Posted by: Delilah '62 - 23 October 2009 21:47:49
Hello! Hoping for a little vintage advice!! Having had my wheels re-finished I am looking to get hold of some cross-plys - any recommendations? I think I need 5.60 15s... It's for a 62... I'm seeing some very worrying prices, all well over £100 ea. Hearing about cheaper Camacs - but can't seem to locate anyone who actually has some. She's only done 23k since 1962, so I don't need anything to cope with many miles a year... Thanks!! Jaq :d

Posted by: Rich Oakley - 23 October 2009 22:06:14
[quote=Delilah '62]Hello! Hoping for a little vintage advice!! Having had my wheels re-finished I am looking to get hold of some cross-plys - any recommendations? I think I need 5.60 15s... It's for a 62... I'm seeing some very worrying prices, all well over £100 ea. Hearing about cheaper Camacs - but can't seem to locate anyone who actually has some. She's only done 23k since 1962, so I don't need anything to cope with many miles a year... Thanks!! Jaq :d [/quote] Hi Jaq, Have a look here https://www.vintagetyres.com/ ...and speak to John Moxon on this forum. Your car is special and deserves the best. Rich.

Posted by: 51reutter - 24 October 2009 05:34:23
yap, [url=https://www.camac.pt/historia.php]Camac's[/url] are Portuguese... I think the company is no longer fabricating the 560-15 :cry: Try [url=https://www.michelin-passion.com/passion/collection/en/cr_pneu_trs_result.jsp?lang=EN&codeRubrique=8&Marque=197&Modele=921&Annee=96]Michelin[/url]

Posted by: harveypj - 24 October 2009 22:23:02
Northants tyres are also worth a look, they give a discount to historic vw club members.

Posted by: mrsherbie - 25 October 2009 10:23:02
FIRESTONES all the way!

Posted by: GKL 7 - 25 October 2009 13:12:33
[quote=mrsherbie]FIRESTONES all the way! [/quote] American tyres on a German car[-x Get youself some "Continentals".

Posted by: mrsherbie - 25 October 2009 18:51:23
Yes but in this game we have to stick to crossplies that can actually still be found ! :lol: Continentals are lovely my fatchick still has her og spare :d If I owned such a super low mile uk car as that white one I would probably search high and low for nos dunlops! of course it might take a while! :shock: but anything can be found :d

Posted by: mrsherbie - 25 October 2009 19:08:55
[img]https://z.about.com/d/create/1/0/3/E/-/-/piecrust.jpeg[/img]

Posted by: GKL 7 - 25 October 2009 21:00:26
Search e-bay.de for "Reifen Continental" You'll find 15 inch crossplys,if you find 16's please tell me:wink: I hope that's an apple pie,i don't like rhubarb.

Posted by: Delilah '62 - 26 October 2009 21:47:06
Hi, Thanks for all of this advice. I've had a look round those sites, but it looks like the firestones are just too expensive for the moment. Any thoughts on radials... The michelins look great, but just as pricey as the cross plies. I have seen vredestein sprint classics, which I can afford... What's you opinion on 155 15 vs 165 15? Thanks all! J

Posted by: harveypj - 27 October 2009 03:54:18
165 will give a closer to correct side wall heigh but will look super chuncky width wise. A 560/15 cross ply has more like a 145 radial tread width. Radials will not fill the arch quite the same though and have a square shoulder in comparisum. (No pie crust here:( ) If I were fitting radials I'd go for a 155 as best compromise. On the plus side your car will ride/drive better. Xplies look real cool on a vintage motor but are an experience if you are used to modern radials. Pete.

Posted by: kdf38 - 27 October 2009 04:02:20
I like apple, but nothing is better than Rhubarb pie! :beer: Actually, I don't recall any pie I dislike... Mike [quote='50 Karmann]Search e-bay.de for "Reifen Continental" You'll find 15 inch crossplys,if you find 16's please tell me:wink: I hope that's an apple pie,i don't like rhubarb.[/quote]

Posted by: GKL 7 - 27 October 2009 18:48:37
[quote=Delilah '62]Hi, Thanks for all of this advice. I've had a look round those sites, but it looks like the firestones are just too expensive for the moment. Any thoughts on radials... The michelins look great, but just as pricey as the cross plies. I have seen vredestein sprint classics, which I can afford... What's you opinion on 155 15 vs 165 15? Thanks all! J[/quote] I bought 4 new CHEAPER tyres once and congratulated myself on saving money. It was only when a dog ran into the road on a wet day and i broke hard,skidding and mounting the pavement to miss two small children by inches,i relised what a mistake it was. Your life and the lives of others depend on good tyres,please do not try and skimp on them. BTW this is meant as a bit of friendly advice.I changed my cheap tyres the next day,a lesson that cost me more than if i'd bought the good ones in the first place.

