Tyre advice from Longstone Tyres
Discussion
Hi Team
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/
Longstone Classic Tyres stock an enormous variety of sizes of tyres from all of the best quality manufacturers of Classic tyres. We encourage our customers to fit the best tyre for their car determined by what is available and what our customers are intending to do with their classic car.
I hoped we could use this space to discuss any tyre related questions people might have.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/
Longstone Classic Tyres stock an enormous variety of sizes of tyres from all of the best quality manufacturers of Classic tyres. We encourage our customers to fit the best tyre for their car determined by what is available and what our customers are intending to do with their classic car.
I hoped we could use this space to discuss any tyre related questions people might have.
Markgenesis said:
What do you have available in 205/60/14 ?, seems to be a very limited choice these days.
Also could a 215/60/14 be used as a substitute ?
Hmm! you are right. 215/60R14 is a very uncomon size. What car is that for?Also could a 215/60/14 be used as a substitute ?
The only thing i know of is a B F Goodrich COMP T/A with raised white letters.
I'm going to guess that it is some aftermarket wheels on something that should fit 195/70R14 or 205/70R14, or maybe altogether rim diameter.
droopsnoot said:
I've been looking around for replacement 185/70x13 tyres and had noticed at least one of the specialist tyre companies offer something suitable, but, as you said, at a much higher price than buying a no-name product from a local fitter if I can find one with that size.
My main concern, as my car is a second car and doesn't really do that much mileage, is that the tyres will become useless through age long before they wear out, and it seems a pity to be throwing out tyres for age. For example I have Goodyear NCT3 on there at the moment, at least ten years old, and possibly the cause of some of the poor ride quality.
So, is there anything you can do in your more modern manufacturing process to prolong the life of the tyres you're selling, to counter the issue of recommended eight-odd year lifespan for those of us who don't use the car that much? While I want it to be a decent ride, I'm not throwing around A-roads the whole time (poor road surface quality, other drivers, hard to rebuild if stuffed), so in a way the cheapo holds some appeal, especially if I'm going to throw it away when it's still got 5mm of tread just because it's a bit old.
HiMy main concern, as my car is a second car and doesn't really do that much mileage, is that the tyres will become useless through age long before they wear out, and it seems a pity to be throwing out tyres for age. For example I have Goodyear NCT3 on there at the moment, at least ten years old, and possibly the cause of some of the poor ride quality.
So, is there anything you can do in your more modern manufacturing process to prolong the life of the tyres you're selling, to counter the issue of recommended eight-odd year lifespan for those of us who don't use the car that much? While I want it to be a decent ride, I'm not throwing around A-roads the whole time (poor road surface quality, other drivers, hard to rebuild if stuffed), so in a way the cheapo holds some appeal, especially if I'm going to throw it away when it's still got 5mm of tread just because it's a bit old.
185/70R13 is very much an example of a tyre that is easily available from your local tyre dealer at a really good price and you don't need the help of a specialist like Longstone Tyres.
However if you want a genuine period tyre then i can supply 185/70VR13 Michelin XDX http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/185-70vr13-mi... which is a fantastic tyre. I sell very few of them, but if you do have an Alpine A310 then you want a V rated tyre with the correct profile to keep the handling right then you would be please it was available.
I also have a Avon CR6ZZ http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/185-70hr13-av... which is a great road legal race tyre.
The majority of cars that want a tyre this size tend to want a budget tyre.
Sadly there is nothing you can do about tyre ageing. when they are old they are old. keeping the weight off the tyres when they are stood is good and keeping them in the dark and cool helps. I'm sorry to say it is one of the costs of classic car ownership.
mph said:
Why are tyres for classic cars so expensive compared to mainstream products and why are they only sold through one or two outlets ?
I appreciate that the volumes are smaller but does that explain three or four times the price ?
It does rather appear to be some form of cartel, why can't the mainstream suppliers obtain the classic ranges of tyres ?
It is batch sizes and quality that determine prices. If you look at tyres for rare sports cars where there is clearly only ever going to be a few made and very little demand for the tyres the price is also high compared to tyres for say a Mondeo. I appreciate that the volumes are smaller but does that explain three or four times the price ?
