Michelin 145's....Coker's got 'em...FINALLY!!

It's taken over a year of searching, and phone calls, but I finally have a pair of Michelin 145 XZX's on the roadster. I had just about given up, but on Tuesday, my weekly call to Coker paid off. I was told the 145's had arrived, and they had 20 tires in Tenn. and 10 in Fresno. Yes, I paid stupid money, even with the Alliance deal, but now I don't have to look at those damn Chinese Nankang's anymore. My hot rod is all American, and that makes me happy.

 

Um Dean.........Michelin is French

 

That is funny, lol!!!

 

Yup, ya' got me there, but at least it ain't Chinese. Pirelli's are Italian, I would have liked a pair of those too, but they've been gone way longer than Michelins. I'm comfortable saying Michelin, but just can't get "Nankang" to roll of my tongue.

 

I laughed until it hurt.

*tear*

 

And Michelins rubber plantations were in Indochina? hehehehehee

 

Yeah, the Pirelli's look great too.
( only good pic I have of them is on this Alfa Romeo G***er...)



I use Michelin 135's on the front of my Street Freak.

Good to know I'll be able to replace them if I need to...

 

OK, where's the 135 Michelins? Hahaha never satisfied!


Can we see a shot of whatever that yellow car is that is sporting the 145's?!

 

Right here...



OE on small Citroen's, I believe.

I'm really glad we can buy them again.

They have exactly the right look, as far as I'm concerned...

 

damn Tman burstin bubbles with a sharp stick! LMAO
the rubber looks great dean..

 

Yeah, it really is cool you can get em again! My pal Randy went on a small tire spree a couple years back. He ended up with Nankangs, a couple I forget and a pair of Dutch Vredesteins........which I thought were the coolest looking tires in those small sizes. They came outta Denver I believe.

 

couldnt help myself

 

I need a pair of something like this to fit my 15 by 4 1/2s.

What do these cost?

Please read the sidewall, and tell us where they were made.

What do the retro Volkswagen owners do for narrow tires?

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

 

Im not sure on the sizes but remington makes a good looking usa made tire.

 

You do know there is a 125 Michelin too?

 

Everybody likes ***, but nobody likes a smart ***!!

 

used to run Kleber 135s on my old VW. I?'m pretty sure they were made by Michelin.

 

Retro VW guys are in a world of hurt. When my daughters and I were doing Cal bugs in the early 80's, we could get 135 through 185 tires from Michelin, Continental, Pirelli and Verdestine for around 40 bucks. These are genuine made if France Michelins from the original molds. Coker was only able to buy the rights to all production from the old Michelin molds. Michelin retains ownership of the molds. The problem is the French won't do a big run for Coker. They will only run small batches when they have a little free time on a line. And in typical French style, the won't tell Coker when they are running them, or even that they are in a certain container. When some vintage Michelins show up in a shipment, it is a surprise to Coker. That's why I was unable to get any kind of an answer from Coker on future availability. If you want some, my advise is to get on the phone Monday AM. The warehouse guy said they are going fast, and who knows when more will show up. I only inquired about 145's. I don't know if they got any 135's in. As I said, I paid stupid money for these two. If you have a Coker catalog, the rediculous price shown, is what it is. I'm not saying $$$$ amounts in mixed company, but suffice it to say the 145's cost me more than the 275-16's on the rear.

BTW: I have a pair of no mileage 145 Nankangs for sale.

 

If the Michelins are to expensive or rare, you can make the Nankangs look ok with a little elbow grease and time. I think the tread looks a little more Pirelli than Michelin.
Larry T

 

How do you make the nankangs look ok with a little elbow grease and time?
Thanks

 

Best set of thin WW tires I've had the pleasure of riding on are by Yokohama.

EDIT: What I mean is that you can't judge a tire by it's label. I've seen the same brand and make of a tire made in Croatia, China, Mexico, and Canada, so what's it matter anymore?

 

Take all of the lettering, warnings, and BS off of the sidewalls.

 

Man I should've been watching these post a little closer.
I order mine on July 25th and got them on the 29th.

I had no idea they were just put into production. When I called and asked for 145R15 XZX the guy said "sure we got em." Like no big deal.
They are a very nice looking tire.

 

Oh yeah, but those are just ridiculous! hahaha

 

Hey guys, I'm new here but my Tiki Wagon has been rolling on 135/15's for a few years now. Several thousand kms were racked up in sun, rain and snow.

I have driven on Toyo, Mabor, even Firestone but I must say Michelin are the best. They are far more grippy (especially in the wet) and last about twice as long as all the others I tried.

I am from the Netherlands and we have the same supply problems with Michelin old series tires. However, a friend of mine runs a Citroen spe******t workshop and he has several sizes in stock (125, 135 and 145 (even mud & snow, if you want!)). If you have any problems getting these tire sizes, let me know.

 

diamondback also has or had michelins. i was going to call them this week because they will buff all the **** off the sidewall. i like bias but prefer radials for the handling and don't need to advertise it on the sidewall.

 

Anybody know where to buy ANY Nankang or Michelin 165's? Coker is OUT and none are slated to be made anytime soon. PM me if you have a lead. Thanks Jim

 

Got some VW places nearby Jim? We found a place in Denver the last time we bought a few sets.

 

You probably already know this but, Check with local VW shops......135's-165's are used on 'em ALL the time.

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1266

 

What I'm finding is that there are about 8-10 alternatives, but no one has a decent picture of them for comparison.

there are-
Vredestiens
Kuhmos
Nexens
Nankangs
Kelly Arizonians
Lexingtons and a few others- but NO PICS on line.