MK1 tyres

P

Peter Meyer

New member
OK we discuss this periodically but I now want a set of tyres for my MK1. Road tyres, preferably period correct. Another set of Dunlop SPs like I bought for the MK2. THey don't look terrific. Anybody know of anything better? They are remaking Pirelli Cinturados but only in 15". Bugger!
Longstones have some Michelins but I'm not sure what may be correct. Any advice please.

What about a set of Michelin X, 725SR13
ZXs at 640SR13

Would either of these work and what does the 725 or 640 mean......
 
Hi Peter,
I'd not heard of either of those on a LC (I'm pretty sure the overall diameter is way off).
If you must have period looking tyres you might want to look at something designed for the classic motorsport scence, like the Avon CR6ZZ which is a radial tyre/a period look and still road legal.
You can get Dunlop CR65 in a metric version of sizes to fit LC's.
Have a look here... www.vintagetyres.com they have a good range but quite expensive.
Cheers
Louis
 
Hi Peter ,
Back in the 60's i worked for Motorway tyres and we used to fit the 165-13 Pirelli Cinturato to the Lotus Cortina , these days we all have to use the 70 profile , so to get the correct rolling radius you go up two widths ie the 165 now becomes 185/70-13 . One make i have used on my Mk1 for wet tarmac road rally's which works very well , and has the added bonus of the tread looking "right" is the Yokohama A021-R . The recomended rim width is 5.5 ins so thats ok and it fits in without fouling the wheel arch's .
Hope this helps Regards Terry
 
Thanks Terry. That is very helpful and others may well take note of the comment on sizing which is very interesting to us not so tech people as it is simple!
Would love an old set of Cinturadoes. We used them on all our cars and also a Michelin which I think was called an X.
 
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I just got some quotes back from tyrewizard for a couple of different tyres in our sizes. They were quite a bit over the high street prices so they don't get my thumbs up I'm afraid.
 
I don't know about technical knowledge..I could'nt take a gearbox mount off yesterday without knocking a pot of white spirit all over the floor! :roll:
As for sizes 185/70 is just about the closest to the older 165/13 size without ordering something specialist up in a all metric size.

ie.. 165/13 = diameter 594mm 185/70/13 = diameter 589mm 175/70 = 575mm (I'm not going into 75 profile because they are no far too rare).

Only problem is width ie .165/13= tyre width 165mm 185/70/13 = 185mm etc. etc.
I heard of some people having problems with 185/70x13 being too wide and rubbing, a lot I imagines depends on where your lock stops are/how your suspension's set up etc.

Yokohama A021-R are great tyres, I've got a set myself for wet weather track use.
yok_a021r.jpg


I assume your doing small road mileage and mainly looking for something that looks period correct, here's my list of options...
dun_sp85.jpg

Dunlop SP85
Bit of an odd one to start, a rally tyre so it will be noisy on the road and you'll probably need to check if's road legal where you are, but have a sort of period look and available in the original size 165/80x13 ie 165/13.
max_r15_rb4_int_tar_tyre_mc.jpg

Maxsport RB4
185/70x13 Not tried these yet, but I was a big fan of the Colway's. Nice and cheap, bit of a stretch to call them period, but as good if not better grip than nearly anything on the road in a lot of conditons.
hpt_cr65.jpg

Dunlop CR65
The expensive option! You'd need to check if they are road legal where you are, but great period look 525M 13 is 590mm diameter, the width is a bit harder to judge because of the sidewall shape. Used in most LC race series.
avonzz.jpg

Avon CR6ZZ
175/70x13 I don't know much about these, but they have a very period look they are supposed to be road legal race tyres but I don't know what series they are used in?
I've not looked at some of the crossply options or NOS stuff.
Cheers
Louis
 
Thanks Neil. Looking on the net about the tyres that Louis listed the Avon CR6ZZ seems to be the fav for all conditions. But at £138 + VAT per tyre + delivery + fitting I don't think I would be able to justify that for 1000 mile per year fair weather meandering.

As you say the CR65 is not road legal , the A021-R is a wet weather tyre , and the Maxsport RB4 is a rally tyre - so all thats left was the CR6ZZ

How bad would modern 175/70/13 look? Would it spoil the whole look of the car?
 
Steve, I have a set of lotus rims shod with pirell 175/70s if when the time comes you want to try them on the car to see how they look be my guest.
 
Its a real dilemma. I reckon Avons or Michelins. They are period names. I bought Dunlop Aquajets as period tyres and annual mileage is not an issue for any of us is it. Its more like needing a tyre that looks good standing still.
 
I think if you went for the Avon which is only available in a 175/70R13 you would be dissapointed as it would look look to small in diameter and not fill the arch , you would really want to see a tyre mounted on a rim or even better fitted to the car . DO ANY MEMBERS HAVE THIS TYRE FITTED. IF SO COULD YOU POST A PHOTO !
I have just thought of the Vredestein Sprint which is available in the original o/e size of 165R13 they are very good quality tyres and actively support classic rallying with thier range of winter tyres .If you Google the name you will see a picture the tyre , they also wear well and provide a good level of grip.
 
Hi Peter
I don't know if you took any pictures of the side of my car? if you did the tyres in the picture are 175 70 13 Avon C322 and seem to fill the wheel arch nicely.
 
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