i went with universal tire 185/15 5/8" white wall. it is a knockoff off the dunlop sp sport except the dunlop has a 3/8" ww. the original dunlop is available in a blackwall only and is expensive. you can get the dunlop in a white wall but need to go to 205/70 size.
Hi Ed, Yes, exactly, but at the time as the profile marking was not yet standardized they called the size 205 ER70 which is the same as 205/70VR15. It was the same size and same tyre as all XJ Series 1 and series 2 had. Cheers, Pekka T. Fin. Ps. Regarding whitewalls, I think the Vred has been available with thin whitewall, I have not seen any new Dunlops or Michelins with whitewalls for decades. Coker and Avon have had some whitewalls IIRC. In 1966 most US delivery vars still came with thin whitewall Dunlops from the factory, in Europe most cars were already being fitted with radials.
Hopefully this will have the detail about E-type tyres https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/jaguar/e-type.html it should have some films that help too. Personally the thought of a white wall on and e-type makes my skin crawl. However if i had sold tyres to all the customers i have upset over the years with my scathing comments about white wall tyres on European Sports cars, then i would probably be a millionaire. My other favorite way of losing customers is insisting that fitting oversized tyres to European Sports cars spoils the handling I think the film on this web page is fantastic https://www.cinturato.net/ . I particularly like the truck driver drinking red wine out of a magnum while driving for probably a 14 hour stint. Ahh! the '60s! What is health and safety?
Longstone, I like the thin whitewall on some of the E-Types. This is my 70 2+2 that I’ve had for about a month. I think those are Dayton wire wheels with the Vreds on them (stock size). I’m thinking about moving to dog ear knock offs and still assessing everything. Not sure what my other tire options are. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Oh no, this is how i upset loads of people and loose customers on a regular basis. I am sorry but i can't help but say what i believe I don't like the Vrtedestein tyre. i don't like the tread pattern, I don't like the side wall design. I like them to look like a classic tyre. since we sell less Vredesteins we have had less complaints about those dints on the side wall (6 o'clock & 7 o'clock on your picture) I prefer the period carcass structure of a branded tyre like a Pirelli or a Michelin which makes it handle better. (as well as the look). it looks like you are running with inner tubes which is good news. wire wheels should be fitted with inner tubes. I am against tubeless wire wheels It's just me but i can't bare to see a European sports car on a white banded or white walled tyre. specially an e-type. I think it's too garish, and trying too hard. However, i realize that is my opinion from an aesthetic point of view. There aren't any good tyres with a white band on them. the best we can do is send either a Michelin or a Pirelli to a company we deal with that will build a white wall into the side. It's not cheap and it takes a while, but it can be done so you don't diminish the handling. I do quite like a 2 ear spinner on an e-type. but those ones you have are nice and subtle. I am sorry for my brutal honesty
