Newly acquired "restored", but not quite.. 1st things 1st.. tires are dried and cracking. Pretty cool red-stripe michelin X 185-15s. Does anyone know if these are still obtainable? What tires would be recommended since this size seems rare?

Second question. The Michelins currently on it are "tubed type". Havn't seen those lately. Is there any issue with tubes in modern high-speed tires? BTW this is a driver so safty & performance are prioritys.

Third question. Is their a shop in the Mass/NH/Maine area that will mount tubed tires on wire wheels without ripping up the tubes or trashing the wheels? Thanks!

67 e-type roadster
series2a landrover

Submitted by mbsansom@hotmail.com on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 16:03

I just ordered Dunlop 185 SR15 tyres from my local dealer, Warren Tire Co., here in the Albany, NY area. Warren Tire ordered them from an independent supplier. These are the original radials available as an option on early E-Types. The "factory" tyre was a bias-ply. The Dunlops are not sitting "on the shelf", they are custom made from molds purchased from Dunlop. As a consequence, deliver is extended (two months), and the tyres are not cheap (about $300 a tyre), but if you are looking for the real thing, I think this is the way to go. - 62 Roadster

PS: Welsh Jaguar in Steubenville, Ohio, a source of Dayton Wire wheels, tells me that the current Dayton's are designed to accept tubeless tyres without a tube (consistent with the note from Paul Schoonmaker on 2007-05-16). Current wheels on my '62 Roadster are the "factory" painted steels, and they definitely require tubes in a "tubeless" tyre.

Submitted by wcjssj@comcast.net on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 23:59

Edited on 2007-05-16 0:04:13

Coker tire has Michelin red lines, but I dont recommend them because they have now been on the shelf for about six years. The only 185-15s I know of are Vredesteins and the company tires from Universal tire. I bought Vredestein 185-15HR sprint classic tires available from British Wire Wheel (1-800-947-3943) and others, and am very happy with them. Others buy 205-70 tires which are readily available, but you must turn the rear bumpers around for more clearance and you will lose points at a concours. If you have spoked wheels, you must use tubes. Buy new ones.Good luck. 1967 E-type S1 FHC