Re: [Healeys] Tires

[Harold Manifold <manifold@telus.net>]

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Hi,

I should have been clearer in my previous email. If a 5.90-15 tire were
converted to modern radial measurements, it would be a 163/86 R15. While a
163/86 R15 tire does not actually exist, Coker does offer a few options for
the original 5.90-15 size.

One of the key features of the 5.90-15 is the outside diameter and the
sidewall height. In my opinion, a Healey looks better with tires that have
a tall sidewall rather than a lower-profile tire.

Best regards,

Harold

On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 2:53=E2=80=AFPM Richard Collins <gonnagitcha90@hotma=
il.com>
wrote:

> When I bought my BN7 back in 2004=E2=80=99ish in Los Altos riding with Ga=
ry
> Anderson (RIP) in his BN7, it was basically a barnfind whose owner had di=
ed
> several years previously. It had mismatched wires and Pirelli 165 x 15
> Centurions with tubes in them. The tires were beyond shot so in the proce=
ss
> of replacing them, only Vreds were readily available, plus I wanted to go
> to 185 from 165. I debated about tubes but looking at the inside of the
> spoked rims it made sense to keep tubes if they were available. Living he=
re
> in Kentucky I found a local farm equipment repair shop who had a large
> quantity of 15=E2=80=9D tubes for tractor tires so I bought four for $5 e=
ach. I=E2=80=99ve
> thought about going to splined Minilights but haven=E2=80=99t made the mo=
ve. I find
> keeping them at 32psi, keeps scuttleshake to a minimum as I=E2=80=99ve ne=
ver had
> them professionally balanced.
> Regards,
> Richard C
>
>
> On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold Manifold <manifold@telus.net> wrote:
>
> =EF=BB=BF
> Hi,
>
> To add to the controversy regarding tires, I believe selection should be
> based on size and wheel compatibility rather than brand.
>
> If we look at the original 5.90-15 Road Speed RS5 tires found on most
> Austin-Healeys, the modern equivalent would be a 163/86 R15=E2=80=94essen=
tially a
> narrow tire with tall sidewalls. These original tires filled the wheel
> arches and defined the car's stance. While a 70-series tire offers more
> width, it comes at the expense of sidewall height. In my view, the modern
> tire that closest matches the original 5.90-15 specifications is the
> Michelin XAS 180/80R15.
>
> During COVID, I put together a presentation on tire and wheel options for
> Healeys. I have attached a page that compares the various sizes. When
> comparing two Healeys side by side, I find that the one fitted with
> Michelin XAS 180/80R15s has a much more pleasing stance.
>
> Let the controversy begin.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Harold
>
> On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 10:05=E2=80=AFAM Richard Collins via Healeys <
> healeys@autox.team.net> wrote:
>
>> I have  Vreds on my BN7, running with tubes; Never an issue; Falken 660
>> on one PCar, Kuhmos on another, Generals on wife=E2=80=99s car, Goodyear=
 on
>> another, etc.
>> I have run Toyo, Nitto, Pirelli, Yokos, Michelin, etc over the years on
>> track, street, snow/ice (this week. :-) ) and find pro/con with all of
>> them. But as I think Simon on this board has said: there are horses for
>> courses. I tend to be particular on my track car, running 200 compound
>> rubber for grip rather than slicks while
>> Minimal road noise and price are the basis for selection on my road cars=
.
>> I have Track X=E2=80=99d the Healey with the Vreds and they performed we=
ll but it
>> is a back country road car and they are aging (not wearing) out.
>> Regards,
>> Richard C
>>
>>
>> On Feb 1, 2026, at 10:43, Bob Spidell via Healeys <healeys@autox.team.ne=
t>
>> wrote:
>>
>> =EF=BB=BF List has been a bit moribund lately so I thought maybe I'd try=
 to start
>> some controversy.
>>
>> I run Vredestein tires on both my Healeys; the BN2 from relatively
>> recently to having gone through several sets for my BJ8 over the decades=
. I
>> was somewhat surprised to see Vredestein mentioned favorably with some o=
f
>> the 'biggees,' as I'd always thought of them as a 'niche' supplier (but =
I
>> had heard the GM for Vred in the US was a Healey fan and one of their
>> brochures featured a BJ8 on the cover). I've always been happy with thei=
r
>> performance and longevity, and they supplied tires in some of the less
>> common sizes (185/70R-15 for the BJ8; 165s for the BN2).
>>
>> The CR article cited is behind a paywall:
>>
>> *"The very top of the winter-snow table has Bridgestone, Michelin,
>> Nokian, and Vredestein as the most satisfying brands to own, and those
>> latter three brands dominate the summer tires category, too."*
>>
>>
>> https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfactio=
n-consumer-reports/
>> _______________________________________________
>> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
>> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
>>
>> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys
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>>
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>>
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>> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
>> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
>>
>> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys
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>>
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>>
>> Unsubscribe/Manage:
>> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/manifold@telus.net
>>
>> <AH Wheels and Tires.pdf>
>
>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Hi,</div><div><br></div><div>I should have been clear=
er in my previous email. If a 5.90-15 tire were converted to modern radial =
measurements, it would be a 163/86 R15. While a 163/86 R15 tire does not ac=
tually exist, Coker does offer a few options for the original 5.90-15 size.=
</div><div><br></div><div>One of the key features of the 5.90-15 is the out=
side diameter and the sidewall height. In my opinion, a Healey looks better=
 with tires that have a tall sidewall rather than a lower-profile tire.</di=
v><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Harold</div></=
div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" c=
lass=3D"gmail_attr">On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 2:53=E2=80=AFPM Richard Collins =
&lt;<a href=3D"mailto:gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com";>gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com<=
/a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0=
px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">



