330 GTC and BF Goodrich Radial T/A Tires

Hello all- Firstly, I know this topic is discussed often. I need to replace my tires and do not care about showing it at the Concourse level (I just want to enjoy the hell out of it driving it). I am considering these tires in 205 70R 14. (https://www.cokertire.com/bf-goodrich-t-a-radials.html) Has anyone tried them? Any feedback?

 

I'm using them on my car, they are on my alloy wheels, I've put about 2,000 miles on them. I have no complaints other than they squeal around corners more than I'd like. They have a decent ride, and a decent predictable grip. I used black tire paint to cover the white lettering and turned them to the inside. I'm fortunate to also have a set of Borranis that will get Michelins for events and gatherings but for ripping around and dirty work, the BFG's and alloy combination work for me.

I bought mine from Tire Rack, they are a common tire for muscle cars and were priced right.

TM in Socal

 

I would like to clarify that I'm using 215-70R-14, they have a larger rolling diameter then the 205 and are much closer to the original size and fill the wheel well better. The extra width looks better to me too.

 

These tyres are not speed rated for a 330 GTC with a max speed of 112 mph, so obviously not a performance car tyre. They won't be up to the job in all aspects of performance such as handling, braking, acceleration etc. Your insurance company may not pay out in the event of an accident.

 

Massimo: please look at my recent post regarding tubeless tires on wire wheels.
Bob Z.

 

Why not just use the proper Michelin XWX's?

 

In my opinion - of all the tires I've used, the XWX were absolutely the worst, especially in the rain.
Yes, they were used with the exact size proper tubes and the wheels were aligned to factory specs.
Look at my post - I've tried quite a few tires.
Furthermore, I've now driven the car well over 140,000 miles, probably more than any other GTC owner.
And, it is my everyday car.
Keep in mind that my opinions are based on my personal experience.
Other results may differ.

Bob Z.

 

In the "Ferraris at Motor Shows" thread, many of the tires are highlighted white, allowing you to see what Ferrari used in period. Several of the Ferrari models (slightly older than the GTC) had "Dunlop Sp Sport" tires. The last photo in this post (http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/144359530-post4.html) shows highlighted tires on a GTC, but unfortunately the photo isn't high enough resolution to read the tires. Maybe Marcel or someone else has a higher res version of this photo to see what tire was used.

I think I read that the Michelin XWX wasn't introduced until late 1968, so they may not have been the original GTC tire, but they certainly seem to be accepted as the most correct tire available today.

 

I agree with the other posts that it's probably better to go with V-rated tires. Regarding the T/A's, I think BF Goodrich also makes a version of the T/A without the white lettering (it's also cheaper, but not sure what differences there are between the 2 T/A types).

Are you sure of the 205 70/14 size? 205 is pretty narrow, so it sounds like that might be the width for the original tires, which were probably 80 or 78 series. Normally you would replace 205/78 or 80 series with something like a 225 in a 70's series to get the same rolling diameter (or use a 205 in 78/80 series if you want full profile). I know the standard width for the 330 GT is 205 in the 78/80 tire, not sure what the standard size is for the GTC though.

 

Yes, my car's build sheet shows Dunlop 205x14" HR crossed out and replaced with Pirelli 210 x 14" HS. I don't think either of those are available any longer, so I believe 205 x 14 Michelin XWX is the best period proper alternative. I haven't put as many miles as Bob on my GTC, maybe 25,000, and have gone through two sets of XWX's so far. I do drive the car quite spiritedly, and have no complaints about the XWX's. I avoid driving in the wet, but did get caught once during a rally and they were fine.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

IIRC the original Michelin designation for the type was XVR and it became XWX in early 1970's.

 

I have Vredestein Sprint Classics on my Daytona but they also come in 330GTC size. One of the few modern tyres specifically designed for classic cars. They have good wet weather grip and noticeably less road roar than the Pirellis I had on previously. They are also massively cheaper than the XWX and have the same speed rating too.

 

Thank you all. I'm not going with the michelins because of cost. Bob I searched your threads and never found one on point- unless you are referring to your thread on sealing your wire wheels. If I missed it please let me know. I am leaning towards the BF Goodrich in R rating. Never see myself going anywhere near 112 mph. Thanks.

