Re-tiring my '74, 165/80 15 Options

[flipb]

Far from retiring it, I'm getting to drive my '74 2.0 a lot more lately. Engine is freshly built 2056; Evil-rebuilt trans.

The car came to me with Kumho 165/80 R15 tires -- OEM size, if I'm not mistaken. They're fine and have at least half their tread left, but I noticed a date code of 3003 -- I believe that translates to a date of manufacture of the 30th week of 2003. Primarily out of fear for what a catastrophic blowout could do to the car, I'm thinking it's time to replace them.

I'm leaning heavily toward keeping the OEM size. I love the go-kart feeling and I can pretty easily control the rear end with the torque of the 2056 and those skinny tires. It's strictly a fun road car... no racing ambition. And it's not a CW car, but I like showing the OEM tire size for Cars & Coffee.

I've come across 4 tires available in 165/80 R15. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with these or has a compelling reason for me to consider something else (e.g. fatter tires).

• "Classic" All-Season from Tire Rack (made in China, $68/ea)
• Vredenstein Sprint Classic ($104.50/ea)
• Vredenstein T-trac Summer Tire ($129.80/ea)
• Michelin XAS (expnsive)

So... anyone with experience/opinions?

[flipb]

Still considering the OEM size, and found another option. These are $80/ea from Summit Racing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXu2bvRXLw


I'll occasionally drive in the wet, but I have no intent to drive in real winter weather. I'd have no problem going to 195's if there were no alternatives, but there seem to be some pretty good options in the OEM size now that there are vintage tire manufacturers. Still curious to hear from anyone running any of these modern 165's.

[dlkawashima]

Still considering the OEM size, and found another option. These are $80/ea from Summit Racing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXu2bvRXLw


I'll occasionally drive in the wet, but I have no intent to drive in real winter weather. I'd have no problem going to 195's if there were no alternatives, but there seem to be some pretty good options in the OEM size now that there are vintage tire manufacturers. Still curious to hear from anyone running any of these modern 165's.

I don't think I'd go with the Firestone F-560. That's a P rated tire, 93 MPH. If you want to match the original tire size & rating for your 2-liter, go with the Vredestein Sprint Classics. There are also a few others that are T rated, but they might not be sold in the U.S.

Toyo 330
Continental Contact CT22

You also might want to consider a slightly taller and skinnier tire than the 195/65R15. The Vredestein Sprint Classics come in a 185/70R15, which should be just about the same circumference as the 165R15. Just a thought ...