14" tire/fit advice

[Origin7]

I need to replace the tires on my newly acquired 1988 Caterham. It has fourteen inch wheels and the current tires are 185/60/14. What would be the optimal setup for both tire selection and size?

 

I have been considering the Toyo R888 in the same size, but I am not sure if I would regret that choice for street driving. I do not plan to drive in the rain, although some moisture on the roads in the Northeast is unavoidable. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

 

     

[S1Steve]

Toyo’s are a great tire on the street. I’ve also been caught in the rain , and no problems….

[MoBoost]

I’m running these: Falken Azenis RT660 on my street driven ‘85 Caterham in size 185/60-14.
Haven’t driven them in much rain, but the grip is good and there is some siping to push water out. 

Edited November 29, 2025 by MoBoost

[Marek]

Tires are always a very personal choice, and so I can only share my own experience....

 

I am on the second set of 888R on my Seven in dry, damp, and light rain.  The grip has always been predictable.  Be careful when they are cold and when the road is wet.  But once they are warm, you are fine.

 

Do note the Load Rating.  I believe all 888R are XL, which is well above what any Seven needs.  And so you will want to run low pressures.  Ideally, probably lower than you think.

[IamScotticus]

The UK blokes really like the Uniroyal Rain Experts, it's definitely a favourite among the street crowd. I would recommend it but I haven't found it available in the USA.  Maybe I haven’t looked enough.   But, my point is, a rain tyre can do very well on a 7.  1,200 pounds,  the majority of rubber is way overengineered for a 7.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the cheapest light rated tire and try to wear through them.

On a side note,  the height of the tyre carrier center fastener bung will be set for the Caterham reccomend size tyre and wheel combination.  Measure from the bracket to the hole, double that and try to stay within a half inch of that diameter.  If it matters to you.

[San Augustine]

I was in the same boat, just purchased a 1988 Caterham with 11 year old tires. Decided to get the same tires I ran on my Miata ND -Verdestein Quatracs. They may not have the performance of Toyos but they are H speed rated which far exceeds what I will be doing with the car. Here is a picture of the car being delivered Wednesday and the tires which arrived from Tirerack this evening. 

Edited November 30, 2025 by San Augustine

[Origin7]

9 hours ago, San Augustine said:

I was in the same boat, just purchased a 1988 Caterham with 11 year old tires. Decided to get the same tires I ran on my Miata ND -Verdestein Quatracs. They may not have the performance of Toyos but they are H speed rated which far exceeds what I will be doing with the car. Here is a picture of the car being delivered Wednesday and the tires which arrived from Tirerack this evening. 

Nice Cat! That tire looks like a good option. Well rated. Unfortunately, they are not available in my area. 

[Origin7]

13 hours ago, Marek said:

Tires are always a very personal choice, and so I can only share my own experience....

 

I am on the second set of 888R on my Seven in dry, damp, and light rain.  The grip has always been predictable.  Be careful when they are cold and when the road is wet.  But once they are warm, you are fine.

 

Do note the Load Rating.  I believe all 888R are XL, which is well above what any Seven needs.  And so you will want to run low pressures.  Ideally, probably lower than you think.

Great input! Thank you. How much mileage are you getting out of a set of 888Rs?  

[wdb]

I inherited cheapo 13" all-season tires when I got my 1995 S3. They hold the car up just fine and are a hoot to toss around. I'm sure a high performance tire like the Toyo etc. would provide a whole heap more traction though.

 

The problem with both of them is how they affect my eye. The Toyo etc. look sexy and fast and capable, but (to my eye) look more modern than the car. The cheapie all-seasons look like all-seasons, which don't fit the obvious sporting character of the car. For the sake of my eye I am leaning towards a set of classic Pirelli Cinturatos, which come in 185/70VR14 size. Link below is from Lucas Tire, from whom I have ordered and had good results. Others may sell them as well.

 

https://lucasclassictires.com/tires/185-70vr14-pirelli-cinturato-cn36/

 

 

 

[Origin7]

4 hours ago, wdb said:

I inherited cheapo 13" all-season tires when I got my 1995 S3. They hold the car up just fine and are a hoot to toss around. I'm sure a high performance tire like the Toyo etc. would provide a whole heap more traction though.

 

The problem with both of them is how they affect my eye. The Toyo etc. look sexy and fast and capable, but (to my eye) look more modern than the car. The cheapie all-seasons look like all-seasons, which don't fit the obvious sporting character of the car. For the sake of my eye I am leaning towards a set of classic Pirelli Cinturatos, which come in 185/70VR14 size. Link below is from Lucas Tire, from whom I have ordered and had good results. Others may sell them as well.

 

https://lucasclassictires.com/tires/185-70vr14-pirelli-cinturato-cn36/

 

 

Oh man, these look good. 

 

[Marek]

7 hours ago, Origin7 said:

Great input! Thank you. How much mileage are you getting out of a set of 888Rs?  

 

Others will have better insight into mileage. My Seven came with a set of 888R and I replaced them based on age (and a decision to reduce the front tire width). Based on experience with the 888R on other cars, the aged ones on the Seven were well past their best days. I gather this is common on Sevens that aren't tracked - to replace on age rather than wear.

 

@wdb makes a good point on aesthetics. My Seven has a more modern look than most and the Toyos do not look out of place.  I don't think they would look as good on a more classic Seven.

[Origin7]

On 11/29/2025 at 7:09 PM, IamScotticus said:

The UK blokes really like the Uniroyal Rain Experts, it's definitely a favourite among the street crowd. I would recommend it but I haven't found it available in the USA.  Maybe I haven’t looked enough.   But, my point is, a rain tyre can do very well on a 7.  1,200 pounds,  the majority of rubber is way overengineered for a 7.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the cheapest light rated tire and try to wear through them.

On a side note,  the height of the tyre carrier center fastener bung will be set for the Caterham reccomend size tyre and wheel combination.  Measure from the bracket to the hole, double that and try to stay within a half inch of that diameter.  If it matters to you.

The tire carrier is a good point. I am glad you mentioned that. I would think a 195/60/14 would be fine. Then again, I am wondering if carrying a spare is even worthwhile for me. Thanks! 

[NSXguy]

4 hours ago, Origin7 said:

The tire carrier is a good point. I am glad you mentioned that. I would think a 195/60/14 would be fine. Then again, I am wondering if carrying a spare is even worthwhile for me. Thanks! 

I’ve never carried a spare, did away with the carrier and associated weight pretty much soon after getting the car. Personal preference/risk appetite; but the amount and type of miles driven never warranted. 
 

I’m currently on 13” minilites on Toyos for street/track. Before that I ran my (now) spare set of 14” panasports on falken rt615k (195/60)- they were good street tires wet or dry… I thought the fell off pretty quickly on track though. 

[Origin7]

On 12/4/2025 at 12:43 PM, NSXguy said:

. Before that I ran my (now) spare set of 14” panasports on falken rt615k (195/60)- they were good street tires wet or dry… I thought the fell off pretty quickly on track though. 

 

@NSXguy Did you have any rubbing issues with 195/60/14? Plenty of clearance? 

[NSXguy]

7 hours ago, Origin7 said:

 

@NSXguy Did you have any rubbing issues with 195/60/14? Plenty of clearance? 

negative- they fit good; no rubbing 

 

[Origin7]

@NSXguy Excellent! Thanks for the confirmation.