Classic Tyres Again
Discussion
I have to buy some tyres on monday for a classic car that I'm messing about with.
It has sixteen inch wheels and I'm wanting to maintain a high profile tyre in keeping with it's age.
I was surprised at the huge price difference between 15 and 16 inch tyres of the same make and profile.
Vredestein Sprint Classics coming out at £82 vs £202 for example.
The most "reasonable" cost options I can find are the Blockley (radial or cross ply) and the Vredestein classics. These are coming out at a similar price of around £200
Any experience or alternatives would be welcomed.
I know taxi and van tyres are available but I'm not prepared to fit them.
It has sixteen inch wheels and I'm wanting to maintain a high profile tyre in keeping with it's age.
I was surprised at the huge price difference between 15 and 16 inch tyres of the same make and profile.
Vredestein Sprint Classics coming out at £82 vs £202 for example.
The most "reasonable" cost options I can find are the Blockley (radial or cross ply) and the Vredestein classics. These are coming out at a similar price of around £200
Any experience or alternatives would be welcomed.
I know taxi and van tyres are available but I'm not prepared to fit them.
When I bought my XK150 it had been changed to 15" tyres and various people told be it was common because of the difference in price for the tyres.
I now have Blockley cross plies fitted which I prefer to the Avons that were fitted before. I find they hunt and tramline less. One thing to be aware of with the Blockleys is that they sing, some people like it, some don't. The block pattern is regular and aligned, so all the little rubber blocks hit the road at the same time, causing a regular note.
When they were first fitted they immediately felt better than the tyres I was replacing, on the road. But probably with less than 100 miles on them, I then went down to Goodwood for a trackday and they were horrid to start with, snatchy rather than the nice easily controlled by a numpty (ie. me) powerslides I was used too. They got better as the day proceeded and when I next visited the track they were great. So if you want to go an abuse them they need running in first.
I now have Blockley cross plies fitted which I prefer to the Avons that were fitted before. I find they hunt and tramline less. One thing to be aware of with the Blockleys is that they sing, some people like it, some don't. The block pattern is regular and aligned, so all the little rubber blocks hit the road at the same time, causing a regular note.
When they were first fitted they immediately felt better than the tyres I was replacing, on the road. But probably with less than 100 miles on them, I then went down to Goodwood for a trackday and they were horrid to start with, snatchy rather than the nice easily controlled by a numpty (ie. me) powerslides I was used too. They got better as the day proceeded and when I next visited the track they were great. So if you want to go an abuse them they need running in first.
a8hex said:
When I bought my XK150 it had been changed to 15" tyres and various people told be it was common because of the difference in price for the tyres.
I now have Blockley cross plies fitted which I prefer to the Avons that were fitted before. I find they hunt and tramline less. One thing to be aware of with the Blockleys is that they sing, some people like it, some don't. The block pattern is regular and aligned, so all the little rubber blocks hit the road at the same time, causing a regular note.
When they were first fitted they immediately felt better than the tyres I was replacing, on the road. But probably with less than 100 miles on them, I then went down to Goodwood for a trackday and they were horrid to start with, snatchy rather than the nice easily controlled by a numpty (ie. me) powerslides I was used too. They got better as the day proceeded and when I next visited the track they were great. So if you want to go an abuse them they need running in first.
What were the Avons that you had previously, crossply or radial ? I now have Blockley cross plies fitted which I prefer to the Avons that were fitted before. I find they hunt and tramline less. One thing to be aware of with the Blockleys is that they sing, some people like it, some don't. The block pattern is regular and aligned, so all the little rubber blocks hit the road at the same time, causing a regular note.
When they were first fitted they immediately felt better than the tyres I was replacing, on the road. But probably with less than 100 miles on them, I then went down to Goodwood for a trackday and they were horrid to start with, snatchy rather than the nice easily controlled by a numpty (ie. me) powerslides I was used too. They got better as the day proceeded and when I next visited the track they were great. So if you want to go an abuse them they need running in first.
I've just found turbosteel (radials) 185VR16 at £200 which are another option.
Don't you find that the Blockleys "tramline" on the road ?
Another Blockley user here; I think that tramlining goes with crossply, whereas radials don't tramline. It isn't the make that makes any difference, although on the D-type the Blockleys are far less affected than the old Dunlop R5s were. and if it's an old car, radials would look in my opinion, just plain wrong, like so amny C & D type replicas you see running 15" wheels and radials.
The tyres I'd previously had were Avonturbo Speed 670V15 actually a mix of V rated and H rated. When I spoke to the guy from Longstone's he couldn't even remember when they'd stopped making V rated tyre but he was sure it was well over 10 years ago.
As Tony says, all cross plies tramline and hunt around on the road. Radials do too, but to a much lesser extent. To me this is part of driving a 50s car and is a part of the experience I'm looking for in owning a classic. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live with it in a modern car having driven cars with modern radial tyres - huge progress in the field of tyres technology.
