@mwelter posted:The new Pirelli 345-35 15 and 285-40 15 are VR rated tires with an Y behind the load index. That means 300 Km per hour. You see, they do make it on small batches.
Those tires were ZR rated anyway, I'm saying they likely wouldn't invest all the testing to upgrade the rating for classic tires.
I understand why some of our American friends are turning up their eyes and thinking why are these silly Europeans so interested in a couple of letters next to the tire size. Well, to us it is very important. Driving a car without the proper speed rating is illegal. You can get a fine and have your car impounded. The insurance company can deny any claims. You won‘t get through your vehicle safety inspection either. Believe me, we are not discussing this for fun. Please enjoy your privileges and freedom and hope you don‘t get constraints like we have here in Europe. I‘m restoring two Panteras. Wheels and tires have taken up more time than any other major component. Let’s keep an open and tolerant attitude in our exchanges. Let’s enjoy our great cars. Stay safe.
Those speed ratings are also a good indication of how well the tire was constructed. That includes materials as well as design. Speed isn't the only reason to buy quality tires. What kind of tires do you want to have on your Pantera in a panic stop from 85 mph? Probably not H rated all-season radials!
@eugenioinnocenti posted:I understand why some of our American friends are turning up their eyes and thinking why are these silly Europeans so interested in a couple of letters next to the tire size. Well, to us it is very important. Driving a car without the proper speed rating is illegal. You can get a fine and have your car impounded. The insurance company can deny any claims. You won‘t get through your vehicle safety inspection either. Believe me, we are not discussing this for fun. Please enjoy your privileges and freedom and hope you don‘t get constraints like we have here in Europe. I‘m restoring two Panteras. Wheels and tires have taken up more time than any other major component. Let’s keep an open and tolerant attitude in our exchanges. Let’s enjoy our great cars. Stay safe.
How is the tire rating determined for the car? Is there a government list specifying the required rating? Do police pull you over to check your tires?
There are portions of Nevada and Ohio where there is no day time speed limit. Rt 80 in Ohio was/is one. No one checks your tires.
Probably around 100mph is about all you can expect to do safely do to road design and traffic conditions. At higher speeds you just can't look far enough down the road to go faster safely.
I can just envision Giorgio in his Fiat Punta pulling out in front of you? I'm sure he'd have his driving gloves and shoes on though?
@panteradoug posted:How is the tire rating determined for the car? Is there a government list specifying the required rating? Do police pull you over to check your tires?
There are portions of Nevada and Ohio where there is no day time speed limit. Rt 80 in Ohio was/is one. No one checks your tires.
Probably around 100mph is about all you can expect to do safely do to road design and traffic conditions. At higher speeds you just can't look far enough down the road to go faster safely.
I can just envision Giorgio in his Fiat Punta pulling out in front of you? I'm sure he'd have his driving gloves and shoes on though?
I do not agree, speed is a matter of habit, when I drove a lot I was very relaxed up to more than 250 km / h because I often drove at this speed, at night on highways in perfect condition and with little traffic. Now that I drive a lot less, and that I'm old 
, I find that 200 km/h is already very fast.
@panteradoug posted:How is the tire rating determined for the car? Is there a government list specifying the required rating? Do police pull you over to check your tires?
There are portions of Nevada and Ohio where there is no day time speed limit. Rt 80 in Ohio was/is one. No one checks your tires.
Probably around 100mph is about all you can expect to do safely do to road design and traffic conditions. At higher speeds you just can't look far enough down the road to go faster safely.
I can just envision Giorgio in his Fiat Punta pulling out in front of you? I'm sure he'd have his driving gloves and shoes on though?
There is a gouverment list specifying the speed rate of tires and yes the police can pull you over and control the tires and if it comes worse, they can take your car away for an official inspection. Also Panteras have an official homologation paper given by the italien gouverment. In that paper are all dimensions written down, also the tire sizes, speed rates, pollution and noise level. That is a matter of road safety in Europe.
Giorgio in his Panda will look into his rear mirror before he pulls out, because he had to take intesive driving lessons in theorie and praxis before driving a car. Also a matter of road safety.
Again, this was all asked in the european regional Forum and has nothing to do with laws and views of US driven cars.
The US Pantera was sold up to the '74 model year with non-rated tires.
Even if sold new in Europe, I know of no tires with ratings on them at the time.
Are you saying that ALL Panteras now in Europe are pre-determined to have a specific speed capability and as such are REQUIRED by the State to have tires rated to that capability?
As far as "Giorgio" getting out of your way, color me skeptical on that based upon how I have seen drivers in Rome. That's every "man" for himself? Seems more like a demolition derby to me?
I do not know the date of appearance of the speed indices in Europe but I remember that they already existed when I spent my driving skills in 1970.
As for states, each European country has its own rules which may not be strictly identical depending on the country, but the principles are the same and, YES, each type of car has a specified speed index.
So the Pantera is classified with the highest speed index? Huh? I thought it was just a Fiat 124 with a roof on it?
