So, stone stock 72 Pantera. Stock tire sizes are 185/70 and 215/70x15. Assuming OEM wheels, any good alternatives?
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BFG Radial TA's are a popular alternative. Decent grip, they have the stock white letter look and they are pretty cheep. They come in a lot of sizes and are pretty popluar with the vintage car guys. Just don't track them...they don't have a very high speed rating.
Also, you can fit bigger then a 215 on the rear 8inch.
Also, you can fit bigger then a 215 on the rear 8inch.
BFG does look pretty good. I like the white letters as they closely resemble the Arrivas which I find attractive on the Pantera. Just got my car and they have 295/50's on the rear. The side walls are sunken, and they look bad. What is the widest tire I can use on the 15" wheel and not have sunken sidewalls? They list 215, 225, 235, and so on. Don't know if they are REALLY available though.
I run 8 inch wide rims all around with to yo pro is 225 on the ft and 295 on the rears they look good I don't know what you mean by sunken. Whatever you choose 15 inch tires are getting scarce for our cars. BFGoodrich was out of stock when I needed them.
Hard to find anything close to correct sizes with speed ratings above 106 mph.
Tire Rack has plenty of different R rated BFG T/As. I guess the choice is stock rims and limited tire choices or bigger hoops for "faster" tires.
Tire Rack has plenty of different R rated BFG T/As. I guess the choice is stock rims and limited tire choices or bigger hoops for "faster" tires.
SOURCING TIRES
Tires for the original 15" Campagnolo wheels can be sourced from "classic tire" suppliers or sourced from "contemporary tire" suppliers.
Re-issues of classic tires are "reproductions" in appearance and size, but they are constructed using modern rubber compounds and modern construction techniques. They "look" like the classic tire they are emulating in sidewall design and tread pattern, they are available in the right size for your car, but they are thoroughly modern in terms of performance.
Longstone Classic Tyres of Bawtry, South Yorkshire, England, is the only "supplier" of reproduction tires who has shown an interest in our classic Italian cars. Longstone's US distributor is Lucas Classic Tires of Long Beach, California. Classic tires of the proper size for some applications are available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Avon.
Longstone Classic Tyres
Lucas Classic Tires
Avon Tires are also available in the US via Frisby Performance Tire (Park City Illinois), Roger Krause Racing (Castro Valley California), SascoSports (Alton Virginia), or Sierra Tire (Henderson Nevada).
The availability of contemporary tires for 15” wheels has been dwindling over the last couple of decades; especially for tires having a speed rating of V (or higher). The options in selecting the same make and model tires in the front as you select for the rear are highly limited.
Here are two good internet sites for checking-out what's available amongst "contemporary" tires, they both allow you to search by size for "sets" of tires wherein the front tires and rear tires are a different size:
Tire Rack.com/
On Line Tires.com/
OEM TIRE SETS
Pantera International advocates using front and rear tires composed of sets of the same make and model tire. If the car shall be driven or garaged at temperatures below 45° F (7° C) we advocate using All Season Tires.
Tire Set 1 | 1971-1972 | 185/70VR15 + 215/70VR15
Push Button, Pre-L, Early GTS, Early Group 3
Chassis number 1001 through 4268
This set is available in Michelin XWX re-issues.
There is little demand for this size, most owners of the earliest Panteras opt for tires in the sizes of tire set 2 or tire set 3; which are by far the two most popular and therefore most common tire sets for narrow body Panteras.
Tire Set 2 | 1972½ -1977 | 205/60VR15 + 255/60VR15
Pantera L, GTS, Group 3
Chassis number 4269 through 7554, and 9001 through 9099
This set is available in BF Goodrich Radial T/A (speed rated S).
Historic Trivia: Few people realize the popular 15x10 Campy rear wheels were actually designed circa 1972 or 1973 for the H60V15 Goodyear Arriva rear tires (255mm cross section). The Pirelli P7 tires did not enter the scene until approximately 1977. The offset of the 15x10 wheels was chosen to recess the Arriva tires about 15mm from the fender's edge.
Some owners choose Avon CR6ZZ "classic" street legal radial racing tires which are available in a set of alternative size tires: 215/60VR15 + 275/55VR15
The 255/60R15 is available in Pirelli CN12 re-issues (speed rated W). But the CN12 Pirelli is not available in the 205/60R15 front size. Pity … that would be a great alternative to the BF Goodrich tire set.