<div dir=3D"auto">
When I bought my BN7 back in 2004=E2=80=99ish in Los Altos riding with Gary=
 Anderson (RIP) in his BN7, it was basically a barnfind whose owner had die=
d several years previously. It had mismatched wires and Pirelli 165 x 15 Ce=
nturions with tubes in them. The tires were
 beyond shot so in the process of replacing them, only Vreds were readily a=
vailable, plus I wanted to go to 185 from 165. I debated about tubes but lo=
oking at the inside of the spoked rims it made sense to keep tubes if they =
were available. Living here in Kentucky
 I found a local farm equipment repair shop who had a large quantity of 15=
=E2=80=9D tubes for tractor tires so I bought four for $5 each. I=E2=80=99v=
e thought about going to splined Minilights but haven=E2=80=99t made the mo=
ve. I find keeping them at 32psi, keeps scuttleshake to a
 minimum as I=E2=80=99ve never had them professionally balanced.=C2=A0
<div>
<div dir=3D"ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<div dir=3D"ltr"><br>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold Manifold &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:manifold@telus.net"; target=3D"_blank">manifold@telus.net</a>=
&gt; wrote:<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
<div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div>Hi,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>To add to the controversy regarding tires, I believe selection should =
be based on size and wheel compatibility rather than brand.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>If we look at the original 5.90-15 Road Speed RS5 tires found on most =
Austin-Healeys, the modern equivalent would be a 163/86 R15=E2=80=94essenti=
ally a narrow tire with tall sidewalls. These original tires filled the whe=
el arches and defined the car&#39;s stance.
 While a 70-series tire offers more width, it comes at the expense of sidew=
all height. In my view, the modern tire that closest matches the original 5=
.90-15 specifications is the Michelin XAS 180/80R15.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>During COVID, I put together a presentation on tire and wheel options =
for Healeys. I have attached a page that compares the various sizes. When c=
omparing two Healeys side by side, I find that the one fitted with Michelin=
 XAS 180/80R15s has a much more
 pleasing stance.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Let the controversy begin.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Best regards,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Harold</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class=3D"gmail_quote">
<div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 10:05=E2=80=AF=
AM Richard Collins via Healeys &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net=
" target=3D"_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>&gt; wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-=
left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div dir=3D"auto">I have =C2=A0Vreds on my BN7, running with tubes; Never a=
n issue; Falken 660 on one PCar, Kuhmos on another, Generals on wife=E2=80=
=99s car, Goodyear on another, etc.
<div>I have run Toyo, Nitto, Pirelli, Yokos, Michelin, etc over the years o=
n track, street, snow/ice (this week. :-) ) and find pro/con with all of th=
em. But as I think Simon on this board has said: there are horses for cours=
es. I tend to be particular on my
 track car, running 200 compound rubber for grip rather than slicks while=
=C2=A0</div>
<div>Minimal road noise and price are the basis for selection on my road ca=
rs. I have Track X=E2=80=99d the Healey with the Vreds and they performed w=
ell but it is a back country road car and they are aging (not wearing) out.=
<br id=3D"m_-5907421954800235242m_1652514425094531187lineBreakAtBeginningOf=
Signature">
<div dir=3D"ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<div dir=3D"ltr"><br>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at 10:43, Bob Spidell via Healeys=
 &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">healeys@au=
tox.team.net</a>&gt; wrote:<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
<div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF List has been a bit moribund lately so I thought=
 maybe I&#39;d try to start some controversy.<br>
<br>
I run Vredestein tires on both my Healeys; the BN2 from relatively recently=
 to having gone through several sets for my BJ8 over the decades. I was som=
ewhat surprised to see Vredestein mentioned favorably with some of the &#39=
;biggees,&#39; as I&#39;d always thought of
 them as a &#39;niche&#39; supplier (but I had heard the GM for Vred in the=
 US was a Healey fan and one of their brochures featured a BJ8 on the cover=
). I&#39;ve always been happy with their performance and longevity, and the=
y supplied tires in some of the less common
 sizes (185/70R-15 for the BJ8; 165s for the BN2).<br>
<br>
The CR article cited is behind a paywall:<br>
<br>
<i>&quot;The very top of the winter-snow table has Bridgestone, Michelin, N=
okian, and Vredestein as the most satisfying brands to own, and those latte=
r three brands dominate the summer tires category, too.&quot;</i><br>
<br>
<a href=3D"https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-sat=
isfaction-consumer-reports/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.jalopnik.com/208=
5748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/</a>
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</blockquote>
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<div>&lt;AH Wheels and Tires.pdf&gt;</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>

</blockquote></div>

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