Cooper Cobra vs. Radial TA's

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by HwyStarJoe72, Mar 18, 2023.

  1. HwyStarJoe72

    HwyStarJoe72 Well-Known Member

    All things being equal as far as speed rating, temp. etc... how do the rubber compounds compare between the two?

    I'm not impressed with the TA's as far as grip, especially if the road is wet. I've had them on two cars now. They're about as bad as the SkidYears GM puts on their trucks. Horrible tire.

    I want to replace them and was looking at the Coopers, but I can't find any data on either tire as far as how they handle wet roads (or lots of horsepower). I already know from experience that the TA's are hard as a rock.
    I'm not looking for Nitto auto-cross grip, just tires that are less prone to break lose should I get caught in bad weather or add more horsepower.

    Any suggestions for better tires that aren't $200 a piece? I like white letters to show, but that's not a deal breaker.

    .
     
  2. timesublime

    timesublime Well-Known Member

    I like the road manners of my Coopers better than the BFGs they replaced. The white letters haven't turned brown either.
     
  3. HwyStarJoe72

    HwyStarJoe72 Well-Known Member

    If I go by what Tire Rack says in their descriptions of them both, it looks like they cut & pasted the same wording. o_O
    But they do show Cobra's have better ratings for both dry and wet than the T\A's.
     
  4. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I've had both and have been using the Coopers for years on many of my cars. They seem to ride and handle much better than the Radial TA's. The steel belts seem less likely to separate or flat-spot, too.
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I've had the Cooper Cobras on my car for many years. They are much better tires in every way compared to the BFG's they replaced. I agree with what has been posted about them by others.
     
  6. HwyStarJoe72

    HwyStarJoe72 Well-Known Member

    I'm Sold...
    Plus I can't beat the military discount that Discount Tire Direct offers, and I want new ones before Power Tour.

    Thanks all.
     
    Waterboy and FLGS400 like this.
  7. timesublime

    timesublime Well-Known Member

    I bought mine at Sam's club.
     
    1968_GS400, HwyStarJoe72 and FLGS400 like this.
  8. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Same here
     
    HwyStarJoe72 likes this.
  9. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    OWL Bfg's or Goodyear's are a more fitting name/look on an American Muscle car IMHO.
    You could show these off but it's just not right...
    Hankook, Yokohama, Chen-sheng, etc. Nothing is going to grip like Goodyear gum-dipped blue streaks! :D
     
  10. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Take a look at the Mickey Thompsons. They are made by Cooper. I ran them on my 1968 GS400.
     
    Waterboy, 2.5 and HwyStarJoe72 like this.
  11. 2.5

    2.5 Platinum Level Contributor

    I have been thinking about the Mickeys for my next purchase.
     
    HwyStarJoe72 likes this.
  12. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Firestone Firehawks are a good option as well. Mine are getting to be pretty old with no signs of dry rot.
     
  13. 71stagegs

    71stagegs bpg member #1417

    Attached Files:

    Waterboy and Mike B in SC like this.
  14. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    I've been racing the Coopers in the FAST and Pure Stock Series for maybe 10 years now - I'm able to pull 60fts as well as any bias ply tire (A best of 1.72), ride and handle great and have never had any defects or failures. I honestly am not wild about the lettering size and font but the price is absolutely right and at the rate I burn through them, needs to be! I drive back and forth to the track, and I've been caught in zero visibility downpours and the wet traction was excellent (but I was taking it pretty easy). IMG_7443.JPG
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2023
  15. Buickcub

    Buickcub Well-Known Member

    Do they still make the firestones?
     
  16. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    I agree. I wouldn't put Hankook or Yokohama on any of my cars, no matter how good they are, but unfortunately Goodyear's are probably made in the same country.
     
  17. BadBrad

    BadBrad Got 4-speed?

    Wally World sells Cooper Cobras.
    upload_2023-3-23_10-34-37.png
     
    HwyStarJoe72 and FLGS400 like this.
  18. BadBrad

    BadBrad Got 4-speed?

    And holy cow:
    upload_2023-3-23_10-38-45.png
     
    HwyStarJoe72 likes this.
  19. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    My company car is a Chrysler 300S, with the 20" wheels. I'd been running Coopers on it too, until last year when it was due for tires again. Their low profile tires, so it wasn't the Cobra radials. Couldn't find anyone local to me that could get them in a timely manor, so I bought the BF Goodrich replacements from Sam's Club. They are awful compared to the Coopers.
     
    HwyStarJoe72 likes this.

Share This Page