BFG tyre for my 1969 vette - where can I get them?
Discussion
Can anyone advise where I can get a pair of euro spec BF Goodrich T/A tyres for my 1969 'vette ?
Dart Corvette have tried and failed to locate any - two I have are nearly new but the other two are fairly worn and I want to replace them - but apparently they don't make the euro spec ones anymore, only US which aren't legal here, apparently ?
Help !
CC
Dart Corvette have tried and failed to locate any - two I have are nearly new but the other two are fairly worn and I want to replace them - but apparently they don't make the euro spec ones anymore, only US which aren't legal here, apparently ?
Help !
CC
I got my last ones from Newdigate Tyres near Horsham, Surrey, but he got them from North Hants. Newdigate sold them and fitted them for less money, though, than North Hants. 255/60R15 white letter for about £100 a wheel, fitted & balanced.
Call Newdigate on 01306-631206. Make sure you tell 'em if you want white letters.
Dart also get their tyres from North Hants, but are more expensive. As normal.
North Hants import containers full of tyres from the US and then resell them. You can buy from them direct (mail order) but not for the same price after fitting as Newdigate charged.
Call Newdigate on 01306-631206. Make sure you tell 'em if you want white letters.
Dart also get their tyres from North Hants, but are more expensive. As normal.
North Hants import containers full of tyres from the US and then resell them. You can buy from them direct (mail order) but not for the same price after fitting as Newdigate charged.
B.F.Goodrich did not offer a Eurospec- they used to make a Euro T/A which has a HR (up to 130 mph) speed rating, but this was deleted over 8 years ago. Original 69` Vette would have come with a GR70x15 Uniroyal or Goodyear. This is now a 225/70x15 Uniroyal and they are available at North Hants Tyres at £60.00 plus vat.
Most people used a 255/60x15 as it is the same 0/D (overall diameter) but a wider tread. North Hants Tyres can also offer Uniroyal from stock at £65.00 plus vat. They also have the B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A at £80.00 plus vat.
All these tyres are fully "E" marked for use within the EEC countries.
Hi J,
How's life in the fast lane?!
Can NHT get hold of Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres? Size would be 255/60x15. There's no rush as I haven't worn out my BFG's yet!
A friend in the US who, coincidentally, also has an L81 has just ditched his old BFG's. As they are getting hard to find out there, he fitted some of the above Pirellis and here's what he had to say about them (hope he won't mind me quoting him):
------------------------
Finally got the car out on the road with those Scorpion Zero's. Love 'em!
Still not crazy about how they look - the off-road style of the tread is kinda an off-putting thing for me. But the ride and handling are wonderful! I would never have believed it if I hadn't done it myself. I
know it's not really fair to compare a brand new set of tires to a 7-year old set with 35,000 miles on them, but still...
The big surprise is the smoothness. It's like I took the old tires and put a 1-inch thick piece of velvet around them. No kidding. That's amazing, considering that these are 6-ply tires being compared to the older 4-ply tires. I really expected them to ride like really hard, stiff tires, but I thought I could put up with it in exchange for the improved cornering. But
this is the best of both - smooth ride, no noise at all, and the cornering is truly amazing.
I went out and pulled a few on/off ramps last night. One of my favorites is almost a complete circle, where I could probably hit 45 or 50 mph on the old tires with the old suspension before one of the rear tires would start to squeal and come loose. With the new suspension, and still the old BFG tires, I could hit maybe 60 before the rear would get a little skittish.
Last night, I took that loop at 75 mph, and never heard a chirp from the tires! I really don't know how fast this car could pull that loop now - I
was still accelerating past 75 when I exited the loop. That was FUN! :-D
---------------------
There you have it, more proof that the biggest handling improvement on a C3 (and a lot of old vehicles) is to get some decent tyres on it
For any C3ers reading this, the suspension mods he'd done are: 460lb front springs, 330lb composite rear spring, stock 1 1/8" front sway bar, VB&P 3/4" rear sway bar, poly bushings throughout the suspension, any worn parts replaced (obviously!), Smart Struts on the rear & aligned to factory specs.
How's life in the fast lane?!
Can NHT get hold of Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres? Size would be 255/60x15. There's no rush as I haven't worn out my BFG's yet!
A friend in the US who, coincidentally, also has an L81 has just ditched his old BFG's. As they are getting hard to find out there, he fitted some of the above Pirellis and here's what he had to say about them (hope he won't mind me quoting him):
------------------------
Finally got the car out on the road with those Scorpion Zero's. Love 'em!
Still not crazy about how they look - the off-road style of the tread is kinda an off-putting thing for me. But the ride and handling are wonderful! I would never have believed it if I hadn't done it myself. I
know it's not really fair to compare a brand new set of tires to a 7-year old set with 35,000 miles on them, but still...
