Tire option for early cars

[jbcollier]

Go fast types, you can stop reading now.

 

Finding quality tires in the smaller sizes is getting more and more difficult.  Even Vredestein dropped some of their classic 13" offerings.  10 years back I ordered a set of Michelin XAS tires from Longstone.  They were vintage re-pops made in India.  Frankly they were the worst set of tires I had ever seen in 35 years of wrenching, preposterously out-of- round and true.  Though I was once bitten, I decided to try again.  This time I ordered the Pirelli CN36s in 165/80R13, again from Longstone.  They arrived moderately quickly and shipping costs were reasonable.  These tires were made in Argentina.

 

I took the old wheels, Dunlop mags and no-name 185s, and the Pirellis to my tire shop and had them mounted.  The shop said they ran straight and true, and, here's the amazing part, only a 1/2oz of balance weight for all five wheels!  That's very, very good.  Astounding even.

 

I won't get a chance to drive on them until April and expect they will be slippery, given their diminutive contact patches, but that sounds like fun to me.

 

YMMV

Edited December 13, 2022 by jbcollier
punctuation

[MV8]

I recently installed 165-80-13 Waterfall eco dynamics. Minimal weight, true, and quiet. The only thing I don't like is there are no weight dots to align with the valve. Can be caught on sale around $40 each. I like these better than 175-70 and 155-80.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Waterfall-Eco-Dynamic-165-80R13-83T-A-S-All-Season-Tire/479492200

Edited December 13, 2022 by MV8

[JohnCh]

I'm not sure what the situation was 10 years ago, but the current Michelin XAS tires are quite good.  They come in both standard and FF (Formule France) versions, the latter of which Michelin refers to a competition compound and is what I run on my Elan.  It's quite sticky and has exceeded all my expectations.  Downsides are they require a tube and they are expensive.  I've heard good things about the CN36.  I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions in April.

 

-John

[jbcollier]

Glad to hear they have improved.  I used them when they were current and liked them a lot.  Rather not have the tube now though as it complicates roadside repairs.

Edited December 13, 2022 by jbcollier

[SENC]

You'll like the Pirellis.  I put a set on mine (took off a way outdated and hard set of Pirellis).  They look the part and ride great - a perfect match for our light and nimble cars - and better on our diffs than wider, stickier tires.

[Christopher smith]

Never had CN36s on a Lotus but if they are like the ones I had back in the late 1960s they should be great

[azfast1]

Has anyone tried the old school bias ply Firestone 520-13 tires that Coker sells? They look almost identical to the original Dunlop Goldseal that were used on my 1963 Super Seven. I do not plan on racing, just cruising around and cars and coffee kind of things. Not cheap at $199 each.

[IamScotticus]

On 12/13/2022 at 9:04 AM, jbcollier said:

I took the old wheels, Dunlop mags and no-name 185s, and the Pirellis to my tire shop and had them mounted.  The shop said they ran straight and true 

@jbcollierWhich tires,  the Pirellis, the no-nanes, or both?

If the "185s" are wheels,  then I assume you had Pirellis put on three sets of wheels.

[jbcollier]

Fun with punctuation!

 

I took the old wheels

 

open sub clause 

 

dunlop mags and no-name 185s

 

close sub clause 

 

and the Pirellis to my tire shop…

 

mags had old tires.  Brought Pirellis and had them fitted.

 

 

[IamScotticus]

Can't go wrong with Pirelli.