Classic Tyres

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ScreamingLordStokes
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Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:44 pm

I'm going to need a new set of tyres for my 1.8 saloon shortly and have been thinking about getting some with a period tread pattern. I first considered this when parked next to Harry Hayes Blaze J reg saloon at the North York Moors, 2011 i think. Harry's saloon had a set of Dunlop SP Aquajets, if i remember correctly, and i thought they looked pretty cool.
Now there are quite a few choices ranging from susupiciously cheap to astonishingly expensive.
The cheapest i've found are Retro Classic tyes:

https://www.tyres.net/retro-classic-001 ... 9s--172163

However the sizes for 13" wheels seem to be 145s and 155s.

Next are Blockley Tyres 165/80 r13:

https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/165hr13

These are a neat copy of the Dunlop Aquajet and probably would be my choice, given the reasonable price.

We then get into the higher price range with the actual Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet:

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/ ... uajet.html

Michelin XAS:

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/ ... as-ff.html

This is just a sample of the choice, and i've stuck to the tyres that are as near standard Marina size as possible with this selection, larger section versions ie 185x13s are also available.

Has anyone had any experience of these "new" classic tyres? I remember my first Marina came fitted with a set of Goodyear Grand Prix S tyres and these seemed to perform ok.
There is of course the question of safety to consider, I suppose modern tyres have been developed with tread patterns and rubber compounds using the latest scientific and technological research and thus, in theory, should be safer and make the car handle better.

martinclan
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by martinclan » Thu Feb 25, 2021 9:27 am

I can't comment on the specifc tyre you are after but Blockley have a fairly good reputation amoungst the guys I know in the "classic" kit car scene.

Cheers, Robin

marina12
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by marina12 » Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:21 pm

Interesting. Non Marina Classic on the fleet came new with Michelin on 155R13. Had thought about classic tyres that look right before but vehicle is a user/ spends time standing in the sun so UV is an issue- just went for modern unknown make 155/80R13. Figured may as well have current version of a tyre as that is between me and the road! That loss of 2% does notice (approx 2.5% of the tyre depth as standard is 82%) to the eye and is also couple more turns of the wheel per mile. Thanks for posting different options.

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:09 pm

Thing is buying tyres is a like buying underwear - you can't take them back once you've tried 'em! And unless you've got cash to chuck away you're stuck with them for quite some time.
To be road legal I assume the tyres will have to meet certain minimum standards, so they shouldn't be seriously unsafe.

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:24 am

marina12 wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:21 pm Interesting. Non Marina Classic on the fleet came new with Michelin on 155R13. Had thought about classic tyres that look right before but vehicle is a user/ spends time standing in the sun so UV is an issue- just went for modern unknown make 155/80R13. Figured may as well have current version of a tyre as that is between me and the road! That loss of 2% does notice (approx 2.5% of the tyre depth as standard is 82%) to the eye and is also couple more turns of the wheel per mile. Thanks for posting different options.
Yes an "80" just fills the arch that bit more doesn't it.
Last edited by ScreamingLordStokes on Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:25 am

martinclan wrote: Thu Feb 25, 2021 9:27 am I can't comment on the specifc tyre you are after but Blockley have a fairly good reputation amoungst the guys I know in the "classic" kit car scene.

Cheers, Robin
Thanks, that's good to know.

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Gee tc
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by Gee tc » Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:24 am

If love some Sp Sport aquajets...
But can't justify the price.
I ended up with some Toyo 165/70x13 that look a bit like Michelin MX so just on the cusp of very last Ital production.
I have to say.... they perform very well
Last edited by Gee tc on Wed Mar 03, 2021 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Sun Feb 28, 2021 6:12 pm

Yes it's a shame the Dunlops are so expensive, Longstone tyres do discounted deals for some tyres when you buy a full set but not, it seems, for the Aquajets which is a shame. Having said that the Blockley tyres version is a very good copy and much more affordable.

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:24 pm

Nice ad for the Dunlops:
Attachments
image.jpeg

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Tue Mar 02, 2021 12:00 am

Before I splash out for a set of 165/80r13s has anyone tried this size on a Marina? Are there any clearance issues to be taken into account? I know most Marina owners seem to stick to the 70 size profile to keep the speedo readings within normal limits.
There is an alternative in the 175/70r13 Pirelli Cinturato cn36, this would be my second choice.

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MarinaCoupe
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by MarinaCoupe » Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:34 am

I have just done a tyre size comparison for you, your speedo will be under reading.
60A97E7C-1545-4BE6-A8F7-CC1996C7E15A.jpeg

ScreamingLordStokes
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by ScreamingLordStokes » Tue Mar 02, 2021 5:09 pm

Yes thanks Chris, i realise that, I've already done a size comparison check. I was looking in your direction as the club's "gearing guru" to offer a practical solution actually 🙄.
I don't know, it's hard work being Lord Stokes! I dream up super ideas like putting a new V8 in the Stag, fuel injection on the Tr6, a new V8 in the AEC Mandator a lovely square steering wheel into our beautiful Allegro, a "Big, Bold and Beefy" tyre for the Marina and what happens? The engineers fluff the job and let me down 😂.

Ok joking aside, it is interesting when a car is restored to as original condition as possible but is then fitted with modern tyres. That's not a criticism, just an observation. So here's a question:
is it better to have a modern tyre, original spec size, from a manufacturer from the era of the car, such as Dunlop, Michelin, Goodyear etc. Or should a period treaded classic tyre be fitted to further enhance the original look of the car?

It will be interesting to see what tyres Danny Hopkins chooses for his early 1.3 coupe restoration as he could fit 520x13 crossplies!

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MarinaCoupe
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by MarinaCoupe » Wed Mar 03, 2021 8:17 am

Sorry - I missed the opportunity to bore people with tyre sizes 😆.

That’s a good question. At the club Nationals, the make/design of tyres isn’t counted towards originality. Until recently the availability of any standard sized tyre has been a problem. Remoulds were the only options and I think that Blockley’s are remoulds + happy to be proved wrong.

Tyres are a bit of a conundrum, people decry the cost of the premium products and often go for the cheapest option, yet if we were talking about say water pumps everyone would be saying “I only buy OE or premium aftermarket supplier - they last longer/do a better job”.

I know Danny has his tyres sorted now, I’ll ask him.

I know that someone will bite on this, but personally I value the handling improvement (potential safety) that wider tyres give on a Marina or Ital. BL later went for 155s as standard, that would be my starting point, so on standard wheel rims, either 155/70 or 165/70 for me.

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MarinaCoupe
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by MarinaCoupe » Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:36 am

Well Danny plans to go for the Cross Ply option!

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PHUQ
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Re: Classic Tyres

Post by PHUQ » Wed Mar 03, 2021 12:28 pm

There's an argument that old cars were designed around "classic" tyres, both widths/ profiles and tread patterns (I suppose it's a bit chicken and egg really, suspension and steering evolved alongside tyres) and therefore the cars will handle and ride best on the "correct" tyres. I suspect there's probably some truth in that in some cases, certainly if you're looking at extremes, but with the Marina hardly having a reputation as a handling machine it's not unreasonable to expect that improvements could be made with modern tyres. I drive fairly enthusiastically, I have modern 165/70 R13s on the TC wheels and will probably have a second set of alloys with some fairly high quality modern all weather tyres on that are a little wider again. I put 185s on it when it was on the road before (on 5.5" wide wheels) and they were a huge improvement over the 4.5" steels with 155s.

The Triumph 2500 has Uniroyal Rain Expert 3s, and 15" alloys over the original 13" steels (I can't remember the size, they're a fair bit wider than standard and the nearest equivalent radius) and I've been very impressed with them, very reassuring on damp twisty roads.
Matt
1974 1973 Tundra Black Tulip 1800 SDL TC Estate "Mud"- Freshly Franked rolling shell.
Really, really horrible 1974 Black Tulip 1300 DL- Basically compost.

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