<VV> Tires from the EU

[mark at noakes.com]

Since I did the trailer tires post, I felt the need to correct it. 
Appropriate size tires (tyres) are still available in the EU if you are 
willing to look at the tire specs instead of the absolute tire size. 
After all, 185/80R13 wasn't around when the Vairs were new either.

Brands to look at include Vredestein and Michelin though there are quite 
a few other vendors that still sell 13 inch in the EU, not just in 
skinny sizes either.

205/70R13 is a common but pricey Michelin EU size. Vredestein has 
something very close to the old 7.00-13 (640/700R13), slightly 
larger/narrower than 185/80 that is probably the best match.

I know everyone is familiar with Coker and probably Diamond Back Tires 
(dbtires.com). DB either carries or can get the Vredestein 13 inch 
tires. Of course both vendors carry the 185/80R13 whitewalls that were 
mentioned and noted as not first choice.

http://www.classictyres.com/

The UK link above has them all, and they will ship to the US. None of 
this is cheap, but the days of cheap 13 inch tires is over given small 
manufacturing runs due to low demand, except for some rare jackpot deal 
that someone might run across once in a while.

Much of the above info came from a vintage Lotus contact in Sweden. I'm 
used to having to go all over the world to find parts and info these days.

For the 66 I have deserted to 15-inch aluminum wheels with BFG gForce 
Sports. Maybe that size will be around for a little while.

Mark N



On 12/12/11 1:12 PM, Sethracer at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 12/12/2011 9:49:05 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, 
> mark at noakes.com writes:
>
>     But 185/80R13s ARE "skinny little things". I've swapped to 15s
>     with 55
>     series on my 66.
>
>     There are a few around still...
>
>     http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Discount_Tires.cfm?pID=4343&pn=GDY-762045400
>
>     http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=135&Cookie=froogle&details=Ordern&typ=R-211306&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1
>     <http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=135&Cookie=froogle&details=Ordern&typ=R-211306&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1>
>
> Those are trailer tires - Not for automotive use. Maybe elsewhere!
> - Seth Emerson (Who also moved to 15" wheels for both Corvairs)
>
>
> Seth Emerson
>
> *C's* the Day! - Corvair, Camaro, Corvette
> San Jose, CA*
>
>
>
> *