Quality Tyres for Classics

[rene7]

Help!
Until now I've managed by using up my supply of the awesome Yoko Ao21R in 185/70x13" sizing.
I've just fitted the last pair and am looking for Suitable substitutes, since Yokohama in their great wisdom have decided to discontinue manufacturing this great tyre.
They are fitted on a 1970 Lotus 7
Can anyone suggest some alternative Brands in 185/70x13" - They are fitted to either 5.5" or 6" wide rims [I have 3 different sets of wheels for my car] - Please dont suggest any 185/60x13" size coz the rolling radius is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller and lowers my car so as to make it unusable on my favoured Welsh 'B' roads - see photo below of the size difference for the tyres - the 185/60's simply won't work on my car - I've tried and smashed a coupla sumps when doing so
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|https://thumbsnap.com/0sUAe3hd[/url]
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If you look at the photo you can see the size difference between 185/70x13 and 185/60x13"
Tyres I've already tried in 185/70x13 include Uniroyal rainstars and several different 'Budget' brands they are crap[NO GRIP] when compared to the Yoko Ao21's
There must be other 7 drivers [or even old skool Fords Escort etc] who need the 185/70x13" Size??[url]

[mk1coopers]

I've not used them personally but I have heard good things about Blockley

https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/185-70VR13

[rene7]

mk1 CooperS
Thanks for that suggestion - never heard of this brand - can anyone comment on quality & particularly grip of this particular tyre in this siize.
THX
Rene

[Norfolkandchance]

What I can tell you is that when I replaced my brand you've never heard of Polish tyres with Yokos, the difference in lap time was negligible. Research suggested Yoko, having had no competition in that size hadn't done any development in years. Anything produced today, in my view, will be better than what ever was best when your car was new.
Admittedly this was an 800kg car and not nearly as connected as yours.
I know it's not the specific advice you were after bit the message night be that it's not as critical as it feels.

Edited by Norfolkandchance on Tuesday 16th April 19:09

[droopsnoot]

I put Uniroyal 185/70x13 on my recent restoration and they've been good, but I haven't done many miles on them yet (ETA - and it's a road car, it's not doing the same as you will). I had to get approval from my insurance company as technically they're the wrong speed rating, but had the T-rating been around at the time my car was built, it would have been sufficient.

I was looking at Blockley for a while, as their price was good, but the size wasn't available when I needed them - they'd been working on it for a while, but hadn't quite got it ready. So I had to go with something else, and Longstone prices were silly at the time. I've since had another look at Longstone and their prices seem to be much more reasonable. They're not Uniroyal level (I think mine were £40 each from Tyreleader) but they're not the £300+ per tyre that they used to be.

[geeman237]

Have you tried Vredestein? I have a set on my Daimler SP250 and have been very happy with them.

https://www.vredestein.co.uk/classic/tyre-finder/t...

[a8hex]

mk1coopers said:

I've not used them personally but I have heard good things about Blockley

https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/185-70VR13

I ran them on my XK150. I'd had their crossplies on before, I enjoyed the crossplies once they'd worn in. My first driver was basically from MWS home and then down to Goodwood where I drove on a damp track. After a couple of outings they were fine.
The crossplies tended to tramline less than the Avons I'd run before. The downside that some people found was they "sing" the whole time.
When I thought about selling the car I was advised that many buyers would find the tramlining intimidating. So we swapped to the radial version.
These were much easier to live with, no tramlining and just alround easier to driver. Perhaps a little less interesting because it's less challenging.
Definitely more grip on a wet track.

[rene7]

Geeman
Vredesteins - I've not tried - but do you really give it some welly?
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Maybe it's because my Lotus is so lightweight [580Kgs] but IMO todays tyres just don't work like 1970's tyres use to, can anyone else comment on this? the car feels 'insecure' when fitted with most of today's brands - the Yokos however make it feel 'planted' on the road - it's kinda hard to explain coz most of you have probably never driven such a lightweight car on these 'crappy' modern tyres.
I guess todays tyres are made for todays [Very overweight Tintops] lighter sporty cars don't come into the manufacturing equation - 1970's saloons Escorts/Vivas etc. were probably 500 KGs lighter than their modern equivelants, and tyres were therefore made to suit them, my modern ~1350kg tintop - a Scooby feels fine with modern tyres, but my ancient sports car doesn't - weird ?
So to conclude there probably Ain't any quality tyres currently available for sporting Classic cars

Edited by rene7 on Wednesday 17th April 08:36

[Jim Spencer]

Kumho V70A, 185/70/13 available in different compounds too, favoured by quite a few in the road going speed event community.

I'd suggest that the Soft (K21) would be about right for road use if you're not too bothered about it's longevity, there's a Supersoft too (K11) if you're really not fussed!

