The Cal-look Lounge

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

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

or

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

or

MH 215/65/15 DOT Slicks...

Frank

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! :)

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!  :D

Thanks for the replies though!

J

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.
:)

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.

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

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? :)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

nice tire combo guillaume where did you find them,

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

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... :)

yes but fat tires can break gearboxes!  ;)

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

Did you get tubes to run with those??

No I didn't. Do I need some?

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

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?

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.

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

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  ;D I love that kind of shit  ;D ;D ;D
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.

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.

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  :o :o

Don't seem that expensive to me ;)
 (http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifendirekt.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=61019714.7.16756&typ=D-100610&ranzahl=4&Breite=155&Felge=15&Speed=M&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=10&Transport=P&dsco=7&Achse=)

The 155s are not too pricey, but the larger sizes start getting expensive.

mmh, just checked and the 185s are around 88 EUR
and you're right about the 205s, those are pretty hard to find too.

i don't know why i saw those 185 vredestein  more expensive than 88€

145XZX's and 185XWX ,nice combo i think  :)

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/GJT/67/Gazs.jpg)

the shop of my link is pretty cheap! and you can get the tyres delivered to quite a few tyre shops in any area, get them mounted there and go for a drive. pretty cool huh?

OK and what does look good on a type3... i am not a fan of the small and big combo on a type3, but a little difference is accepted. think early porsche.  ;)

now i run 165/65.15 up front and 165/15 at the back. i was thinking about a little bigger tire. 155 front and 185/70 back, but i am not sure about clearance...

Coming soon to my GTV ;)

Good choice  ;D

Your front tires look oké, but those 165/80's at the rear just are to narrow to be at the rear. I reckon a 185/70 or even a 195/70 would sort that problem out without giving it too much big'n little tire combo ( i thought that wider than a 195 isn't possible on a type3 with stock axles due to clearance probs or you could mount short beetle axle's like on wim's type 3 notch).
 if i where you, i would n't mount a tire any higher than the 168/80's you have now, but just mount a tire that has the same heigth but wider.
I really like you're car, but the rear tires just don't do it for me. And soon with you're new power plant you're car has to have the right attitude.

yeah the rears are a bit skinny, but in a previous post all the 'old guys' were running 165's as well and with quite good results. i want something bigger but nothing that rubs or looks too fat. i like skinny... but maybe a little more tracktion wont hurt... someting like a 185/70

i have had a 185/80 on the square and got good milage, but those looked a little wrong... i still regret getting rid of those tires. they were a special high velocity tire forn the 70's ( i think for a benz)

maybe a 185/70 is then the correct size of tire for your car. not as high as a 185/80 and still a bit fatter than the 165/80's.  If you can still find some 185/70's offcourse....

off topic:
tell us something more 'bout the square...

still offtpic: it's a 67 square which i have for 4 or 5 years now and that i basically fel in love with at first sight and that was a good idea at the time because the fastback was completely taken appart and i didn't know how to put it back together again...  ::) true story.
 i was looking for some bottom moldingstrims for the fastback and saw the advert.
went to look and saw this beauty. it has been repainted (still not good enough...) to VW blue again and it has a lightgrey interiour with black carpets for now. it should be made back to a good second car for the family. but it needs a new pan (that i have already powdercoated) and a lot of love and attention. but it is a sound car with good panels and a pretty clean interiour. but this year i want to finish the fastback and afterwards i wil get the square on the road again. the engine that i used for the bugtour is actually the one out of the squareback. i will try to scan some pics that i have later this week...

thanks for your interest

nicolas

I wonder about the ride and handling characteristics of Pirelli CN36 vs Michelin XWX, on a VW beetle. the XWX was o.e. on heavy, high horsepower GT cars of the 1970's....  i.e. Ferrari 365GTB, Maserati Bora, the pre-flare Lamborghini Countach Lp400. The CN36's were, I believe, used on smaller, lighter sporting model and GT cars, i.e. Carrera 911, Lancia HF, and the sort. I wonder if the sidewall characteristics of the big XWX is too stiff for the light weight VW?

One thing is for certain, the XWX is truly a gorgeous tire. On a 1970's Italian supercar, nothing can really substitute... but i am getting waaaay off topic here.

Some interesting reading in an old book I have about hot rodding 356's for slalom, circuit, autocross. Now if i could find the book..... ::)

I fit 205/70's on my Fastback with long axles and stock t3 4 lug brakes, you just need 5.5" 914 wheels and it all works ;)

yep thos tuck in nicely, but i am planning on keepin my 8 spokes, i have a little less play.

Just a little tyre porn....
(http://www.symbolicmotors.com/resizer.php?imgfile=http://www.symbolicmotors.com/inventory/catalog/1963Fer250SWB-4037GT/images/33.jpg)
(http://www.symbolicmotors.com/resizer.php?imgfile=http://www.symbolicmotors.com/inventory/catalog/1963Fer250SWB-4037GT/images/31.jpg)

In fairness the car's not too bad either.   8)

mmm, not that shaby, it has a callook feel to it.

True... backspace on the 8's is 4 3/8", and on the 914 wheels it is 4 3/4" (I think? I'll check tonight), not much, but enough to make a difference. I had to roll the inside of the fender lips to get my 205/70's to fit.

