Our local Morris Minor specialist apparently can't get tyres any more.... I was wondering if any one else has this problem? It's only in the last month or so. Luckily mine are all OK for now
The specialist was suggesting that the club gets some tyres made. It's going to be mentioned at the area meeting, but it would be useful to know if there are problems nationwide or if he's just picked the wrong supplier!
About 4 weeks ago I had a new Firestone from my local supplier. He doesn't keep stock himself (too small), so his supplier must have had one (at least).
I think I'm due for another front tyre soon, any news & I'll pass it on.
I was told there's no more useful Firestone tyres in production as the company's just been bought out, and they've stopped making the Moggy size.... it's quite possible that places around the country will have stocks of them which would last a while, but I'd like to know if what he said is right!
I have just had to get two new tyres. I was told by Bull Motif that Firestone dont exist anymore, but they did have Bridgestone. Which is what I now have got.
Tell us more Kaj! what bridgestone exactly, besides the 145X14?
Onne van der S. MMOCno 60520 Moderator
2dr 1971 White DAF 55 (with hopefully a 1600cc engine soon)
2dr 1973 Bergina (DAF 44)
2dr Estate 1975 DAF 46 in red
2dr saloon 1972 DAF 44 in Mimosa
I spoke to my supplier today, I got myself two new tyres, and he told me that Bridgestone are going to produce 145r14 tyres, as soon as there is enough demand, e.g. they won't start producing until the have an order of 10,000 in total.
But then Citroen BX's use them, so do Peugeots, and also the good old Dafs. He also told me those were going to be about EUR 80 a piece
Onne van der S. MMOCno 60520 Moderator
2dr 1971 White DAF 55 (with hopefully a 1600cc engine soon)
2dr 1973 Bergina (DAF 44)
2dr Estate 1975 DAF 46 in red
2dr saloon 1972 DAF 44 in Mimosa
Well, you learn something new everyday. When I first bought the moggie I thought I'd have problems getting spares until I checked the web and joined the club. Tyres never crossed my mind, I thought a quick trip to Quickfit or similar would do the trick
I know in Bull Motif last ad that they said that keep up to 200 in stock, I dont know if they are all Bridgestone ones, but some of the other specialists keep the cheaper KUMO brand as well.
Cheers
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
ESM (E Sussex) had some last month or so when i needed mine. Either budget or Firestones or something like that.
Budget ones got a weird thread - a bit like a classic tyre! Hold road fine after a bit of a scrub in. www.morrisminorspares.co.uk for their online shop and contacts.
One option might be: http://www.blackcircles.com
They claim to have 155x14 Firestones available, though at £46 each (fitted) I think it'll be cheaper for me to buy from Bull Motif or ESM and get them fitted locally. I've been quoted between £10.50 and £15 for fitting, valve & balance. Either way will be cheaper than the one supplier who could get that size but wanted £50 each for a 'budget' tyre!
One thing to watch is that many garages will not fit tyres unless they sell them to you. Can be a real pain in the neck, especially if they quote *80 or so per Moggy tyre.
£10 or so per tyre fit/balance sounds OK.
Normally the best place for fitting is a smaller local tyre fitters as they are more flexible to cash in hand fitting.
the best make for durability is Michelin but I dont know if they still make tyres in moggie sizes and they were always much dearer than Firestones and most owners found the Firestones had a better grip anyway, as for Bridgestone I would have thought they are as good as any, look at the high performance cars that have them fitted when new, although I suppose price will be a factor and Bridgestone own Firestone anyway.
Cheers
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
I've just found that Humphries wouldn't let me have the tyres delivered to them for fitting because of 'liability', so I told them what I thought and arranged it with another local firm for £12 each and delivering to them 'should be no problem'. Ordered them from Bull Motif, not sure now if they are Bridgestones or not...
Yes, he is right. Firestone have stopped production of the Moggy size. You may be able to get Bridgestone tyres though.
I was wrong about Firestone stopping production of the Moggy size!
I called in to my local tyre fitter this morning and he told me that he had a delivery of Firestone 145R14 tyres this week. He said that some places will tell you that they are out of production but this is not true. Apparently they are available to designated suppliers.