I'd like to revisit the groups thoughts on radial tires for my XK-120. I've read the other thread and understand that concours points are deducted for non-standard radial tires. Still, it's what I want, as this is not a concours car (except the occasional "driven" class entry - I'm still not worried about radial tires), it's mostly a "driver".

Currently, there are Dunlop 215/70R16 tires mounted on the original wire wheels (5" rim width). I looked at Tire Rack and there is a Yokohama in that size which appears to be the best balance of price/performance (and I've always loved other Yokohama tires I've had - but never on this kind of car). But my Tire Rack "guy" tells me that Yokohama recommends a minimum 5.5" rim width. As it turns out, Dunlop does also for the tires which are currently on the car (Grand Trek 99S), and have been on the car since the late 1990's.

The Dunlops (now called "Grand Trek ST20"), are listed on Dunlop's site as a light truck/SUV tire, whereas the Yokohamas are passenger car all-season "touring" tires.

Thoughts? I'd love to hear what other 120SE/OTS cars are using....

Thanks.

Submitted by rscibelli@gmail.com on Thu, 02/20/2014 - 17:00

George,
After you have a chance to drive your Jag on these tires I would be interested
to know your thoughts re ride, handling, ect. BTW, were you able to confirm
your rim width?
Regards,
Bob

Submitted by SE12-52152J on Mon, 10/14/2013 - 14:16

Nice! And still with the original Jag engine, I see... Hahahaha! :-)

And as Louis pointed out above, tire size is even more critical with those spats. Where did you get tires for it back in '85? Coker?

Is the car still around?

So as to not lose track of this thread, I'm going to start another one for other 120 "topics" I have to address.

Thanks!

Submitted by bob5837@roadru… on Mon, 10/14/2013 - 13:02

Hey George,

I was just fooling with you ; - )

I admire your XK120, too bad you live so far away.

Here is a picture of my 1951 XK120 I restored myself back in 1985. It received 98 points at a JCNA sanctioned (CJA) show in Long Beach, CA back in 1986.

Submitted by SE12-52152J on Mon, 10/14/2013 - 10:52

Robert - point taken. But I wouldn't go Datsun - I was thinking more of a VW TDI for the high mileage. :-)

Seriously though, I hardly think changing a consumable like tires is in the same category as an engine swap. By that logic, one could only use 50 or 60 year old oil in their engines, too. And I doubt any of us would do that.

But hey, I'm just a "newbie", so what do I know?

Thanks!

Submitted by bob5837@roadru… on Sun, 10/13/2013 - 17:50

Japanese tires may be high quality... but really?

What's next, swapping out the engine for a 4-cylinder Datsun engine? (I acually saw an XK120 kit car with a 4 banger Datsun engine a couple years ago).

Yokohama, Hankook tires, Sacriledge.

Submitted by SE12-52152J on Sun, 10/13/2013 - 16:18

There's a 195/80 Yokohama which, sacrilegious though it may seem (Japanese tire on a vintage British car?), looks pretty enticing as a "nearly the same size" appropriate tire. And as a more "modern" tire, I suspect they will have a long life on the car (I had Yoko's on my Spitfire which lasted over 20 years).

Submitted by greg@nofatmusic.com on Sun, 10/13/2013 - 09:28

i agree that a 205 is too much for the 120. I bought Michelin radials for my 140 and it was a huge improvement. I put Pirelli cinterato on my 150 and also a huge improvement. On my etype I tried dunlop radials per spec which I ordered directly from the UK. One shredded at speed on the highway and all of them lost shape and became unusable after about eight years. Granted I only drive a few thousand miles a year on each car but I've never had tires loose their shape as drastically as the dunlops. For the premium I paid I was for impressed. Many people like the verdesteins - my attitude is: the critical part of both performance and safety for any car is where the rubber meets the road. Anything but premium tires ruins both performance and safety considerations - taking all the joy away from owning these cars. If there is one area not to skimp, it's in the tires!

Submitted by rscibelli@gmail.com on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 16:30

George - I'm very happy with the Continentals but my situation is a little different. About twenty years ago I had Dayton Wire Wheel rebuild my wheels with 6" rims so I could run Dunlop racing tires (6x16 L series). No logical reason except they filled the wheel wells and remined me of the racing cars of the 50/60's. Given that the current cost of the Dunlop is more than a complete set of radials, I decided on the switch. So even with the wider tire on a wider rim I have no fitment problem. There is a lot of room in those 120 wheel wells. I would have switched a long time ago if I knew how the radials transform the car! The rolling radius of the 205 is close to original, in my opinion a 215 is too much tire for a 120.
Bob

Submitted by SE12-52152J on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 14:07

Bob - Thank you - are you happy with the Continentals? No fitment issues? Those are tires I'm also looking at. I spoke with Allen Hendrix at Hendrix Wire Wheel and he told me that he's had much difficulty finding tires that fit in the wheel well - even in the same sizes. Do you know of any markings on the rims which will confirm?

Louis - Thank you. Even without spats, width seems to be *somewhat* of an issue (noted above). I'm searching Tire Rack and narrowing to a half dozen or so brands/sizes which I believe will fit based on the Dunlops currently on the car. If Bob is correct and I actually have 5.5" rims, that opens up a whole new world (I think....).

Thanks again.

gp

Submitted by SW03-44285 on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 13:59

I got Vredesteins after going over the lengthy forum discussions on Jag-lovers. I've got spats, so width is a big issue. As you know, virtually any brand is available in radials --Pirelli cinturatos, Avons, Firestone, Michelin.

Submitted by rscibelli@gmail.com on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 13:42

George,
I just replced the tires on my 1952 XK120 OTS with a set of Continental 205/70's from tire rack.
They are all season passenger tires that cost $101 each. To my knowledge, Jaguar switched to 5.5" rims in mid 1952, are you sure you have 5" rims? Also, per 2013 JCNA Concour rules there is no point deduction for radial tires in the Driven Class.
Bob