Tyres for 1970 2000 mk2

[Jreg2000]

Hi guys
My 1970 2000mk2 that i am working on had been stood for about 10yrs before i aquired her and I am wondering whether i should
plan to replace all the tyres,if i did what would you recommend?
They are 175 13 at the moment 3 diifferent makes,should i consider going bigger?
Cheers

[johnnydog]

The standard fitment on the 2000 of that year was 175 SR 13, which are now known as 175 80 R 13. This particular size has become more difficult to source over the last few years. Going bigger may alter your speedo, unless you lower the profile and increase the width to match the original size, but may increase the tyre make options available.
I am a bit of a stickler for originality, so if I was replacing any tyres on mine, they would have to the original size and profile.
Tyres are very subjective - some people just want 'round black ones', others want cheap budget / mid range tyres, others want a quality make with generally better driving characteristics. The last set I bought were Maxxis (but for a PI, so were a different size to the 2000 and even more difficult to source). I think they are very good tyres, they look well on the car (tread pattern etc), drive well with a good steering feel, but didn't break the bank. Only down side is the thin white wall, but this can be fitted on the inside and is only seen by me!
On my S, I have Uniroyal (The Rain Tyre), which again are excellent in my opinion.
On my 2000's, I have full sets of Goodyear, Firestone and one full set of BF Goodrich (which again have a thin white wall on the inside, but are surprisingly pleasant to drive on, and again sit well on the car). They were on a 2000 I bought, otherwise I wouldn't normally have considered them. I am happy with all of them. I have just Michelin, and one set of Avon on my more modern cars.
I'd avoid cheap budget tyres, which from experience, are generally noisy, and often referred to as 'ditch finders' due to their poor grip characteristics.
Most tyre sites give detailed reviews and labelling details of the tyres that are available in any particular size.

[Phil T]

In answer to the OPs question, yes definitely replace as 10 year old tyres are likely to be in a dangerous condition. General thinking is that tyres should be replaced every 5-6 years due to general degradation.

Personally I do use budget tyres. but as I don't drive fast or enthusiastically then handling is less of an issue.

[wild bill]

New tyres ,if stored correctly ,will not degrade,IF stored properly. When I got my car in 2007,the tyres were original Goodyears,and had went hard, which made for interesting wet roundabouts!.I replaced them with Hancooks,and ,as they were in the last batch of 200,I bought another 4. These were immediately wrapped in industrial shrink-wrap and then in black plastic bags and sealed, then being put in a dark, well ventilated loft.There still there,(if the wife hasn't found them),and I would have no hesitation in using them.. I still have the originals stored the same way.....

[johnnydog]

I also have two sets of brand new 175 80 R13 tyres stored away. They are premium makes (can't recollect the make), but as Bill states, storage is very important - out of natural light, no UV, in dry conditions. Tyres in use get warm, which dries out any moisture that can eventually cause the breakdown of cord structures apparently, but stored tyres need a dry environment, out of natural light and the 'elements' etc. to avoid degrading of the side walls (cracking and splits in the tread pattern).
I bought them at the time because of increasing difficulties in obtaining premium makes in the correct size of 175 80 R13. The same problem exists with original size tyres for the PI. Apart from paying extortionate prices from classic tyre suppliers, the only other option used to be 4 or 6 ply van tyres, but they were not really suitable for a saloon car. I haven't checked recently, but about 3 years ago, Maxxis were one of the only suppliers of 185 80 R 13 tyres, when I bought my last set.

[tony]

Cat amongst the pigeons stuff... but you could convert to 185' x 14's, gives you a different set of options.
\Tony

[Clifford Pope]

I've got a 1946 ex-army trailer which had its original tyres. On the M4 once one of the tyres softened and turned from being circular to a series of flats, shaped like an old threepenny bit. I noticed the trailer bouncing up and down, and managed to pull off soon and drove round Cardiff slowly looking for a vintage tyre supplier. I did find one, who had one in stock.
He was very impressed with the red inner tube - he hadn't seen one for 50 years, and said it was genuine malayan natural rubber and was indistructable, and didn't need replacing. He also liked the split conical washers on the wheel nuts.

[johnnydog]

Cat amongst the pigeons stuff... but you could convert to 185' x 14's, gives you a different set of options.
\Tony

It wouldn't be my choice - it would also necessitate replacement rims on all 2000's and PI's..... increasing the expense even more, taking away any aspect of originality, and I would argue the complete wheel may look somewhat 'over tyred' from standard.

[valencia]

Hello,
I was considering tyres like yourself about 3 years ago. I also thought about changing to 14inch rims but in the end decided to refurbish the original steel 13 inch ones.
The choice of tyres was limited so I ended up with the Uniroyle rally 380, they are still available at about £65-£75. I'm very satisfied with them in all conditions.
I changed all 4 at the time as I had a mixture of 2 nexan tyres, about 12 years old on the rear and some even older Goodyears on the front. Whilst driving up the M62 for Hull to catch the ferry for Zeebrugge the car developed a bad vibration, it was not immediately obvious what the cause was as it was only on removing a wheel when we arrived at our destination that I could see that the tread on one of the rears had distorted. the grooves no longer straight. No doubt at speed it must have started bulging as well. So definitely go for new ones.
All the best,
Michael

[torque2me]

He was very impressed with the red inner tube - he hadn't seen one for 50 years, and said it was genuine malayan natural rubber and was indistructable, and didn't need replacing. He also liked the split conical washers on the wheel nuts.

Yeah, the last time I was able to obtain inner tubes must be at least 20 odd years ago and they were from Bulgaria and intended for carts (oxen/donkey/mule/horse); 5 mph?

I had to apply pressure to the tyre fitter to accept and fit them (known customer) and they wouldn't be doing so again. I wonder what real vintage vehicle owners have to contend with. Perhaps their suppliers still have modern availability. Must try to remember to ask!

Kev