The danger of old tyres

[yellow lab]

Thank you for this information. I check tyre treads and pressures diligently but had no idea about age related problems. I confess that I can't find the year indicator on my mini's tyres but having checked my paperwork I do think my rear tyres are the original and hence 9+ yrs old. I'll get them changed ASAP.

[RW774]

AndrewW-G said:

RW774 said:

Andrew, that is exactly what I need if it is a period article

Paul, my collection of Bugantics / owners club newsletters goes back to around 62/63 so the article will be from then, until the late 60's, if its any use I'll bump them up the list to be scanned into our EDRMS solution.

.
Andrew you are a top man, please use my email if you would prefer rather than have this thread hi jacked.I know Mikes garage(TT) used the first Pirelli cinturato, as agents for Lancia they appeared for the first time on the Aurellia as standard in 55/57.Getting info on Dunlops` first venture into Radial tyres has been a nightmare for me going back some 20 years. It`s really sketchy, as I think the tyre was withdrawn in the late 50s early 60s for further development(like the cinturato it had instant breakaway characteristics in the wet).Laterly it was only available for commercials after 62 apparently, but I stand to be corrected. I thought Mike only sold two Ferraris in the 58 motorshow, before he was killed in January 59.
Would the Col Hoare car have the Durabands fitted standard then ?

[RW774]

I would like to thank all those contributors ,so far that have taken the time to think seriously about tyre ageing and degradation. If in some small way we have made the roads a little safer then you are all worthy of congratulations.Keep spreading the word though.

[AndrewW-G]

RW774 said:

AndrewW-G said:

RW774 said:

Andrew, that is exactly what I need if it is a period article

Paul, my collection of Bugantics / owners club newsletters goes back to around 62/63 so the article will be from then, until the late 60's, if its any use I'll bump them up the list to be scanned into our EDRMS solution.

.
Andrew you are a top man, please use my email if you would prefer rather than have this thread hi jacked.I know Mikes garage(TT) used the first Pirelli cinturato, as agents for Lancia they appeared for the first time on the Aurellia as standard in 55/57.Getting info on Dunlops` first venture into Radial tyres has been a nightmare for me going back some 20 years. It`s really sketchy, as I think the tyre was withdrawn in the late 50s early 60s for further development(like the cinturato it had instant breakaway characteristics in the wet).Laterly it was only available for commercials after 62 apparently, but I stand to be corrected. I thought Mike only sold two Ferraris in the 58 motorshow, before he was killed in January 59.
Would the Col Hoare car have the Durabands fitted standard then ?

From what I can remember of the article, it was a car that had been looked after by TT that had the "odd" Dunlops on them, so probably not fitted as new.

[RW774]

Hi Andrew, still interested in it when you find it. Also any other period directives, advertisng or ideas those tyres would be appreciated, thanks.

[lowdrag]

Paul, I am sure I am teaching granny to suck eggs, but the Durabands were the Michelins of the period made under licence by Dunlop. They weren't their own brand of tyre at all. Anyone who had experience of the original Michelins would understand why the Dunlops were just as lethal; lethal when they broke away in the dry and lethal at all times in the wet. I came across an article in Motor Sport the other day, dated 1966, of people boasting of 100,000 miles on a set of Michelins. Hard as steel and as much grip.

[graeme36s]

Again a very poigniant subject and some advice would be much appreciated. My brother in law owns a very nice 1980 Shadow 11 that his father and or my father in law uses more than any of us. (one of the same. We swapped sisters 27 years ago). I drove it for the first time in maybe 12 years quite recently and there where a couple of issues that needed addressing. One of which was the steering wheel kicking in your hand at slow speed. Anyway cut a long story short off to the mechanic for sorting out and re balance the wheels. I drove the Shadow again today as it is the only genuine four seater car that we now own between us. Not only was the wheel wobble still present but at very slow speed 2 mph ish I noticed that the front end of the car was moving left to right. The wheels are not bent and then it struck me. The tyres on this car have never been changed during our period of ownership. We have owned the car for what must be 18 years and it still shows only 43,000 miles from new. This thread lept into my mind (whilst travelling at 70mph on the M25) and I thought jese we need to change the tyres and do so immediately. So if anyone can recommend suitable replacements. We have the small 3/4" whitewall band around the tyre and I live in NW London. Again thank you for bringing this thread to our attention. It is not my car and as said I very rarely if ever get to drive it. It really would benefit from a harvey bailey suspension kit and I hate the ticking clock. Needs a silencer fitted to it. Many thanks Graeme

[RW774]

Wembley tyres , are probably your best bet.I think You will find the tread disintegrating.Either way the carcase is breaking up. Check and change it with the spare asap before it explodes. Keep spreading the word Graham,this is exactly what we need. I compliment you on remembering this thread.
The more postings, the more people will act. The accidents mentioned will not be in vain then.

