True enough, but bias-belted tires were only a moderate improvement over
previous designs, while the steel belted radial was the very best technology
for handling, longevitiy, and fuel efficiency.
Triple banded whitewalls on Imperials began in 1966 and were under the 9.15 X
15 designation (usually Goodyear). This lasted through 1968. 1969 Imperials
featured a double band, with the inner one thick and the outer one thin
(usually Firestone). I believe that the size on 1969 Imperials was still the
9.15 X 15 designation. I'm not sure what year the L78 X 15 began on Chrysler
cars. The first tires that I bought under that numbering system were in 1973.
Michelen Steel Belted Radials were a dealer installed option on Imperials sold
in the Seattle area beginning in 1969, at BC Hawk Chrysler/Plymouth in
Bellevue, Washington.
Paul
In a message dated 4/2/2004 3:35:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,
cbody67tx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> I believe the "letter" designation tires were more toward the 1969 time
>frame, about the time that bias-belted tires were introduced. I have read of
>the repro L78-15s with either double or triple band whitewalls, but I don't
>know if it was Coker that was doing them or if it was somebody else. Many of
>the Cadillac and Buick people were excited about them, from what I've seen,
>plus the Imperials used the triple band whitewalls in several years (as I
>recall).
>
> The L78-15 might not be the correct size for a 1955 Imperial, but it might be
>the closest outside diameter size to the older size that was OEM spec on that
>vehicle. Adding the
> bias-belted construction into the mix would probably be good too.
>
> Just some thoughts,
> W Bell
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