Tire Set 3 | 1977 -1984 | 225/50VR15 + 285/50VR15
Late Model GTS, Late Model Group 3 (and Longchamp GTS)
Chassis number 9100 through 9374
This is a small diameter tire set, both tires are about an inch smaller in diameter than the tires originally installed on the narrow body Panteras. They fit the fender arches differently … there is a larger gap between the fenders and the tires.
Most people consider this tire set for 15x8 front wheels and 15x10 rear wheels, BUT the tires will fit the smaller 15x7 front wheels and 15x8 rear wheels.
The Front AND Rear tires are available in Pirelli P7 re-issues. The Pantera and Longchamp GTS were the only OEM applications for tires in the rear size, Pirelli made it available due to the effort of Dougal Cawley of Longstone Classic Tyres.
There are alternatives to the Pirelli P7s when 15x10 rear wheels are being used. They are larger in diameter than the P7s, but the difference in tire diameter front to rear is appropriately 2 inches.
BF Goodrich Radial T/A:
205/60R15 front (mounted on 15x7 wheels) and 295/50R15 rear.
Avon CR6ZZ:
215/60VR15 + 275/55VR15 or 215/60VR15 + 295/50VR15
These are "classic" street legal radial racing tires.
Tire Set 4 | 1978-1990 | 285/40VR15 + 345/35VR15
Wide Bodies: GTS/4, GT4, GT5, GT5-S
Chassis number 9100 through 9374, and 9375 through 9562
This set is available in Pirelli P7 re-issues.
Tire Set 5 | 1990-1993 | 235/45ZR17 + 335/35ZR17
Wide Body: Pantera Si
Chassis number 9601 through 9641
This tire set is available from 2 manufacturers, but it is not available in the same model tire for front and rear.
Michelin: Pilot Sport 4S front + Pilot Sport PS2 rear
Pirelli : P-Zero Nero GT front + P-Zero System rear
Thanks for that George. Tire Rack has the BFG 255/60R15, just ordered.
BFG T/As are rated at 106 mph and available in 215 and 255/60x15. I have used these tires on my GT6 and TR8. Perfectly good tires in just about any weather conditions one might want to drive a Pantera in. I guess if one wants to storm around at higher speeds, they can a) enjoy spending some insurance, ticket, and legal fee money 
, and b) upgrade to larger everything thing to handle those speeds well north of 100mph !!!!
, and b) upgrade to larger everything thing to handle those speeds well north of 100mph !!!!
Merging threads
quote:Originally posted by 22 Racer:
Recently purchased a 72 Pantera with the old Pirelli tires on the original 15" Campy's. Can't find a manufacture that makes a tire for both the front and rear. Help! Can anyone provide information for my dilemma? Thanks
BTW: the rears are not the 10" width.
Toyo proxies 295 series rear 225 ft paid about $650 for both ft and rear
note the rears are not z rated but who drives that speed all the time
do a search here others have other ideas all good. PS that is how they fill the rear see avatar.
note the rears are not z rated but who drives that speed all the time
do a search here others have other ideas all good. PS that is how they fill the rear see avatar.
Mark,
Are these the correct 7x15 fronts from that chart?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...ADTARWL2V2&tab=Specs
Are these the correct 7x15 fronts from that chart?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...ADTARWL2V2&tab=Specs
I think they will be OK.
The things to be concerned about are total width and rolling diameter. Under 26" dia. seems to work best with minimal rubbing. There may be some other posts around here with size options and opinions, but that's the size I'd pick if you're using 10" rear and 8" fronts. For 7" fronts maybe the 215 or even 205 might be a better fit. It depends what you're running now and if any rubbing is occurring at full steering lock.
Good luck!
Mark
The things to be concerned about are total width and rolling diameter. Under 26" dia. seems to work best with minimal rubbing. There may be some other posts around here with size options and opinions, but that's the size I'd pick if you're using 10" rear and 8" fronts. For 7" fronts maybe the 215 or even 205 might be a better fit. It depends what you're running now and if any rubbing is occurring at full steering lock.
Good luck!
Mark
You might be best to look for 225/50-15 as the height is more reasonable. 23.9" vs 25.6". More room in the wheel arch, looks a bit "sportier", car rake etc. There are a few different makes out there.
