What were the rim and tire sizes for a late 1957 speedster? I'm pretty sure it used a 15" rim, but have no idea about the rest.
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4.5 x 15 slotted for the 1957.
Very early cars has 3 x 16 non-slotted. Slotted appeared in 1951 and they were 3.25 wide.
Tires were 165-15. Various brands. (Michelin, Dunlop, Phoenix, Continental)
Got the info from Dr. B. Johnson's book.
Jeff
They weren't marked with profile but they were 165/80x15. So a tall 80 series tire that is difficult ($$$) to come by today despite being a very popular size in early '70s. VW, Porsche, Volvo, MG, AH, SAAB all used that size back then. You can still get Michelin and Vredestein in that size from Coker tire and other - maybe Pirelli too?
Discount tire has 2 brands plus $$$$ Coker Tires. ($202 EACH!)
Veento G-2 for $53 and Kumho Power Star 758 for $69.
Just ordered 4 of the G-2 for my new fastback. $355 out the door.
Jeff, let us know how they perform and ride say on windy roads.
No problem. I'll let you know.
Thanks Jeff. I saw American Tires offer Veentor in the 185/65X65, but that maybe a wide tire for standard wheel well on a VS. Nice if they would have 175's
I went with Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position 185/65x15 RE92 $90 ea S rated. They are about 1/2" shorter than the 165's --- so they lower the car. Speedo is slightly affect (Use Miata tire calculator to show different). Continental ProContact TXs are also available in that size for reasonable price $80 ea performance H rated.
I've found that Summit Racing sells the Coker Michelin 165's cheaper than Coker sells them, and ships free on some orders https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-57982
WOLFGANG posted:I went with Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position 185/65x15 RE92 $90 ea S rated. They are about 1/2" shorter than the 165's --- so they lower the car. Speedo is slightly affect (Use Miata tire calculator to show different). Continental ProContact TXs are also available in that size for reasonable price $80 ea performance H rated.
You might be the only speedster owner that needs new tires, and without ever driving on the originals.
Yup - wore out the 1990 Michelin XZX side walls from car sitting in the garage. Still had the little nubbies! Had bought them at Montgomery Wards - also long gone. I was afraid to tow it 980 miles (N. VA to NW FL) on them so purchased new Bridgestones in 2014. Also wore out chrome Mangels, a set of 914 Pedrinis -- now sporting Porsche 2L Fuchs but looking to go to 5 bolt replica polished Fuchs.
Wolfgang isn't the only one. Since my build took 30 years I sold my Michelin XAS with zero miles because of their age.
My Fiberfab had a set of XZX'z on them.
vredestein makes some nice tires for vintage cars...only one to make a tire for a 65 Tiger 205/60/13,,thats an oddball for sure..
I just did some serious driving in the mountains on some Vredestein Sprint Classics (165/80-15) and they performed better than I expected for such a narrow tire. Quite satisfied.
heck, Vredesteins (165/80-15) are Teby approved, that says it all!
Al - I just got tired of looking at the chrome Mangels plus they rusted parked in the garage (in central VA - not FL coast). Bought Pedrini's off ebay - few years later found 914 2L Fuchs on CL which being forged are lighter and stronger.
Pete posted:I've found that Summit Racing sells the Coker Michelin 165's cheaper than Coker sells them, and ships free on some orders https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-57982
Pete- you must have a ton of cash to spend on those tires. The link shows the site price of $129; ouch
Coker wants $126 for XZX, $188 for XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic | 165HR15 for $119. Firestone F560 run $80.
Yeah, if you want that authentic, skinny tire look, it's probably going to cost about $125 per, for decent shoes.
Some guys also opt for that size because it raises overall gearing a bit, dropping your rpm's a few hundred at cruising speeds on the highway.
But you can find decent tires for around $80-85 in a 185/65.
I thought I wanted a little more fender clearance than the 185's provide, so chose a slightly smaller 175/65 - something of an oddball size. But a solid tire in that size is the ContiProContact - currently $83.50 at Tire Rack.
There is also Lucas Tires. They stock some GREAT looking tires for all makes and models. They have always provided better prices and shipping than Corker.
http://www.lucasclassictires.com/Vredestein_c41.htm
$80 at Tire Rack for "Classic" 165/80s. The Vreds are $123.
Nankangs (which I have run; they're fine): $67.
Kumho Power Stars are like $52. Currently out of stock here but I think still findable.
There are still plenty of 165/80s out there for ye. The Vreds are seen to be best and cost it, but still aren't too spensive.
FYI guys, the 185/65/15 is recommended to have a minimum 5.0" rim width.
That being said, I've run that size on the front of my Spyder on 4.5" rims for ten years.
JPS does rear IRS on slab-side cars by running 4-1/2" wheels and 185/65 tires. My 2002 came with this set-up. The tires were pretty wide for the rim, but I imagine that things vary brand to brand.
Just got the G-2 installed. They don't look half bad. Once I get the car back on the road I'll give everyone a review.