Posted by: pre67vw - 27 October 2009 19:25:07
[quote='50 Karmann] It was only when a dog ran into the road on a wet day and i broke hard,skidding and mounting the pavement to miss two small children by inches,i relised what a mistake it was. Your life and the lives of others depend on good tyres,please do not try and skimp on them. BTW this is meant as a bit of friendly advice.I changed my cheap tyres the next day,a lesson that cost me more than if i'd bought the good ones in the first place. [/quote] So you like dogs more than kids? Crossplies are notoriously bad in the wet, regardless of the price...

Posted by: GKL 7 - 27 October 2009 19:48:03
[quote=pre67vw] So you like dogs more than kids? Crossplies are notoriously bad in the wet, regardless of the price... [/quote] I meant to say Rob,they weren't crossplies, the OP had started to enquire about Radials.But a cheap tyre is a cheap tyre is rubbish. Never forget the faces on those Children:cry: could have fixed the car, but that was too damn close.

Posted by: Delilah '62 - 27 October 2009 20:45:13
Hi, Not looking at anything so cheap that safety is sacrificed, but thanks for the advice, much appreciated. That sounds like a horrible experience you've had. I didn't see those cross plies on ebay.de though - did get lots of tyre hits, but didn't see anything suitable (may have been lost in translation tho! :? ) I have decided that I know I won't be happy with the look of radials, so am back to cross plies (firestones). I may have to sell my husband to pay for them, but I'm sure he'll understand. Just need to choose between black and white walls and away with the alloys! :lol: Any thoughts on white walls....? Thanks again, J

Posted by: 54 Gertie - 27 October 2009 21:06:34
[quote=Delilah '62] Any thoughts on white walls....? [/quote] They can look [i]okay[/i] very occasionly, that is on the right car. :? On some they just look bloody odd. What colour is your beetle, Bahama? If so, it may look good 8)

Posted by: Delilah '62 - 27 October 2009 21:15:25
It's a pearl white '62...

Posted by: pre67vw - 27 October 2009 21:57:17
Whitewalls are a little like marmite tyres, it seems often that you either love them or hate them. For me the problem with them is that the Americans think that anything vintage [i]should[/i] have them so they turn up on some very inapropriate cars at times. But having said that, add whitewalls and your car suddenly does seem to step back in time... [img]https://forums.pre67vw.com/forum/resource.ashx?a=3289[/img]

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 28 October 2009 19:32:30
[quote=Delilah '62] Any thoughts on white walls....? Thanks again, J[/quote] [img]https://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/539303.jpg[/img] Firestone Whitewalls from Vintage Tyres at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu: [url=https://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20091027_3660_000231&m=12&ds=firestone&dc=60&sort=sort_size&mw=3&st_01=firestone&sf_01=manufacturer&st_02=not%20tube&sf_02=type]Not cheap[/url] and to be honest, not suited to every car colour. In my opinion they look good with darker colours.

Posted by: harveypj - 28 October 2009 22:30:07
On a white UK car I'd opt for a blackwall every time. Save a few quid too. I don't think you'll regret going X ply, they are essential if you are seriouse about your vintage vw. They do look quite different to radials as you point out. 8)

Posted by: Robb - 10 March 2011 09:00:20
[quote=lifeintheslowlane][img]https://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/539303.jpg[/img] Firestone Whitewalls from Vintage Tyres at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu: [url=https://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20091027_3660_000231&m=12&ds=firestone&dc=60&sort=sort_size&mw=3&st_01=firestone&sf_01=manufacturer&st_02=not%20tube&sf_02=type]Not cheap[/url] and to be honest, not suited to every car colour. In my opinion they look good with darker colours.[/quote] Looks great John, what size whitewall are they?

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 10 March 2011 10:03:50
[quote=Robb]Looks great John, what size whitewall are they?[/quote] They're Firestone 560/15s Robb.