[rene7]

Jim Spencer
I've tried these - they only lasted ~600 miles IMO they were OK but not at the price - they cost 3x what the Yokos did - the Yoko's last about 1400miles on rear of my car which is OK. I seem to remember a lot of hassle from the place I bought them from who told me they had 'em in stock but they didn't - If you can suggest a supplier who actually does stock for immediate delivery - they maybe an option if I get desperate and am feeeling £££flush at that time

[aeropilot]

rene7 said:

Jim Spencer
I've tried these - they only lasted ~600 miles IMO they were OK but not at the price - they cost 3x what the Yokos did - the Yoko's last about 1400miles on rear of my car which is OK.

You're out of options then, other than going for one of the budget eco-ditchfinders from China, or as already mentioned, the Blockey's, which is what I would choose if not being able to get any of the medium compound Kumho's.

[Jim Spencer]

rene7 said:

Jim Spencer
I've tried these - they only lasted ~600 miles IMO they were OK but not at the price - they cost 3x what the Yokos did - the Yoko's last about 1400miles on rear of my car which is OK. I seem to remember a lot of hassle from the place I bought them from who told me they had 'em in stock but they didn't - If you can suggest a supplier who actually does stock for immediate delivery - they maybe an option if I get desperate and am feeeling £££flush at that time

Hi - so go up a compound or two?
The pricing seems similar ish, circa an extra £15-20 a corner, so no idea what you bought..
SCA Motorsport have them, Walkers are advertising that they have A021R's BTW

I reckon it's either them or you'll be looking at new rims (14's) to get the rolling radius you want, or suspension adjustments to run 185/60's

[monkfish1]

Avon motorsport road legal tyres?

I fitted a set of these to my charger, as its not an easy size to get in a car tyre (most are 4x4) with the added bonus of it looking like an old school tyre.

Dry grip is awesome. No idea about wet, as my charger doesn't do wet.

Also available in your desired size

http://www.avonmotorsport.com/historic/historic/cr...

[monkfish1]

As an aside, i also need 185/70 13's whhen i resurrect the dolly sprint. I'll be using these.

[jeremyc]

Avon is a good call. They also have the CR322:

Avon said:

The Avon CR322 is produced exclusively for Caterham Cars as the control tyre for the Caterham Academy Championship.

For further details please visit - http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy

[jeremyc]

Also check the Longstone Tyres website

In your size they have

Avon CR6ZZ


Michelin XDX


Pirelli Cinturato CN36


They're all suitable 70's style, and they even have an offer on 5 of the Pirellis.

[2172cc]

185 70x13 is also the standard fit size for the Sunbeam Lotus but in HR rating. There really isn't much available in that size and rating expect for classic reproduction tyres such as Pirelli CN36 and Vredestein so most people go for a 205 60 x13 which keeps roughly the same rolling radius give or take . These are now also becoming hard to find but are probably a bit too wide for your Lotus although they go well on a 6 inch rim for a Sunbeam. I did look at the Blockleys on their stand at the NEC Classic show and they could worth a try as they are VR rated.

[aeropilot]

2172cc said:

185 70x13 is also the standard fit size for the Sunbeam Lotus but in HR rating. There really isn't much available in that size and rating expect for classic reproduction tyres such as Pirelli CN36 and Vredestein so most people go for a 205 60 x13 which keeps roughly the same rolling radius give or take . These are now also becoming hard to find but are probably a bit too wide for your Lotus although they go well on a 6 inch rim for a Sunbeam. I did look at the Blockleys on their stand at the NEC Classic show and they could worth a try as they are VR rated.

I'd definately go with the Blockley's in 185/70x13 if I still had my Sunbeam-Lotus, although I was quite happy running 185x60x13 tyres on mine.
205 is too wide for them IMHO. Every one I drove with 205's fitted felt horrible.

[jeremyc]

2172cc said:

185 70x13 is also the standard fit size for the Sunbeam Lotus but in HR rating. There really isn't much available in that size and rating expect for classic reproduction tyres such as Pirelli CN36 and Vredestein so most people go for a 205 60 x13 which keeps roughly the same rolling radius give or take . These are now also becoming hard to find but are probably a bit too wide for your Lotus although they go well on a 6 inch rim for a Sunbeam. I did look at the Blockleys on their stand at the NEC Classic show and they could worth a try as they are VR rated.

Count yourself lucky. Try finding a 155/80-13 in an H (or better) speed rating as needed for my Elan.

[ASM993]

Has anyone used the Retro Classic 001 Tyres? I think they were at one stage labelled as Nankangs.

I'm thinking of trying the 155/13s on my Lotus 7. Either that or the 165/13 Blockley.
https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?s_p=Ret...