Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Tyre availability for the Super 3

Hi everyone - new member here, with a keen interest in the Super 3. I haven't seen one in the metal yet, but have expressed an interest with Revolutions in Perth (Scotland) to take a test drive, when the weather improves.
I'm thinking of one for the wife and I to go touring in Spain when she retires, hopefully in 2024.

Anyway.. what I'd like to discuss are the (front) tyres fitted to the Super 3 - they're an unusual size, 130/90 R20 I believe, made especially for the vehicle by Avon.
I haven't been able to find any supplier for this size of tyre online, and my concern as a potential buyer is, will this tyre continue to be available, say, in 5-10 years time? What happens if Avon stop making them due to lack of demand f'r instance? An impossible question to answer definitively I know - however with recent concerns over non-availability of parts for the S&S engine for example, is this a valid concern, or am I overthinking things?
Your thoughts welcome!

Hi, it could be difficult in the future. I understand from the British Historic Racing Facebook page that Goodyear have taken over Avon. It's said that they plan to close the Melksham factory and cease production of some tyres. One range that may not be available from 2024 is the AM23 range which is used extensively in historic motorcycle racing and by all the top racing Morgan threewheelers. So, there has got to be a doubt as to whether Goodyear will want to continue producing a low volume 130/90 x 20. Vintage cars do use 20" diameter wheels. It might be worth doing some research on Blockley's and Vintage Tyres' web sites. The issue might be that they are wider, starting at 5" or 5.5" wide.

Longstone do a 350 - 20 tyre but that is also Avon. Are the Super 3 fronts radial?

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/350-20.html

According to MMC the Super 3 front tyres are a unique size and currently only manufactured for them by Avon. They are available through Morgan dealers and cost about £210 per tyre in the UK.

Morgan will obviously have to keep the tyres available through the production run of the Super 3 which, based on recent history, is likely to be 5 -8 years.

It's pretty likely an alternative will be found during the life of the Super 3 or, worst case scenario, retrofitting different front wheels which have tyres available will always be an option.

I had a look at Blockley's site, and though they don't have that specific size, it's encouraging to read that they will look at manufacturing to order.

I thought about the potential to fit different wheels, but can't think of any wheel/tyre combo that would give the same (or approximate) overall diameter; if it's smaller that would affect ride height, and possibly the steering geometry.

Good to know though that there are potential alternatives, it's put my mind more at ease. It was a bit of a wobble moment - imagine spending 50k plus on a vehicle and in 10 years time it's worthless because you can't get tyres for it.
My thinking was - almost every other component of the vehicle could be substituted or remanufactured, but tyres would be a problem.

Or you could buy a number of tyres in ‘x’ years and store them in a manner that limits deterioration.

I think that trying to think availability of parts 10 years ahead is not realistic. In 2013 I bought my M3W, fitted with a low volume S&S engine. I probably wouldn't have bought it with a "high volume" Harley (even if MMC could have got them). I don't know why but at the time the X-Wedge seemed more attractive to the overall package.

As original manufacturers disappear others, usually materialise. If the car is worth £30,000 upwards, there will always be someone who will be sorting the supply problem...or a bunch of owners, to get their cars back on the road. You don't just lay a M3W up for the lack of a "widget". Look at the MTWC, they produce those stopper items for the older Morgan 3 Wheelers for that reason. It's not actually happened with the M3W yet but they are there if it does. If there is a demand, even a small one, someone will fill it. That may be at a price but £210 for a little skinny tyre is not cheap now, so you will be familiar with high prices for your Super 3 parts in 10 years time.

Yep, £210 is pricy - however it's a bespoke size and tread pattern so it's not hugely unreasonable. Within reason, the price wouldn't bother me that much - they're unlikely to wear too quickly and unless damaged shouldn't need replacing that often. Which kind of was part of the concern - there's not much incentive for a tyre manufacturer to keep manufacturing a bespoke tyre, if it's low volume.
Anyways... I've come to the conclusion that it's not an issue to be concerned about now - better to buy and enjoy the vehicle without worrying too much about what the future might bring.

That’s my view - none of us know what tomorrow will bring, enjoy today to the full.

Key for me would be knowing how to source one in an emergency when on a tour (eg a blow-out) - who would supply and how could it be shipped fast. For the just superceded 5sp car, I am sure MWS or others could get you one pretty quick......