Suitable tyres for classic cars - an MGB
Discussion
Hi. I don't know if this is the correct section to ask, but I have a1978 MGB GT with the original Rostyle wheels (5j width). I have owned it since 1996 and know it is due (over?) replacement tyres (front in particular) due to age rather than wear. I thought it would be quite straight forward and cheap to get replacements but an article in the latest MG magazine makes me doubt this.
As some of you know, the car was originally fitted with 165/14 tyres but I changed these for 185/70/14s as it is often suggested as an alternative size. Tyres are available in both sizes BUT there is an issue that was highlighted in the magazine - the latest tyres in this size (small by modern standards) are economy minded tyres. Additionally, ever-changing EU tyre regulations mean that, due to rolling resistance and noise requirements, these tyres seem to be increasingly unsuitable for classic cars (tyre wall structure etc.) and can affect stability/handling.
There is an alternative, namely classic car tyres that are exempt from EU tyre labelling requirements and are supposed to be more suited to classic cars. However they are very expensive compared with normal tyres (circa 4 times the price) and I do wonder if they include the latest positive advancements in tyre technology? I don't want particularly noisy tyres.
Therefore I am seeking advice from people who have replaced their tyres on classic cars recently. Are there any suitable 'modern' tyres available that would not effect the handling/safety of a classic sports car and if so, what are they? If there are non, what is your experience with classic car tyres and do they have any downsides other than cost? Longstone tyres (quite near me) suggest Pirrellis, I know that Dunlop do a Sport Classic, Michelin do the XAS and Avon do the CR6ZZ (road going sports tyre) in suitable sizes but they are all a lot of money compared with more normal alternatives. It is pretty certain that whatever I fit will be replaced again due to age rather than wear so is it best to get 'normal' tyres or spend the considerable extra and get classic car tyres?
As some of you know, the car was originally fitted with 165/14 tyres but I changed these for 185/70/14s as it is often suggested as an alternative size. Tyres are available in both sizes BUT there is an issue that was highlighted in the magazine - the latest tyres in this size (small by modern standards) are economy minded tyres. Additionally, ever-changing EU tyre regulations mean that, due to rolling resistance and noise requirements, these tyres seem to be increasingly unsuitable for classic cars (tyre wall structure etc.) and can affect stability/handling.
There is an alternative, namely classic car tyres that are exempt from EU tyre labelling requirements and are supposed to be more suited to classic cars. However they are very expensive compared with normal tyres (circa 4 times the price) and I do wonder if they include the latest positive advancements in tyre technology? I don't want particularly noisy tyres.
Therefore I am seeking advice from people who have replaced their tyres on classic cars recently. Are there any suitable 'modern' tyres available that would not effect the handling/safety of a classic sports car and if so, what are they? If there are non, what is your experience with classic car tyres and do they have any downsides other than cost? Longstone tyres (quite near me) suggest Pirrellis, I know that Dunlop do a Sport Classic, Michelin do the XAS and Avon do the CR6ZZ (road going sports tyre) in suitable sizes but they are all a lot of money compared with more normal alternatives. It is pretty certain that whatever I fit will be replaced again due to age rather than wear so is it best to get 'normal' tyres or spend the considerable extra and get classic car tyres?
How "spirited" is your driving style ????
Unless you really push on most of the time then "normal" tyres will be fine.
I've been running my B on these with no problems.
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/falken/euro...
Unless you really push on most of the time then "normal" tyres will be fine.
I've been running my B on these with no problems.
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/falken/euro...
I'm running a set of conti ecocontact 3 on my MGB GT v8 they are 175/80/R15 with the v8 dunlop alloys. Its the closest to the original size, which would be 82 profile.
I preferred the idea of modern tread pattern and compounds providing roadholding to old style tyres, even if the side walls are not as stiff - I compromise with a couple of extra PSI (28 rather than 26). It suits the nature of the v8 - may not go as well on the 1800 BGT.
YMMV.
I preferred the idea of modern tread pattern and compounds providing roadholding to old style tyres, even if the side walls are not as stiff - I compromise with a couple of extra PSI (28 rather than 26). It suits the nature of the v8 - may not go as well on the 1800 BGT.
YMMV.
Alex P said:
As some of you know, the car was originally fitted with 165/14 tyres but I changed these for 185/70/14s as it is often suggested as an alternative size.
185/70x14 seems excessively large to me as an alternative to 165x14 OEM size...!175/70x14 I can see as a poss alternative, but 185 seems too big to me. More tyre doesn't equate to better, often the reverse.
Alex P said:
There is an alternative, namely classic car tyres that are exempt from EU tyre labelling requirements and are supposed to be more suited to classic cars. However they are very expensive compared with normal tyres (circa 4 times the price) and I do wonder if they include the latest positive advancements in tyre technology? I don't want particularly noisy tyres.
Therefore I am seeking advice from people who have replaced their tyres on classic cars recently. Are there any suitable 'modern' tyres available that would not effect the handling/safety of a classic sports car and if so, what are they? If there are non, what is your experience with classic car tyres and do they have any downsides other than cost? Longstone tyres (quite near me) suggest Pirrellis, I know that Dunlop do a Sport Classic, Michelin do the XAS and Avon do the CR6ZZ (road going sports tyre) in suitable sizes but they are all a lot of money compared with more normal alternatives. It is pretty certain that whatever I fit will be replaced again due to age rather than wear so is it best to get 'normal' tyres or spend the considerable extra and get classic car tyres?