It does rather appear to be some form of cartel, why can't the mainstream suppliers obtain the classic ranges of tyres ?
If you have a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce you need a good quality tyre in an uncommon size and that just costs with modern cars as well.
The tyres i recommend here will be top quality tyres, from the best brands such as Michelin and Pirelli so you are also paying for quality.
In my mind the prices are justifiable, but they do sometimes add up to a large credit card bill.
As part of Longstone Tyres service we also offer sympathy and a shoulder to cry on.
Thank You Benjj
I would suggest the best thing for users of Pistonheads is to ring us up on 00 44 1302 711123 . if you ring and haggle you will get the best price available in most cases. we will give discounts were we can.
We prefer to remain part of the real world where people actually talk to each other. we work on T'internet because we have to, a chat is better than an email.
Dougal
P.S. this is our saftey video. here we are testing snow studs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxx1Zn-NaW8&lis...
I would suggest the best thing for users of Pistonheads is to ring us up on 00 44 1302 711123 . if you ring and haggle you will get the best price available in most cases. we will give discounts were we can.
We prefer to remain part of the real world where people actually talk to each other. we work on T'internet because we have to, a chat is better than an email.
Dougal
P.S. this is our saftey video. here we are testing snow studs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxx1Zn-NaW8&lis...
EXKAY120 said:
Did`nt mean to offend Mr Longstone, but i can only speak as i find, i phoned you guys on 2 occasions, once for a quote on a set of tyres for my 120 and once for my series one E Type, both quotes were around 40 quid extra each than i finally got them for through a local tyre guy who sells every day car tyres.
I also wonder why tyres for classic cars have to be so much more expensive than modern cars, i cant help thinking that classic car tyre dealers think that because we own these quite expensive cars, then we`re "made of money" and therefore can be ripped off. It does`nt happen with classic car parts,which i find are reasonably priced. I mean some of these classic tyres are plus 200 quid each,seems a lot of money for such dated patterns, where as high tec tyres for say BMW or Mercedes are cheaper.
many modern tyres are also well over £ 200 each when you buy a quality brand, and they are made in much larger quantities that these specialist tyres that we distribute. I also wonder why tyres for classic cars have to be so much more expensive than modern cars, i cant help thinking that classic car tyre dealers think that because we own these quite expensive cars, then we`re "made of money" and therefore can be ripped off. It does`nt happen with classic car parts,which i find are reasonably priced. I mean some of these classic tyres are plus 200 quid each,seems a lot of money for such dated patterns, where as high tec tyres for say BMW or Mercedes are cheaper.
can i ask what tyres you fitted to your XK and E-type?
Well i pretty much agree with what you say.
We don't have anything to do with Blockley. And they would be cheaper than any of the tyres i would have encouraged you to fit to an XK. here are my XK recomendations http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-xk
The Avon tyre is pretty good. If you are still on 185VR15 i would have encouraged you to fit the Pirelli Cinturato. That is what Jaguar fitted to the series 1 e-type if you wanted a radial. the other thing about the Cinturato, other than it's originality, is that it is such a progressive tyre for sporty driving in cars of this era.
Michelin make an XVS in the size 185VR15 which is fantastic for motorway cruising. It is an Asymmetric tyre developed alongside the technology of your cars era and it improves the directional stability of classic cars that don't have a great deal of the caster that modern cars have.
If you have fitted 205/70VR15 i would have recomended Michelin's XWX again an excellent tyre. This is the tyre that the Uk police fitted to their XJ6 cars to improve the handling. (and the nicked me for speeding in my dad's car).
We do supply Avon TurboSteel and yes they are good. I would be amazed if you bought these for £ 40 less each than i sell them for.
here is my E-type recomendations http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-e-type there is a great film of my mate spinning his e-type at Spa.
At the bottom of this page http://www.cinturato.net/page/e-type-jaguar-tires there is the "Tortoise and Hare" which is a great Pirelli promotional film made in the 60's of a lady with her daughter blasting around Italy in an e-type Roadster.
