<VV> Tires

[Ken Maxwell]

Hi Guys!

 

I am in the tire business here in Louisville, KY and almost all traditional
manufacturers have now discontinued not only the P185/80R13 size but all 13
inch sizes!  There just isn’t enough demand for them to justify the extra
stocking units. The only reliable source we had recently was the excellent
Korean made Kumho “795” but they have now dropped the 13 inch tire as well.
We are able to still get the P185/80R13 “H714” tire from Hankook, which is
made in China. It has a nice ¾” white wall and a “90S” speed rating. I have
a set ready to mount on my new wire wheels from Clark’s (assuming they are
ever shipped) but I haven’t tried them personally yet. We sell lots of
Hankook tires however and they seem to have an excellent reputation. I gave
our local club members a special deal on these tires and many of them
stocked up, some buying three sets!  I hate to say it, but I wouldn’t be
surprised to see 13 inch tires of any kind dropped by all major manufactures
soon. We will only have the option of buying from specialty manufactures
like Coker or be forced to go to 14” or larger wheels. I also have found
that 14 inch tire sizes are rapidly disappearing as well. My recommendation
is to buy an extra set now if you plan on needing some any time soon. Store
them in a cool dark place and wrap them in black plastic bags and they will
keep for many years. 

 

Ken Maxwell

Louisville, KY

65 Monza Spyder

 

P.S. We are having a harder time getting the Hankooks here lately. There are
some “on the water” coming form China right now but our regional warehouse
is currently sold out.