The classic tyres are more expensive, because the demand is less, so economies of scale apply, as with everything else in life, its not rocket science.Therefore I am seeking advice from people who have replaced their tyres on classic cars recently. Are there any suitable 'modern' tyres available that would not effect the handling/safety of a classic sports car and if so, what are they? If there are non, what is your experience with classic car tyres and do they have any downsides other than cost? Longstone tyres (quite near me) suggest Pirrellis, I know that Dunlop do a Sport Classic, Michelin do the XAS and Avon do the CR6ZZ (road going sports tyre) in suitable sizes but they are all a lot of money compared with more normal alternatives. It is pretty certain that whatever I fit will be replaced again due to age rather than wear so is it best to get 'normal' tyres or spend the considerable extra and get classic car tyres?
If Longstone are near, I'd go to them and buy appropiate tyres for the era of the car, in the OEM size, which would be the Pirelli CA67 in 165x14 as they suggest or the Michelin XAS in same 165x14 size that they list on their website. The XAS are a tenner a tyre cheaper (which is prob why they are trying to flog you the Pirelli
)A marmite choice it would seem by all that is said about them, but I swear by them for both cars, one on crossplies and the other radials. Blockley 165 HR14 radials are £50 each and can be found here:-
http://www.blockleytyre.com/page2.htm
http://www.blockleytyre.com/page2.htm
My experience, including driving against the clock in sprints in 70's and 80's cars is that modern economy tyres seem to offer quite a lot of grip. I am confident that they are better than anything available in the actual 70s'.
Their tried pattern often doesn't look as good though.
I replaced the mix of Polish and Chinese economy tyres that were on my Mk1 Golf with Yokohama A539s - supposedly the best 13" tyre I was allowed in the regs and the thing to have when the car was new in the 80's. It gained less than 2 seconds per lap. When I researched I was told, but have no evidence, that the economy tyres are at least in some form of technological competition, where as the A539 has no real rival so the compound is the same as it was in the 80's.
And you can't say I wasn't trying:
Their tried pattern often doesn't look as good though.
I replaced the mix of Polish and Chinese economy tyres that were on my Mk1 Golf with Yokohama A539s - supposedly the best 13" tyre I was allowed in the regs and the thing to have when the car was new in the 80's. It gained less than 2 seconds per lap. When I researched I was told, but have no evidence, that the economy tyres are at least in some form of technological competition, where as the A539 has no real rival so the compound is the same as it was in the 80's.
And you can't say I wasn't trying:
Ive got Vredestein T-trac2 on my TR4 and they work fine ,get good reviews and come in at about £50 each. They do them in 14in but Im not sure if they do the width you require.
Edited to add
https://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/brands/vredeste...
I git them cheaper from camskill but they do 185 and 165. They are recommended on the TR forums.
Edited to add
https://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/brands/vredeste...
I git them cheaper from camskill but they do 185 and 165. They are recommended on the TR forums.
Edited by fourfoldroot on Friday 23 November 16:59
lowdrag said:
A marmite choice it would seem by all that is said about them, but I swear by them for both cars, one on crossplies and the other radials. Blockley 165 HR14 radials are £50 each and can be found here:-
http://www.blockleytyre.com/page2.htm
Blockley getting good reviews on the classic alfa romeo forums + Vredestein too.http://www.blockleytyre.com/page2.htm
Thanks for the responses. As mentioned before, the car currently has 185/70/HR14s front (Firestone F560) and rear (continental contact of some sort). I am not a fan of mixed brands front/ rear but the Firestones were no longer available when I replaced the rears. Many of the 'normal' tyres, e.g. Goodyear NCTs would have been suitable 10 years ago, but the point of the article referred to in my OP was that these tyres are either no longer available or are considerably changed due to EU legesliation that they are not the same tyre as they were 10 years ago.
Regarding the 'classic' tyres, the Cinturatos seem to be a great option for the 60s MGB. The CA 67 is the original MGB tyre re-made for Longstone tyres and available in the 165/14 tyre size. The CN36 is a later tyre with a slightly more modern tread pattern, is cheaper and available in the 185/70HR14 tyre size. I did toy with fitting 165 front and 185 rear (for slightly lighter steering at low speeds) but this would require the two different types of Pirelli front/rear. The Michelin XAS can be had in both the 165 and 185 sizes and would tread match. The XAS is a later tyre design originally intended to provide higher speed stability as vehicle top speeds evolved during the late 60s/early 70s. My main concern is that my vehicle is a 78 BGT and is therefore quite different in weight (heavier) ride (more comfortable/refined) and handling (rather less sporty) than the earlier chrome bumper MGBs, therefore would the CA67 really be the best tyre for my car or would something like the XAS be better? I will contact Longstone in the next few days and see what they say.
Regarding the 'classic' tyres, the Cinturatos seem to be a great option for the 60s MGB. The CA 67 is the original MGB tyre re-made for Longstone tyres and available in the 165/14 tyre size. The CN36 is a later tyre with a slightly more modern tread pattern, is cheaper and available in the 185/70HR14 tyre size. I did toy with fitting 165 front and 185 rear (for slightly lighter steering at low speeds) but this would require the two different types of Pirelli front/rear. The Michelin XAS can be had in both the 165 and 185 sizes and would tread match. The XAS is a later tyre design originally intended to provide higher speed stability as vehicle top speeds evolved during the late 60s/early 70s. My main concern is that my vehicle is a 78 BGT and is therefore quite different in weight (heavier) ride (more comfortable/refined) and handling (rather less sporty) than the earlier chrome bumper MGBs, therefore would the CA67 really be the best tyre for my car or would something like the XAS be better? I will contact Longstone in the next few days and see what they say.
I spoke to a chap at Longstone today and told him what I was considering and that I already had 185 section tyres fitted. He suggested keeping with the current tyre size as I had got used to them visually and how the car feels. With this in mind, the Cinturato CN36 was recommended as it is available in this size, has an early 1970s tread pattern (car is a 78) and is usefully cheaper than the smaller 165 CN67. So will go that way early spring when the car comes out of 'hibernation'.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff