What's your favourite old school tyre from the past

[Debaser]

Kawasicki said:

MJK 24 said:

Goodyear Eagle NCT2.

I was just going to add that. I met the lead developer of that tyre about 5 years ago. He was thrilled to hear that it is remembered as a great tyre. I did tell him the steering was only average though, couldn't let his head get too big! This tyre gave a giant jump in wet road grip and predictability, the limit was just so broad and friendly.

Another vote for the NCT2 from me. They felt nice and easy to drive at the limit.

[DocJock]

Bridgestone SO-2 Pole Positions

[Escort3500]

Sebring440 said:

Escort3500 said:

The original Pirelli Cinturato on 6Jx 13 steel rims my dad had on his '65 Lotus Cortina

Hey, good call!

What was it that you really liked about this tyre in your opinion? Was it the terrific dry road grip (but awful in the wet), or the fact that tread wear seemed a thing of the past?

How do you remember that tyre in comparison with the modern stuff?

I was just a kid, but remember my dad saying how good the Cinturato was in both wet and dry conditions after the Michelin Xs he had on a previous Cortina. I seem to remember he also tried some G800s but preferred the Pirellis.

[coppice]

Cinturatos were so great because -

- they were fitted on gorgeous cars you hardly ever saw , like Fiat 2300 Coupes and Alfa Giulia Supers

- they were advertised by the glacially cool Paul Frere , journalist , Le Mans winner and Good Egg

- they were radials and even if you didn't really know what it meant , let alone why it was better, you just knew Cints were sexier than the ratty old 5.20 crossplies on your dad's Triumph Herald

- the tread pattern was sexier than Sophia Loren

- they were Italian , and in the car world of the 60s most good things came out of Turin, Milan or Modena

Next question ?

[cerb4.5lee]

edo said:

My wedding ring was modelled on an Eagle F1

Nice one I was happy enough when the soles on my adidas trainers matched my F1 GSD2's, so I'd have been over the moon with that.

[Tango13]

Metzeler ME33 front & ME99A rear

[texaxile]

Tango13 said:

Metzeler ME33 front & ME99A rear

Pirelli Phantoms on my 350LC. Metzelers on my GPz, happy days.

Or the old MXV's as fitted to Rentault 5 GT Turbo's from factory back in the day.

[SonicShadow]

Yokohama A022



Was the OE tyre on later Mk2 MR2's. Really suited it!

[swanny71]

Debaser said:

Kawasicki said:

MJK 24 said:

Goodyear Eagle NCT2.

I was just going to add that. I met the lead developer of that tyre about 5 years ago. He was thrilled to hear that it is remembered as a great tyre. I did tell him the steering was only average though, couldn't let his head get too big! This tyre gave a giant jump in wet road grip and predictability, the limit was just so broad and friendly.

Another vote for the NCT2 from me. They felt nice and easy to drive at the limit.

Another NCT2 fan here, had them on my first 'fast' car, a Mk3 Astra GSi.

[Ranger 6]

Ranger 6 said:

No mention of Michelin TB yet?

[Loyly]

The Yokohama A539. Had these on my 106 Rallye, they were absolutely mint. Shifted standing water with ease and gave loads of grip and feedback. They were amazing on hot tarmac in the summer.

[FakeConcern]

[Lowtimer]

swanny71 said:

Debaser said:

Kawasicki said:

MJK 24 said:

Goodyear Eagle NCT2.

I was just going to add that. I met the lead developer of that tyre about 5 years ago. He was thrilled to hear that it is remembered as a great tyre.

Another vote for the NCT2 from me. They felt nice and easy to drive at the limit.

Another NCT2 fan here, had them on my first 'fast' car, a Mk3 Astra GSi.

I thought they were excellent too, I did many many fast miles on them in my tweaked up 2.2 Manta GTE

[alpha channel]

The first time I really took notice of tyres was when I got my Rover 200 Coupe (probably the first car that had sufficient performance that tyres had become really important... that and I've only been driving since '95) I really liked the Vredestein Sport Trac 3's and disappointed that I can't get them anymore, the rover seems to be quite sensitive to tyres (I do know it most definitely doesn't like asymmetric tyres at all) -

[Magictrousers]

f1nn said:

Slightly off topic, but can anyone remember or find any online info about the wet weather tyre that was being developed by I think Continental in around 91 or 92?

It was unusual because it had a very large pronounced central groove, maybe 15-20% of the tyres width from memory, with a lightly treaded "tyre" on each side.

The manufacturers logo name was printed in the central groove and as I say I have a feeling it may have been Continental.

I don't think it ever made production, but it was certainly a well developed concept when Autocar magazine had a feature on it.

Edited by f1nn on Saturday 14th January 16:36

Continental Aqua Contact. Was definitely a production tyre. Remember seeing them fitted on an early Astra GSi near to me back in the day.

[Jim AK]

Drive Blind said:

in the 80's I remember my dad always buying goodyear grand prix s



first 'space age' tyre I saw was the Pirelli P5000 with the big centre groove

I remember the ad campaign for these.

Sir Robert Mark, iirc an ex Met Police Commissioner, wearing some sort of sheepskin coat with a car going around him in the wet & shouting the strap line ` I am convinced it`s a major contribution to road safety`

Cant link the youtube sketch ripping it out of the ad!!(Not the nine o`clock news Robert Mark sketch)

[colin_p]

FK452's are legends in their own underpants.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Ranger 6]

Magictrousers said:

f1nn said:

Slightly off topic, but can anyone remember or find any online info about the wet weather tyre that was being developed by I think Continental in around 91 or 92?

It was unusual because it had a very large pronounced central groove, maybe 15-20% of the tyres width from memory, with a lightly treaded "tyre" on each side.

The manufacturers logo name was printed in the central groove and as I say I have a feeling it may have been Continental.

I don't think it ever made production, but it was certainly a well developed concept when Autocar magazine had a feature on it.

Edited by f1nn on Saturday 14th January 16:36

Continental Aqua Contact. Was definitely a production tyre. Remember seeing them fitted on an early Astra GSi near to me back in the day.

These?



I'm sure I tried a set on my Mk1 Golf Gti - about 92 would be right

[f1nn]

Magictrousers said:

Continental Aqua Contact. Was definitely a production tyre. Remember seeing them fitted on an early Astra GSi near to me back in the day.

Wowsers, you're right on both counts. They look very odd:

[FiF]

The tread design I liked was the Dunlop A2 rally tyres from the 70s, unfortunately no pics.

Hence something for the man cave