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Tire question for 1970 246 GT

Discussion in '206/246' started by racey red, Mar 9, 2008.

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  1. racey red

    racey red Rookie

    Jul 11, 2004
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    #1 racey red, Mar 9, 2008
    I need some help deciding which tire to buy. I currently have the Pirelli P 4000 (195-14). The original Manual for the car shows that the car should have 185-14's. Last year the car was at the Rodeo Drive Car show and the car got nicked, not because of the Pirelli's but because the tires were not the 185-14's as shown in the original manual. So, I've been reading about the Vredestein's and thinking about a set for the car the 185-14). I also have original documentation that I can also use Goodyear's! I believe that the documentation was for later Dino's. Also, the maual for my car show that the Michelins' are just the x and not the xwx's that everyone raves about for the later model Dino's. I'd like feedback. Instead of the Vredestein's I could get a set of Pirelli 185-14's since I've been really happy about the Pirelli performance on the car. I like to drive my car sometimes so it's not just a show car and I really hate to spend $2,500 for a set of driving tires that are going to be worn out in 5 years.
     
  2. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 dm_n_stuff, Mar 9, 2008
    isn't 205/70-14 the stock size for the car?

    And a little digging will produce several threads about tires here.

    If you want the Vredestein, contact Dave at Cloverleaf Racing he's giving all us a really nice price on them

    www.cloverleaf-auto.com

    DM
     
  3. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

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    #3 synchro, Mar 9, 2008

    DM turned us on to this option and I'm really pleased with these Vredsteins that I bought. Very sticky, great quality (minimal balance weights needed), and about half the cost of the Coker XWX's.
     
  4. racey red

    racey red Rookie

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    #4 racey red, Mar 9, 2008
    I just check the original Maintenance and service handbook 1970; and on page 116 it says; "Michelin 185 VR 14 X". I then check the original 246GT Spare Parts Catalogue 1969 and on page 36 it shows "Michelin 185 VR 14 X". On an original letter from Ferrari subsequent Technical sheet "Circolare Techica" from 1973 it says "we wish to inform you that on all Dino 246 GT, in alternative to tyres Michelin 205 70 VR 14x and Michelin 205 70 VR 14 XWX, it is possible to fit the following one - Goodyear 205 70 VR 14 Grand Prix 800. So I don't know whether this means that I should go with a 205 -14 tire or should I stay with the original of 185 VR 14. Thanks for the feedback on the Vredestein's. That's probably the direction I'll go.
     
  5. ferrari dino

    ferrari dino Karting

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    #5 ferrari dino, Mar 10, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here are pictures of a 1973 Cromodora 14 x 6 1/2 wheel and tire. This is an original Ferrari Dino spare that was never used.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
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  6. shross

    shross Karting
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    #6 shross, Mar 10, 2008
    I just purcashed 5 NEW XWX tires from Coker. Landed to me incl. shipping was $520 C$/tire
     
  7. racey red

    racey red Rookie

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    #7 racey red, Mar 10, 2008
    I never knew I could get so excited about a picture of a tire. The picture of the original Goodyear tire showing that is was made in Italy is beautiful on your 1973 Dino. However, my car is a 1970 "L" series. I don't know if the 205 tire would even work! Then again, the original manual on my "L" series shows the 185 tire.
     
  8. nerodino

    nerodino Formula 3
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    #8 nerodino, Mar 10, 2008
    But would you ever dare drive on it?
     
  9. sranderson

    sranderson Formula Junior

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    #9 sranderson, Mar 10, 2008
    I also have an "L" #00988 When I got my car it had well used Michelin XWX 205/75/VR14 on it. I now have the same size, but only with Vredestein's. Hopefully next month I can tell you how they ride.

    SRA
     
  10. 500tr

    500tr Formula 3

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    #10 500tr, Mar 10, 2008
    Up to 00528 = 185 VR 14
    From 00530 = 205/70 VR 14
    Both original Michelin XWX, today Vredestein Sprint Classic is a good alternative.
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 BigTex, Mar 10, 2008
    Same troubles on early 308GTBs...you won't find Goodyear street tires any longer in that size range, but they flew me in Fuldas from Germany .....which ARE Goodyear tires, as they own them..

