FR721s (was: where to find WW Tires with 1" 5/8's)

[John Meyer <donkiyoti@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 2/10/02 05:27, Imp67cc64@xxxxxxx at Imp67cc64@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Firestone 721s are still available from time to time.  Apparently they do a
> run of them every so often.  I just ordered a set this week from an online
> source, Tirenet.com, for just over $80 each.  I was concerned about the
> Firestone brand at first, but John at Tirenet assured me they were a very
> well built tire and the best choice for heavy cars as they have the heavier
> load rating, yet will still give a soft ride.  I have used Broadway Classics
> before when the Firestone's were not available, but do prefer the name brand
> (even if it is Firestone) to some off-brand tires.
> 
> John -- 78 NYB

Hi everybody,

I ran a set of 721s on my '65 a few years ago. I don't remember if I bought
them for the whitewall or what, but at any rate, I ended up getting rid of
them. 

I could never get the car to track correctly...it was always "hunting." I
took it to a good alignment/suspension shop (same location since 1936!)
thinking I had mechanical problems, but everything checked out. The mechanic
focused on the 721s, which he said "used to be a good tire" before Firestone
was bought by Bridgestone (or was it the other way 'round?).

His gloomy prediction was that the car would never want to go straight with
these tires, and that they would fail soon enough. Which, in fact, they did.
Two of them developed sidewall bubbles. The first I replaced with a new 721,
but when the other failed I'd had enough.

I replaced them with Michelin XH4s, and immediately noticed that the car
tracked straight and true, the handling was a little crisper, and the ride
was quieter (less tread "singing"). The only downside is that the Michelins
seem to feel expansion bumps and such a little more.

Also, the whitewall is only 5/8" which is pretty narrow. But, they look
quite good on a '65. By coincidence, Engel's famous lengthwise trim is also
5/8" as is the moulding around the windows, and that seems to tie in nicely
with the whitewalls.

Most of you seem happy with the 721s, and I wish you luck with them but my
experience was not good.

Best,
John Meyer
Tucson