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

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Jeffrey Vogel
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#421 Post by Jeffrey Vogel »

not wanting to start a flame war, my current mechanic worked at McCreay tires in the 1990's .They manufactured the tires for Coker and others, The "Michelins" that Coker sells are made from a licensed mold , NO other Michelin outlet will provide the 165R15 vintage tires, it's all done via Coker. IMO their standards are not the same as MIchelin itself. My guy was on production floor so it's really from the horses mouth, a Michelin rep perhaps was referring to current line of tires alone
jeffrey vogel
driving since 1959
porsche 356 SC
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Triumph t100R
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Edwin Ek
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#422 Post by Edwin Ek »

I just now spoke to a sales representative at Coker Tire. He confirmed what I thought: Michelin makes all the Michelin tires Coker sells, including the XZX.

I suppose the Michelin representative I spoke to at the Laguna Seca racetrack and the Coker sales representative could both be misinformed or dissembling, but that seems improbable.

Jeffrey, you can give a call to Coker or Michelin yourself, if you are unconvinced and care to pursue it.

There are a lot of dealers here in the US which sell XZX tires. Coker appears to have exclusive distribution rights for the vintage tires.
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Michael A Fabacher
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1961 356b tire recommendations

#423 Post by Michael A Fabacher »

need suggestions on best tires for 356b...thank you

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George Hussey
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Re: 1961 356b tire recommendations

#424 Post by George Hussey »

George Hussey

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Bruce Smith
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Re: 1961 356b tire recommendations

#425 Post by Bruce Smith »

There are a whole lot of previous posts on this, even a 29 page Sticky: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27101 . Also, here's an article you can find under the Resources tab: https://porsche356registry.org/article/162 .
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Dick Weiss
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Re: 1961 356b tire recommendations

#426 Post by Dick Weiss »

The Michelin XAS 165 x 15 H-rated tire is excessive fo r our 356s, but the XZX S-rated tire may be more pricey the last time I heard. Of course, other tires are available.

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Steve Turino
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Re: 1961 356b tire recommendations

#427 Post by Steve Turino »

I went with Vredestein Sprint Classics from Tire Rack. $120 each. 165x15
1961 T5 Super Coupe
2013 Boxster S

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Thomas Sottile
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Re: 1961 356b tire recommendations

#428 Post by Thomas Sottile »

I have used many brand tires in the 30 years I have owned my 64 and honestly most tires I put on the car performed well. I have used top of the line to bottom. I now have Vredestein Sprint Classics on one set of wheels and goodyear on the other. I use 165 and 70 with nothing bigger.

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Greg Frick
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#429 Post by Greg Frick »

I have run 195/15 Goodyear Eagles for at least 30 years on my '63 356B coupe and had never heard of Vredestein before reading this thread.
But I tried them and just picked up the car from the shop.
What a stunning difference the correct size tire makes!
There is no vagueness in the steering any more, the car corners like it is glued to the road and the tires are quiet.
It is amazing what one can learn about a car owned for 52 years.
Greg

Peter Smit
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#430 Post by Peter Smit »

Have new Michelin 165R15 here in Holland on standard 4.5J rims, '61 356B. They replaced the 20 year old Michelin 165SR15 tyres which had 3k kms on them. First (subjective) impression: sudden jerks at the steering wheel makes the car throw its rear more than with the old tyres. Other differences: new ones made in Serbia, old ones made in France. Could be running in issues but next time I'm going for the Vredesteins as on my '59 Beetle, the new ones I got last week were made in Holland btw. That said, the 25 year old Michelin 155SR15 tyres on the Beetle gave me a shock with an emergency brake at low speed - the car just wouldn't stop skidding. Lesson learned: renew your tyres in time even when the profile still looks good or the old ones look more authentic.
Were are you engine #700267 ?

tom collingwood
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#431 Post by tom collingwood »

im building a 1959 356.
I have new Boyd Coddington 16x5.5 wheels for the car.

What size tire should i use for this hot rod build?

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Jon Paul Phillips
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#432 Post by Jon Paul Phillips »

Vredestein also makes a 175/70 R15 in their Sprint Classic tire. Has anybody tried those? I'm wondering if that's a good compromise in size for a car with a big bore engine producing more power and torque Than the 165R15's.

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

#433 Post by Jon Paul Phillips »

And .. to add on to that question ... my spare is an ancient 165R15 Semprit that needs replacing .. and as we all know, the spare fit is tight as it is. Especially if you run an old style battery cover (box type). Is 165R15 the largest tire that will fit in the spare slot up front?

Edwin Ek
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#434 Post by Edwin Ek »

Jon Paul Phillips wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:32 am And .. to add on to that question ... my spare is an ancient 165R15 Semprit that needs replacing .. and as we all know, the spare fit is tight as it is. Especially if you run an old style battery cover (box type). Is 165R15 the largest tire that will fit in the spare slot up front?
That is the common wisdom. True for my 1962 B also.
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Jeffrey Vogel
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

#435 Post by Jeffrey Vogel »

I see that Firestone has a new line of radials in 165r15 size , anyone tried them ?
jeffrey vogel
driving since 1959
porsche 356 SC
bugatti t35
lotus elan s2
miata NA
BMW r27
Triumph t100R
ALFA gulia

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