But I like the way the car fidgets about under you, the need for constant attention. It isn't a problem to deal with. It just feels more alive. With radials the steering is heavier and feels more dead. I've not experienced driving a similar car on the track with radials, but from what I've been told over the years, the crossplies drift around more progressively.
I guess it is very much down to personal preference.
I chose to drive an XK rather than an E, because it feels and looks so much older.
After driving an XK an E feels like a modern car, it is no wonder it made such a sensation when it was released.
But I already owned a modern(ish) car, and wanted a classic of an earlier age.
So crossplies for me, warts and all.
As Tony says, all cross plies tramline and hunt around on the road. Radials do too, but to a much lesser extent. To me this is part of driving a 50s car and is a part of the experience I'm looking for in owning a classic. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live with it in a modern car having driven cars with modern radial tyres - huge progress in the field of tyres technology.
But I like the way the car fidgets about under you, the need for constant attention. It isn't a problem to deal with. It just feels more alive. With radials the steering is heavier and feels more dead. I've not experienced driving a similar car on the track with radials, but from what I've been told over the years, the crossplies drift around more progressively.
I guess it is very much down to personal preference.
I chose to drive an XK rather than an E, because it feels and looks so much older.
After driving an XK an E feels like a modern car, it is no wonder it made such a sensation when it was released.
But I already owned a modern(ish) car, and wanted a classic of an earlier age.
So crossplies for me, warts and all.
Just been talking to a friend who runs several classic cars and is very active in the classic scene.
He tells me that a lot of owners are now fitting 4x4 tyres to their classic Jaguar and Bentley saloons.
These tyres are readily available in 205x80x16 sizes. Too big for my use but they may be an option for any old saloon car owners out there.
He tells me that a lot of owners are now fitting 4x4 tyres to their classic Jaguar and Bentley saloons.
These tyres are readily available in 205x80x16 sizes. Too big for my use but they may be an option for any old saloon car owners out there.
lowdrag said:
not sure I'd like 205 width tyres on any old Jaguar without power steering! radials make the steering heavy enough without extra width.
I'd agree with you on that, the 185's on my own car are quite heavy at parking speeds, but he's adamant that the tyres are fine. Club members have them fitted to various Mk6 Bentleys and whatever the RR equivalent is.Also to Mk7 and a Mk9 Jaguar by a chap who owns numerous classics and covers big mileages in them. Whatever - it's another alternative I suppose and better than a Taxi tyre at least.
I was told yesterday, by one of the leading tyre suppliers, that Vredesteins are s**t - his exact words. I must say that I don't agree and I have them on two of my cars.
I'll be deciding today whether to go for the Blockley or the Avon turbosteel. Price is about the same for both.
mph said:
I was told yesterday, by one of the leading tyre suppliers, that Vredesteins are s**t - his exact words. I must say that I don't agree and I have them on two of my cars.
Hmmmm, my question here would always be "Does he sell them?"I was told the same by a leading supplier of classic tyres about the Blockley tyres, other people told me that Blockley wouldn't supply him.
While at the same time some others I knew who also couldn't supply them said they were really good.
I've no personal knowledge of the Vredesteins tyres so couldn't say one way or the other.
The only XKs I've been in fitted with them were the RGC's & CKL's challenge series cars, so couldn't comment on how they would be on a road car.
Can't your friends at CMC give you some advise or find you a couple of sample cars to have a short drive in?
I'd have thought Nick would be a good source of information.
mph said:
I was told yesterday, by one of the leading tyre suppliers, that Vredesteins are s**t - his exact words. I must say that I don't agree and I have them on two of my cars.
He told me that a while ago too, and also said that some people will tell you they're great, but that those people are wrong! He does sell the Vredesteins, but they are half the price of the Pirelli or Michelin he'd rather have sold me.I've considered 4x4 tyres too, as there are plenty available in the classic style high-profile sizes that normal road cars don't use so much any more, but I think I'll probably go with the Vredesteins in the end. 4x4 knobblies just look wrong on a Bristol.
I wasn't brave enough to go for the Blockley crossplies so I've ordered a set of Avon Turbosteels. It's not a car I intend to keep but nevertheless I wanted some decent tyres on it.
When it comes to renewing the tyres on my XK I'll be trying the Michelin Pilote X - I just wish they weren't so expensive. I wonder if they're any cheaper in France !
Regarding the 4x4 tyres for a Bristol - I would have a good look at the available options - the tread pattern on some of the offerings doesn't look too bad to me (at least in the pictures).
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?ty...
When it comes to renewing the tyres on my XK I'll be trying the Michelin Pilote X - I just wish they weren't so expensive. I wonder if they're any cheaper in France !
Regarding the 4x4 tyres for a Bristol - I would have a good look at the available options - the tread pattern on some of the offerings doesn't look too bad to me (at least in the pictures).
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?ty...
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