Michelin/vredestein/firestone classic tyres

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 3 May 2015, 8:45 pm

#1012529

Hello
I'm doing a fairly Stock Resto on a '63 Ghia. Keeping standard height but using 5"x15" BRMs.

I'm looking at some of the vintage classic tyres available in the 165R15 size.

Michelin XZX, Vredestein Sprint Classics, Firestone.

Has anyone had any experience with them, good bad indifferent?

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 5 May 2015, 5:06 am

#1012577

Yes, but they weren't vintage at the time.

I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 5 May 2015, 9:28 am

#1012582

Burelli has Verdesteins on some cars, he imported them himself. They look great, not sure about any other details

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 5 May 2015, 4:30 pm

#1012598

karmann54 wrote:...Has anyone had any experience with them, good bad indifferent?

Nope. But, because such tyres have a lower turnover rate, it will pay to check the Tyre Identification Number (TIN) to find out the manufacture date. I had some Michelin ZXs at one stage on a Triumph TR2, which looked to be in good order but were ancient and had as much grip as [...insert incredibly low grip metaphor here...] and were lethal in the wet, notwithstanding that in new condition these tyres were quite a good match with such vintage tin.

hth

Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

Governor Wolfsburg Wizard

414 posts · joined Nov 2008 · 5 May 2015, 4:51 pm

#1012605

matberry wrote:Burelli has Verdesteins on some cars, he imported them himself. They look great, not sure about any other details

Got mine from Antique Tyres

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 6 May 2015, 11:45 am

#1012659

Thanks for the responses. I was probably going to get them from Antique Tyres, and would be making sure they are not new tyres that are 20 years old.

I guess what I'm checking is that one of these tyres will be more correct than a modern equivalent like Nankang (which doesn't quite have that Euro sound to it). But I still want the tyre to perform/ride well. I'd be prepared to take a small compromise there but not much - if they aren't much good I'd go with a modern tyre.

So its any experience with how they actually perform would be appreciated.

hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 6 May 2015, 9:03 pm

#1012682

I have a 155R15 Vredestein as a spare that I bought from Antique, because I didn't wan't a really old tyre even as a spare. Before I bought it I heard good reports and it certainly looks good. So far it has stayed in the boot so unable to report on it's performance.
MGB's use 15" tyres so there may be some info on the MG forums
Cheers..........Wayne

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 7 May 2015, 4:13 am

#1012693

Thanks for that angle, hadn't thought of that. I'll check out a few other forums,

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 7 May 2015, 12:31 pm

#1012716

I rented a vw beetle in Tassie for two weeks and it was fitted with Michelin XZX radials, this was quite a few years ago, It was a standard car and it handle very well, wet or dry, they are a very good tyre, just check the age.

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 7 May 2015, 9:56 pm

#1012768

I used to run Michelin XZX's back in the day, and they were quite a good tyre.

From your ole' mate Jeff