Modern tyres on old cars
Discussion
I am looking to put a new set of tyres on my Simca which is something like a french version of the Hillman Imp. The is rear engined and has a lot of negative camber in the rear.
Now I am limited the dimensions 165/70 R13 because of the local TuV. The tyres available seem to be engineered for FWD economy city cars.
Pirelli Cinturato P4 Ecoimpact
Michelin Energy E3B
Continental EcoContact 3
Yokohama BluEarth
Dunlop Street Response 2
The only alternative I've found are the Michelin XAS 155 R13. They are a 155/81R13 tyre.
Very expensive (£650 for 4) and considerably more sidewall than what the local TuV allows, so I would have to get them type approved.
Longstone markets them as the correct tyre for "Renault 8 Gordini (front) Triumph Spitfire, Triumph GT6, Triumph Vitesse, Triumph Herald, Triumph Dolomite, Triumph Toledo, Lotus Élan, Lotus Europa Simca 1100 Ti, Matra Bagheera (front), Ford Consul, Ford Corsair, Austin Maxi, Singer Gazelle, Hillman Hunter, Sunbeam Rapier, Hillman Avenger" which are all a lot more similar to my car than a Dacia citycar!
Do you think the period correct tyres are worth it?
Now I am limited the dimensions 165/70 R13 because of the local TuV. The tyres available seem to be engineered for FWD economy city cars.
Pirelli Cinturato P4 Ecoimpact
Michelin Energy E3B
Continental EcoContact 3
Yokohama BluEarth
Dunlop Street Response 2
The only alternative I've found are the Michelin XAS 155 R13. They are a 155/81R13 tyre.
Very expensive (£650 for 4) and considerably more sidewall than what the local TuV allows, so I would have to get them type approved.
Longstone markets them as the correct tyre for "Renault 8 Gordini (front) Triumph Spitfire, Triumph GT6, Triumph Vitesse, Triumph Herald, Triumph Dolomite, Triumph Toledo, Lotus Élan, Lotus Europa Simca 1100 Ti, Matra Bagheera (front), Ford Consul, Ford Corsair, Austin Maxi, Singer Gazelle, Hillman Hunter, Sunbeam Rapier, Hillman Avenger" which are all a lot more similar to my car than a Dacia citycar!
Do you think the period correct tyres are worth it?
www.mytyres.co.uk seem to have a choice of 147 different 165/70R13 tyres.
georgeq said:
The tyres available seem to be engineered for FWD economy city cars.
Because that's what 99.9% of vehicles that use that size are...georgeq said:
Do you think the period correct tyres are worth it?
TBH, given that a set of four decent "generic" tyres are going to be cheaper than one classic, even before the paperwork hassle, I'd go for them as a first try. So long as you avoid the off-brand rubbish, I expect they'll be a perfectly good alternative.http://www.camskill.co.uk/m73b0s365p0/
Plenty of choice of decent tyres for very good prices.
If you do want to go classic, then http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/175-70r13-avo... look to be a closer size match.
TooMany2cvs said:
HustleRussell said:
The main drawback to modern tyres on a classic, other than the cosmetics, is that they'll have too much grip.
It's the best justification yet for the existence of Chinese off-brand ditchfinders...HustleRussell said:
True. I think it's the 'Sunny SN600' or similar which gives me the impression that somewhere in China an old Pirelli P6000 mould was dusted off and pressed back into service only with the added bonus of Chinese materials and manufacture. Sounds like fun.
Sounds like it'd probably come with a free mini-digger, so that you can find ditches anywhere at a moment's notice.TooMany2cvs said:
HustleRussell said:
True. I think it's the 'Sunny SN600' or similar which gives me the impression that somewhere in China an old Pirelli P6000 mould was dusted off and pressed back into service only with the added bonus of Chinese materials and manufacture. Sounds like fun.
Sounds like it'd probably come with a free mini-digger, so that you can find ditches anywhere at a moment's notice.
I've opted for a set of Bridgestone B280's on mine, the 185/60 14 size is by no means rare, but I weighed up the period correct option and thought that it really didn't necessitate the cost, plus the fact it's a weekend driver and not a garage queen meant that I wanted something which was halfway decent. The original tyres that came with the car weren't all that fantastic in the first place anyway.
Period classic tyres I think are fine on something which is only going to be used for shows, the odd trip out or if you're a purist, but for everyday use and practicality I'd stick a set of good readily available tyres on it.
Period classic tyres I think are fine on something which is only going to be used for shows, the odd trip out or if you're a purist, but for everyday use and practicality I'd stick a set of good readily available tyres on it.
texaxile said:
Period classic tyres I think are fine on something which is only going to be used for shows, the odd trip out or if you're a purist, but for everyday use and practicality I'd stick a set of good readily available tyres on it.
