Re: Paucity of Tire Selection

[Simon Favre <simon@domain.elided>]

Well, if you'll allow for some sacrilege, I'd suggest changing the wheels.
I just don't think you can find a truly great tire for a 14 x 5.5" rim 
anymore. If you go to a 15 x 6", all sorts of possibilities open up. My
favorite is a 15 x 6 Panasport shod with 195-60-15 Yokohama AVSi's. The
Panasports aren't that expensive compared to some of the ultra modern
rubbish sold today. On a 73 GTV, they really will look sharp. There's
also only a 1% difference in diameter between the 195-65-14 and the
195-60-15. With a 6" wide rim, a 205 will also fit, but the 195 looks a
little better, IMO. There are several suppliers that can set you up with
Panasports. Paul Spruell Alfa is one.

I've run the A509's on my GTV, and the AVIDs on a family car. I really
prefer the AVSi's. I just don't think you'd be too happy with the AVID.

Giller,Bruce C. wrote:

paucity n - 1: smallness of number: FEWNESS 2: smallness of quantity: DEARTH

>  In other words, Lack of Choice.  Been looking for tires for my '73 GTV
>(daily driver and occasional Summit Point go-fast) for the stock 5.5"
>wheels for every day use.  For Summit Point, I put some Toyo R1s on some
>BWA wheels.  I want some 195 65 14 to maintain stock height (can't go
>any lower due to the W&D springs).  My '86 Spider has Yoko A509s and
>I've liked them alot so I put some Yoko A509s (205 60-14) on the stock
>wheels but I deemed them too big for the 5.5" width; they seemed
>'squirrely' when hard cornering.  I really, Really wanted some Yoko AVSi
>195 65 14 but Bob Brady bought the last set in the world and doesn't
>want to give them up no matter how much I threaten him.
>
>  So I called my local tire dealer, Radial Tire, and asked for some
>selections in 195 65 14.  There just ain't any in high performance
>tires;  all that seems available are all-weather tires such as the Yoko
>Avid.  One recommendation was to get the AVSi 205 60 14 - at least I'd
>get a performance tire but not in the size I want.  The AVSi has a
>stiffer sidewall so that might help out when putting a 205 60 on a 5.5"
>rim.

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