Period correct tires for your rad-era car

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Apr 12, 2022 | Radwood, GRM+ | Posted in Buyer's Guides , Features | From the Aug. 2021 issue | Never miss an article

Photography (Mostly) Courtesy Tire Rack

It’s the ’80s all over again: big hair, big flares and big airs. Thanks to events like Radwood, cars once relegated to the kids’ table now have a seat front and center. 

And if those cars are going to see the spotlight, they deserve appropriate tires. “I personally think period-correct is best,” says Tim McNair of Grand Prix Concours, a guy who regularly judges and details multi-million collector autos but also has a Lancia Delta Integrale back at home. 

Whether or not they still sport tread, all tires should be pulled from service around their sixth birthday. For traditional classics–think prewar through the ’70s–a world exists for fresh tires that mimic ones from days past. For later classics, that market is emerging, and here are a few favorites. Your local shop might not stock these retro tires, but several online specialists can deliver them, including Tire Rack, Summit Racing and Coker Tire.

Yokohama’s famed A008 line that defined the ’80s is still available stateside, provided you have one of two cars: a classic Mini or a G-body Porsche 911.

 

The Toyo Proxes RA1 dates back to 1991, so why not add them to that ’90s performance build? Available sizes run down to a 205/60R13.

 

While aimed at ’80s supercars, the relaunched Pirelli P Zero also comes in a the ever-popular 205/50R15 size. 

 

Vredestein calls its Sprint+ suitable for modern European classics, as it comes in appropriate sizes like 195/60R15, 205/55R15 and 215/50R15. The line also includes a few 17s.

 

Cooper still offers the Cobra Radial G/T with raised white letters in both 14- and 15-inch sizes.

 

Pirelli has also put its P700-Z, an icon of the late ’80s and early ’90s, back into production. Offered sizes include the 225/45R16 for the original M3.

 

The BFGoodrich Radial T/A line is still available, raised white letters and all, with sizes ranging from 205/60R13–perfect for that early RX-7–up to a super-meaty 295/50R15.

 

Pirelli’s hot performance tire in the mid-’70s was the Cinturato P7, and it’s back. Tire Rack stocks 16-inch sizes targeted at the Porsche market.

 

The ’90s-looking Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 comes in just two 16-inch sizes–205/55R16 and 225/50R16–intended to cover the Porsche 911 and 928.

 

To complete that Fox-body Mustang restoration, Goodyear Collector Series offers the Eagle Gatorback in the proper 225/60VR15 size. Ten-hole alloys sold separately.

 

The Goodyear Collector Series covers those ’80s Camaros and Firebirds, too, with its 215/65R15 Eagle GT. 

 

The Michelin Pilot SX MXX3, a top-performance radial in the ’80s and ’90s, is back, with available sizes for ’80s-era Porsches: 205/55R16 and 245/45R16.

 

Michelin introduced the low-profile radial tire to the world in 1975 via the TRX model line. The system used metric-sized tires and rim diameters and was eventually found on many world-class machines, including the BMW M6 and Ford Mustang SVO. The TRX system eventually faded from use, but Michelin Classic offers reproductions. 

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Comments
bmw88rider
bmw88rider GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/24/21 9:43 a.m.

Ouch on some of the tire prices from Goodyear. I looked at a set of the Gatorbacks for my Fox body and $330 a tire. I know the cost of low run stuff is more expensive but that is double just about every other 225 15" tire. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/24/21 9:52 a.m.

I've talked to those on the production side. Making low-volume tires--whether R-comps or retro--isn't an inexpensive proposition. 

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
6/24/21 10:17 a.m.

I really wish BFG would offer the T/A in the 175/70-13 size like they did back in the day (I had a set on my '82 Subaru 4WD wagon)... That would be the perfect Spitfire/GT6 tire.  Just sporty enough to be fun without putting too much extra stress on barely adequate suspension components.

bmw88rider
bmw88rider GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/24/21 11:03 a.m.

Oh I know David. No doubt the cost of one off manufacturing is a lot more. I would be interested more if it was closer to $250 range since I've got some craptastic tires on the 4 eye right now and really want to put something better on there. I applaud them for doing that and making it available. 

Jeff Forss
Jeff Forss New Reader
6/24/21 12:03 p.m.

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

205 60 13? I have those on my Monza. But, are they really a "performance tire"? Or more of a "style tire"?

jimbbski
jimbbski SuperDork
6/24/21 2:16 p.m.

I just wish I could find a 185/60X13 tire for my project car that wasn't made in China!  You can get sizes bigger and smaller but not this size except in a track only tire! 

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
6/24/21 2:54 p.m.

In reply to Jeff Forss :

No... Unfortunately, a 175 just barely fits under the front fenders.  And even then will rub if the car has been lowered a bit.

Part of the problem is Spitfire owners are notoriously cheap and whine if tires cost more than $50 each.  I'd be willing to pay much more than that for a good tire, but I seem to be in the minority. 

adam525i
adam525i GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/24/21 5:02 p.m.

I feel like this is appropriate for this thread from 1987, my Dad had the poster version framed to hang in his office and it now hangs in my hobby room. No, I won't be buying vintage tires for my E28 though, I'm happy with the modern options.

 

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
6/24/21 5:07 p.m.
Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:

I really wish BFG would offer the T/A in the 175/70-13 size like they did back in the day (I had a set on my '82 Subaru 4WD wagon)... That would be the perfect Spitfire/GT6 tire.  Just sporty enough to be fun without putting too much extra stress on barely adequate suspension components.

Hell yeah. Here's my 85 Accord with a set of T/As in 1989:

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/24/21 5:14 p.m.
Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:

I really wish BFG would offer the T/A in the 175/70-13 size like they did back in the day (I had a set on my '82 Subaru 4WD wagon)... That would be the perfect Spitfire/GT6 tire.  Just sporty enough to be fun without putting too much extra stress on barely adequate suspension components.

I have the +1 (well, +.5) for that, the 205/60.

It is not an especially grippy tire.  It is easy for my worn out limited slip to break the inside tire loose from diff lockup when accelerating around a corner.

...gratuitous shot since I have been driving it regularly, and it's right there in the parking lot.  Can't believe this car is almost 41 years old!

 

Still have not been able to wash the blue protectant off of the lettering.  I think the Mexican factory used Krylon, not soap.

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