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I think the 165HR-15s fill the BN2's wheel wells pretty good. The
185/70-15s on the BJ8 not so good.<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 2/2/2026 8:48 AM, Harold Manifold
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAFP1XCDjQ+ofWXbqEwxFFq=dNKmOV989geM1Bi2D7FBsDQeRtg@mail.gmail.com">
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<div dir="ltr">
<div>Hi,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Best regards,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Harold</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Richard Collins <<a href="mailto:gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="auto">
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.
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br>
<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold
Manifold <<a href="mailto:manifold@telus.net"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">manifold@telus.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="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—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>
<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 comparing 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="gmail_quote">
<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"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<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_-5907421954800235242m_1652514425094531187lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature">
<div dir="ltr">Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br>
<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 1, 2026, at
10:43, Bob Spidell via Healeys <<a
href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr"> List has been a bit
moribund lately so I thought maybe I'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 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>
<br>
The CR article cited is behind a paywall:<br>
<br>
<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>
<br>
<a
href="https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/</a>
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</blockquote>
</div>
<div><AH Wheels and Tires.pdf></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
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</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
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