328 tyres

Martin

It is the other way round.

a modern generic tyre tread pattern will change and become obsolete. However the P7 will be available, because it is part of the historic range that Pirelli are maintaining. I can't tell you for definite they will be available for ever. However there is a much bigger chance with the P7 that with a modern generic tyre.

By the way in Germany these tyres are distributed through Munchner Oltimer Reifen

 

Can't wait to get my new set of OEM P7's fitted.
My tyre fitter is not feeling 100% but when they are done I'll send photos. Hopefully not too long now.

 

Cheers Mark, I'm really keen to hear your impressions.

 

Are the Pirelli P7 availing the USA? I can’t find the online and a local tire shop told me that their distributor did not have them in stock.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

They aren't available through the normal tyre trade. when tyres like this get lost in amongst modern tyres they end up being old stock so they are available through a small quantity of specialist distributors.

In the US https://www.lucasclassictires.com/225-50YR15-PIRELLI-CINTURATO-P7-N4-225-5015.htm

Germany http://www.oldtimerreifen24.de/en/oxid-oxid-5/225-50R16-92Y-Pirelli-P7-N4-Verfuegbar-Februar-Maerz-2019.html?listtype=search&searchparam=225%2F50r16

On this web site https://www.cinturato.net/ in the top right corner their is a dealer locator. It isn't the worlds best web site, but it does have the fantastic Tortoise and Hare film on the home page. I think my favorite bit is a bout 11 minutes in when the truck driver is having lunch. Imagine making an advertising film with a truck drive drinking red wine from a magnum while he is driving along. I also like the record player in the E-Type, and that has to be the worlds poshest motorway services.

 

Well, 325 USD for ONE tire (per the linked website in post 55) is a bit out of my "reasonable" price range for new tires. OTOH, if I wanted a tire because it looked closest to a period OEM tire, it might be the only choice. Though, in the US, AFAIK, 328's came with Goodyears, not Pirellis..."Because Mr. Ferrari said so!"

As far as wanting a tire that performs like the car was "designed for," I have never heard anyone claim that a car performed better with "original" tires than it does with newer designed tires. I sure wouldn't want a late 60's muscle car that performed like it did originally with Goodyear Polyglas tires when I could fit it with modern tires that can actually provide traction!

Re traction - my 'favorite' Polyglas story is having a stock Plymouth Belvedere 426 Hemi spin a set of them for nearly the entire drags strip's 1/4 mile. They worked OK for braking because the brakes basically sucked anyway but applying any power while cornering could quickly have you facing the opposite direction. IMO, they were the world's first (and only) self-greasing tires.

 

I remember when when we use to use “intertube”. Do you guys remember those days?
It may be period correct to some models but this is something you don’t want to go
Back to, it’s unsafe for one thing.

 

Mike, turn up my - french - light please! "Intertube" is the process when you have to put an airchamber inside the tyre?

Rgds

 

Usually the car performs much better with modern tires. The problem is that you then have a different car: maybe better maybe worse, who knows. What I saw in person with the oltimer Porsche (911 3.2, 1987), is that the car can become even dangerous with an high grip tires set, while is much safer with winter tires (low grip ones). 308 hasn't such a problem, so more or less you can install what you want. I just avoid "race" tires, preferring the most "standard" possible, as they are Always ten times better than the original (CN36, P7, Eagle NCT, Michelin MXV)

 

Re inner tubes: two of my motorcycles still use innertubes - my old '73 Norton Commando (of course), and my 2015 BMW R9T. My wife's 2018 Honda Africa twin also uses tubes. All three bikes have spoked wheels which generally require tubes. Don't think they have used tubes on street car tires since the late '50s or early 60's.

 

I didn't know that the 2015 BMW R9T has inner tubes (camere d'aria, "room foor air", in Italian). I knew BMW produced rotaded beam wheels that could use the tubeless tires. For example the BMW GS since many years has option beam wheels with (much safer) tubeless tires

ciao

 

facts and not opinions here below:

- Dario Benuzzi set the 308 for specific tires after many weeks on Fiorano, Vizzola, Balocco and Nardò test tracks. If you change the tires, the original handling is lost

- with modern tires, the Handling can be worse or better: who knows

- The 308 is a very well balanced car: it works well with every tire set you install

- I drive my cars for low mileage: I prefer to have a cheap fresh tire than a fantastic very expensive 10 years old one

- the P7 classic is very cool, but very expensive.

