Michelin Pilot Sport AS 3's 175/65 15 for Sale

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong- I'm of the understanding that the Vredestein Sprint classic is an older tire with no modern features. I realize this is an assumption, but I don't see any real info on the Coker website. Why, if the car isn't a points correct restoration, would you even consider these on a car that's going to be driven when there are far better tires available (better tread patterns, compounds and even advances in construction) for far less money? The only advantage I see here is the tread compound is probably fairly hard so they'll last forever, but you'll never put enough mileage on your car to make that work for you and in the meantime you're stuck with a hard, skinny tire. The car would be so much more fun with a modern tire that has more grip. I see these as the dinosaurs of the tire world, and I just don't get people's interest in them; can someone please explain it to me?

There are a few reasons that someone would choose the Sprint Classics.  I believe that they use modern construction and compounds, but the classic sizes and tread patterns.  They offer the following over more modern tires:

1. Correct ride height for both appearance and speedometer calibration.
2. Ride characteristics more closely recreating the original, including a likely smoother ride.
3. Handling characteristics more closely emulating the original.  Given the antiquity of the suspension design, modern, grippy tires might have some unpleasant characteristics.  Some people enjoy an easily controlled, gradual slide over a sticky tire that breaks loose unexpectedly.  The widest, stickiest tire is not always the best.  Narrower tires supposedly offer better steering feel, although I haven't done a comparison to verify this.  Much of this is just what I've read as I am certainly not an expert driver or tire tester.

All that said, I am leaning toward the Michelins at the moment.

Pretty simple for me. The car came with them on it, I don't know squat about tires, I haven't pushed the car hard enough to notice a problem, I think they look correct and I'm cheap.

 

Now you guys have me questioning them and it'll make me a little nuts for awhile until some other thread catches my attention and that causes me to obsess about that topic.

 

And so it goes......

No need to obsess, Bob.  Everyone that has the Vredesteins seems to like them.

Personality trait, Lane. However, I am easily distracted so this won't last long. I've got so much going on as a result of relocating the family to Florida that nothing is really occupying much of my thinking these days. Stepping away to mentally mess around in our shared hobby is actually a good thing for me.

^ That, right there, is how I ended up dry-sumping, twin-plugging, etc. It's a diversion to occupy my mind with something other than the tasks at hand. It's therapeutic.

Lane---I learned about the Vredesteins from you and I'm glad I did, but $85 for the Michelins are a great bargain.

 

I don't feel the Vreds are in any way out dated.  They claim a sophisticated tread compound that provides shorter braking distance plus a specially designed innerliner for minimum air loss.  This doesn't sound like an outdated tire to me.

 

Plus they took a balance beautifully because they are round--unlike some other brands I have used on passenger cars.  Goodyear for one.  

 

But I don't see how you can go wrong with Michelins at $85!               

Just picked up my speedster with the "new" tires. They are a great upgrade and now are making me really think about suspension tweaks I will get some better pictures up tomorrow.

 

They did replace 4 wheel bearings in the process, I have been hearing some grinding and knew they were going soon.

 

So... does anyone want to buy a set of Kumho tires with under 5k mile on them.

 

I just ordered Vredestein T-Trac 2's in 165r15.  I'll post impressions in a week or two when they are installed.  $89+$20 shipping from Big O.  Apparently they can order all Vred's in every store.  Mine are shipping from New Jersey.

Joe, they look great.  I know you will be able to rip around corners more gacefully now.  

Joe

Nice tires... and wheels.  Love wide 5's.  They just look so right on a 50's Porsche replica.

Looking good, Joe. I'm thinking they're perfect for a mild outlaw with 5-1/2s.

Well done, sir.

Man - that looks spot on. Nice looking wheels.

 

I kind of go back and forth on my chromies. Some days I love them. Other days I think I want silver painted wheels.

 

Well done.

Thanks for all the compliments fellas, I am constantly reminded why I love this car. Now any suggestions on handling, need to look at shocks next.