Was reading a bunch of my old Hot Rod Mechanix magazines and noticed a lot of the open wheeled cars were running a 145-R15 Michelin on the front and 31X11.50 R15's on the rear in an almost matching (or similar) street tire tread pattern. I believe both are radials. Now I know Coker sells the Michelin 145-R15's but does anyone know if the 31X11.50 R15's are still available anywhere ??
Blue One Check this guy ,he sells tires to all the rodders in are area honestcharlie02@aol.com goodluck. Oh yeah his phone is ,days 330 872 1205 or evenings 3308721200
That 31X11.50R15 says Nissan Pathfinder to me, something in the mid 90s? It always stuck in my mind because most tires aren't sized by height that don't fit early firetrucks and cl***ic cars and horseless carriages.
Coker has 15" Michelins / repros. The one you want is about the size of the tires that came on old VWs. Don't know about the rears. Gary
Some time after Hot Rod Mechanix ceased publication, P285/70R15 tires became available. They are just about exactly the size of the 10.5/31R15. I ran the truck size on my roadster until they wore out, and replaced them with the p***enger car tire. The P285 tire had better traction and ride, and was quieter. BF Goodrich doesn't make this size anymore, but Coker and Diamondback do. Another size worth considering is P265/75R15. A little narrower, but about the same height. They are available at most tire stores (I got mine at Discount Tire) and are somewhat cheaper than the tires from the low-volume manufacturers.
I've run the 145's for years. Yes they're expensive, but really have at***ude. And ride is fine in rain.
[Some time after Hot Rod Mechanix ceased publication, P285/70R15 tires became available.] Did they have something to do with that? Confussed!
145's are about the equivalent of a 5.60-15 in a bias ply. (VW size) 265/75/15's are close to 31x10.5's but are a little skinnier and have a little taller profile for a better hot rod look and less "nissan pathfinder". If you run 16" wheels in the back, you can still buy 80 series radials (bias plies are 83 series) for a better "skinny" look. But radials will never look as good as bias plies. Last time i checked speedway still sells 145's. 31x10.50's are available just about anywhere. Check tires-easy.com they should have both, they are cheap and ship fast. You might also check out Goodyear and Remington if you are looking for wide whites. I think they are about the only ones that Coker doesn't sell these days.
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