Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) +8 tyres

I need new tyres for my 1970 +8. Original size is 185-70R15. I have only found Vredenstein Sprint classic on line in this size available in the USA. Has anyone used these?
I don't want to change the size as theres little clearance between the tire and exhaust as is. The car wears Semperits now but they were fitted when Reagan was president.
Car is not used much!!!

Avon CR6-ZZ, Michelin XWX, Pirelli P6000 as well as Vredestein Sprint Classic are available in 185/70R15 size all with W or V speed rating. None are cheap though for this now unpopular size, in the UK at least.

Although this is a UK source, extra details may be gleaned here.

George

If Richard's list of tyres are the only ones available in 185/70 x 15 then I can give some comments about each of them

1 Avon CR6-ZZ , these tyres really are sticky in both wet and dry , but they are almost obscenely expensive and the wear rate is high. The grip will astonish you, and you won't need to slow down much for corners, but is that how you drive your +8?

2 Michelin XWX, this is a remake of a very old tyre design . It was rated highly in its day, but things have moved on a lot since then and they wouldn't be top choice for me.

3 Pirelli P6000 , don't buy these , they are are hard as nails , almost the exact opposite of the Avons , poor grip but low wear rate

4 Vredstein Sprint Classic , I don't have any personal experience of these tyres , but I know several Morgan drivers whose opinions I trust, who do rate them highly. Good grip when you want it , easy to control when wishing to break traction, reasonable wear , and not bad pricing .

I would go for the Vredsteins, especially as they appear to be more easily available for your side of the pond.

BTW Do you realise that the original size tyre for your +8 would have been the 185 x 15 , and not the 185/70 which is lower profile. The OS supplier were Dunlop Sp Sports I am reliably informed.

Andy is right about the Pirelli’s, avoid! I had them on my +8 when I bought it, I didn’t think to check the date codes - just assumed they were very old and hard, was surprised when I did check to find they were less than 12 months old.

I’m running Toyo Proxxes T1R, fine for how I drive, can’t remember what size they are but do know they’re not exactly the right profile so the speedo does under read a bit, need to recalibrate when I remember.

I would like to add this Dunlop Sport Classic to the short list.
It has a really good reputation and TBH I have heard that the Vredestein Classic is mentioned in different forums not to be the very best in the wet. But I have not found an US site where to buy the Dunlops in your country.

Thanks all
I use a company called Tire Rack which offers great pricing and free shipping to home or installer. I just got replacement Sumitomo's for
my MB E350. Great tyre at a great price.