I was told that my Michelins are old as of the date of manufacturing. They look fine to me. No cracks, plus all the tread looks good. I think I want to change out to a lower profile but do not want to ever worry that I scrape the original paint on this baby. I see 195/60/15 Falken ZE-912. Looks good on tread design. I would like some ideas for my buddies here. I need 5 tires with the spare to fit. 5 of these Falken are $310. Delivered to me from FL.

Ideas would help me a lot. Thanks so much for your ideas on size and fit.

Best regards,

Bob Burton

I had 205-50's on my 72. They were Cooper Cobra's and came with such an impeccable warranty that when I broke it driving too fast, they replaced it under warranty.
Then the other one they replaced because it got a hole in the sidewall. again, under warranty. I wish I had pics, but they are looong gone. =o(

Any one running 205 50s 15s what is the option. The ride? I used to run 195/60 P6 Pirelli’s 25 years ago on Gas burners 5 lugs on my 73 and they where great. I just do not know the new tires.

Bob

I currently have 205/50s on my '73. I've had 195/60s also, AND 205/50 in back with 195/60 in front.

I have almost finished off these Kumhos, and although they are OK, I believe I'll try another brand. I've had Pirelli and Michelin and Dunlop and Kumho. It is getting hard to find 15 inch tires, and that may be the limiting factor.

My opinion is that 50 series tires are just too short, and leave too much open space in the wheel well- but they do have better cornering behavior.

If I can find a good brand that still has tread blocks, not directional treads, I prefer that look for our cars.

I'm pretty sure my next set will be two different sizes again.



edit: I also got a 165 SR 15 (basically a bug tire) to use as my spare. Wider spare tires consume a fair amount of trunk depth.

I have both 205-50 Toyo RA-1 for Track and AX duties and on another set of rims some 165-15s.

185-70, 195-60 or 195-65 are a nice compromise tire for comfort and ride height and should fit nicely. I find the 205-50s are a little small for highway cruises and clearing tall speed bumps

You don't mention your "use" style. The biggest concern would be to get some new tires to prevent the "unseen" damage to your old tires from damaging the car or causing an accident.

If you are looking for stock tires 165R15 or 185 70 15 new German tires are available from Vredestein. Around $115 each though.

Here are the vredestein tires, I'll probably wind up getting a set soon.

i got sumitomo's from tire rack at something like 65/tire (about 4 yrs ago) 205/50's

Differant tire size will change lots of things you will need to consider ...Speedometer ..gear ratio.....handleing .....and the odometer.....it sounds like you have a very stock car and may want to keep it that way ..good luck

Run your existing tires for awhile. Manuf Dates are not the installed dates. I have bought tires that were new to me, but the Manuf Dates were belated. Just check the condition of your skins and replace when they start to look bad.

T.C.

I like to hang fast right and left turns and go up to mountains for some brisk driving. There are speed bumps near my home that I can slow down for so I do not want it too low. My car squeals in a fast turn now and it feels like the walls of the tires are bending. Clay just put new Brillstein front and rear and new bushings in the sways bars for the PO. My car is original but as far as tires, going more modern should give better handling.

Bob

FALKEN ZE-912 205/60-15 Ebay $53. plus $15. UPS ground I can use 5 tires. It looks nice. What do you guys think?Click to view attachment

They have 10 of them.

Bob

185/65R15 88H 49.00

http://www.vulcantire.com/ze912hp_t.htm

185/65R15 88H 28921542 5.5 5 - 6.5 24.5 7.3 865 6.1 10/32 18.4 51 1235
185/60R15 84H 28921516 5.5 5 - 6.5 23.9 7.2 883 6.1 10/32 17.5 51 1102
195/65R15 91H 28921543 6.0 5.5 - 7 25.0 8.0 848 6.4 10/32 20.5 51 1356
195/60R15 88H 28921551 6.0 5.5 - 7 24.3 7.9 871 6.4 10/32 20.0 51 1235
205/65R15 94H 28921544 6.0 5.5 - 7.5 25.4 8.3 834 6.7 10/32 22.1 51 1477
205/65R15 94V 28922544 6.0 5.5 - 7.5 25.4 8.3 834 6.7 10/32 22.2 51 1477
205/60R15 91H 28921552 6.0 5.5 - 7.5 24.7 8.1 856 6.7 10/32 20.2 51 1356

Bob,

Take a look at the BFGoodrich g-force Sport's. I have a 76 with 2.0 Fuchs like you. I went with 205/60-15's. They look really good and have that "meaty" appearance under the stock fenders.

No problems rubbing and they ride very good. I also participated in my first AutoX at the Rocket City Ramble and had the best time for a 914-4, so they are obviously decent for that too...

I paid ~$75 each at Discount tire.

The BFG G-Force Sports are a lot of tire for the money. I think mine were cheaper @ Tire Rack.com

T.C.

Falken ZE-912 205/ 60/ 15 - I got 5 on the way. I like the look. $65 with UPS is low money. Thanks for the information.

Bob