What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

[patrick fisher]

I'm pretty sure you don't need tubes.

[Wil Mittelbach]

I am sorry if this has been asked and answered before. Since these rims were designed for tube-type tires, If I put tubeless tires on the car, do I still need to run tubes? It seems I read somewhere that a tubeless tire could come off the rim if it deflated suddenly.
Thanks, Dennis

Dennis -
Years ago I replaced the early tube tires with tubless Vredestien tires on the original 4.5" rims of my C cab. Very satisfied with their appearance and performance in "spirited" driving (with side drifts). Upon always maintaining proper tire pressures, have not had the occasion to run them without, or extreme low, pressures to determine if they may come-off the rims - as many tires can do, with or without tubes.
- Wil

[Edwin Ek]

If a tire requires a tube, Michelin XAS for example, what happens if you run without a tube?

[Geoff Fleming]

David's experiences point out important facts. Most importantly, that we are all individuals and some tend to think simply bolting in a hot engine or race tested set of tires means we are the equal of Stirling Moss. Not so.
No matter what tire brand you opt for, drive within your own comfort zone. No tire is perfect and none will prevent an accident...that is up to the driver. Of course, as Edwin correctly stated, we are now driving along with an amazing number of idiotic jerks who probably shouldn't even be allowed in a car as a passenger let alone behind the wheel!
Chose a set of tires from a good manufacturer, drive within your own limits and you won't be disappointed in the performance of the old 356.

P.S. ( Dennis...Personally, I don't know any 356 owner who is using tube tires anymore and I know dozens of owners. I've never had a set of tires with tubes on any of my 356s in the last thirty two years...no problems with rim adhesion, in any weather condition or situation, either.)

[Max Handley]

These are an excellent choice, Vredestein 165hr15, speed rated to 120 mph. I found them on EBay for $540 shipped .

[Edwin Ek]

Geoff, does what you say about not using tubes hold true for the XAS tire, which calls for a tube?

[Alec Wilder]

I am looking to replace my Michelin xzx 165 sr 15's on a 56 coupe. They have worked well for 15 years. way overtime to replace.
Reading through the privious posts I am trying to figure out the difference between the Michelin XZX and the XAS.
I know the speed rating is S for the XZX which I think means 112 mph.
The speed rating for XAS is H which I think is 130 mph.
I am never going to go over 80, so are their other benefits to the XAS that justifies the extra cost?

thanks.

[Max Handley]

They used to be my favorite auto cross tires. Loved the way you could control a nice throttle oversteer with the XAS,s

[Jeffrey Leeds]

The XAS has an asymmetrical tread pattern meaning that the tire has an outside (sidewall facing out to the street) and an inside (meaning the sidewall faces towards the center line of the car) mounting requirement. An asymmetrical tire is designed that way work differently to give the car a good balance and better cornering as a result of the outside of the tire having less grooving and sipes thereby providing more grip. The XAS was the first asymmetrical tire ever produced by a tire manufacturer. Now they are common.

The XZX has a conventional tread pattern meaning it can be mounted in any direction and flipped inside to outside to even-out wear patterns.

[Alec Wilder]

Thank you for the replies and explanation of the differences. I do like to go fast around corners on our great roads here in the Shenandoah valley.
Looks like some XAS's are in my future! Thanks again.

[Steve Proctor]

...and you can get a set at Coker for just under $1000 plus shipping, mounting, balancing, etc. for the 165s of just over for the 185s. Their Vredesteins are about half that price.

[Alec Wilder]

Steve, thanks for that price comparison data. wow, quite a difference.
So I went back through the pages of this thread, there are no bad reviews of the Vredestein's that I can find.
They have the same characteristics as the XAS's according to what I read.
So I called Coker and talked to a salesman. He said they were both good tires.
I tried to push him a bit and he could not describe any benefits of the XAS's over the Vredesteins. He also pointed out the price difference.

I'm reminded of the old question "do you have an trouble making up your mind?"
ANSWER -Well.... yes and no.

But it looks like there is no reason not so save money and get the Vredesteins.

Thanks so much to this forum and you guys for responding.
I got an tire education and shopper education all in one!!!

[Steve Proctor]

Alec, to be frank, it was a shocker to me as well. Others can confirm or deny, but if I recall correctly, Coker bought the molds from Michelin and they make low quantity runs of these tires for which there is a relatively low demand. Therefore, they are amortizing their setup costs over
smaller production run, hence the higher prices. Good luck!!

[Alec Wilder]

Steve,
thank you. I will post a review after I get them mounted and balanced (balanced was another saga for me, but I finally have that one solved ).
I am looking forward to seeing how they feel in the corners!!!

[Max Handley]

I don't believe the Verdestein Classic Sprint is a asymmetrical design.