I agree with this 100%Two of my classics have VERY common sizes shared with a whole host of modern hatches. 195/50 R15 and 195/65 R15. I rejoice in a huge choice of cheap and readily available high quality tyres.
I use Michelin 195/50 R15 Pilot Sport 3. Just under £200 for a set and superb. Continental supply my 195/65 R15 and they are cheaper still at £180 per set.
Long may it continue!
[quote=georgeq]I am looking to put a new set of tyres on my Simca which is something like a french version of the Hillman Imp.
I was the proud owner of a Simca Rallye back in the mid 70's.
From memory the Rallye 1 & 2 ran on 4.5 steel rims with 145 - 13 I'm sure they were 80 profile, the Rallye 3 had 6" Amil Alloys with 165 or 175 -70-13's . The Amil Alloys are the same as fitted to the Sunbeam Lotus. Remember to inform your insurance company if your running a diferent sizes
I was the proud owner of a Simca Rallye back in the mid 70's.
From memory the Rallye 1 & 2 ran on 4.5 steel rims with 145 - 13 I'm sure they were 80 profile, the Rallye 3 had 6" Amil Alloys with 165 or 175 -70-13's . The Amil Alloys are the same as fitted to the Sunbeam Lotus. Remember to inform your insurance company if your running a diferent sizes
I presume the OP has a Simca 1000, but for some reason cannot bring himself to use the name.
It looks like this:
There was a "Rallye" version but it's not the one in the post above this.
Many of the modern tyres need wider rims than the original wheels have, so unless you go for non-original wheels as well, I'd resist the temptation to use non-original tyre sizes.
It looks like this:
There was a "Rallye" version but it's not the one in the post above this.
Many of the modern tyres need wider rims than the original wheels have, so unless you go for non-original wheels as well, I'd resist the temptation to use non-original tyre sizes.
Allan L said:
I presume the OP has a Simca 1000, but for some reason cannot bring himself to use the name.
It looks like this:
There was a "Rallye" version but it's not the one in the post above this.
Umm, that post says "I used to have a Simca Rallye. The alloys are the same as on the Sunbeam Lotus" <pic of Sunbeam Lotus>It looks like this:
There was a "Rallye" version but it's not the one in the post above this.
And, frankly, any excuse for a pic of a Sunbeam Lotus is a good enough excuse in my book.
Simca 1000 Rallye? Yes, please. Almost as "Yes, please" as an 8 Gordini.
The rectangular lights on the Rallye 3 make it look more than a bit Wartburg, though.
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Wednesday 13th April 10:22
It is in fact a Simca 1200S. Mechanically similar to the 1000/Rallye 2/Rallye 3 but with an italian designed body.
My car is in the workshop and awaiting a new coat of paint. The colour is french blue similar to the Alpines of that date.
It will look like this when it's done. The car pictured below is on 145R13 with the narrow original 4 1/2 inch steel wheels which I can't find. The wheels I've found look the same with identical hubcaps but are 1 inch wider.
The Rallye 2 and 3 all had 5 1/2 wheels with 155 or 165 wide tyres so I hope it doesn't look too far off original.
Original 145R13 dimensions on my 5 1/2 wide wheels would not be legal and would look "stretched".
My car is in the workshop and awaiting a new coat of paint. The colour is french blue similar to the Alpines of that date.
It will look like this when it's done. The car pictured below is on 145R13 with the narrow original 4 1/2 inch steel wheels which I can't find. The wheels I've found look the same with identical hubcaps but are 1 inch wider.
The Rallye 2 and 3 all had 5 1/2 wheels with 155 or 165 wide tyres so I hope it doesn't look too far off original.
Original 145R13 dimensions on my 5 1/2 wide wheels would not be legal and would look "stretched".
Edited by georgeq on Wednesday 13th April 11:41
georgeq said:
It is in fact a Simca 1200S. Mechanically similar to the 1000/Rallye 2/Rallye 3 but with an italian designed body.
My car is in the workshop and awaiting a new coat of paint. The colour is french blue similar to the Alpines of that date.
It will look like this when it's done. The car pictured below is on 145R13 with the narrow but original 4 1/2 inch steel wheels which I can't find. My wheels look the same but are 5 1/2 wide.
145R13 on 5 1/2 wheels is not legal and would look "stretched".
Ooof! Lovely.My car is in the workshop and awaiting a new coat of paint. The colour is french blue similar to the Alpines of that date.
It will look like this when it's done. The car pictured below is on 145R13 with the narrow but original 4 1/2 inch steel wheels which I can't find. My wheels look the same but are 5 1/2 wide.
145R13 on 5 1/2 wheels is not legal and would look "stretched".
Edited by georgeq on Wednesday 13th April 11:29
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff