Discussions: Classic Cars: Poll question redux Classic Motorsports Magazine

Classic Motorsports Forum » Classic Cars »
Poll question redux

Oct. 13, 2008 10:18 a.m. bikesnrovers New Reader

Great question! And I can't answer it. My '65 Land Rover should have come with 15 inch rims, but there were 16's on it when I got it and they look like they were original to the truck - dealer upgrade??? Then I put on a bit wider Wolf rim that is OEM Land Rover but not for a Series truck.

I consider that OK as the truck really isn't original with a up graded diesel, parabolic springs, and halogen head lamps. (Another poll question: should classics have the OEM style head lamps?) And I wanted to run a bigger off- road tire, so it was a performance upgrade.

My GT6 is not running spec tires on it. Well, it is not running, period, right now. I have been having an internal debate if I should stick with the wider tires that were put on for better performance or should I go back to the original spec.

I don't know if the drive train can handle the "meatier" tires - especially the Rotoflex. But I do like the idea or better road adhesion. But, then again, I am not going for a show car trailer queen, but a driver that I will take to shows.

So, again, I have the same question running through my head and it probably will not be resolved right up until the last minute when it is time to order tires.
Oct. 13, 2008 10:57 a.m. rconlon Reader

My Spider is a regular driver and so I installed a tire that is close but a bit wider. The original 13 inch steel wheels were often upgraded at the dealer to these period correct Cromadoras and I like the look. I am not fond of the look of modern 15 inch or bigger rims on the Fiat.

Cheers Ron
Oct. 13, 2008 3:20 p.m. Leo Basile New Reader

I cant imagine my Morgan with anything but orginal rubber...and wire wheels for that matter.

With that said, I can see something a bit bigger on a TR-6 or anything that can truly take the tires to the edge.

Leo
Oct. 13, 2008 3:43 p.m. aeronca65t Reader

My '69 MGB has Sumitomo HTR 185-70-14s These are a "summer" tire, which is fine for the way I use it.....driven moderately (almost 2000 miles since mid-summer). The car has (painted) wire wheels and I wondered if the 185 width might look too big on them; I couldn't find 175s. Anyway, they look fine,especially since they have the 70 series profile. I had these tires (in a smaller size) on my race-Spridget when it was a street car. They are nothing super-special, but they stick OK and are a good value for the money.
Oct. 13, 2008 4:48 p.m. TR3only New Reader

I answered "yes", but with a bit of hesitation. I mean, my TR3 (which I no longer own) and my Spitfire (ditto) looked okay with factory spec rubber and wheels of the factory size, but I would have upgraded to lighter "mag" wheels on the Spit, as it had those funny looking (to me) bolt on wire wheels and maybe even on the 3...all the time keeping the SIZES factory spec.
Oct. 13, 2008 6:02 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

I think a little beefier is okay, but it really depends. Some cars look good with a little more rubber; some, not so much.
Oct. 13, 2008 6:10 p.m. Shinsen774 Reader

I have the original 1964 14" wire wheels with P185-70 radials....much wider than the original bias ply tires that came on it. But, they don't rub, they are still easy to turn even a parking speeds, look good, and ride great. '64 MGB Roadster
Oct. 13, 2008 7:57 p.m. Sownman New Reader

Well the real question should have been. "Do you think your classic that came with bias ply tires should stay with bias ply tires"?

I'm keeping two sets of wheels. One set of Panasports with radial tires for weekend drives. One set of original steel wheels with bias ply whitewalls just as it came from the factory for shows.

Both sets of wheels are original size 13"
Oct. 13, 2008 8:53 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

On a lot of old classics wider just doesn't always equal better... or at least you hit a tipping point.

On an MGB, for example, I think something up to 185/60-14 works pretty well, assuming the wheel/tire package is pretty lightweight. Anything beyond that and you can easily end up with a B that doesn't want to turn and has all sorts of other problems. The '40s era suspension just wasn't designed for the higher loads. I've heard some folks claim that's one of the reasons the MGC had some handling issues--the larger, wide and heavy 15-inch and wires combo. Not sure I believe it, but it's food for thought.

I do think weight is a big factor. If you're upping the size of the tire, try to balance it out with lighter wheels.

Anyways, I think it's pretty easy to over-tire a classic, leading to a car that's going to be more prone to suspension failures and less enjoyable to drive.

But still, I'm a big fan of reasonable upgrades, especially when they're suited to the age of the vehicle. I had a 71 BGT with 185/60s on a set of vintage Libre wheels, for example. Loved that setup.
Oct. 14, 2008 1:03 a.m. TR3only New Reader

Having driven, and for that matter, learned to drive on cars with bias ply tires, if the question had been would you update to radials or keep the bias ply tires that were original to your classic....well, I'd have to go for the radials. I don't remember what sizes of tires came on the TR3 and the Spitfire, but I might be tempted to go 1 size wider if it improved the looks of these cars. The Spitfire, especially, seems to have very narrow tires, though I also agree that too much tire probably would result in suspension "difficulties".