A Body shocks and tires replacement

[dkinzl1]

Need new shocks and tires for my 1973 GA with 53k miles (2nd owner), original Cameo white/oxblood, honeycomb rims, stock 455.
Looking for shocks with original ride or slightly stiffer.
Everything I find on original tires seems to show thin whitewalls. Not happening. Has white outline Firestone S/S Radials on it now which don't look bad. What brands of raised white letter tires do you all favor for this ride? BF Goodrich Radial T/As? Goodyears? Firestones? Uniroyals? The car is all original so I'm leaning towards USA brands that fit in with the time period.

[tlc1976]

Hi, this forum is for the front wheel drive A and X body.

That being said, there might be a few folks in here who are familiar with the classics like yours. But I think you would find better resources in another forum.

I always did like those honeycomb wheels!

[86euro]

Check out G3GM.com

I have a '73 Malibu wagon and I got KYB shocks for the front and Monroe air shocks for the rear. It rides fantastic. I can't say how it compares to original, because the previous shocks were seized from the car sitting for 25 years.

BFG Radial TA's are a great tire, but spendy these days. My current choice is Mastercraft Avenger GT, they ride and handle like the BFG's.

[86euro]

I'll try a picture...

[Drop Top Olds]

Dang Andy! How many cars do you have? LOL

[86euro]

Dang Andy! How many cars do you have? LOL

Lol, I'd hate to count them all. I'm probably hovering around 20.

[Drop Top Olds]

Well, if the OP is still checking here. I would say, I am running Micky Thompsons. For the best shock I would recommend Bilstein. They are the best I have experienced.

Andy- I am up to six now. Its getting out of hand. 1959 Chevrolet Apache, 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible, 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, 2005 Chevrolet 2500 HD. 2013 Audi A6, 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Whew! Andy you have some interesting vehicles. That wagon is the bomb.

[86euro]

Well, if the OP is still checking here. I would say, I am running Micky Thompsons. For the best shock I would recommend Bilstein. They are the best I have experienced.

Andy- I am up to six now. Its getting out of hand. 1959 Chevrolet Apache, 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible, 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, 2005 Chevrolet 2500 HD. 2013 Audi A6, 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Whew! Andy you have some interesting vehicles. That wagon is the bomb.

If I only had 6, I probably wouldn't know what to do with myself. I've had handfuls of Celebritys, 3rd gen Camaros and squarebody Chevy trucks/Suburbans for years. And my original favorites, the '69 and '70 Impalas. But in recent years, I've ventured off into new territory with the '73 SS wagon, a 454SS pickup, a 2nd gen Camaro, a GMT800 Suburban and a 2013 3500 Savana.

[dkinzl1]

I'm still here. Bilstein B6 are $366 for the set. Koni Reds would be $447, but red shocks might look good under the white car with red interior. Are Koni as good as their price suggests?

[dkinzl1]

BTW, I used 1973 Firebird for my shock search, the sights I was on did not have 1973 Grand Am.

[chrisbnvds4]

I found this article, maybe it can help you with your tire inquiry:

https://www.tiredeets.com/best-stree...r-drag-racing/

You may visit 4WheelOnline if you're still searching for street tires.

[Drop Top Olds]

I personally like the Bilstein shocks more than the Koni. For a 73 Grand Am (which is the best Grand Am IMO) you can always use the equivalent Chevrolet. I am running Mickey Thompsons 245-60-15 on my Cutlass and I like them more than BFG T/As.

[dkinzl1]

Thanks everyone. I'm going with Bilstein. Though those red Koni reds would have looked really good under there, that's not what I'm buying them for.

Holding off on tires for now. The ones on the care have good tread and do not show rot of any kind, they are just old. I bought the car from the original owner in 2006 with 49k on it. I've only put on about 5k since. Might go with the Mickey Thompsons when I decide to get some.

I agree with Drop Top Olds that 1973 was the best GA year. No offense to 74/75 owners, I've seen some nice versions of those, I just like the horizontal tail lights, larger front grill ports and more pronounced beak.