The perfect Cal-look tire combo?

[JSL]

Hi,

Sorry if this has already been discussed... Im new to this forum.

Im building a Cal-look 54 Oval and have just got a set of JGE Torkers, I know the classic front tire is a Firestone 145 but what do people recommend for the rear?

I would like something Fat! 

Also Im in the UK so something easy to get hold of over here would be a bonus!

Any recommendations and pics would be awesome!

Cheers,

J

[Frank LUX]

205/70/15 or 215/65/15...

or

Recapped 6W/26/15 Firestone Slicks...

or

MH 215/65/15 DOT Slicks...

Frank

[Neil Davies]

Depends on the period of look you're going for, engine size, etc.

Early lookers ran fairly small tyres, 165's not being uncommon, but a 185 would be ok. It's only in the last few years that 205/70's seem to have taken off - I don't really like them quite that big and would go for a /65 profile. If you've got a 1200 with an 009, blue coil, header and velocity stack they you're better off with smaller tyres than if you're running a 2276 IDA motor and close ratio box!

[JSL]

Cheers guys!

As well as sizes for standard road tires (not slicks or M/Ts) are their any makes that you would recommend? From what I remember two tires the same size can look quite different depending on the manufacturer... But then again I could be talking rubbish! 

Thanks for the replies though!

J

[ESH]

I bought some rubber recently from Vintage Tyres and wanting as close to matched tyres as I could get in the end went for Michelin 205s and 145s:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080421_1812_000201&sf_01=keyword&sort=sort%5Fsize&st_01=michelin+205%2F70+15&x=18&y=9&m=2&dc=2
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080421_1812_000174&sf_01=keyword&sort=sort%5Fsize&st_01=michelin+145+15&x=9&y=17&m=2&dc=3
Vredstein do a 155 and a 205 as an alternative:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080421_1812_000176&sf_01=keyword&sort=sort%5Fsize&st_01=155+15&m=4&dc=5
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080421_1812_000199&sf_01=keyword&sort=sort%5Fsize&st_01=Vredestein+205+15&x=16&y=16&m=2&dc=2
Vintage Tyres were pretty helpful and North Hants are also very good (http://www.northhantstyres.com/). Like Frank says you could also go for a 215 at the back or something more exotic like a recapped slick or the MHs. A lot of people go smaller on the rear and bigger on the front. 165 and 185/195s aren't uncommon either. If you look at a couple of cars from back in the day you might be surprised too. One car I can think of I think runs something like 165 fronts and 195 rears and there's no disputing its Cal-Look credentials so personal preference should probably be your main consideration.

[qubek]

I like to use 155/70-15 at front - it's a decent tire that gives you some handling and braking (unlike 145-15 ) and at the same time the profile is not to low and doesn't look to modern.

[TOM / EINHEIT 11]

back in the 80s we used the Michelin XZX. ( similar to the Kleber they used in the U.S ) 145 XZX 15 in the front & 195 XZX / 65 / 15

as we mounted  Empi 5 or 8 spokes later  we took  the 145er in front and 165er in rear..................

today there are more different sizes U can use...............but one is for sure......small tires in front fat tires in the back.......gives U the drag style stance........that was the look they wanted in the 60s...70s and early 80s and we want it right now again

cheeers TOM

[Neil Davies]

Like Mat and Tom have said, I prefer the Michelin to Firestone 145's. I've used both and find that apart from the better looks of the Michelin, they are a grippier tyre. Having said that, it's a case of whatever you can find - I've got Michelin XZX's for my Flat Four BRMs, Firestones on my split rim Empi 8's and chrome Empi Sprintstars and 155 Firestone F560's on my repro 8-spokes.
I've also used Kleber (looking for one or two decent used ones) and Mabor General, which gripped well but wore out quite quickly, and another Firestone that looked more like the Kleber tread - S-211 perhaps?

[nicolas]

i am still a fan of the 165's in the back and i don't have the power to need bigger tires. less tire is less weight and rotating mass. but i do like my 165/65/15 for the front, more and better grip then the 145's. maybe i'll get some 155's for the front to have a higher tire and a bit more clearancing from the ground.

[JSL]

Cheers everyone for your replies

Ok, so I will go for 145 up front Michelin's if I can find them. Ive run 135 and 125 before so know how scary it can be when you have to hit the achors hard! 

Rears... I like Fat rubber so will probably go for 195/70/15's or 205/70/15's Ive been told Bridgestone Duelers are a nice tire. Has anyone got any other recommendations? I was toying with the idea of getting some M/T street tires but at £280 a set they are twice the price of normal tires, so I could put that money towards another part of my project. Hmmmm...

Thanks again to everyone that has replied! I hope to put up some pics of my project soon!  Where would the best place be? Readers Rides?

Cheers,

J

[Jon]

What will be the overall styling of your car? Your rear tires sounds like a mistake to me... 205 are the narrowest one can get a way with. Cars with 165 at the rear just look plain silly... to me I know the old boys used to use them, but it still looks all wrong.