[fareaster]

Just ordered a pair of new rear tyres for my E type, there was no date code on the old ones but, although there was still a fair amount of tread left, they were probably approaching 10 years old. They arrived yesterday (shipped to Spain) and I had them fitted today. I was none to happy though when I checked the date code - 1308, about 18 months old already ! These tyres are probably low volume and are only tooled up on an infrequent basis so it's luck of the draw I guess. On my daily driver, doing about 15,000 km a year, they would be worn out in 2 years - no age problem but on a classic with limited mileage age is the determining factor - I've just lost 18 months before I even start

[Murph7355]

graeme36s said:

...So if anyone can recommend suitable replacements. ...

I bought a set of tyres for my 365 from Longstone.

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/search.php?searchM...

[RW774]

Definetly, definetly please don`t be fobbed off with new old stock, if nothing else is available then ask for a bigger discount .Stipulate the date of the tyre before purchasing it.Some companies often think this is small market stuff, these cars won`t be used much. As clients,it is not our problem the tyre companies have had surplus old stock. Longstone are pretty damn good, Vintage tyres hold all the distribution rights I believe for the original sizes
The tyre should be okay if it has been stored correctly ,wrapped and in the dark away from sunlight, but effectlively it will have a shorter life.
Keep posting, we have Jim Patten and some of the team at Kelsey on the case now.

[fareaster]

RW774, the tyres were purchased from Longstone, just spoke to Simon there and referred him to this thread. He is preparing a statement for me to post here.
Is the Kelsey you refer to the one that was bought out by Lucas and then TRW ?

[RW774]

No man, that`s Kelsey publishing, Jag world etc. I would be interested to hear what Longstone say. Good company that they are,there is no sustitute for new stock

[lowdrag]

Ah Paul, Kelsey Publishing, half of the Kelsey-Hayes servo perhaps? Anyone know where I can find a bellows and seals for one? No stock anywhere it seems.

[RW774]

Right, looking at the ROSPA website, there is a very good section on tyres, albeit with basic common knowledge,so I will quote.
"Most modern compounds contain anti oxidysing chemicals that help slow down the natural ageing process of untreated rubber, however tyres DO degenrate with age.
Tyres that have been place in storage should not be place into service over 6 years old from the date of manufacture.
When tyres have been in service the effects of ageing are lessoned, but such tyres should be replaced after 10 years. (to me this is far far too long).
Tyres in coastal ares will degenerate at a faster rate due to the saline conditions
Cleaning products may also harm the compound.
Tyres that show signs of ageing, (deformation of the carcase distortion and cracking)should be replaced.
This is by no means gospel or law.This stuff is written after accident information has been collated, so therfore offers the bear minimum saftey standards.

[Griffer]

I have two sets of wheels and tyres for my TVR Griffith, the originals and my 'New' set of spare wheels and tyres that I realised after reading this I had bought nearly 10 years ago! I have now removed and destroyed the Bridgestones on my original wheels, these tyres being dated 1997.
My 'new' Bridgestone tyres are dated 1999, whilst only having 1k miles on them they are now relegated to rolling garage storage status, and will be permanently marked as such to prevent further road use untill disposed of.

A sobering thought given the performance potential of this car, and something I had never considered before. Now to buy some new tyres. Checked our daily drivers and are all well within date.
I will certainly be spreading the word amongst my own circle of friends and enthusiasts.

Edited by Griffer on Friday 20th November 13:20

[RW774]

Brilliant, keep them coming

[crankedup]

My Son had an new rear tyre delivered for his road going motorcycle earlier this year (he also competes in road racing on his race bike) so is very aware regarding tyre safety. He noted that the new tyre was 3 years old, phoned the supplier and complained then refused to accept the tyre as new.
It clearly is very poor sending out new old stock in this manner.

[RW774]

Lets face it crank, we are driven by `I want it now` consumerisim. Suppliers have to keep stock or die.If it`s old stock that someone somewhere cannot shift , it can be had for ` no money. The suppliers will sell no matter what.If you don`t ask the right questions at point of sale that`s what you get.Mugged off basically.
Agreed, not good enough.

[p1esk]

lowdrag said:

I came across an article in Motor Sport the other day, dated 1966, of people boasting of 100,000 miles on a set of Michelins. Hard as steel and as much grip.

With all due respect I think you exaggerate. My Austin-Healey Sprite had a pair of Michelin X tyres on the rear wheels for 86,000 miles in the 1960s, and although I never pushed things to the point of experiencing their alleged 'sudden breakaway' characteristics, I found the level of grip on wet and dry roads was perfectly OK.

My aim in those days, (as now, in fact), was to have a normal and decent level of grip, combined with long life and reasonably quiet running. I felt the Michelin X tyres were good on that basis.

Best wishes all,
Dave.