta: @autorestomod patreon.com/gasolinemedia
Episode 341 Manic Mechanic