We don't have anything to do with Blockley. And they would be cheaper than any of the tyres i would have encouraged you to fit to an XK. here are my XK recomendations http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-xk
The Avon tyre is pretty good. If you are still on 185VR15 i would have encouraged you to fit the Pirelli Cinturato. That is what Jaguar fitted to the series 1 e-type if you wanted a radial. the other thing about the Cinturato, other than it's originality, is that it is such a progressive tyre for sporty driving in cars of this era.
Michelin make an XVS in the size 185VR15 which is fantastic for motorway cruising. It is an Asymmetric tyre developed alongside the technology of your cars era and it improves the directional stability of classic cars that don't have a great deal of the caster that modern cars have.
If you have fitted 205/70VR15 i would have recomended Michelin's XWX again an excellent tyre. This is the tyre that the Uk police fitted to their XJ6 cars to improve the handling. (and the nicked me for speeding in my dad's car).
We do supply Avon TurboSteel and yes they are good. I would be amazed if you bought these for £ 40 less each than i sell them for.
here is my E-type recomendations http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-e-type there is a great film of my mate spinning his e-type at Spa.
At the bottom of this page http://www.cinturato.net/page/e-type-jaguar-tires there is the "Tortoise and Hare" which is a great Pirelli promotional film made in the 60's of a lady with her daughter blasting around Italy in an e-type Roadster.
Markgenesis said:
S1 Lotus Elite with standard alloys, stock size is 205/60/14, only decent tyre i've found in that size is a Falken, BFG's are the ones i spotted in 215/60/14, just about twice the price of the Falken though, the 215 tyre would probably work find it hard to justify the expense of the BFG's over the Falkens.
Car currently has ancient Good Year Eagle NCT2's on the front and budget NEXEN's on the rear.
I think the thing is you've got the wrong car. Might i suggest you buy my Bond Minicar off me instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ZKOPmeU7c&li...Car currently has ancient Good Year Eagle NCT2's on the front and budget NEXEN's on the rear.
you are right there is nothing around in the 205/60R14 that you would get excited about. Falken is about as good as it gets. and to be honest you are as well buying them from a local tyre dealer there would be no benefit buying them through me.
A 215/60R14 in theory should be 6mm taller in radius and 10mm wider. I'm not overly enthusiastic about the B F Goodrich Comp T/A on a car like a Lotus. more of a muscle car tyre. However some people do like them
EXKAY120 said:
Its honestly quite scary driving along in the 120 now, especially when you hit "tramlines" in the road, i live down a narrow lane and its real heart attack material getting the car out these days !!
So, there coming off, and i`m putting Avon Turbo steel 185 x 16 Radials on, similar to those on the series one E which i`ve had on there for a while now and cant fault them.
the Turbo Steel in a 16" is very different to the 15" one you have. they are very wide in foot print; therefore heavy on the steering. They are a lot smaller in diameter and don't fill the wheel arches the way they should. they are in a affect a bit of a modern wide low profile tyre, which is why i do get very satisfied customers using them for trackdays; but looks, gearing heavy steering and speedo reading are all not idea. the price is very good though. give me a ring when you want to do some shopping. So, there coming off, and i`m putting Avon Turbo steel 185 x 16 Radials on, similar to those on the series one E which i`ve had on there for a while now and cant fault them.
if you really just want to do steady driving then the Michelin X is light on the steering, it is good and tall so looks great and keeps your gearing and speedo correct. it is the cheapest quality tyre around. presently £ 10 less than the Avon (not realy for fast sporty driving though)
I will try to encourage you to spend more money on the Pirelli Cinturato for sporty driving it is perfect in every way. It costs more than other tyres in the same way that an XK150 cost more than an Allegro; because it's better. (oop!)
Here is a picture of the tyres in that size that we sell
here is a short film i made about XK tyres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suyPUv-UX78
marshalla said:
Anything in a 215/50/15 V-rated or better ?
What car is it for?This is erring towards the modern for me. It is an unusual size. we have a range of tyres from Michelin called the TB15 fully treaded intermediate, TB5 in a front and rear compound that are semi slick and a PB20 full wet. they are about the right size for you. have a look here at the 18/60R15. they are V rated. these are staggeringly good tyres, priced accordingly. if you are going rallying or racing and you want to win that is what you fit.
http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/michelin-tb15...
