512bb tires

jwarner · 08-14-2002, 03:28 PM

:question: does anyone know what tires can be used on the stock 512 bb 15"wheels?
i have a 1979bb
i have seen bfg tires, but was told that the wheels are metric and i should use the old design michelins. (hard compound)

thanks
john

'75 308 GT4 (Peter) · 08-14-2002, 08:47 PM

If your car uses the metric tires, you are S.O.L. when it comes to choices, as I think only the Michelin are avaliable (and I think not even by Michelin! They may be produced now by Coker Tire).

If you can get a hold of early Boxer, or Daytona 16" knock-offs (7" fronts, 9" rears), you'll have some tire choices avaliable.

Tifoso_Boy · 08-14-2002, 09:28 PM

Peter,

What's with the metric tires? Was it because the BB's were never officially imported to the US?? Just a thought....

Dj Dirk · 08-15-2002, 12:01 AM

What' a metric tyre??
and what else is available then?

'75 308 GT4 (Peter) · 08-15-2002, 08:30 PM

Tifoso:

I don't understand the reasoning why some European manufacturers went with metric tires in the first place. The TRX was a high-performance rated tire and I suppose it met Ferrari's needs at the time. I think Mercedes used it as well. They may have thought it would take-off in popularity and were trying to get ahead of everyone else. Whatever the case, it was a big marketing flop...

Dirk:

The only difference is the wheel rim diameter (which Ferrari used 390 and 415mm sizes on their cars). I don't think there are any other brands that make them, so your only alternative is to purchase an inch-sized wheel.

250lm · 08-24-2002, 03:40 PM

I cought a ride with a 512bb a couple of years ago and I remember the owner told me about the problem he had with finding the right tyres. If I remember correctly, he used tyres from a Bentley!

Niels

captmoore · 08-29-2002, 07:42 AM

For what it's worth: While living in France I had a new set of 15" Michelin installed on my US Mercedes. The tires had metric size on one side and US on the other but the seal area was much wider than the US tires removed. They all ways looked like they were poping of the rims.

308 GTB · 08-29-2002, 06:29 PM

Peter,

Michelin has a Vintage Tire Division. Coker is just a distributor.

Check:

http://www.michelin.com

Barry

'75 308 GT4 (Peter) · 09-05-2002, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the link Barry. I was always under the impression that Coker was the one who made the tires.

08-14-2002, 03:28 PM	#1
jwarner Join Date: Jul 2002 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	512bb tires :question: does anyone know what tires can be used on the stock 512 bb 15"wheels? i have a 1979bb i have seen bfg tires, but was told that the wheels are metric and i should use the old design michelins. (hard compound) thanks john

08-29-2002, 07:42 AM	#7
captmoore Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Palm Beach, Fl. Ferrari Life Posts: 11	For what it's worth: While living in France I had a new set of 15" Michelin installed on my US Mercedes. The tires had metric size on one side and US on the other but the seal area was much wider than the US tires removed. They all ways looked like they were poping of the rims. A lifetime 308 owner

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08-14-2002, 08:47 PM	#2
'75 308 GT4 (Peter) Owner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: B.C. Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 575	If your car uses the metric tires, you are S.O.L. when it comes to choices, as I think only the Michelin are avaliable (and I think not even by Michelin! They may be produced now by Coker Tire). If you can get a hold of early Boxer, or Daytona 16" knock-offs (7" fronts, 9" rears), you'll have some tire choices avaliable.

08-14-2002, 09:28 PM	#3
Tifoso_Boy Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Houston, Tx Ferrari Life Posts: 533	Peter, What's with the metric tires? Was it because the BB's were never officially imported to the US?? Just a thought....

08-15-2002, 12:01 AM	#4
Dj Dirk Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Belgium Ferrari Life Posts: 5,082	What' a metric tyre?? and what else is available then?

08-15-2002, 08:30 PM	#5
'75 308 GT4 (Peter) Owner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: B.C. Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 575	Tifoso: I don't understand the reasoning why some European manufacturers went with metric tires in the first place. The TRX was a high-performance rated tire and I suppose it met Ferrari's needs at the time. I think Mercedes used it as well. They may have thought it would take-off in popularity and were trying to get ahead of everyone else. Whatever the case, it was a big marketing flop... Dirk: The only difference is the wheel rim diameter (which Ferrari used 390 and 415mm sizes on their cars). I don't think there are any other brands that make them, so your only alternative is to purchase an inch-sized wheel.

08-24-2002, 03:40 PM	#6
250lm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 824	I cought a ride with a 512bb a couple of years ago and I remember the owner told me about the problem he had with finding the right tyres. If I remember correctly, he used tyres from a Bentley! Niels

08-29-2002, 06:29 PM	#8
308 GTB Owner Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Jersey Ferrari Life Posts: 404 Name: Barry	Peter, Michelin has a Vintage Tire Division. Coker is just a distributor. Check: http://www.michelin.com Barry

09-05-2002, 07:03 PM	#9
'75 308 GT4 (Peter) Owner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: B.C. Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 575	Thanks for the link Barry. I was always under the impression that Coker was the one who made the tires.