my 71 series 2 yellow convertible has the redline 185-15's that need replacing. im thinking of changing to white wall tires for a more vintage look. any opinions on this look?

also the only white wall i can find are the coker 165-15's. is that to narrow a tread width for the std 5" spoke rims?

thanks

Submitted by rcmaury@bellso… on Fri, 06/15/2012 - 14:02

The spare needs to match the rear diameter if you ever actually need to use it to avoid damage to the differential. As far as it matching for other reasons, that size is incorrect for the car and will gets points deducted at a concours.

Submitted by fcar348@hotmail.com on Fri, 06/15/2012 - 13:01

and another question...

my installer said i need protective rubber flaps to line the inside of the spokes but he cant find anyone with them to fit a 15 x 5 rim. coker recommended duct tape. is that ok? any other ideas?

thanks again

Submitted by fcar348@hotmail.com on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 10:15

no power, just manual steering so i wonder if narrower tires would make it easier to turn and vice versa?

my wife wants the look of white wall so now question is just the 165-15 or 195/75-15 on the 5" rim.

thanks

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 00:39

I would pick the redwalls over the white. To answer your question, yes, wider tyres add stress to the steering linkage, do you have power steering?

Submitted by fcar348@hotmail.com on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 17:42

this is the info i came up with.

found a 195/75 15 white wall from universal (thanks for the tip) same overall diameter (26.5") as 185 15 and only slightly wider. will that make manual steering even heavier though?

the 165 15 diameter is .3" smaller. would the narrower width make steering easier? i drive the car very, very gently so dont think the decreased traction would be issue

cost is $200/set more for the white wall vs redlines

thanks for all the help

Submitted by fcar348@hotmail.com on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 17:23

Edited on 2012-06-06 17:43:04

this is the info i came up with.

found a 195/75 15 white wall from universal (thanks for the tip) same overall diameter (26.5") as 185 15 and only slightly wider. will that make manual steering even heavier though?

the 165 15 diameter is .3" smaller. would the narrower width make steering easier? i drive the car very, very gently so dont think the decreased traction would be issue

cost is $200/set more for the white wall vs redlines

thanks for all the help so far but what should i do?

Submitted by stephenreps@ea… on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:27

try universal tire in PA. i bought my ww from them for my 70 2 +2 ,they are a dunlop pattern ,marked universal sport,its the narrow ww.Both michelin and bridgestone have ww.I just bought a set of ww for my XJ12C,its what came on the car,these where the wider ww from HANKOOK.

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 09:54

165s are too small.

Entirely a matter or personal taste I think a very narrow whitewall....like a 3/8th inch white stripe, really....looks good on an E-type. Many USA-market E-types were so equipped. I pretty sure somebody out there is reproducing Dunlop (and other) radials with a narrow white stripe. Keep looking; perhaps try Lucas Tires? They're on the www.

Anything wider than that doesn't look good, IMHO. I've seen some Es with the kind of whitewalls you'd see on Grandad's old Buick Electra.....yuck!

Actually the earliest Es were sometimes seen with really WIDE whitewalls....50s style wide whitewalls. Never cared for that.

Cheers
DD

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 01:57

I don't think white walls would complement your primrose yellow car, it needs the darker contrast. But, that is just my opinion.