Ring me for the best prices 00 44 1302 711123
Flatinfourth said:
I'm not sure whether the Vredestein Sprint Classic is still the control tyre for the race XKs, it used to be, and is a cracking road tyre in the dry or wet too in a very powerful 150 coupe, absolutely hilarious in fact! Any more expensive tyre I feel would be chosen for brand loyalty, a need for the owner to feel they have the 'right' tyre on the car or just plain tyre snobbery.
Yes the XK race series did use Vredestein, I think they might be continuing to do so, because they get subsidised pricing on them. The Vredestein used to be the cheapest tyre on the market.Edited by Flatinfourth on Wednesday 29th October 18:00
It is fair to say when you are agreeing a control tyre for a race series Saftey and Price should be the 2 main factors. You don't want a tyre to fall apart when you use it hard. As it's a control tyre, no one has an advantage over anyone else, you do not need exceptional grip. You can use the tyre itself to level the playing field. This is why the majority of historic racing is done on Dunlop Racing tyres with a control compound. so a 10 year younger car can race against the older cars.
last thing you want, In my mind, is force every one to buy the wrong size wheel; (so they look wrong) then fit a totally wrong size tyre. The fat tyre means the cars have dramatically more foot print and therefore more ultimate grip; but they loose some of the progressive handling. and a smooth corner turns into a 50 pence piece.
This is after all a control tyre for an XK Jag, we want to see lovely 4 wheel drifts the way they did in the day. It doesn't matter at what speed they drift, because it is a control tyre. You all have the same advantage or disadvantage; that's what a control tyre is for.
Personally i would rather not race historic cars that are over tyred. If you have a control tyre you set your car up to suit the tyre. There's no need for loads of grip with a control tyre they just don't look as good and you have a faster crash. Granted they chose the Vredestein because of price, but i feel, they should have stuck with the right size tyre.
If it is open racing; that is completely different because you spend more money to get an advantage. and a wider tyre will give you more grip. More grip (to a point) will often give better lap times. of course you can always over tyre a car. But this is not open racing; there is a control tyre; so if everyone gets better lap times what is the point.
Sorry that was a bit of a rant.
Vredesteins are few and far between at present. I have some on special offer at present http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/185hr16-vrede... but when the ones i have got are gone, they will be back up to their normal price. I personally would not fit them. call me a snob but i don't choose tyres determined by price. I'm not saying they are bad tyres, but there are better tyres out there.
dbdb said:
My Jaguar uses 225/65 15 tyres.
Pirelli, Dunlop and Michelin made tyres in this size originally I believe - but only Pirelli seems to have made tyres of this size recently, with the P4000. They seem to be very hard to find now. Has Pirelli stopped making the 225/65 15 size P4000 now?
Hm yes tricky one that one. I think the best thing to do if you want some more Pirelli's is email us info@longstonetyres.co.uk or ring 00 44 1302 711123 and ask to be put on back order and we will contact you if Pirelli make them again.Pirelli, Dunlop and Michelin made tyres in this size originally I believe - but only Pirelli seems to have made tyres of this size recently, with the P4000. They seem to be very hard to find now. Has Pirelli stopped making the 225/65 15 size P4000 now?
For now all i have is Avon CR6ZZ http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/225-65vr15-av...
Don't get me wrong; i am not knocking Avons range of CR6ZZ tyres. http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/avon-cr6zz they are fantastic for road rallying and racing. they are road legal, But they are built to do a different job than be a road tyre for an XJS. They are motorsport tyres. However they are safe the ride will be a bit harsh and they won't last as long as a tyre designed for road use.
marshalla said:
Lotus Excel and also Audi Quattro.
I'm sorry to say there isn't a really good tyre in the size 205/60R14. to be brutally frank, i can't see things changing because there is very minimal demand. Also when we get into this period and these tyre sizes, people often tend to change wheels so what demand there is gets diluted.
marshalla said:
215/50/15 NOT 205/60/14
Ooops! sorry, I'm mixing up my posts. The Michelin TB is probably the closest solution for a top quality sports car tyre. They are ace, but they are a bit of a racing tyre. However the 18/60-15 TB15 http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/18-60-15-mich... has the normal tyre size described as 215/55R15. with an overall diameter of 612mm I think a 215/50R15 should have the diameter of 595mm.