    So take THAT whiney Tony Stewart! LOL!

    They are DOT rated so no worries...it's a modern 'gatorback style' tread though, nothing like the old Michelins....
     
  12. shaughnessy

    shaughnessy Formula 3
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    #12 shaughnessy, Mar 10, 2008

    206's had 185's
    did L series also have 185's not 205/70's Keith???

    does the supplement (paper insert) for the 206 manual (which is correct for an L series) have tire size change?

    Show photos please
     
  13. shaughnessy

    shaughnessy Formula 3
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    #13 shaughnessy, Mar 10, 2008

    Data source please

    Non challenging
     
  14. racey red

    racey red Rookie

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    #14 racey red, Mar 10, 2008
    Hi Tom,
    The manual for my car 1970 - 246GT clearly shows 185 - 14's. I believe this was the original manual for the car 00818 (L-Series). You saw the car onetime in Crystal Cove. I like the idea that someone else has the Michelin 205-14's on their "L" series however, I'm still concerned that I'll be nicked by Judges at a future car show if I go with the 205's vs the 185's. What do you think?
     
  15. abstamaria

    abstamaria F1 Rookie

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    #15 abstamaria, Mar 11, 2008
    Ferrari Dino,

    Is that the original tire valve?

    Andy
     
  16. shaughnessy

    shaughnessy Formula 3
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    #16 shaughnessy, Mar 11, 2008
    Depends on what rules Technically 185's do not exist

    FCA rules then allow for an appropriate tire and size to be substituted being 205/70's were the next size offered by the factory That would then be acceptable

    Not yet convinced all L's had 185

    Book was printed prior to the later cars being made and is NOT always correct (may have been correct at time of printing)
     
  17. shaughnessy

    shaughnessy Formula 3
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    #17 shaughnessy, Mar 11, 2008
    Depends on what rules Technically 185's do not exist

    FCA rules then allow for an appropriate tire and size to be substituted being 205/70's were the next size offered by the factory,that would then be acceptable

    Not yet convinced all L's had 185

    Book was printed prior to the later cars being made and is NOT always correct (may have been correct at time of manual printing)
     
  18. ferrari dino

    ferrari dino Karting

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    #18 ferrari dino, Mar 11, 2008
    Yes,
    The tire has never been off the rim. The valve cap is original. The wheel weights are original.
     
  19. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 BigTex, Mar 11, 2008
    That's the style that all of my unmolested rims carry......1976-1977
     
  20. sranderson

    sranderson Formula Junior

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    #20 sranderson, Mar 11, 2008
    In my 1969 spare parts catalogue reprint, pertaining to chassis's 00404 to 01116, TAV36 fig. 2, "Michelin 185 VR 14"

    But as Tom stated, "Not yet convinced all L's had 185"
     
  21. ferrari dino

    ferrari dino Karting

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    #21 ferrari dino, Mar 11, 2008
    What does the 1969 and the 1970 spare parts or owners manual say about wheel size? If I recall the older Dino's had narrower wheels in the front. This may be the reason for the 185's.
     
  22. sranderson

    sranderson Formula Junior

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    #22 sranderson, Mar 11, 2008
    1969 spare parts catalogue reprint, pertaining to chassis's 00404 to 01116, TAV36 fig. 2, "Michelin 185 VR 14" calls out 5 of the same size
     
  23. ferrari dino

    ferrari dino Karting

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    #23 ferrari dino, Mar 11, 2008
    If I recall correctly the L series wheel was 6 inches wide in the front and 6.5 inches wide in the back. The E series wheel was 6.5 inches wide in the front and in the back. This may be why the L series used 185's.
     
  24. 500tr

    500tr Formula 3

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    #24 500tr, Mar 11, 2008
    Jean Pierre Gabriel "Dino" for example.
     
  25. 500tr

    500tr Formula 3

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    #25 500tr, Mar 11, 2008
    206 - 246 E-series = 6.5 inches wide front and back.
     
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