[Healeys] Tires
Bob Spidell
bspidell at comcast.net
Mon Feb 2 10:30:31 MST 2026
I think the 165HR-15s fill the BN2's wheel wells pretty good. The
185/70-15s on the BJ8 not so good.
On 2/2/2026 8:48 AM, Harold Manifold wrote:
> 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 PM Richard Collins
> <gonnagitcha90 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> When I bought my BN7 back in 2004’ish in Los Altos riding with
> Gary Anderson (RIP) in his BN7, it was basically a barnfind whose
> owner had died 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 process 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 here in
> Kentucky I found a local farm equipment repair shop who had a
> large quantity of 15” tubes for tractor tires so I bought four for
> $5 each. I’ve thought about going to splined Minilights but
> haven’t made the move. I find keeping them at 32psi, keeps
> scuttleshake to a minimum as I’ve never had them professionally
> balanced.
> Regards,
> Richard C
>
>
>> On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold Manifold <manifold at telus.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> 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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>> <AH Wheels and Tires.pdf>
>
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