Period Correct Tire Recommendations Options

[jagalyn]

I am looking for some period correct tires for my 74. Wondering if you have recommendations, experience or thoughts about which tire to buy.

There is an 'S' rated tire, a 'H' rated tire and a 'VR' rated tire. Because this car will be driven lightly and the fact that it is stored during winter months I wouldn't think the speed rating is really a factor.

Also, which tread do you like for a period correct car?

Any help would be appreciate.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Van B]

@wonkipop , you and I have talked about this before, but I’m going with 180 or 185 for my next set. The 165’s I have are too short and don’t give the right feel.
Hilariously to me, the spare in my car is the original and never used. It is Much taller and narrower at the tread. Additionally, getting the right diameter tire means my speedometer will be correct and I won’t continue to accrue phantom miles on the car.

I think I’m sold on the XAS in 180 HR 15 after your experience and seeing they use softer rubber on the outside shoulders. I was looking at the vredestien in 185 VR 15, and still think it looks like a great tire, but tall boy Michey’s are just too cool to pass up!

[wonkipop]

@wonkipop , you and I have talked about this before, but I’m going with 180 or 185 for my next set. The 165’s I have are too short and don’t give the right feel.
Hilariously to me, the spare in my car is the original and never used. It is Much taller and narrower at the tread. Additionally, getting the right diameter tire means my speedometer will be correct and I won’t continue to accrue phantom miles on the car.

I think I’m sold on the XAS in 180 HR 15 after your recommendation and seeing they use softer rubber on the outside shoulders. I was looking at the vredestien in 185 VR 15, and still think it looks like a great tire, but tall boy Michey’s are just too cool to pass up!

yeah van.
i decided to scare myself and put the skinny skinny 165s on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)
which is why i went XAS. the car when i first got it was running SP57s, but not the originals. (though the spare may have been original). i think it was a second set of dunlops on the car put on by original owner. i liked them. if i remember right they were loud though on the interstate in USA and highways here. not that it really mattered since i hardly ever drove with the top on. but i do remember they kind of "howled".

if i went wider to 185s on more recent tyre shopping i'd have relaxed a bit on choice having a wider margin for "error".

what i want to see is someone with enough nerve to run 155s (as period correct)
on an early 4 with no roll bars. kill ya-self territory? but it would be period correct.
man those things are skinny. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

PS - i think a wider vred would be fine in 185.
a lot of the guys with old jags run them and they don't pussy foot around driving them either. so they are ok.
just that it might be taking your life in your own hands at 165 wide.

PPS - when i put the tyres on it was in the midst of the first covid lockdowns here.
me and the old bloke who owns the classic tyre joint in town here had the shop to ourselves in a clandestine operation. he was in there charging up his tesla because he could not plug it in at home on his off grid farm. it was a very relaxed morning going right through his stock and talking it over. we had the car up on the hoist and he was admiring the suspension set up with roll bars etc and the new billies. asked me if it was stock. said, yep came out of the box that way except for the billsteins. and we discussed the engine. ie no power.
"so its dangerous" was his summation. i said "yes".
he said i really didn't have a choice at 165 and i would not be disappointed.