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?
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
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.
Good to known then. They'll be more at the bottom of my list now, unless I just want show tires and wheels.
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
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.
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.
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.
It would seem to me that most post war hamb friendly size wheel and tire would be based on a 15 inch or a 16 inch diameter although I think I have to include the 14 inch and maybe even a 13 inch on certain cars 1964 and earlier. And as to the aspect ratio of the sidewall to the tread probably the 60 series would be as short of a tire sidewall that one would want to have to be hamb friendly. personally I like the aspect ratio to be about a 75 to 80% ratio on the rear tire and maybe a 60 series on the front . I just don’t like the super low profile tires on ANYTHING. to tell you the truth... The newest car that I drive is a OT hybrid and I don’t like the stock 17 inch 35 aspect ratio rubber band tires that are on it. I’d rather have 15 inch with some tall sidewalls.
Scroll through this thread and you'll see there is no discussion about low profile tires. 17" and 18" wheels/tires are plenty HAMB friendly in the right styles/sizes.
but 99% of the 40s, 50s cars and pickups back in 1964 and earlier did not have larger than 15” or 16”. I’m not saying that a guy cannot run larger wheels but if you want to be hamb correct and accurate is my point. just splitting hairs.
it’s nice that there are options available now that were not available or almost impossible to find after World War II in the US. I remember when it was almost literally impossible to find a 16 inch tire unless it was a truck tire.
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