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Tires

L lew
Would like to know what various peoples thoughts are on tire for speedster. The stock Kelly 165/65/15's have to go, there just unsafe. I would like to go to a 185 as that should still fit in the rear. Picking up from previous threads I like the reviews of the Bridgestone RE950 that is available in a 185/65/15. Was looking at what was available in a 185/60/15 but did not like the choices. Looking further at what was available in a 185/55/15 the Yokohama A-043 at $90 looks like a good choice. It is a ultra high performance summer tire which is the only weather I intend driving in, it seems like a good possibility. The reviews where very positive. Was wondering what the low aspect ratio would look like and if anyone had expirence these tires. Other thoughts welcome.

Lew

1957 Vintage Speedsters(Speedster)

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L lew
Would like to know what various peoples thoughts are on tire for speedster. The stock Kelly 165/65/15's have to go, there just unsafe. I would like to go to a 185 as that should still fit in the rear. Picking up from previous threads I like the reviews of the Bridgestone RE950 that is available in a 185/65/15. Was looking at what was available in a 185/60/15 but did not like the choices. Looking further at what was available in a 185/55/15 the Yokohama A-043 at $90 looks like a good choice. It is a ultra high performance summer tire which is the only weather I intend driving in, it seems like a good possibility. The reviews where very positive. Was wondering what the low aspect ratio would look like and if anyone had expirence these tires. Other thoughts welcome.

Lew
HossHoss
I agree that the Kelly Springfield are not that great. I had the feeling that they were probably good wearing tires and that's about it. I am currently running 185 65 HR 15 B.F. Goodrich Traction T/A's and I think they work very well with my current ride. They compare favorably with the Potenzas, at least according to the ratings on tirerack.com and are less expensive.
John H
bim55_01747bim55_01747
Disposed of 165 Dunlops for the 185/65 Yoko-hama-mama's last year.

Thought it was a good tire for the money. Like the look, fit and grip. In hind sight, I could have gone wider, not much change in fender clearance using the same rims? It's more tire and tread, but no noticable differance on the rim?

Modern Japanese tires on my fake 45 year old Porsche, I hope that does not offend the purist.

Boston Bob E.

L lew
Additional information on my tire selection. When I do the tire diameter calculations the 165/65/15 is 23.4". The 185/65/15 are 24.4" a full 1" larger. Th 185/55/15's are 23.0" which are .4" smaller. Since my goal is for maximum stick I think I'm going with the Yoko A-043. The yoko A-043's are considerered very sticky and wear reasonably for this type of tire.

Lew
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
Lewis:

I think you're making a good choice. They should fit OK within your wheel wells, should stick really well and the difference in diameter will probably not be noticeable at the speedometer, either.

If you're curious about speedometer error (at any speed, really) then borrow someone's portable GPS, either for a car, or a hand-held for a boat, set it to MPH (rather than knot's) and take it out in your car and see what it says versus the dial on your speedo. Then just make a mental note of how much (if any) your speedo is off and where. I was surprised to find mine was pretty close at higher speeds, but off a bit more below 45 mph (!?!?!)

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Rhode Island
FM Former Member
If you are into generating maximum lateral g-forces, buy the sofest and stickest tires you can afford. With the vehicle weight they are supporting, they will still last a very long time (the front may last forever). Here in the southwest, a bigger concern than tire wear on a car like this is ozone damage. That causes the sidewalls to crack before the tread life is anywhere near used up. Good excuse to drive more and use'm up from the tread side. Keep them clean and keep them covered up.
HossHoss
I purchased a tire from Tire Rack recently and by the time I had it mounted and balanced, it only turned out to be a few bucks cheaper than the local tire places for the same tire. Also, the tire store I will probably use when I replace the tires on the van has a neat plan. When you buy a set of tires, they include mounting, dynamic balancing and will rotate and balance free for the life of the tire. Hard to beat that.
Hoss
ps. they will optionally inflate with nitrogen instead of air if you ask. Not sure if that is an extra cost option....probably is.
WOLFGANGWOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member
"Y'all" gotta remember that TC pronounces Boston as "Baaastun" and car as "kah" like in "pahk the kah". I would like some of that New England "Clam Chowda" and broiled "Lobsta" though.

I've always liked COSTCO for tires - $10 to mount/replace valve stems/balance/hazzard warranty plus lifetime balancing and rotation plus they use nitrogen vice plain old air. They do however add on a $1 per tire disposal fee. They can also order tires they don't stock.
FM Former Member
How can you not LOVE Dunlops, used or other wise, after seeing the movie LeMans? The Dunlop Bridge, man . . . as cool as McQueen himself.

I just sort of wanted to say, "Oh ya, I'm running Dunlops . . . "

It's got such a cool factory WAY beyond Kumho or Toyos or Yokos or the rest of the newer tires out there.

It's like smokin' a Lucky.

If you don't get it, you never will . . .

FM Former Member
Excellent qualifier. Trumped with the McQueen reference -- especially in light of the paint scheme I'm going with -- and the Kumhos I bought for the hoopty.
But hey, at least I have the Center Lines going for me, huh?
I'll take any used Dunlops you wanna send my way, and I'll eat them with an order of crow and Humble Pie.
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