[Healeys] Tires

Mon Feb 2 14:52:52 MST 2026

Hi Ron,

Yes, you do gain ground clearance with a tire that has higher sidewalls.
Using the original 5.90-15 as the baseline, here is the approximate
deviation in clearance for other sizes:

- 185/70R15: -0.4"
- 165/80R15: -0.3"
- 180/80R15: +0.15"

Please note that for an 80-series tire, widths greater than 180 may result
in fitment issues.

Best regards,

Harold

On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM Robert Markovich <rmarkovich at aol.com> wrote:

> As I’ve noted, 165/80 tires have always fitted the bill for height and
> clearance. I’d tried 185/70s, which looked good and are the correct plus
> size moving up from 165/80, but they fouled the inner air deflectors for
> the radiator. Nothing serious, but annoying.
>
>
> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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>
> On Monday, February 2, 2026, 2:05 PM, Hank Leach via Healeys <
> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
> Here are a set of original 5.90-15 bias Dunlop Road Speed tires on my
> early 100 (with small fender opening)-a tight fit but no interference. Also
> attached is the Michelin X Radial 165-15 on the BJ8 which originally used
> Dunlop 590-15 Bias when new. As you mention, Harold, the look and ride
> height is important. I always wonder how 16" bias tires were fitted to the
> 100 as an option? Tires larger than 185 seem to raise havoc with the
> sidelight wiring and speedo readings and this early 100 has a wider rear
> bump stop that caused issues with tire rub on curves thus they narrowed the
> part soon after my car was produced. Hank
> --------------------
>
> From: "Harold Manifold" <manifold at telus.net>
> To: "Richard Collins" <gonnagitcha90 at hotmail.com>
> Cc: "Healeys" <healeys at autox.team.net>
> Sent: February 2, 2026 at 9:05 AM PST
> Subject: Re: [Healeys] Tires
> 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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