The big surprise is the smoothness. It's like I took the old tires and put a 1-inch thick piece of velvet around them. No kidding. That's amazing, considering that these are 6-ply tires being compared to the older 4-ply tires. I really expected them to ride like really hard, stiff tires, but I thought I could put up with it in exchange for the improved cornering. But
this is the best of both - smooth ride, no noise at all, and the cornering is truly amazing.
I went out and pulled a few on/off ramps last night. One of my favorites is almost a complete circle, where I could probably hit 45 or 50 mph on the old tires with the old suspension before one of the rear tires would start to squeal and come loose. With the new suspension, and still the old BFG tires, I could hit maybe 60 before the rear would get a little skittish.
Last night, I took that loop at 75 mph, and never heard a chirp from the tires! I really don't know how fast this car could pull that loop now - I
was still accelerating past 75 when I exited the loop. That was FUN! :-D
---------------------
There you have it, more proof that the biggest handling improvement on a C3 (and a lot of old vehicles) is to get some decent tyres on it
For any C3ers reading this, the suspension mods he'd done are: 460lb front springs, 330lb composite rear spring, stock 1 1/8" front sway bar, VB&P 3/4" rear sway bar, poly bushings throughout the suspension, any worn parts replaced (obviously!), Smart Struts on the rear & aligned to factory specs. 
2moro about the Pirellis and let you know. Dear L81,
Pirelli Zeros are available at £75.00 plus vat , these are really a 4x4 tyre.
Kumho KL12 are available too £42.50 plus vat, again a 4x4 tyre.
I asked my bro and he said the B.F.Goorich is better than any 4x4. Old tyres always loose grip and go hard.
If you want any call North Hants Tyres 01252 613261 and ask for John Jnr. Make sure you mention me.
Pirelli Zeros are available at £75.00 plus vat , these are really a 4x4 tyre.
Kumho KL12 are available too £42.50 plus vat, again a 4x4 tyre.
I asked my bro and he said the B.F.Goorich is better than any 4x4. Old tyres always loose grip and go hard.
If you want any call North Hants Tyres 01252 613261 and ask for John Jnr. Make sure you mention me.
shoebag said:
Original 69` Vette would have come with a GR70x15 Uniroyal or Goodyear. This is now a 225/70x15 Uniroyal and they are available at North Hants Tyres at £60.00 plus vat.
Most people used a 255/60x15 as it is the same 0/D (overall diameter) but a wider tread. North Hants Tyres can also offer Uniroyal from stock at £65.00 plus vat. They also have the B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A at £80.00 plus vat.
All these tyres are fully "E" marked for use within the EEC countries.
Thanks J for your reply, only just seen it.
I (think - will check)have BFG radial T/A's at the moment and I recall they are 225/65 or 70. Is it worth switching to 255/60 to give better roadholding? The BFGs I have at the moment don't exactly have a low profile....though are very progressive when they let go. Your expert help appreciated !
My '81 had 225/70 tyres when I bought it & I swapped to BFG 255/60's. The OD of the 255/60's was about 1/2" bigger than the original tyres (one of which was new), but the originals were a different make, so maybe that would account for the difference???
I find the handling & grip of the 255/60's better & they still let go progressively (no rear sway bar means the rear tyres start complaining b4 the front ones - something I'm very happy about). The one problem with the wider tyres I had is that they are more keen to follow "tram lines" than the thinner ones were. The section of the M3 from the Maultway bridge down to Junc 3 can be interesting at times!
I've heard from owners that earlier C3's can have problems with the front tyres catching the inner(?) fenders on full lock with 255/60's. Apparently the factory sometimes had to do some cutting to ensure clearance if wide tyres had been specified. It can't be much of a problem as a lot of people have fitted these tyres to early C3's. Suggest you go to corvetteforum.com & search the archives or post a question about the clearance as there's people there who'd know all about it.
I find the handling & grip of the 255/60's better & they still let go progressively (no rear sway bar means the rear tyres start complaining b4 the front ones - something I'm very happy about). The one problem with the wider tyres I had is that they are more keen to follow "tram lines" than the thinner ones were. The section of the M3 from the Maultway bridge down to Junc 3 can be interesting at times!
I've heard from owners that earlier C3's can have problems with the front tyres catching the inner(?) fenders on full lock with 255/60's. Apparently the factory sometimes had to do some cutting to ensure clearance if wide tyres had been specified. It can't be much of a problem as a lot of people have fitted these tyres to early C3's. Suggest you go to corvetteforum.com & search the archives or post a question about the clearance as there's people there who'd know all about it.
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