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Title: Fay Big Boots Post by: fay66 on 17 June, 2013, 01:29:36 AM Ever since I put "Fay" back on the road in 1999 she has been on undersized tyres, she should have been on 155 x14's but at the time I couldn't get any, so she went onto 145 x 80 x14's, this hasn't been a problem as she still handled well although sometimes enthusiastic driving made the tyres squeal a bit, but they did always look a bit on the skinny side.
About 5 years ago I bought a secondhand set of Dunlop SP sports 165 x 65 x 14 for about £10 a tyre with lots of life left in them, but never fitted them as I was concerned they might be a problem being oversize, meantime they've been stored in a dark garage away from sunlight. Last week Fay went in for a MOT + service and check over in plenty of time before heading off for Turin in September, a phone call from David Thomas said I'd need at least one new tyre shortly, so I bit the bullet and got him to fit the 165's, Saturday I went to a Classic meet near Newmarket with the Cambridge Lancia Group which meant a journey of about 110 miles, while on the way home there was a torrential downpour. I'm pleased to say I wish I'd fitted them years ago, the handling feels firmer, if a bit harsher, she feels much more solid on the road and didn't feel over-tyred at all. They also look better as they fill out the wheelarches, so all in all pleased with the result. Query, does anyone use 145x80x14's as I have a couple of Firestones this size with plenty of life left in them! Brian 8227 8) Title: Re: Fay Big Boots Post by: lancialulu on 17 June, 2013, 01:35:34 PM About time
Title: Re: Fay Big Boots Post by: DavidLaver on 17 June, 2013, 04:12:32 PM I'm pleased you're pleased. And ok on full lock? David Title: Re: Fay Big Boots Post by: fay66 on 18 June, 2013, 12:33:42 AM Title: Re: Fay Big Boots Post by: fay66 on 18 June, 2013, 12:35:03 AM I'm pleased you're pleased. And ok on full lock? David Brian 8227 8) Title: Re: Fay Big Boots Post by: Lapsed Cesare Ferrari on 18 June, 2013, 12:46:04 PM Brian, I had 155/80 tyres on my 2C, and 165/80 and 175/70 on two different series 2 berlinas, neither of course being standard. The 155s suited the 2C well, but I had no fouling problems that I was aware of on the other tyre sizes. The 165/80 tyres looked nice and were satisfactory, and the 175/70 offered no advantages that I could discern and introduced the perils of aquaplaning. Your car looks very well with the new tyre size, and I suspect you have found the happy medium!
Ciao Cesare |