[guillaume]

I found NOS Michelin XVS 145x15 for the front and NOS Michelin XWX 185x15 for the rear. The stance is very nice. I would recommend that combo.

[Rennsurfer]

I found NOS Michelin XVS 145x15 for the front and NOS Michelin XWX 185x15 for the rear. The stance is very nice. I would recommend that combo.

Great tire combo, right there. Classic Cal Look. That's what my car will eventually have once I wear out the current 135s & 165s.

[JSL]

What will be the overall styling of your car? Your rear tires sounds like a mistake to me... 205 are the narrowest one can get a way with. Cars with 165 at the rear just look plain silly... to me I know the old boys used to use them, but it still looks all wrong.

Hey JHU,

WOW! 205 is the narrowest you would use?

Out of curiosity what width do you prefer to run then? And are these on 5.5 inch wide wheels?

Cheers,

J

[danny gabbard]

nice tire combo guillaume where did you find them,

[Zach Gomulka]

It depends on the "period" of cal look you want, and by the sounds of it, you would like a 205/70 Firestone F560.

[Jon]

What will be the overall styling of your car? Your rear tires sounds like a mistake to me... 205 are the narrowest one can get a way with. Cars with 165 at the rear just look plain silly... to me I know the old boys used to use them, but it still looks all wrong.

Hey JHU,

WOW! 205 is the narrowest you would use?

Out of curiosity what width do you prefer to run then? And are these on 5.5 inch wide wheels?

Cheers,

J

I like the real fat rubbers, so I have used both 235/60 and 215/65 rubbers, but my next version of the car will use the sexy XWX 205/70 Michelin's. They are already hiding in my dark cellar...

[Rick Meredith]

yes but fat tires can break gearboxes! 

[Jon]

yes but fat tires can break gearboxes! 

Urban myth...  it's clutches that does that     not to mention engines....

[Zach Gomulka]

I like the real fat rubbers, so I have used both 235/60 and 215/65 rubbers, but my next version of the car will use the sexy XWX 205/70 Michelin's. They are already hiding in my dark cellar...

Did you get tubes to run with those??

[Jon]

No I didn't. Do I need some?

[Rick Meredith]

yes but fat tires can break gearboxes! 

Urban myth...  it's clutches that does that     not to mention engines....

But if you run pinwheel tires you never hook up long enough to find out what breaks first! 

[Zach Gomulka]

No I didn't. Do I need some?

I'm not sure, but when you go through the checkout at Longstone Tyre, they recommended tubes. I dont see why they would be neccessary. What wheels are you using?

[Rennsurfer]

Personally, I don't think that there are any periods to all of this. What it all boils down to is what you want, how you want it to look, and most of all... how you want it to function/perform. Choose a tire combo that best makes you happy and call it a day. I'll never have big rear tires on my Beetle(s) and never have. I just don't understand the concept. If I wanted steamrollers, I'd buy an old American muscle car. But that'll NEVER happen either. It's all about German and Swedish cars for me. But, to each their own.

Sorry, just my usual opinionated 2¢.

Carry on.

[mg]

It depends on the "period" of cal look you want, and by the sounds of it, you would like a 205/70 Firestone F560.

It also depends on your preferred final drive gear ratio.
If your car’s gearing is optimized to 26 inch tall Firestone slicks, a 205/70 except for the launch will again optimize your car.

[mg]

yes but fat tires can break gearboxes! 

Urban myth...  it's clutches that does that     not to mention engines....

With emphasis on how you engage the clutch.
granting that car set up is perfect.

[guillaume]

nice tire combo guillaume where did you find them,

I found the 185 x 15 XWX in a vintage car garage specialized in Porsche close to my house for about 20 euros ;-) At this garage, they thought that early fuchs were shit because they are to narrow for race  I love that kind of shit 
And the 145 XVS Michelin were a present of my father. He had them for years and never used them. He found them at an old car dealer sale.
And those tyres were in the dark for years so the rubber is still perfect.

[Jon]

No I didn't. Do I need some?

I'm not sure, but when you go through the checkout at Longstone Tyre, they recommended tubes. I dont see why they would be neccessary. What wheels are you using?

I don't think I was asked about tubes, but I guess it depends on if you have the "beads" on the rim or not. I'm using these on my 5x130 Pedrini wheels and they have the beads. BTW I found some brand new 155 Vredstens Classic yesterday, they have a nice thread.

[Diederick/DVK]

you see, there's quite a few people that don't like the vredestein thread... they are pretty easy to get here in holland (duh)

and i've got about 6 lying in the garage. still gotta mount one on my spare wheel, i'll then take a picture of that wheel mounted. see what everyone thinks 

[speedwell]

you see, there's quite a few people that don't like the vredestein thread... they are pretty easy to get here in holland (duh)

and i've got about 6 lying in the garage. still gotta mount one on my spare wheel, i'll then take a picture of that wheel mounted. see what everyone thinks 

i like the vredestein sprint classic or classic  (don't remember well) but those aren't cheap