If I was in your shoes, I would install short axles, disc brakes, and put 185/70's on those 8 spokes ;)

uuuaaaaaahhhhhh

Borrani Wire Wheels... I think I need a cigarette,

i like these:

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f254/gin23deluxe/035.jpg)

yeah i have been looking at 185/70's and those look good indeed. but discs are not an option... Belgian law forbids changes on the car. i could try but if they find out i need to bring it back to stock... so i will stick with dums i guess. and find some short axles.

thanks

nicolas

btw Lids: those wheels rock, but i would run them on an early car... like sprintstars.

Belgian law forbids improving the safety of your car ??? ::) That settles it, I'm never moving to Belgium ;)

yep it is forbidden. i think we have some of the stupidst laws regarding carregulations here.

here is another one. all tires must be the same size. BUT you could get away with a 145 all round; or 185 allround, but not combined... it is all just small stupid stuff. basicly everything you change on an original car (mechanicly or bodywise) is forbidden.

and if you would consider moving here in the future, when you learn about all the beautifull things about Belgium, bring raingear.  ;)

what was this topic about again? sorry dudes.

still my favorite tire combo on a bug 155 front and 185 back

Nicolas,

You have never been to Luxembourg, I'm not even alloewd to drive my Car on the Streets....Belgium is pretty Cool for Me... ;)

Frank

yes that is true. it is even worse in luxemburg. everything that is not factory options is illegal there, right?

but some cool cars have some luxemburg licenseplates on our roads...  ;)

Hey nicolas, I don't know were you are at but in california at one time if you got a ticket for something wrong with a modification to your car we would fix it, and go to the local police dept. and have ticket signed off. an then go home and put the car back to the way it was. can changeing tire combo to legal set-up for your country's law's then put it back to cal-look?

that is what we do. i went with two stock wheels with 165's on the front and my two 8 spokes on the back with 165's and i told them the tires were the same. they bought it and let me go. once home i put my other 8 spokes on the car. it is sometimes a bit stupid what may or may not be done. but i can understand there way of thinking. especially when i look at some cars (i think you call them imports, Japanese cars) and see what stupid and and unsafe things happen with those.

Their way of thinking is to forbid everything, so there is no difference between 'safe modifications' and 'unsafe modifications'. The result is that when you change something in your car, you brake the law anyway, so you don't care whether it's safe or not (from legal point of view). By forbidding all modifications, all they achieved is that they lost control over what people do to their cars, because everything went underground. This law is stupid and dangerous.
I really hope our legislation won't go that way.

Hey guys!

Thanks for the big response!

One last question.... I know 145/15's are the way to go, but not many of you mention the actual wall height?

The only tires Ive found available are 145/65/15's.... is this the right combo?

I have a good garage near me but the guys a bit weird and wants to know the EXACT size... 145/15 isnt good enough for him Hahaha

Ive seen some are 145/SR/15's... again he said SR wasnt a wall height, and that he needed measurements.

Can anyone help me out here?

Cheers,

J

I think you think about 145-15. If there is no "wall hight" mentioned, it means that the tire is "full profile". It can be also called 145/80-15. It's the same thing.
145/65-15 is a low profile tire. It's wall height is 65% times 14,5 cm and is much smaller then over 80% times 14,5cm as in case of a full profile tire.

when the aspect ratio is not mentioned it's assumed that it's 82, 145/80/15 is nearly the same but not exactly the same (although with production tolerances and all  it ends up being the same)

Awesome! Cheers guys!

Anyone know a good garage to get 145/80/15's from in the Surrey UK area?

One garage told me they have been discontinued and that he now fits 175/60/15 to the front of bugs and campers.

The other garages Ive tired just laugh and ask what the hell kinda car needs them? ;-)

The only tires that I can get hold of in 145 width are the 145/65/15 smart car tyres....

Any garage recommendations or thoughts?

J

WAHOO!

After phoning like 20 garages Ive found a specialist place! And they are quite local! ;-) 145/80/15's are being wrapped round my Torkers any moment now!!!

I might even have a rolling chassis this weekend! ;-) HAPPY! And if Im feeling really crazy I might drop the shell on and attach the wings to make it look like a bug for once! ;-) Hehe

Cheers for all your help guys!

J

'bout bloody time Mr Burns!   ;)

notice the date on these photos!!!! May and June 2001!!!! LOL

awesome you are game on now though fella your '54 is gonna kick ass!  ;D


I guess I owe you some labour ;)

145/80-15 is the other way of marking a 145-15 tire. It is the same size. Like you, I was also told that in reality it means that the profile is 82%.
Why is it marked as 80 (or left unmarked) then? I don't know. Maybe to keep people confused ;) But there are no two different sizes - 145-15 and 145/80-15. They are the same thing. At least I think so.

they are the same thing. it goes back to when the standard hight was 80% off the width. so there was no need to mention it. afterwards when lower profiles would be more common it changed and they added the 80. but there are still a lot of manufacturers that didn't mention it and just marked 145/15 for example.

i know that firestone used to make them and now has them as a special run (read more expensive) but they can be found from other makes as well.

it's nearly the same but not the same  :D

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html