[Shua57]

So now that I have my rims (which are made in the USA) I want to buy some good ole' made in the USA tires. So my search began. Very interesting search but here are my results, please correct if you needed.

USA made and owned company:
Cooper (they do supply tire to companies in China, I've read)
Goodyear (USA owned company, have plants overseas)
Unocal 76 (which is the Union Oil Company of California, not much info)
Kelly Springfield (now owned by Goodyear)
General



foriegn owned companies:
Firestone (owned by Japanese Bridgestone)
Bridgestone (Japanese)
Michelin (France)
-BF Goodrich (Owned by Michelin)
-Uniroyal (Owned by Michelin)
Yokohama (Japan based)
Continental
-Dayton (owned by bridgestone?)
Dunlop (Goodyear owns most of the company, British based)
Pirelli (Italian owned/based)
Toyo (based in Japan)


I think there should be more list of USA made products we use. Now days, though, it's hard to tell who owns what but I'm trying to at least make an effort to buy USA made stuff. Who knows, it all may be collector items one of these days.

Please feel free to correct or add to list. I'm thinking of some Cooper's Zeon 2XS.
Josh

 

[Rick_L]

I think tires were among the first items to be outsourced to foreign manufacturing. Many tire manufacturing plants in the US have shut down, and a lot of that occurred 20-25 years back.

Seems like I've read that most of Goodyear's tires are now made out of the country. I've heard that at one time the only Goodyears you could truly count on to be US made were racing tires, and that's not even true anymore, though many still are.

There are more tire brands that have Japanese names that are not on your list. Nitto and Kumho to name two, and there are others that I can't recall. I'd be fairly confident they are not made in the USA. On the other hand, Nitto and Kumho are two of the brands that have a good line of performance tires for 17-20" rims.

I'm not sure you are doing yourself any favors by limiting yourself.

 

[Shua57]

That's probably true since most rubber is manufactured overseas. I left out alot of foriegn manufactures of tires. It seems really hard to track who owns which company anymore. EG. Avon tires are owned by Cooper but Cooper is owned by Goodyear. Right now my wheels have Nexen N3000's, I may just order one to replace the damaged on for now and replace all of them later.
Josh

 

[Dan57]

What sort of wheels are you putting on Josh? What about hoosier or mickey thompson or m&h:tu

 

[Shua57]

I bought a set of Boss 304 rims

I'm checking if my tire guy can get the N3000's, just for now.
Josh

 

[MightyMouse57]

I have Coopers on most of my stuff when possible.

Interesting list, thanks

 

[r66ss]

thanks for postn list, interesting lists :tu

 

[belairrudy]

I just bought Coopers for my '57 last weekend. :happy0030: :tu

 

[CJS57]

Good Points! But as said, since all rubber is grown overseas or somewhere else than here. Well, I guess we are all riding on foreign rubber?

 

[fritznbud]

I just found a set of '55 rims with Dayton 4 ply tires mounted. There is still nubs on the tread and the date of manufacture is 1972. No rot so i'm going with baby moons and beauty rings and the hope that the sidewalls dont blow out all at once on me.

 

[Shua57]

Well, I figured I would just order one new Nexen N3000 for this year and replace all of them next year with some nice Goodyear/Cooper tires. Had to order it from California. Still got it for $120 including shipping. .

The list is for "just so you know". I buy alot of throw away overseas stuff but I'm trying to buy the big items with the USA stamp (or made in Canada).
Josh

 

[jwmbishop]

Cooper makes the mastercraft line - although a "low price" line I have had good luck with em on my caddy, my 97 gmc and the wifes GTO. Been through about 8 sets of 4 in the past 10 years and not one went out of round or separated. Bought a set of goodyear eagles for the goat - two were wobbly within 12,000 miles!

 

[Shua57]

Interesting, John. All I want is a V tread so if I can find a good V tread Cooper, I'll go with those. Thanks for the heads up.
Josh

 

[jwmbishop]

Mastercraft makes one - thats what the goat is wearing now! I love em they are w rated (160mph) sticky after a quick burn, smooth riding and low noise (and they look agressive as well). I recall I paid 135 for w rateds.

 

[Shua57]

Not a bad price. I didn't find the model after a quick search on the net but I'll track them down. I might switch over to a General Exclaim UHP if I can find my size. About $108 a tire. It has a V rating but I don't think my car would do 149 anyway...lol.
Josh

 

[jwmbishop]

http://www.vulcantire.com/avenger_zhp_t.htm
Shows discontinued - you may still find some warehoused though using the info but the cooper zeon 2xs replaces it.

 

[Shua57]

Thanks John, I like the Cooper 2XS.
Josh