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Tires
#1
BV6guy David Erikson
St Albans Vt, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB V6 Conversion
1973 MG MGB
I have been shopping for tires for my 73 roadster and have discovered that they are virtually not available any more. None of the local shops can get them & online search has turned up nothing. Present setup is 205/65- 14 on 14x7 American Racing rims.
What have others done ??

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Re: Tires
#2
260mgb Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA, USA   USA
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David, 205 60 14 are available, check out this Ebay link:

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/205-60-14-tires

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Re: Tires
#3
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BMC Gold Member Brian Mc Cullough
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA   USA
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1959 Austin A40 Farina
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
1959 Morris Minor 1000 Pickup
1961 Austin-Healey Sprite "Green Sprite"    & more
David,

This is Why so many are turning to 15" rims. Although I was against this years ago, I now look at the MGB and feel it needs a little more rim and since MGAs and MGCs have 15", I don't feel they are too out of place. That said, nearly everything in the 1960's and 70s here in the USA appeared to have 14" rims so maybe that is why the engineers and designers chose that size.

-BMC.


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Re: Tires
#4
cstrong45 Avatar
cstrong45 Charles Strong
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA   USA
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1978 MG MGB V6 Conversion
I dont need tires, should I buy a set and put them on the shelf?eye rolling smiley

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Re: Tires
#5
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V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN, USA   USA
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I wouldn't, Chuck. The rubber still ages.

Performance tires are getting scarce for 14" wheels. Best way to protect against obsolescence is to run Miata size rubber. Problem is, wider tires need even wider rims for max performance.

Personally, I prefer the Extreme Performance Summer or DOT race tires. I'm firmly in the wear them out before they dry rot camp. I used to run 205/55-14 Toyo RA-1, now NLA. So, I went to 195/60-14 Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, now NLA. See the trend? Not sure what is next for me, but it's likely a sticky 205/50-15 on a 7" or preferably a 7.5" wheel. Gonna miss my gold ARE wheels that I have been running for the last 23 years.

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Re: Tires
#6
cstrong45 Avatar
cstrong45 Charles Strong
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA   USA
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1978 MG MGB V6 Conversion
Carl, I have 14 inch Panasports....God its like being stabbed in the heart having to buy not only new tires, but new rims too.angry smiley

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Re: Tires
#7
Ronnie Budd
Jasper, Missouri, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
1979 MG MGB
1979 MG MGB V8 Conversion
Walmart carries a good selection of tires in the 14 inch size. I know that they have a few brands in the 205/70-14 size, as well as other 14 inch combinations, at least here in the Midwest.

They may not be the "high performance" tires that some seek though.

Ronnie



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-04-23 11:50 PM by Ronnie Budd.

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Re: Tires
#8
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MGwrench John Perkins
Wildwood, MO, USA   USA
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1956 MG Magnette ZA
1969 MG MGC GT
1972 MG MGB GT
1974 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion
Even though I don't drive at ten/tenths all the time, I've noticed over the years that even at lower speeds H and Z rated tires seem to have a better feel to both braking and steering. Being forced to take the 14" American Racing Libre wheels off of my MGB-GT that were dealer add-ons (I still have the original paperwork from the dealer for $100 for the four wheels) will be tough. I'm hoping that the VTO wheels are close enough in appearance that it doesn't change the look of my car too much when I change to 15" wheels.

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Re: Tires
#9
BV6guy David Erikson
St Albans Vt, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB V6 Conversion
1973 MG MGB
It's not just a 14" tire problem either. On a recent trip to San Diego I hit some road debris and killed a 15" tire on my BMW. when I pulled in to a local Costco for a replacement Michelin, they said NLA. Michelin doesn't make that size any more and we can't get that size from any of our other suppliers.
They sent me to Discount tire where they were able to order BFG 235-15. Took two days and, I had to buy two tires instead of one replacement.
How long before we all have to go to 22" rims ??