-every modern tire is much better than the OEM

- I waste my time writing here


ciao

 

Correct, and I think back then they have not even invented the four ply radials yet.

 

Same expression in French, Alberto: "chambre à air", litteraly: "a room for air"
Rgds

 

Thanks Mike. Changed a few in the Army when I was driving 6x6 trucks. Not a pleasant job...
Rgds

 

Really?

I thought everyone knew they did.

Do you really think the P7 is expensive? https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/pirelli-collezione/cinturato-p7.html I think you pay that for modern Ferrari tyres.

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding...Are you claiming that a car built in (say) 1989 performed better with the tires available in 1989 than the same car will with currently available tires?

 

The guy who originally owned my Jag said that he had a record player in it, I had never seen one until that vid. Thanks!

Lester

 

Yes buddy, on numerous previous posts.

Am I correct in thinking Dougal that these heritage P7's have been improved from when they were first released back in the day?
I know the tread pattern is the essentially the same but have they improved the compound to make it stickier or made any improvements with the durability of the tyre?

I for one have bought a set and look forward to seeing what they are like.

 

I'm curious how they behave with lane grooves and how they feel after a certain amount of wear. 90s tyres like the Goodyear Eagle -I was told back then that's the best tire for my car- were a disaster regarding this.

Disappeared with Michelin Pilot Sports 1st gen., Pirelli PZero Nero and still completely absent with my current modern Michelins.

Of course I understand, that dealers claim a lot.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Mr. Longstone, what you stated about my new tyres is absolutely untrue. I have selected in Europe ContiSport Contact because they were the best tyres performance wise with great looks for a senior Ferrari in the 16" sizes. I did not care about the price but mention it as service to my many fellow Ferrari owners. I have driven the original Good Year tyres with the V pattern which were o.k., but driving with these new tyres and earlier with Dunlop showed that tyres with modern rubber compounds are not surprisingly substantial better, hence more steering fun. These are - by the way -also the standard fits for new P's from Germany. The profiles and compounds of the day versus decades ago is a major difference. The looks is another issue but I like these since the looks suit my 328 very well.

 

I recently went through the tire thing for aged tyres ( 2003) on my 208 GT4 approx only 80 % good but rock hard with age .
The XDX I think NA in 195 60 14 so I went for modern £55 a corner Yokohama s .
Noted Longstones XWX at something like £285 per corner .
Just seems daft money.

Anyways perfectly happy , the Yoko a have sticky compound and softer side walls which suits me as I have poly bush suspension albeit Ferrari spec so the car can stand a gentle softer 60 profile tyre . .

So Iam with the current mix n match camp sorry Dougal

 

Yes to pretty much all of the above. though i wouldn't make any claims about durability. that isn't high priority.

And i would expect them to be noisier than a modern tyre, because that is a high priority of modern tyre design.

 

I expect that will be one of the improved features of fitting an a P7 tyre carcass to your car.

Of course you cannot totally stop tracking, because those ruts are just there in the road, the only way to totally stop it is to get the ruts out of the road. but i would expect a period tyre carcass to diminish that tracking caused by those ruts a little bit. I would also expect a slightly quicker more precise, responsive turn in compared to a modern tyre, and if you give it loads of wellie in the corners (which is cool) then i would expect a slightly more progressive breakaway and it to be more subtle when it grips again. among other subtle features.

On the subject of handling, check out my 1959 Lotus Elite in action https://www.facebook.com/longstonetyres/posts/2330082417058455 the Start is about minute 9. Look how well that handles for such a massively under powered car. (its not really relevant. I'm just showing off cos i love my little Elite)

 

Finally had my new P7's fitted late last week.
Will get some photos up soon.
Love the look and the ride so far (bare in mind they still have the oily surface coating being brand new).