[Neopolitano]

I recently acquired and refinished a set of mag wheels for my GTC. The car currently has Borranis with XWXs mounted. Does anybody have any experience with any other tires that I might put on my mags? I plan to frequently swap wheel/tire packages. For show and trips the Borranis and XWXs. For around town the mags and ____? The Borranis take me about an hour each to clean. Mags will fix this problem.

There are not many choices for the 14" x 7" wheel dimensions. I had heard some mention of Vredesteins, but I don't know much about them.

Anybody have any ideas?

[JazzyO]

Why do you want to change from XWX? I'm perfectly happy with them. They look the part too.

Onno

[Neopolitano]

Onno.......at one point in time I was told the Vredesteins were better handling tires. That was awhile ago and I am going fishing to see if there are others out there that might know.

best
Steve

[tazandjan]

Steve- I put Vredensteins on a 911S, but that was in 1974, so not sure the info is much good now. In general, they did not handle as well as the XWXs, but wore better in the short period (year or so) I had them before moving on to my Dino. My only problem with the XWXs was they wore quickly, even on a 2400 lb Porsche. The XWXs were good in wet and dry conditions and even worked well in light snow.

[JazzyO]

OK, Steve, valid point of course, but I have never seen any classic Ferrari from '60s and early '70s with other tyres than XWX. I don't think there's many alternative's out there.

Let us know how you get on.


Onno

[Neopolitano]

One reason to stick with XWXs is that [I think] you can still get them in the std 205 x 14 size. I don't want 70 series tires since they appear too small in the wheel well. Are the std 205 x 14s 78 or 80 series?

[tazandjan]

Steve- We can calculate that. 205 VR 14 height=26.80"-14"=12.80"/2=6.4"x25.4 mm/"=162.56 mm/205 mm = .793.

Vredensteins were regularly fitted to the $5K SOHC Ferraris available in the 60s and 70s because they cost about half as much. Probably had something to do with why I put them on the 911S I was getting rid of to get my Dino.

[JazzyO]

My XWX tires are brand new, Steve, put on earlier this year, MY 2010. I don't know the size off the top of my head but they certainly look correct in every way. This shot was taken in June.

When I get back home next week I will check for you.


Onno

[barcheta]

Seen quite a few folks with Pirelli P4000s on their vintage Ferraris around here. Not sure if the tire is any good but like I said ALOT of folks around here seem to use them on both the Borannis and the cast alloys. YMMV.

[Killer58]

I have P4000s on two of my Jags and had a set on my Jensen Healey. They are great riding tires and last a long time.

[JazzyO]

I haven't seen the Pirelli's in Europe on Ferraris, I have on Jags. Interesting to know there's sizes to fit the Ferrari rims.


Onno

[bryanp]

I had XWX's on my queen mother when I first got it; I thought they were terrible, but they were also ancient. The problem, at least in our region, was that Michelin did not consistently produce the XWX in the sizes used on vintage Ferrari. You would hear stories of folks buying "new" XWXs and then discovering that the date codes put the tire at 4 years old. I went with Pirelli P4000s and was very happy with them.

There is a gentleman on tomyang.net who has owned his 330GTC for over 30 years and has put over 110,000 miles on it. this is what he had to say a few years ago about the tire question.

"I have been driving a 1967 330 GTC since 1975 and, having put over 110,000 miles on it, I can claim reasonable experience.
I’ve used the following tires: Pirelli (CN-72 as I recall), Michelin XWX, Goodyear Eagle GT, B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A, Yokahama Y(???)VR, and finally Pirelli P-4000. Since I had my own tire changing equipment, I could experiment as I wished.
When running tech and instructing at FCA track events in the 70’s and 80’s, I spent a considerable amount of time on the track, pushing the GTC to its limits. The absolute best all around tire I used, both for track and road was the Comp T/A – 205 or 215/70 VR 14 – I can’t recall the size, but I do recall that although it worked well, it did not last long. (I also used the Comp T/A on my 308 GT/4 and they were fantastic). The CN-72 was ok but the XWX was the worst tire I ever put on the car. The best road tire, as well as the longest lasting was the Yokahama.
Although I no longer participate in track events, I still use the GTC as an everyday car and drive it aggressively. It has around 160,000 miles on it now and it’s working quite well with the Pirelli P-4000. They are 205/70HR-14 and I have never bottomed the car. Since it’s equipped with Borannis, I must run inner tubes. I keep around 35 PSI in the front and 36 to 38 in the rear and I have yet to have them let go when cornering hard. Wear seems pretty reasonably but time will tell."

[Neopolitano]

Brian.......thanks for that information. It is just what I was looking for.....a tire comparison. I know the 205x14 XWX's look great on the Borranis. And for show that is what the GTC will wear. But I want to have a "driving" tire for the mags. I wonder if any of these come in non 70 series.

I'll check out tom yang's site too.

thx much

[bryanp]

Originally Posted by Neopolitano

Brian.......thanks for that information. It is just what I was looking for.....a tire comparison. I know the 205x14 XWX's look great on the Borranis. And for show that is what the GTC will wear. But I want to have a "driving" tire for the mags. I wonder if any of these come in non 70 series.

I'll check out tom yang's site too.

thx much

my pleasure - Tom's site can be challenging to search. Go to the "message board" part of the site; there have been many detailed discussions re: correct tire size and performance traits. You have already referenced the way a lot of us have gone - one set of wheels/tires for show and another for go.

[Granucci]

And don't forget: Michelin XWX

[Neopolitano]

Originally Posted by Granucci

And don't forget: Michelin XWX

I have them on the Borranis so I don't forget. But I want a different tire for my set of mag wheels and for everyday driving. I can't seem to find the BFG Comp T/As. I found the Vredensteins. Not sure about where to source the Pirelli P4000 ST.

And by the way XWX's at Coker tire are now $576 per tire. Yikes!!

[tazandjan]

Steve- That is about the same as the 355/25 19s I am running on the rear, but I get a lot more rubber (or whatever) for the money.

[Barry]

I must admit to a new found interest in this topic. All things going to plan I will soon be in the market for 4 new tyres for a 308GT4. Currently they are on XWXs and aesthically I love the period look of the high profile 70's tyre.

Am I correct in assuming that any other option will mean having a modern looking tyre on the car? If I want to keep the classic look are XWXs the only option? Availability of XWXs seems to be a little difficult in Ireland. And they're not cheap at about €370 per corner!

[Barry]

Sorry, just one last Q. Is it correct for me to assume that even though XWXs retain a period look, that one made today is actually made using modern rubber compounds? So from a handling/safety perspective you get modern(ish) performance but in a classic looking package?

[Neopolitano]

Originally Posted by Barry

I must admit to a new found interest in this topic. All things going to plan I will soon be in the market for 4 new tyres for a 308GT4. Currently they are on XWXs and aesthically I love the period look of the high profile 70's tyre.

Am I correct in assuming that any other option will mean having a modern looking tyre on the car? If I want to keep the classic look are XWXs the only option? Availability of XWXs seems to be a little difficult in Ireland. And they're not cheap at about €370 per corner!

The Vredenstein Sprint Classic retains the "in period" look. Not the same as the XWXs though. GTCs originally had either Dunlops or Pirellis. XWXs came a few years later and became the oem for later models I believe. I don't know about the look of the Pirelli P4000s nor the Comp T/As which I cannot find.......even on Tire Rack's site. Gotta keep digging.

And yes the XWXs do have a newer rubber compound than the early originals. However others have noted that the Comps and P4000s might be better handling tires.......especially in the wet.