1850 Tyre Size

[dave1850]

Dear All

Please could you advise me on what is quite a fundamental question – the size of tyres for an 1850 on standard steel wheels?

I have owned my late Mk1 1850 for over 20 years and in that time it has been on Sprint alloys. I’ve decided (controversially perhaps!) to revert to the original steel wheels which came with the car. Purely to complement the originality of this vehicle. I will have them professionally refurbed as they’re a bit crusty.

At the moment these old wheels, unused since c 2000, have a selection of tyres on them, with indicated sizes including 155/R13/78S, 155/80/R13/79T and simply 155SR13.

What modern tyre to order? Clearly 155/R13, but what about the rest of the measurements, especially the speed rating?

Tyre prices have shot up in the last 6 months - on my modern, the same make and size of tyre went up from £78/corner in May to £128/corner now. The online 155/R13 prices seem to start around £50 each, somewhat more than the last time I bought tyres for my Sprint alloys.

Dave

[GlenM]

Dave,

Standard tyre size for all Dolomites, except the Sprint, is 155 x 13. This was an 80 profile but never used to be marked as such, so you may see more modern tyres actually marked 155/80 x 13.

[Carledo]

What he said! ^^^^^^^

I will only add that the speed rating is effectively irrelevant. The LOWEST speed rating available anywhere is likely to be a S (112mph) and these are increasingly hard to find new. The next rating up is the T (118mph) which will obviously also be fine, anything more is just overkill. So unless you are considering Luckyland unrated ditchfinder remould specials from overseas (being kind here) anything will do in terms of speed rating.

Steve

[yorkshire_spam]

I'd go for: Falken Sincera SN832 Ecorun 155/80 R13 T (79)
£69.05 each fitted and balanced via blackcircles (Although I usually source through a local independent mobile fitter who'll price-match them)
Good tyre at a good price IMHO.

[cliftyhanger]

I have a new, wrapped set of toyo 155/80 13 that I bought late last year for a spitfire, but are now not needed. £120 for the 4 if interested. Could take to the Spares day in Feb. (apologies for the unashamed sales pitch)

[dave1850]

Clive - PM sent

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice. The "unrated ditchfinder remould" says it all!

Dave

[matt of the vivas]

Avoid Avon or Cooper - they seem to çrack and distort very quickly. I see it (and fail) these tyres every day - and looking at date codes they are never very old....
If you are buying cheapies - avoid anything branded as Landsail as they are about the worst tyre it's possible to buy!
Plenty of other budget brands that are not so bad.