[Healeys] Tires

[Harold Manifold]

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—essentially 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 AM Richard Collins via Healeys <
healeys at 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’s 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’d the Healey with the Vreds and they performed well 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 at autox.team.net>
> wrote:
>
>  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 of
> 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 their
> 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-satisfaction-consumer-reports/
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