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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.
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<div dir="ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
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<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold Manifold <manifold@telus.net> wrote:<br>
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<div>Hi,</div>
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<div>To add to the controversy regarding tires, I believe selection should be based on size and wheel compatibility rather than brand.</div>
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<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—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.</div>
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<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 comparing two Healeys side by side, I find that the one fitted with Michelin XAS 180/80R15s has a much more
pleasing stance.</div>
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<div>Let the controversy begin.</div>
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<div>Best regards,</div>
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<div>Harold</div>
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<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 10:05 AM Richard Collins via Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:<br>
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<div dir="auto">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.
<div>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 </div>
<div>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.<br id="m_1652514425094531187lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature">
<div dir="ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
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<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at 10:43, Bob Spidell via Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:<br>
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<div dir="ltr"> List has been a bit moribund lately so I thought maybe I'd try to start some controversy.<br>
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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).<br>
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The CR article cited is behind a paywall:<br>
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<i>"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."</i><br>
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<a href="https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/" target="_blank">https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/</a>
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<div><AH Wheels and Tires.pdf></div>
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