Posted by: vintagebug - 10 March 2011 12:10:32
Whitewall crossply tyres, 560/15- so far in my (short & limited) search, I've seen Firestone, US Royal & Coker. Any thoughts on which is the best?

Posted by: pre67vw - 10 March 2011 12:25:13
This reminds me, I had an email from longstone tyres a short while ago: [quote]Hi I am contacting you from a company called Longstone Tyres, with something that I hope will be of interest. I have just managed to get some white wall tyres for Beetles at the reasonable price of £ 89 + VAT. this is a 155SR15 tyre. with a 25mm white wall until now I have only been able to find white tyres at much higher prices of well over £ 100. I can offer a discount to your members that offer a set. i can also send you a picture iof you are interested Regards Dougal [/quote]

Posted by: Robb - 10 March 2011 12:58:26
sorry should have made my question clearer, how deep is the white band? as they come in different sizes 8)

Posted by: vintagebug - 10 March 2011 13:24:29
[quote=Robb]sorry should have made my question clearer, how deep is the white band? as they come in different sizes 8) [/quote] I think the band on the Firestones is 70mm.

Posted by: Rattletrap - 10 March 2011 14:03:16
Didn't someone once produce full white walls that you can add to the tyres.:? However, is an early VW original with white walls, were they actually sold new with them. :roll:

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 10 March 2011 14:43:41
[quote=Rattletrap]Didn't someone once produce full white walls that you can add to the tyres.:? However, is an early VW original with white walls, were they actually sold new with them. :roll: [/quote] It depends on the model and the year....there's an "M" number option for whitewalls.

Posted by: pre67vw - 10 March 2011 15:13:33
[quote=Rattletrap]Didn't someone once produce full white walls that you can add to the tyres.:? [/quote] You can get whitewall disks that are held in place by the tyre, but they're not great - if you don't put some special grease under them they can wear through the tyre and be quite dangerous.

Posted by: GKL 7 - 10 March 2011 16:12:51
[quote=vintagebug]Whitewall crossply tyres, 560/15- so far in my (short & limited) search, I've seen Firestone, US Royal & Coker. Any thoughts on which is the best?[/quote] Putting whitewalls on it Dave?

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 10 March 2011 16:49:57
M128 Whitewall Tyres available on Type 1, Type 2 and Karmann Ghia.

Posted by: JD - 10 March 2011 17:12:24
[quote=pre67vw]You can get whitewall disks that are held in place by the tyre, but they're not great - if you don't put some special grease under them they can wear through the tyre and be quite dangerous.[/quote] You can get TÜV approved ones that are held on with a beauty ring.They´re actually fairly hard plastic and don´t contact the tyre. Don´t look bad either.

Posted by: vintagebug - 10 March 2011 17:23:09
[quote='50 Karmann]Putting whitewalls on it Dave?[/quote] It's under consideration George... :wink:

Posted by: GKL 7 - 10 March 2011 18:08:06
If Jean can't see you right,maybe Judson John can sort you out with a frock. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Posted by: Robb - 10 March 2011 18:09:27
my 62 ragtop was originally ordered with a set of white walls. Thanks for the info guys :thumbup:

Posted by: vintagebug - 10 March 2011 23:13:02
[quote='50 Karmann]If Jean can't see you right,maybe Judson John can sort you out with a frock. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: [/quote] I don't need Jean or Judson John to "sort me out with a frock"- I'm a proper Scotsman George, I've got my own kilt... :p :beer: And if you say anything like that again I might even wear it at BC. Now that would embarrass you... :omg:

Posted by: heb623 - 11 March 2011 06:37:24
sorry!:oops:

Posted by: heb623 - 11 March 2011 06:40:46
[quote=vintagebug] And if you say anything like that again I might even wear it at BC. Now that would embarrass you... :omg: [/quote] ... or that would scare the sh*t out of us all!!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :twisted: ET

Posted by: vintagebug - 11 March 2011 09:27:08
:d :d :d Ok, back to the main subject- tyres. Firestone, US Royal, Coker. Which are the best?

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 11 March 2011 10:26:58
[quote=vintagebug]:d :d :d Ok, back to the main subject- tyres. Firestone, US Royal, Coker. Which are the best? [/quote] Firestone I think...US Royal show cracks on the white wall quite quickly (according to a friend in the US who has them) although Coker Radial whitewalls were used by VW Mexico on their last edition Beetle so should be pretty good if available in X ply.

