I’m not telling what to or not to do or endorsing what to do. You need to do your own research. Only sharing what’s out there. I’ve worked with concept vehicles over the last 4 decades with tire companies like Michelin. They’ve grooved custom treads, custom lettering etc etc. https://dbtires.com/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/smoothing-tire-sidewalls-removing-lettering.848043/
I wasn't implying any of sort. Just surprised what lengths people will go to in attempts to create illusions. Probably the silliest example I can think of such in past couple of decades is "fake patina", but at least in most cases it's not as questionable in terms of road safety as removing (shaving ?) material from tires. OTOH, I've always said "People do strange things".
@Pantdino4 - interesting! Ever since watching this video I drive mine without the lid on the airbox whenever I get the chance: Always conscious of sucking who-knows-what into the engine though! Do you have links to your air filter? I’m keen to implement some sort of solution as the induction noise is absolutely epic!! Thanks!
I would say if you are sticking with 14" wheelsstick with either Michelin XWX or Pirelli Cinturato. XWX durable and robust, Pirelli Cinturato More grip. I think you would probably go with the Pirelli on the bassis of this tyre test. https://www.longstone.com/images/tire-test/auto-bild-klassik-porsche-911-185-70-r15-classic-tire-test.pdf I must say i was a bit suprised that Michelin didnt do so well in the test. However the CN36 certainly did. Dunlop Racing are great for historic racing. We ship them all over the world. However they are not road legal in any sizes that will be relavent to you guys. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/vintage-tyres/dunlop-racing.html They are really no good for road rallying. they dont last long, their wet performance is dramatiaccly different. they are a road race tyre. they are all dont in a 204 compound on a crossply carcass designed to give fabulous progressive handling, which makes fantastic spectator sport and they are beautiful to race on. However part of thwe plan is also to level they playing feild among grids where the cars range 10 years in age, so i cant really think of a tyre less suited to road rallying. (though i do love raciong my Lotus Elite on them) If you are thinking of fitting different wheels, do bare in mind that your tyre is your first line of defence in your suspension. and the older the car, the more that is the case. When you fit taller wheels you have less side wall height to absorb the shocks of the road. you may also have a flatter more modern side wall, which again does not absorb the shocks of the road. You may think "I'm tough, i can take it, this is motorsport" however the firsat rule of motorsport is: To finish first - first finish What i mean by that is if your tyre is not absorbing the impacts of the road and your car falls apart, that is bad. which i guess leads me onto people fitting van tyres to go rallying! - WRONG! if your fuse blows in your car, do you replace it with a rusty nail? when the fuse doesnt blow any more, but the car catches fire, that again is not beneficial. You are better off dealing with as puncture than fitting a rock hard tyre that does not absorb the shocks of the road. All that being said, if you are looking for some super-duper no holds barred tarmac rally tyres, then you are probably as well with the Michelin TB tyres and i think the 18/60-15 is probably the one for you. I imagine it will fit. its about 20mm fatter and about 30mm smaller in Diameter. However if you want to win some rally stages that will make a big difference. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/18-60-15.html TB15 Intermediate Image Unavailable, Please Login then in semi slick TB5 F for the front and TB5 R for the rear Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dougal, “If” you go 15” on a Dino, what’s your thoughts on the Avon CR6ZZ? They look like a similar diameter as the 205/70VR15 Michelins. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
@Longstone Tyres Dougal, while your referenced comparison test article mentions the aging of tires in general terms, it doesn't seem to say anything about the age of each tested set. While I don't have any scientific data, in my 40+ years and countless sets of vintage tire experience I have felt/seen noticeable differences between "new", i.e. unused tires of different age/DOM. For example, new/unused tire made 2 or 3 years earlier than identical one made, let's say 6 months ago often feels noticeably "harder" (= less grip) by just pressing against the thread with a fingernail or thumb. In other words, let's say if the Pirelli tires used in the said test were made just a few weeks prior to the test and let's say Blockley's were made 4 years earlier, I would expect their performance to be significantly influenced by that age difference, especially for braking, cornering & handling.
