If so any rubbing? I read in a really old thread that the IRS cars are limited to 4 1/2" rims and space in back is tighter that with swingarm cars. I'd like to go with this size but will stick to 165H15s if there are likely issues. It looks fairly tight with 165s on there now. Mine is a Vintage Speedster on a 1970 pan built in 2007.
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Yeah, I ran that setup for quite a while before I switched to 5-1/2" rims. No rubbing, about 1/4" clearance on the left rear.
Putting a 185 width tire on a 4-1/2" rim is pushing it, however, as the recommended minimum width is 5". Just a little bit of sidewall flex while cornering is to be expected.
Thanks Terry. I wish I could find a decent 175x70x15 or so but they have gotten so rare. They were the common size on 13" rims in 1980 or so for Japanese cars. I'll never track it so I'm thinking the Vredestein Classics in 165h15 may be the best way to go. Sad as better performing 185x65x15s are quite a bit cheaper but I don't want any issues with fit.
I am just assuming I have 4 1/2s, I guess I should confirm first.
I'm surprised that you have IRS on a Vintage.
If you're not running discs in the rear you could have 5-1/2" rims. Almost every Vintage I've seen does.
12 years ago, 185s on 4.5" with IRS and rear discs was the JPS hot set-up. It worked... sort of.
IRS, Rear Drums, wheel is marked "Mangle D - 4,5J15". Spaces between the 4 comma and 5 are odd. I took a few pics but none hit the mark, ugh stupid flip phone. Coker has the Vredestein Sprint in 175x70x15, for an extra $34 of course...
Longtime,
I have an almost brand new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 175/65 R15's. These are superb tires that I put only 2,000 miles on. They are a funky size & are used on High Performance cars in Europe like Fiat Abarth and Mini's. The 175 65 is the only 15inch it comes in. I went to a 185/65 because I wanted taller tire to better suit my cars combo. They are made out of a new silicone and are outstanding comfort and performance. I like them so much I bought a set of 18's for the wife's Tiguan.
Here is the Tire Rack info:
The Pilot Sport A/S 3 includes an H- and V-speed rated High Performance All-Season tire member of Michelin’s Pilot family of low profile, high-speed tires developed for the drivers of high-end sports cars, sporty coupes and sedans looking for total performance regardless of the season. The Pilot Sport A/S 3 tire is designed to provide Michelin's highest level of all-season performance, emphasizing dry road handling and wet road grip while retaining all-season traction for occasional light snow.
Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires feature Michelin’s Helio compound made with sunflower oil combined with their Extreme Silica Technology to increase traction at low temperatures and on wet roads. Molded into an aggressive asymmetric tread pattern inspired by the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, its 4-, 5- or 6-rib designs* are tuned to complement tire width and feature more rubber and rigid blocks on their outboard shoulders to provide high levels of lateral grip that offer as much dry cornering capability as some competitive summer performance tires. Wide circumferential grooves help resist hydroplaning, enhance wet traction and help generate some of the shortest wet braking distances in the High Performance All-Season category.
Variable Contact Patch 2.0 technology derived from Michelin’s experience in endurance racing, focuses on evenly spreading contact patch pressures and temperatures. The tire’s internal structure includes two high-tensile, lightweight steel cord belts reinforced with spirally wrapped polyamide cord to combine predictable handling and high-speed durability with treadwear and ride comfort.
Would like to get 45 a piece plus shipping. They are $85.00 new plus 49.00 to ship at TR. Need to figure out how to ship a decent price.
Marty, thanks for the offer. I love the gearing that I have right now a lot, and am leaning towards keeping the size as-is for weight, speedo issues etc.. I wish I had another toy that those would fit as I'm sure they would be sticky like glue. If I don't find a tire I like in my preferred size I'll get back to you. It looks like an amazing price.
Marty (and everyone)
Shipping costs is always a factor I consider (often the determining factor) in shipping big, awkward, non fragile, and heavy (up to 90lbs) items... Grayhound shines when it comes shipping expense.
The fly in the ointment is it's a terminal to terminal cross country transit. Fortunately the nearest Grayhound Terminal to me is a 40 minute hike down the road in the S-10
Marty, I shipped some tires to Cory a while back. If memory serves it was between 30-40 bucks for a pair. I strapped them together with three super heavy duty tie-raps and then wrapped the whole thing in plastic food wrap, leaving the hole open. It looked kind of like they do when they come from the Tire Rack.
I'm lucky, if anyone ships me Greyhound there is a terminal 15 minutes away!
I used UPS for the tires as I recall, Cory may remember better.
I was curious. You can also use Amtrak.
http://www.amtrak.com/express-shipping
I found this handy comparison chart
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20030813b1.asp
On another site I read that the rates are about the same as the bus. Probably faster by train, but more limited on packaging. Train requires sealed box.
If you have a relative or friend that ships regularly and high volume, UPS and others givethem a significant discount on shipping - 40% or so. They can even provide prepaid shipping labels electronically.
ups also has a better rate for business to business shipping.
Anyone ever buy from tires-easy.com? Their price for the Vredesteins is too good to be true. T-Trac's are $160 on Coker and $79 on tires-easy.com.
Figure out the shipping costs first.
Vreds are for old lady's and PCA concourse events. I'm just saying
Vreds are for old lady's and PCA concourse events. I'm just saying
Touche, Marty! There's so much better technology you could be spending your money on.
Thank you for your opinion about Vredesteins, Marty.
I happen to be satisfied with mine, but I'm neither an old lady nor do I participate in PCA events.
Not sure where that puts me in your personal classification system, but I'll try not to obsess about that too much.
Common Bob that was funny! Now I know why Vince does not come around much. It was a JOKE!!!!
I think Bob got it, Marty...he's a smart a*# you know.
Don't burn any bridges with Bob, he lives in Florida now!
Don't burn any bridges with Bob, he lives in Florida now!
Then I can really rip into him because he is far away 
These are very close to your 170/70 R15's. 155 80 R15's 24.8 in Diameter. Run the whites in. They are skinny but they put down 5" of tread.
| Size Service Description Load Range | UTQG | Max Load | Max. Inflation Press. | Tread Depth | Tire Weight | Rim Width Range | Meas. Rim Width | Sect. Width | Tread Width | Overall Diam. | Revs Per Mile | Country of Origin* |
| P155/80R15 83S SL | 400 A B | 1069 lbs. | 35 psi | 12/32" | 18 lbs. | 4.5-5.5" | 4.5" | 6.2" | 5" | 24.8" | 840 | MX , US |
Common Bob here..... I'll be in the Chicago area in a week on business. I have your address Alphabet Boy...
How do you like your eggs? Better yet, come late and we can crank up the outside pizza oven.
Marty, we northerners need a Florida place to go to in January/February...don't disturb the guy!
