Hot Rods 18 inch tires

What are the options for a looks right 18 inch radial skinny tire since the 700/18 Excelsior's are not available and if they ever become available are almost 1000.00 a pair? Need a tire that has a matching 500/16 inch front. I looked at what Diamond Back has to offer and nothing looks appropriate. Any suggestions?

 

Crickets........
















I don't think I've ever seen any other good looking radials in that size.

 

Off the top of my head, the only brand I can think of that are similar to Excelsiors are the replica Dunlop racing tires used in vintage sports car racing. Not sure of the sizes, prices, durability, etc., but they have that 1950s Grand Prix racer (R-1, R5) look and are pretty cool looking in my book. Here is a link to one site I found. There are others. I have no past experience with this place, but they've been selling vintage racing tires for a long time. https://rogerkrausracing.com/pdfpricing/Dunlop-Vintage-2018.-pdf.pdf

 

Not bad looking, but those tires in his size are $716 each.

 

Your looking for a very specific tire style and size .

be prepared to pay up .

name brand quality tires ( pirelli , Michelin , Toyo , etc). Even in regular car tires in performance sizes are around that price now .

no such thing as a quality cheap tire anymore .

 

The price is not a concern it's getting the right size with the right look. I realize everything's screwed up these days. I'm just looking for an alternative.

 

I would not use the Dunlop racing tires. They are a true race tire, and have to be warmed up considerably before they're usable on the street, in my experience. I had them on my 5W, and thought there was something wrong with my front end. Switched to Excelcior's, and they solved the problem.

 

Did you check Lucas Classic Tires?

 

Excelsior is out of business or still dealing with COVID delays?

 

Good to known then. They'll be more at the bottom of my list now, unless I just want show tires and wheels.

 

Have you looked a Brockley Tyres?

https://www.blockleytyre.com/

 

The biggest Blockley in 18" is a 650. That's too small for a rear tire on a hot rod.

 

I prefer the look of a 15 inch wheel. and a big ass 15 inch tire.

 

a 650-18 is generally 32 inches tall. That’s a hair taller than the hot rod standard 750-16

 

OP also said "skinny"

 

I was going off bias ply sizes figuring that a 650 would be smaller in the both width and diameter than a 750 which he mentioned in his original post

 

Yikes…that’s it!

 

These are 215/85R18 Bridgestone Winter Duelers, although good luck finding any. OE size for 90's Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Long out of production. I'm intending to switch to Firestone dirt tracks or change wheel size to something more sensible.

 

I was more just adding to what you said.

 

Anyone have any updates on this? Especially 750-18. The closest I have found are the Firestone Ballon Tires, just not sure if I like the look.

These are $622 each..... so not going to happen. Black walls are cheaper at $385.

 

Gave up and put 700-18 Excelsior's on my deuce roadster and another deuce roadster I'm building.

 

pics???

 

Your joking. I'm a dinosaur and no matter how many HAMBer's try to walk me thru it I have never mastered the art of posting pictures.

 

Not radials, but not $1000 either. Don’t know if they are round!

 

My last experience with Coker Firestone Bias tires required hunting up a tire truing machine.

 

Excelsior 7.00x18 on original ‘32 wires. They are a tall tire.