Posted by: pre67vw - 11 March 2011 11:04:15
I have Denman's which seem really good, but I don't think you can get them anymore. I'd vote Firestones...

Posted by: 55Kab - 11 March 2011 11:14:52
[quote=pre67vw]I have Denman's which seem really good, but I don't think you can get them anymore. I'd vote Firestones...[/quote] Not sure you can still get white Firestones either...

Posted by: pre67vw - 11 March 2011 11:18:42
[quote=55Kab]Not sure you can still get white Firestones either... [/quote] I think you can, but they're not cheap...

Posted by: 55Kab - 11 March 2011 11:32:52
[quote=pre67vw]I think you can, but they're not cheap...[/quote] Where from Rob? All the usual suspects have just the Cokers (so ahem someone told me :oops: )

Posted by: vintagebug - 11 March 2011 11:35:47
Vintage Tyres have Firestones whitewalls "in stock", according to their website:- https://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20110310_1108_000253&m=12&ds=firestone&dc=59&sort=sort_size&mw=3&st_01=firestone&sf_01=manufacturer&st_02=not tube&sf_02=type Not cheap though, £139 + VAT each :omg: Plus inner tubes...

Posted by: pre67vw - 11 March 2011 11:55:17
I think Northants Tyres do them? Last time I was at BBT in Belgium, they had loads of them as well - seems like most of the European whitewall'd cars use Firestones, if they're hard to get in the UK, maybe Europe is an option?

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 11 March 2011 12:04:09
[quote=pre67vw]I think Northants Tyres do them? Last time I was at BBT in Belgium, they had loads of them as well - seems like most of the European whitewall'd cars use Firestones, if they're hard to get in the UK, maybe Europe is an option?[/quote] I sourced some Firestones in Germany and France when I was looking 3 years ago and there was no price advantage so I bought locally from Vintage Tyres. As a member of the Hampshire VW Owners Club we can get a discount...maybe Rob could phone them and see if he could negotiate a discount for Pre67VW members.:smile:

Posted by: vintagebug - 11 March 2011 12:11:29
[quote=lifeintheslowlane]...I bought locally from Vintage Tyres. As a member of the Hampshire VW Owners Club we can get a discount...maybe Rob could phone them and see if he could negotiate a discount for Pre67VW members.:smile: [/quote] Great idea! Do it Rob, do it!! :beer:

Posted by: pre67vw - 11 March 2011 12:21:12
[quote=vintagebug]Great idea! Do it Rob, do it!! :beer: [/quote] Email sent...

Posted by: pre67vw - 11 March 2011 14:49:52
I'm good to you... :thumbup: [quote] Hi rob, Yours is exactly the type of website we like to support. We would be happy to give all your members 5% discount and free UK mainland carriage. I drive an aircooled VW myself so am always pleased to help others.. and stock is always the way to go for me ;) Let me know if I can help with anything else – tyre pictures, information, fitting charts etc… Thanks Charlie Vintage Tyres [/quote] Just call up and mention you're a member of the site and get your discount! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Posted by: 55Kab - 11 March 2011 14:57:25
[quote=pre67vw]Just call up and mention you're a member of the site and get your discount![/quote] :thumbup: :beer:

Posted by: cupa65 - 11 March 2011 15:07:52
Hi I can't see what the crossply fuss is all about. Radials were available in the 50's!The reason they replaced crossply tyres is that they are far superior and safer. 5 star anyone? PS Check out https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/index for a range of suitable radials with that vintage look.

Posted by: GKL 7 - 11 March 2011 15:20:29
:rofl:

Posted by: vintagebug - 11 March 2011 17:17:30
[quote=pre67vw]Just call up and mention you're a member of the site and get your discount! :thumbup: :thumbup: [/quote] Nice work Rob! :beer:

Posted by: Robb - 04 July 2011 10:07:52
does anyone have to run tubes with their crossplies?

Posted by: lifeintheslowlane - 04 July 2011 11:31:19
[quote=Robb]does anyone have to run tubes with their crossplies?[/quote] We had a discussion/argument in the whitewall topic here a couple of years ago about who needed innertubes and who didn't. Having no wish getting embroiled in the same old to-ing and fro-ing here's the link: https://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=13168

Posted by: Robb - 04 July 2011 12:19:31
thanks John, will have a read. cheers :thumbup: