I know this has been talked about before, but i'm somewhat confused over the whole situation.
I am 'slowly' restoring our 56 RHD UK oval.. But I need to buy some tyres to take it down off the axle stands and move it about.
I want some radial tyres as the car is my wifes and she intends to use it often with our young daughter. Therefore as much as I'd love to put some crossplies on the car i dont think its safe enough. and the cost is twice as much!..
What I want to know is what is the best size and type of radial that would look the part, be as close to the original size (thinking speedo reading aswell).
I've narrowed it down to the Michelin XZX's, the vredestein classics or the Firestone F560's.
Firestone don't seem to do a 155. but the others do, I was looking at a oval at the weekend and the 155's seem to look better but obviously they are smaller in diameter.
Any views on the correct tyre size?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 11 May 2009 13:25:55
[quote=54DoubleDoor]
Firestone don't seem to do a 155. but the others do, I was looking at a oval at the weekend and the 155's seem to look better but obviously they are smaller in diameter.
[/quote]
I agree! They look good (nothing like crossplies mind! :wink: ) and just sit nicely in the arch!
I think Firestone stopped the production of them last year for a while as they needed to re-tool orsomething! We ended up having to buy the next size up for the 55 that I cal tractor tyres for obvious reasons!
Annoyingly they still have loads of tread on them so I guess we'll have to make do for a little while longer! :lol:
Posted by: VW Stan - 11 May 2009 13:37:14
I think I'd go for the the Vredestein sprint classic - 155SR15
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Posted by: JD - 11 May 2009 14:22:02
[quote=VW Stan]I think I'd go for the the Vredestein sprint classic - 155SR15
[/quote]
I had some of them. They look a bit crappy TBH. The grip is nothing to shout about either.
I´ve been in the same dilemma myself. I wondered about getting some Michelin X tyres - the original radial. They´re at least period correct. I suppose they are still made?
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 11 May 2009 14:28:22
[quote=JD]
I had some of them. They look a bit crappy TBH. The grip is nothing to shout about either.
I´ve been in the same dilemma myself. I wondered about getting some Michelin X tyres - the original radial. They´re at least period correct. I suppose they are still made?[/quote]
Agreed!
I have these on the front of my 63 and they are not nice!
Posted by: Sunroof53 - 11 May 2009 15:41:05
Radials are definitly smaller, and the xzx's are still availible from classic tyres.I changed from radials to Camac crossplies and would not recommend them to my worst enemy.Stick with a name brand radial and forget the cost and the compromise in looks especially if your family are using it.
Good luck with your car ,Any pics?
Posted by: harveypj - 11 May 2009 23:31:55
North Hants tyres are selling the F560's They are an 80 profile so are as 'tall' as radials get.
I'd guess a 155 would be best, not over wide and give a better OD.
Posted by: 54DoubleDoor - 12 May 2009 08:57:49
Thanks for the replies..
A pic of our Oval..
From this..
[img]https://images.fotopic.net/yqm6f8.jpg[/img]
to this... L313 Reed Green
[img]https://images.fotopic.net/yqm6fn.jpg[/img]
[img]https://images.fotopic.net/yqm65y.jpg[/img]
Posted by: 54DoubleDoor - 12 May 2009 09:06:41
Looking at whats available in the 155 its really only the vredestein that I can find.. or some toyos
Posted by: mrmagyar - 12 May 2009 17:52:11
The Vredesteins look awful; the tread continues part-way up the sidewalls and makes them look as though they have a moulding fault. I think the Firestones or Michelins look the part if you're going for radials.
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 12 May 2009 18:16:01
Wow what a good solid shell! :shock: 8)
BTW, why is it missing the metal heat pipes that go through the rear crossmember? Or is it justa trick of the light? :lol:
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 12 May 2009 18:20:33
[quote=54 Gertie]Wow what a good solid shell! :shock: 8)
BTW, why is it missing the metal heat pipes that go through the rear crossmember? Or is it justa trick of the light? :lol: [/quote]
Cant see them here either? :wink:
[img]https://images.fotopic.net/yqm6fi.jpg[/img]
Posted by: 54DoubleDoor - 13 May 2009 13:26:54
They are separate aren't they?.. the split ones are anyway..
The others I was going to add in once back on the pan.. which it is now.
Has anyone got a pic of this area to understand what you mean.
I've built beetles before but not as early as this and not [u]100%[/u] stock. Lets just say i know more of Split Vans than Oval bugs..:wink:
[img]https://www.pre67vw.co.uk/shows/photos/Bad_Camberg_2007/IMG_3801.jpg[/img]
Posted by: 54DoubleDoor - 13 May 2009 13:27:33
[quote=mrmagyar]The Vredesteins look awful; the tread continues part-way up the sidewalls and makes them look as though they have a moulding fault. I think the Firestones or Michelins look the part if you're going for radials.[/quote]
165's it is then probablt the Firestones.
Posted by: JD - 13 May 2009 13:55:26
Interesting info here.
https://www.michelin-passion.com/passion/front/templates/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=10&lang=EN
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 13 May 2009 13:59:28
[quote=54DoubleDoor]They are separate aren't they?.. the split ones are anyway..
The others I was going to add in once back on the pan.. which it is now.
Has anyone got a pic of this area to understand what you mean.
I've built beetles before but not as early as this and not [u]100%[/u] stock. Lets just say i know more of Split Vans than Oval bugs..:wink:
[img]https://www.pre67vw.co.uk/shows/photos/Bad_Camberg_2007/IMG_3801.jpg[/img][/quote]
Ah yes! I read the Ultra VW feature on your 54! 8) Very nice!
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 13 May 2009 14:03:16
[quote=54DoubleDoor]They are separate aren't they?.. the split ones are anyway..
The others I was going to add in once back on the pan.. which it is now.
Has anyone got a pic of this area to understand what you mean.
[/quote]
They are welded to the cros member on early beetles. It changes to a Bakelite tube that does come out (just) on later (talking 70s) beetles!
Here is a not so great picture but you can just about see there is a tube coming through the crossmember, this is linked to the heater channel by a spot welded on heater baffle. Well, the bottom half of the baffle is spot welded on anyway!
This is Peter Harveys 58 but they are pretty much identical all through the 50s, even though this is a small window!
I would nip out to get you a photo of it on our 55 but she is away at the mo' so I cant sorry, im sure someone would be willing to go and get a photo for you! :d
[img]https://forums.pre67vw.com/forum/resource.ashx?a=546[/img]
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 13 May 2009 14:39:55
When someone mentioned Anna '50 split on VZi, an idea came to me...:wink:
Although this is a much older car, It is the same as this. The heat pipe is spot welded on the crossmember!
Not to late to change and im sure you could get some paint blended in, it is afterall only underneath the car! :wink: :lol:
[img]https://www.vwgarden.co.uk/Resources/annas55.jpeg[/img]
[img]https://www.vwgarden.co.uk/Resources/annas50.jpeg[/img]
Posted by: GKL 7 - 13 May 2009 20:40:37
If you can get xzx's they are a brilliant tyre.
Like all Michelin tyres they will do a big mileage,the only draw back.. if it can be classed as one, is they have very soft side walls.
Posted by: JD - 14 May 2009 00:18:26
[quote='50 Karmann]If you can get xzx's they are a brilliant tyre.
Like all Michelin tyres they will do a big mileage,the only draw back.. if it can be classed as one, is they have very soft side walls.[/quote]
I wonder what the Michelin X is like. Period perfect on a fifties car for sure, but I wonder how they´d look in real life?