 

It's not just the 112 mph speed rating. As my post said it's the handling, braking, acceleration up to this speed that this tyre will not be able to handle. You are seriously going to compromise the driving experience with the Goodrich tyres as well as the safety of yourself and others, imo.

 

Steve: Have you personally driven cars with the Goodrich T/A tires? They are very good tires. I agree with others that tire technology has passed the XWX by, and they are lacking in many areas today. The individual owner must make the decision whether to have tires that fit the "originality " of the car, or tires that take advantage of the latest developments in technology.

 

No, I haven't and I would not drive a 330 GTC with a 112 mph speed rated tyre. You are correct, Dyke that technology has passed the XWX by and will be lacking by today's standard. However a R rated tyre is not taking advantage of the latest developments in tyre technology for a 150 mph car, however old it is. These tyres will not be designed for this kind of car, but I accept that your knowledge is of course far greater than mine on these matters.

 

Unfortunately Mathew, I don't think they do these in GTC size.

They list 205/70 VR 14 but these are too small to fill the wheel arches properly. The GTC was originally fitted with higher profile (80?) 205 tyres. Most owners now use 215/70 VR 14, although I believe Longstone do have the original size.

My mid 1968 car was originally fitted with Firestone Cavallino tyres - which IIRC was a very short lived product. I have no knowledge of their performance but I agree that XWXs are way behind more modern tyres.

 

I think the original GTC tires worked out to 82 profile

 

I suspect what Dyke is saying is that in braking, cornering and all areas but speed rating, that the modern tires will be better than the vintage remakes, so they will be the safer tire and better performing if not stressed speed-wise (please correct me if I'm wrong Dyke).

The problem, however, is that the sizes the 330 GTC (and GT) use have largely been forgotten by modern tiremakers, so there are few, if any, "modern design" tires that are V-rated. So the choices seem to be vintage designs that look correct and are V-rated (but don't necessarily drive as well) or modern tires that aren't V-rated but otherwise drive better. There is no one answer for everyone. It's a little frustrating to pay a significant premium for vintage tires that don't perform as well, but still well worth it when correctness is important (and the cost is pretty trivial in the overall context). If you don't care about correctness, and just want to drive the wheels off of it, then modern tire is probably better if used within the speed bounds.

Have heard good things about the Sprint Classics in other tire threads, but they seem to be about the same ballpark price-wise as XWX'x (for the 330 GT 15" 215/70 tires, they cost more than XWX's).

 

Mine were £70 a tyre cheaper than XWX's from Vintage tyres in the UK.

 

I could have sworn that back in the day I replaced my 330 gtc tires with
205/vr/ 14, which are taller than 205/70/14. Double check as I may be wrong, it's been a few years

 

That sounds exactly right -- 205 should be correct for full profile tires. A 205/70 would match the original width, but the diameter would be much smaller. 215/70 is commonly used, but even that is smaller in diameter than full size 205's. There is a tire size calculator here -> https://tiresize.com Technically, 225/70's are closer to the original tire diameter, but you might have rubbing issues (I think I recall someone saying the front tires are tight for clearance on the GTC).

 

Thanks all- I spoke with Coker and while they recommend going with the XWX, they also said I would get the speed rating (s) with a BF Goodrich T/A in 212-70-14, BUT it might rub. Does anyone run that size and does it rub? Thanks.

 

THE R speed rating is actually only 106 mph and S is 112 mph.

 

I can't comment specifically because my car is a 330 GT, not a GTC, but it seems like the answer to your question is in previous posts. It sounds like John B is running XWX's in 215/70-14 and Jumprun is running TA's in 215/70-14, so it seems like it will work. I'm assuming you meant 215 rather than "212". I'm not sure what you mean by you can get a speed rating on the TA though.

The rolling diameter of 215/70 is slightly smaller than the stock full height 205's, but it's close enough to look and drive correct. In my 330 GT, which has 15" wheels rather than 14" on the GTC, I am running 215/70-15's instead of the 205 (full height) 15's and, surprisingly (because the rolling diameter of the 215/70 is slightly smaller), the indicated speed on my speedometer seems to be quite accurate when compared to a GPS speedometer.