You're right about the sizes Bud but if you know of any manufacturer making BOTH front and rear tires in the optimum sizes, please share because I couldn't find anything but the odd loose tire on eBay. The 60 series fronts are a bit tall, but if you go with the narrower ones the height shrinks as well. The 205's are only 24.7" tall.
Mark
Mark
I googled the toyo's in the size I wanted and called every person on the list after 30 calls I found a set so somewhere someone might still have a set I bought mine last October good luck
I have a near new set of bf Goodrich euro radial ta's. Size 305/50/15. PERFECT for 10" rear Campy's available now. Pm if interested. Thanks
With a bit of effort I sourced a set of these V rated 295-50-15's from europe. Not this vendor, mine came from Germany through Holland. Had them flown to Boston, walked the papers through customs (no duty) and picked them up at the air cargo warehouse. About $600 after all was said and done.
http://www.vannehaku.fi/3865/h...5-50-15-kesarenkaat/
http://www.vannehaku.fi/3865/h...5-50-15-kesarenkaat/
You need to be careful with the age of these tires. BFG's and Pirelli's start to crack through the outer treads somewhere around three years of age.
The BFG's in particular will throw chunks of tread out like the retreads used to, leaving you to look at just the fiber from the carcass.
The Pirelli's crack like this too between the tread blocks.
One of the memebers here in Europe bought a Pirelli tire like this, NOS, and it failed within 30 or 40 miles.
This considered, what is the point in looking for NOS tires that are more then a year old from manufacture regardless of whether or not they are used or not?
Try the Mickey Thompson LT rear tires. There are more then a few 225-vr50-15 tires still made.
You just are not going to find a matching set, front-back, in 15".
Even Hoosier no longer makes them.
The BFG's in particular will throw chunks of tread out like the retreads used to, leaving you to look at just the fiber from the carcass.
The Pirelli's crack like this too between the tread blocks.
One of the memebers here in Europe bought a Pirelli tire like this, NOS, and it failed within 30 or 40 miles.
This considered, what is the point in looking for NOS tires that are more then a year old from manufacture regardless of whether or not they are used or not?
Try the Mickey Thompson LT rear tires. There are more then a few 225-vr50-15 tires still made.
You just are not going to find a matching set, front-back, in 15".
Even Hoosier no longer makes them.
quote:Originally posted by 22 Racer:
Recently purchased a 72 Pantera with the old Pirelli tires on the original 15" Campy's. Can't find a manufacture that makes a tire for both the front and rear. Help! Can anyone provide information for my dilemma? Thanks
BTW: the rears are not the 10" width.
I have a new, never mounted, set of 295/50-15" Toyo Proxes ST's available. The pic shows what the identical set looked like on #5606 which I sold last year. My rears were 10" wide, but the tires fit fine on 8" wide rear wheels. These are used in conjunction with Toyo Proxes 4's on the front as they have a similar tread pattern. I wrapped them up when new and they have been stored properly.
They cost me $400 including shipping from the East Coast, so that is my asking price.
FYI-the manufacturing date was the 12th week of 2007.
I am located in the northern San Diego area.
I have 305/50/15 on th rear of my car ....BF Goodrich EURO TA's and boy they fit mighty fine on the rear 15 x 10 ... if they remade them I would be a happy man. I think I'm going to lean towards what Mickey Thompson has for drag radial when the time come to replace them.
Ron
Ron
these are REAL nice, near brand new, gonna make someone very happy whoever claims 'em...agreed BEST fit for the 10" campy's, they just came off a superb set
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330793...id=p3984.m1555.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330793...id=p3984.m1555.l2649
These are the best fit now for the rear. Mickey Thompson 26-12-15. Built for an 8-10 inch rim.
The BFG 295-50-15 is also a good fit and easy to get. It only has an S rating though. You can get the bigger tire in, the 305 Euro T/A but they were discontinued a while ago.
The BFG 295-50-15 is also a good fit and easy to get. It only has an S rating though. You can get the bigger tire in, the 305 Euro T/A but they were discontinued a while ago.
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BFG 295-50-15
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When I was looking for BFG's, they were only available with the raised white letters-didn't like the look.
Still are. I had my RWL Dunlops installed white-lettering in and then used tire paint over the letters so you wouldn't see it from the "inside" (it looks odd to see white letters from the insides).
In case anyone is tempted, don't try to remove the white lettering because it's a layer of white rubber and you can easily wreck a tire cutting/sanding it off.
Mark
In case anyone is tempted, don't try to remove the white lettering because it's a layer of white rubber and you can easily wreck a tire cutting/sanding it off.
Mark
225/50ZR15 P-Zero and 345/35ZR15 P-Zero are available at Longstone Tyres 00 44 1302 711123
Technically you are correct. Those tires exist. At $787 each for the rears, there are better solutions.
That tire also requires a wider rim then a 10" AND is really too short (outside diameter) for the car.
...in my opinion.
Use the Mickey Thompson in the rear. At $250 each, how can you go wrong?
That tire also requires a wider rim then a 10" AND is really too short (outside diameter) for the car.
...in my opinion.
Use the Mickey Thompson in the rear. At $250 each, how can you go wrong?
The 345 is for those of us running 13's. It is the correct size for that application.
Doug,
I agree Mickey Thompson offer a selection of street radials and they told me a new tire was coming out also.
Ron
I agree Mickey Thompson offer a selection of street radials and they told me a new tire was coming out also.
Ron
quote:Originally posted by accobra:
Doug,
I agree Mickey Thompson offer a selection of street radials and they told me a new tire was coming out also.
Ron
A new tire as in a new series, or in a new size?
... new ULTRA COMP STREET Tires ... but 17, 18, 19 & 20 ... which dont help us 15" guys ...
Here are the sizes for the new MT tires:
http://www.mickeythompsontires....php?item=StreetComp
Nothing that will fit the fronts it seems.....
http://www.mickeythompsontires....php?item=StreetComp
Nothing that will fit the fronts it seems.....
quote:Originally posted by accobra:
... new ULTRA COMP STREET Tires ... but 17, 18, 19 & 20 ... which dont help us 15" guys ...
Interesting the quote "for American muscle"?
I just don't see there is no market for 15" tires. I just don't get it at all?
I just don't see there is no market for 15" tires. I just don't get it at all?
quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
I just don't see there is no market for 15" tires. I just don't get it at all?
I agree.
... i guess for all the original muscle cars were going to have to ride on the rims when the 15's wear out ? Or drive competition tires on the street ... seems like there are more of a selection on comp tires ...where you would think there is less of a demand ?
The only issue for me at the moment is that I am not ready to put tires on it for the fall. Probably yes in the spring though.
I don't want to buy a set of tires now and have the clock ticking on the ageing of the rubber over the winter.
The other issue is that there is not a matching set front to back, which personally doesn't bother me, and the concern is that since the 15" are going the ways of the Dodo birds, the Michey Thompson may get discontinued also.
I'm not sure I want to run comp tires on the street. The rubber compounds are too sensative to temperature and as a result could be letheal until the warm up. How do you warm up a race tire when it is 20 degrees F?
I don't want to buy a set of tires now and have the clock ticking on the ageing of the rubber over the winter.
The other issue is that there is not a matching set front to back, which personally doesn't bother me, and the concern is that since the 15" are going the ways of the Dodo birds, the Michey Thompson may get discontinued also.
I'm not sure I want to run comp tires on the street. The rubber compounds are too sensative to temperature and as a result could be letheal until the warm up. How do you warm up a race tire when it is 20 degrees F?
Tires are out there Google
Hankook Ventus H101 Tire P295/50R15
for one they are only s rated but how often are you over 112 MPH...
ya never mind forget it! Find a set of z rated:-)
Hankook Ventus H101 Tire P295/50R15
for one they are only s rated but how often are you over 112 MPH...
ya never mind forget it! Find a set of z rated:-)
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I noticed that they are used.
I guess the set I have, stored in original shipping and storage bags with labels and zero miles, must be worth asking for 5 ounces of gold based on that ebay posting.
Dreams, Dreams. Dreams....
I guess the set I have, stored in original shipping and storage bags with labels and zero miles, must be worth asking for 5 ounces of gold based on that ebay posting.
Dreams, Dreams. Dreams....
Wow. $6K for 30-year old rock hard used tires.
If those sell, Coker (or even Pirelli) would be nuts not to make a run of those. Heck, you'd only need to sell a few sets to cover the costs.
Mark
If those sell, Coker (or even Pirelli) would be nuts not to make a run of those. Heck, you'd only need to sell a few sets to cover the costs.
Mark