The other option i have for you would be 225/50R15 Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetico http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/225-50zr15-pi... this is a countache front tyre. This is a good price for what it is and more of a road tyre.
To really put my cards on the table i don't know of an ideal solution. my best suggestion is can you come Longstone Tyres DN10 6NX https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Longstone+Tyre... . if you came in the car we could faff about an see if any of these tyres fit.
a8hex said:
You can't still get your hands on the Pirrelli P6000 225/55VR16's for an X300 Jaguar can you?
My local tyre guy could find 2 a week or so ago but when I went back to him they'd gone and the P7s I've fitted instead don't ride like the P6000s did.
Sorry it does seem that Pirelli have stopped making the P6000.My local tyre guy could find 2 a week or so ago but when I went back to him they'd gone and the P7s I've fitted instead don't ride like the P6000s did.
V8forweekends said:
I will start by saying that whilst in no way criticising, I may be simply unable to afford any recommendations - sadly my hobby car costs have had to be trimmed in line with other economies due to a 40% decline in income since 2008 (not whining just saying) - and I do about 500 miles in a good year in my "summer" car.
I have a 1968 AMC that was originally fitted with 7.75 x 14 Crossplies. When I bought it it was fitted with commercial van tyres (still is) - 195 X 14 at the front and 205 X 14 at the rear.
I don't need super handing as the car isn't fast and it's very soft and wallowy in the American way, but it would be nice to get a set of 14" radials that could approximate the rolling radius of the crossplies.
Hmm I'm sorry. the tyre i recomend is a 205VR14 Michelin XWX http://www.borrani.com/page/205vr14-michelin-xwx.h... but this is a high performance tyre for a Ferrari 275 GTB http://www.borrani.com/page/ferrari-275-gtb4-wheel... this tyre also fits a MK10 Jaguar http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-mk10 and they also struggle justifying the price of the tyre and fit 15" XJ6 wheels instead.
I can get you some tyres 215/75R14 which is close and they have white walls. they aren't for nothing, but if you email info@longstonetyres.co.uk or ring 00 44 1302 711123 we will do what we can.
On second thoughts is it the 8 cylinder Ambassador? some of the other models of American Motors Corporation cars would get away with fitting a 195/75r14 tyre. which is smaller in diameter than the 205Vr14 (or 775-14 crossply for that matter) but we do have a tyre that is a great bargain http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/195-75r14-han...
do the tyres you have on now seem a little tall?
I will start by saying that whilst in no way criticising, I may be simply unable to afford any recommendations - sadly my hobby car costs have had to be trimmed in line with other economies due to a 40% decline in income since 2008 (not whining just saying) - and I do about 500 miles in a good year in my "summer" car.
I have a 1968 AMC that was originally fitted with 7.75 x 14 Crossplies. When I bought it it was fitted with commercial van tyres (still is) - 195 X 14 at the front and 205 X 14 at the rear.
I don't need super handing as the car isn't fast and it's very soft and wallowy in the American way, but it would be nice to get a set of 14" radials that could approximate the rolling radius of the crossplies.
Hmm I'm sorry. the tyre i recomend is a 205VR14 Michelin XWX http://www.borrani.com/page/205vr14-michelin-xwx.h... but this is a high performance tyre for a Ferrari 275 GTB http://www.borrani.com/page/ferrari-275-gtb4-wheel... this tyre also fits a MK10 Jaguar http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-mk10 and they also struggle justifying the price of the tyre and fit 15" XJ6 wheels instead.
I can get you some tyres 215/75R14 which is close and they have white walls. they aren't for nothing, but if you email info@longstonetyres.co.uk or ring 00 44 1302 711123 we will do what we can.
On second thoughts is it the 8 cylinder Ambassador? some of the other models of American Motors Corporation cars would get away with fitting a 195/75r14 tyre. which is smaller in diameter than the 205Vr14 (or 775-14 crossply for that matter) but we do have a tyre that is a great bargain http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/195-75r14-han...
do the tyres you have on now seem a little tall?