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Re: Tires
#10
MGwrench Avatar
MGwrench John Perkins
Wildwood, MO, USA   USA
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1956 MG Magnette ZA
1969 MG MGC GT
1972 MG MGB GT
1974 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion
I really don't want my MG looking like this:


Attachments:
camaro.jpeg    11.4 KB
camaro.jpeg

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Re: Tires
#11
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BMC Gold Member Brian Mc Cullough
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA   USA
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1959 Austin A40 Farina
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
1959 Morris Minor 1000 Pickup
1961 Austin-Healey Sprite "Green Sprite"    & more
Your HONEST and outright opinion welcome John P. Do NOT hold back.

Your assessment (and Everyones) on two items:

What is your thought on wheel size on this lowered white MGB?
(Note overall diameter with THESE low sidewall profile tyres is exactly what a standard MGB height would have)

What is your thought on the design of these wheels on this rubber bumper (somewhat modern) MGB?

Anything else?

Hit Me!







This answer is acceptable if it is the way you feel:

(Yes- Immature.)

-BMC.


Member Services:
BMC British Automobile www.bmcautos.com
Minnesota's only Fully Dedicated British Classic only shop providing Professional Restoration & Services & Specialty Products including- proper L.E.D. tail lights, Wiring looms and Engine and five speed Conversion Kits
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Re: Tires
#12
Ronnie Budd
Jasper, Missouri, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
1979 MG MGB
1979 MG MGB V8 Conversion
In reply to # 2670343 by BV6guy It's not just a 14" tire problem either. On a recent trip to San Diego I hit some road debris and killed a 15" tire on my BMW. when I pulled in to a local Costco for a replacement Michelin, they said NLA. Michelin doesn't make that size any more and we can't get that size from any of our other suppliers.
They sent me to Discount tire where they were able to order BFG 235-15. Took two days and, I had to buy two tires instead of one replacement.
How long before we all have to go to 22" rims ??

I'm sticking with the 14 inch rims for a durability reason--one that won't apply to most of you. I live and drive on gravel country backroads. Low profile tires do not protect the rims enough when hitting potholes or rocks in the road.

My Son-In-Law changed the stock wheels on his Toyota Celica to "high performance" low profile 16 inch wheels, from the 15 inchers. Spent BIG bucks for wheels and tires. Thought it looked cool and swore it made the car handle better on the highway. Before it was over, he ended up cracking three of the four wheels from damage caused by running on these backroads that we live on. The wheel store warrantied the first two, but called foul after the third one was broken. All it took was running over a rock, which are plentiful on our roads. An expensive lesson.

Ronnie

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Re: Tires
#13
MGwrench Avatar
MGwrench John Perkins
Wildwood, MO, USA   USA
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1956 MG Magnette ZA
1969 MG MGC GT
1972 MG MGB GT
1974 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion
Brian: Are those 16" wheels? I've been thinking about using 185-55x16 tires for my BGT-V8. I think the tire size looks aggressive in a good way. I'm not so certain about the style of the wheels, but that's a much more personal decision. Did you use wheel adapters to get to the 5 lug pattern? Do the front tires rub when cornering?

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Re: Tires
#14
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BMC Gold Member Brian Mc Cullough
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA   USA
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1959 Austin A40 Farina
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
1959 Morris Minor 1000 Pickup
1961 Austin-Healey Sprite "Green Sprite"    & more
John,

CCE front hubs, our own axle design rear. The rear bump stops were cut out and welded flat but the outer lip that everyone rolls- Untouched and room left for the next size up!

Tyre size: 215/45R16 perfectly square on those rims. Possible room for 225 width next time. I do need a pan hard rod for autocross purpose but don't have an issue on the street yet.

I agree- not my choice in wheel design but they were affordable and that is what was required at that time. Makes the car look newer. Eventually something else will be installed when the bumpers fall off.

-BMC.


Member Services:
BMC British Automobile www.bmcautos.com
Minnesota's only Fully Dedicated British Classic only shop providing Professional Restoration & Services & Specialty Products including- proper L.E.D. tail lights, Wiring looms and Engine and five speed Conversion Kits
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Re: Tires
#15
BV6guy David Erikson
St Albans Vt, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB V6 Conversion
1973 MG MGB
Stance is fine with me, and tire size looks good also, but, I'm not nuts about the rims.
That's part of my current dilemma. Along with the cost of new rims, finding a style that fits my personal taste is a problem.

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