Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,
don't know if anyone can help, but I am searching for some new tyres for our Traveller and am having a real battle trying to find any period style 165 R 14's for it (wide rims). The only ones that seem to be commonly available are Firestone F500 series (very reasonable price, but look too modern), or at a very high cost Michelin XAS (£90 + VAT, these are great but simply too expensive). It is to replace Michelin MX's, which are no longer available .
Help????
Cheers,
Ben

What do you mean, that the Firestones look too modern? If you want true 'period style' wheels, then you might want to investigate cross-plys, although if you like to keep the shiny side up (as the bikers say) then radials will be the way to go. You might be able to get the required size in any of the Korean brands - have you tried asking for the sizes at your local ATS-type place? They might be able to assist...

These may give you some options

http://www.tyresonline.net/shop_sub_cat ... &offset=16

http://www.etyres.co.uk/car-tyres-uk/se ... &tyre4X4=F

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

Thanks Kevin, will check these out.

Gareth, what I meant by too modern was the Firestone type looking like a modern tyre, the tread pattern etc. looking like it would be happy at home on a modern car, as opposed to some of the classic pattern tryes (eg the Michelin which is an old fashioned pattern, so looks very at home on the Minor). As you say, the true period look would be crossply but I'm not sure if I fancy the handling deficit!! I'm sure that this all sounds terribly fussy, but It makes quite a difference as to how I view my (our!!) Trav.
All ideas appreciated.
ta,
Ben

i have standard size firestones on my van and they look period from the tyre wall aspect

I was looking through some books, Bridgestone also have 145/80x14 don't now the specific type though B something.., it's a good tyre though

Oh I see what you mean about the tread pattern. I presumed you meant the profile, as radials look different on the rims to cross-plys. I think I've seen the Michelin alternatives, but aside form that there aren't many to choose from...

Have you got a firm nearby using Black Cabs? I think the FX4 had 14" wheels with the same size tyres - they might be able to give some assistance...??

Re the Firestone radials, you will never get a better deal than
that which is available on these tyres and you have a choice
because they have a raised moulding on one side wall which is
meant to be fitted facing outwards as a 'rubbing strip'. Unfortunately
this doesn't look anything as 'clean' as the original cross-plies but,
if you tell the fitter to fit the tyres with the rubbing strip on the
INSIDE then you may find their appearance more acceptable??

Aha, Willie that is so simple that it is genious!! You are dead right about how good a deal these are available at. This may well make a good job of it.
Thanks to you all for your input.
Cheers now,
Ben

Where's the good deall? Everywhere that sells tyres, or somewhere specific?

67trav wrote:Aha, Willie that is so simple that it is genious!! You are dead right about how good a deal these are available at. This may well make a good job of it.

Yes, I found they look far better with the strip on the inside thanks to a teenage fitter who put one on with the strip facing outwards and the other with the strip facing inwards!

I think I got Firestones from the London to Brighton run a couple of years ago for £23 each....... I THINK maybe it was from Bull Motif.

Aha, I've seen them all over for about £40, so will definitely give them a call. Cheers

BIGGINGER....Bull Motif on 01386 831755 is advertising
145X14 Firestones for £22-95 including VAT! 155X14 are only
£1 dearer too.

they have a raised moulding on one side wall

The ones I had fitted over Xmas don't have the rubbing strip...