V8forweekends said:
Thanks, it's a V8 Rebel - the current tyres are a little tall compared with the crossplies (I have a '67 for parts still fitted with the original crossplies) Those Hankooks and Hercules look quite reasonable :-)
HiI think a Rebel fitted a 6.35X14 (I think it was the Rebel Wagon that fitted a 7.75X14) a radial alternative to 6.35X14 would be 195/75R14. The 195/75R14 has a thin white band (you can fit them inside out so the white band is hidden) and is a bargain http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/195-75r14-han...
we sell them to Triumph Stag http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/triumph-stag ,
lots of Classic Mercedes http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/mercedes-tyre...
and people often fit them to VW camper vans. http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/volkswagen-ca... . The Hankook is the one that is presently available. ring us up 0044 1302 711123 and we will do you a good deal.
(it fills out a bit when it's on a rim with air in it.)
V8 said:
Looking for 255 50 16 for Corvette c4 and struggling to source in the UK, is there a alternative other than 245's.
Hithat's not a problem http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/255-50zr16-mi...
This is a 255/50ZR16 Michelin Pilote Sport. It is a bit of a rare tyre size. it fits the rear of a couple of years of TestaRossa http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/ferrari-testa... , the rear of a 288 GTO http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/ferrari-288-g... and a couple of years of Aston Martin VAntage http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/aston-martin-... a total of not very many cars at all so we are fortunate that that a company such as Michelin takes the effort to make such a small quantity of tyres.
Hi Surveyor
What year is the car?
Can i ask when you bought the 205VR15 Pirelli CN72 http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/205vr15-pirel... ? Is it part of Pirelli's new production?
What year is the car?
Can i ask when you bought the 205VR15 Pirelli CN72 http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/205vr15-pirel... ? Is it part of Pirelli's new production?
Hi
I suppose the simple answer is don't get a puncture. Though that is the kind of smart alec reply that would P**s me off if some smarmy tyre dealer said that to me. Ha Ha
If you follow this link http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/maserati-mexi... it shows you a 205Vr15 Pirelli CN72 in between a 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX and a 215/70VR15 XWX I would suggest that the later would be your best option as a spare. Lots of Maserati cars changed to 215/70VR15 XWX in the 70's, but in 68 it would have been 205VR15 Cinturato CN72.
When these tyres were manufactured Pirelli used an original tyre that i had supplied them as a reference, I suppose there is a very slight possibility that there is some discrepancy in the tyre size. having said that i have sold loads of these tyres and this is only the second car that has had this problem. And the other car was also a Maserati, it was a later Ghibli which probably would have fitted 215/70VR15 which is a little wider but not as tall; so in that case i'm pretty sure it wasn't the tyres fault. I think Maserati started changing onto the 215/70VR15 XWX in the early 70's
Are you absolutely sure that the spare wheel holder has never been changed in any way; possibly replaced at some point for a later spare wheel holder that is designed for 215/70VR15?
I suppose the simple answer is don't get a puncture. Though that is the kind of smart alec reply that would P**s me off if some smarmy tyre dealer said that to me. Ha Ha
If you follow this link http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/maserati-mexi... it shows you a 205Vr15 Pirelli CN72 in between a 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX and a 215/70VR15 XWX I would suggest that the later would be your best option as a spare. Lots of Maserati cars changed to 215/70VR15 XWX in the 70's, but in 68 it would have been 205VR15 Cinturato CN72.
When these tyres were manufactured Pirelli used an original tyre that i had supplied them as a reference, I suppose there is a very slight possibility that there is some discrepancy in the tyre size. having said that i have sold loads of these tyres and this is only the second car that has had this problem. And the other car was also a Maserati, it was a later Ghibli which probably would have fitted 215/70VR15 which is a little wider but not as tall; so in that case i'm pretty sure it wasn't the tyres fault. I think Maserati started changing onto the 215/70VR15 XWX in the early 70's
Are you absolutely sure that the spare wheel holder has never been changed in any way; possibly replaced at some point for a later spare wheel holder that is designed for 215/70VR15?
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