Mid Year Replacement tires

[Edward S.]

I am interested in relacing the tires on my '66 roadster. Car is a driver. Currently have Michelin, Radial XH P215/75R 15.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, decent performance tire to replace the current tires.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

I am interested in relacing the tires on my '66 roadster. Car is a driver. Currently have Michelin, Radial XH P215/75R 15.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, decent performance tire to replace the current tires.

Edward------


Finding a true performance tire (H, V, W, or Y) speed rating in a tire of 215-75-15 size is going to be virtually, if not absolutely, impossible.

As a matter of fact, finding ANY tire in that size is going to be increasingly difficult. Tire manufacturers usually drop a size and model when demand gets below a certain level. At this point in time, I'm sure that demand for that tire size is minimal.

[Edward S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, Joe. I already started looking at the 205/75R15's mentioned in another thread. However, I couldn't even find the Cooper M&S tire mentioned in that thread at Mavis or other chain dealers carrying Cooper tires.

[Joe R.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

I am interested in relacing the tires on my '66 roadster. Car is a driver. Currently have Michelin, Radial XH P215/75R 15.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, decent performance tire to replace the current tires.

Here's a thread about the tires I would get if my car was closer to being road worthy:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...p4000&uid=7230

Joe

[Edward S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks for the info. Any thoughts about the Bridgestone 215/70R15 SE200. A local shop has them in stock. They also had the Firestone 380's that I will steer clear of.
Will there be any difference between the 70 series and 75 series on the car?

[John H.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks for the info. Any thoughts about the Bridgestone 215/70R15 SE200. A local shop has them in stock. They also had the Firestone 380's that I will steer clear of.
Will there be any difference between the 70 series and 75 series on the car?

Ed -

The 70-series tire will be slightly smaller in overall diameter and slightly wider in cross-section than the 75-series tire; the tire manufacturer's website should have the dimensions for each tire size.

[Edward S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, John. I checked it our and the "70" series figures out to be approximately 1" less in diameter than the "75" series. When spread out across the entire wheel, I figured about 1/2" difference.

[Larry S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, John. I checked it our and the "70" series figures out to be approximately 1" less in diameter than the "75" series. When spread out across the entire wheel, I figured about 1/2" difference.

That much? I figured it would be only a few tenths of an inch.

[Edward S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, Larry. That's even better. In either event it is close enough for me to proceed. Any thoughts on that Bridgestone tire?

[John F.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

I just put Michelin Destiny 215X70R 15" from Discount Tire on my 62 and love the feel and look.

[Larry S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, Larry. That's even better. In either event it is close enough for me to proceed. Any thoughts on that Bridgestone tire?

No experience with Bridgestone. I come up with a difference of only .2" between a 205 and a 215 diameter. Do you want to go with something other than Michelin? Unless you've had bad experience with them, I'd stick with them.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, fit nice, look even better. 215 70's worked out real well, I doubt you are going racing or 100mph cruising for hours on end in your 66. I never heard if BFG ran the Radial TA last year, I stopped waiting for them to make a decision. 4 out the door for less than 4 bills.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks, John. I checked it our and the "70" series figures out to be approximately 1" less in diameter than the "75" series. When spread out across the entire wheel, I figured about 1/2" difference.

Edward------


The OD difference between a 205-75-15 and 215-70-15 is about 0.2" to 0.3" with the 205-75-15 being the larger.

Going with a 215-70-15 opens up a much larger "universe" of tire possibilities. However, you still won't find an "H" or higher speed rating.

[Michael G.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Thanks for the info. Any thoughts about the Bridgestone 215/70R15 SE200. A local shop has them in stock. They also had the Firestone 380's that I will steer clear of.
Will there be any difference between the 70 series and 75 series on the car?

John,

Your comment regarding Firestone FR 380 would indicate you don't feel good about them. What issue(s) have you had with the Firestone FR380 as my experiences have shown them to be reliable quality tire.

[Edward S.]

Re: Mid Year Replacement tires

Michael,
During the previous threads, I was directed to an earlier discussion on this subject.

Here is a cut and paste of one thread made by Joe Ciaravino:

There were complaints last year about tread separation on the F380's. Since you don't care about very high speeds, then you know that the Firestone has a speed rating of "S" (max rated speed is 112 MPH, which is one of the mid-lower UTQG speed ratings). The P4000 is the only tire on the market, available in that size, which is UTQG rated "Z" (150+ MPH). The Pirelli has a treadwear rating of 320 versus the 400 rating for the F380, which makes the Firestone a slightly harder tread compound, which should give you (around) 10,000 more miles per set.

Ed S

2/2/11