Re: Re: Tyres 16 inch or 400?

Firstly, I bought my tires from Longstone and I am very impressed with them, free shipping to France and they worked out cheaper than actually buying from France (which I do not understand myself). Being new to Tractions at the time I replaced the tires like for like and when I got this car it had 155R400 units on. I now have the same as I cannot afford to change them for 165R400s which I found out later to be the correct units for an 11B ’55.

But I must say that Douglal does have a vested interest in promoting original tires as it is his business so I would not have thought it is not a totally objective appraisal.

I have spoken to quite a few Tracitonistes who are part of the Sans Frontier clan and they are driving on 185 16″ units due to the massive miles they are putting there cars though (last one, the polar tour was 9000km), they have had no problems and talk as if using modern tires is just the “norm”. I agree with Baz that the sizing difference is negligible when it comes to tolerances in rubber, rims and inner tubes and with Douglal on the fact that Tractions are not doing excessive speeds.

I spent months looking for a manufacturer of modern (retro) rims that would suit the traction and a modern 16″ tires. I found one guy in France but he died about 20 years ago (so even then they were doing it). I had figured buying new rims plus modern tires was still cheaper than buying within the very limited market of 165R500’s.

I know, I know, you should always buy the correct tire but when the price is as high as it is and there are zero other options than Michelin, I do feel I am being a little ripped off.

I will make my 155’s last and hopefully the prices may come down a bit……ooh what is that pink thing in the sky 😆 😆