Classic '67 Jag ragtop a `tyre' challenge

John Mahler

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Q: I've just acquired my long- sought-after hobby car, a 1967 Jaguar Series 1 E-Type convertible. The Jag is just for regular highway driving in summer months. The owner's manual lists the original wheels as 5-inch-by-15-inch with Dunlop SP 41 HR185x15 tires.

The car has been completely restored. The last owner put on Dayton JW 6-inch-by-15-inch (D=3.5) centre-laced, chrome wire wheels and Pirelli P6000 P215/60R15 tires. These tires are pretty wide with only a finger width between rear tire sidewall and fender.

The U.S. seller advised that the car is "over-tired" and would drive smoother and handle better if I went back to a tire size closer to the original.

The seller also recommended Vredestein Sprint Classic tires as excellent modern tires that are designed to look similar to originals on classics like the 1967 Jag. The Vredestein tires only come in P185/70HR15 or P205/70VR15 sizes.

I like the wide look of the current P215/60R15s and I think I'd like to go for the P205/70R15s. Would these P205/70 15s be somewhat narrower than the Pirelli 215/60 R15s?

A: This seems like a pretty straightforward choice, but it is not. The original tires were tall and skinny running at pressures of 23/25 p.s.i. front/rear. It is no wonder the car could do four-wheel drifts. The diameter of these old tires was 27.3 inches, so we must try to stay as close to this number as possible. The closest modern equivalent size is P205/75R15. It is 26.9 inches tall.

The P215 tire you now have on the car is 25.2 inches tall, a full two inches shorter than the OE tire. It is 30 mm wider than it should be, so half of the extra width is on the outboard or fender side of the car.

That is also a lot of tire for such an old car. These cars were not intended to have so much road grip. Even a new radial in the OE size would have far more grip than the old bias ply tires of 1967.

Suspension components, bushings, sub-frames and steering racks are all designed for a certain amount of stress. A modern tire can exceed these limits without even trying.

So if you like the look of the car with its beefier tire setup, that's great, but treat it nicely in the corners. If you opt for a more original look with the Vredestein tires, you have to go with the P205/70R15 based on tire height. It is 26.3 inches tall; the 185/70R15 is only 25.2 inches tall. That's too much room in the wheel well. The Vredestein is an excellent new "old" tire. The 205 will be 10 mm narrower than what you have now so the difference would not be radical. However, it is V-rated, and that may be a pain and totally out of character for such a car.

The last option is to go back to the original tire size of 185R15. The major U.S. classic tire dealer is Coker Tire. They make modern radial tires in old sizes.

Q: I have a 2000 Protegé with BF Goodrich Traction T/As, which you recommended the last time the tires were replaced.

We've been pleased with them, but we thought we'd check to see if there is anything new. Tire size is P195/55R15, which is an odd one and there's not much available.

A: A couple of other tires have come along in this performance category. They are worth a look.

My first choice would be the General Exclaim UHP. Also consider the Yokohama S.Drive and the Fuzion Vri as well as the BFG.

The General will have the most grip, the Yokohama the best ride, the Fuzion will be the sportiest in terms of response. The BFG will be good in all categories but best in none.

Email tire questions to John Mahler at thetireguy_1@hotmail.com. Please include vehicle's make, model and year, tire brand and size, plus your name, address and phone. Volume of mail prevents us from answering all queries or providing personal replies.

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