Hello all, I am new to this Forum, I am in the process of having my late father in laws 246GT restored and noted that the XWX Michelin's will need to be replaced with new rubber to get the desired finish. Can some one let me know a good source for these tyres? Otherwise is there a better modern alternative? I am happy to pay the price to gain the original look of the car but if there is a better contemporary tyre on the market I will use it. What are you using or what will you be buying for your next set? I also require a replacement strip of chrome trim to go over the passenger door (RHD) - anyone breaking a car? Dino Blue - Jim UK Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the reply, but of course they do, I have seen enough adverts for Longstone!... semi-dressed ladies from the 20/30s changing tyres. Are these still the best tyres for the car? The colour is Dino Blue and is original. I have only seen one other like it, kind of like a French blue. Unfortunately the car will be for sale when it is finished. I'd love to keep it, but I have too many other car projects to manage. The proceeds will go towards my Mother in Laws inheritance. Someone will be a very lucky owner.
Especially because you are in the UK Longstone Tyre is your best bet. They have good service and prices. As for the XWX, they get a bad reputation because people drive 30 year old sets that are hard as plastic and call them crap. New ones are actually very nice and ride/handle quite well. They are the ONLY correct looking tire on a Dino and to my mind the only thing that should be fitted. That said the big drawback is price as they are miles more expensive than anything else but for something so visible just suck it up and pay. It will only hurt once rather than the constant visual reminder that you did not get what is correct. BTW great looking colour on the Dino. Kindly post photos when it is back together.
I'll stick to the Michelin's then. Sorry Bob I am not sure that putting up the VIN number is the best policy for www interest... I do not have it to hand anyway I am at work and paperwork/car are with the restoration specialist. Is it safe to disclose this information over the web? I have just read on another Dino topic how a car had possibly been stolen and the plates looked fishy... maybe I am just being paranoid.
Jim. No real danger posting the serial number here. Most are already on the Dino Register. If you don't want to post it, then I'd suggest contacting Matthias at www.dinoregister.com so that he can update his records. Best of luck with the car, great color. D
My thoughts are the same. Dino lovers seem like a tight group and I do not think anybody will get away with stealing numbers. The only reason I asked for VIN was to see what year and other information on the history. I was simply curious. Bob 04022 btw, my recommendation is go with the XWXs... just my opinion.
I will be testing out an "alternative" tire on my GTC. I currently have XWXs on Borranis. Now that I found some of the original mag wheels I thought I would give the Vredestein tires a go. After I get them on I'll report back how they compare with the XWXs from a driving/ride/performance standpoint. From an aesthetic view you still can't beat the look of the XWXs. They are what my Dino wears.
there's your answer! as an alternative you could check Roger Kraus Racing, CA - has vintage race tires, speed rated in all kinds of options, might even have XWX's, cant remember? +LOVE the color on your Dino too!
Actually I think posting the VIN / SN on a public site is good for security. Some people here keep records of cars and if you post yours here there is a better chance that someone will know something if fishy if some other car with that SN appears.
Hi Jim, I have just purchased a 1973 GTS that left the factory in Azzuro Dino colour code 20.A.349. Would that be the colour of your car ? Great colour. Regards, Speedyone.
Hi Speedyone, Yes, after a little further investigation you are right, the colour is indeed Azzuro Blue. I went with the original XWX Michelin's in the end, why spoil a perfect match!? I shall post up the VIN no. this evening when I get back to the documents. I hadn't thought of it being security conscious! Regards, Jim Dino72 UK
Hello all, I have just looked up and noticed my late father in laws GT was already listed on the Dino Register. Vin: 03672 I have submitted a pic of the car from 1999 for their records. I will upload some up to date shots on this site after it has been given the customary polish before a photoshoot. Within the next week or two it will be valued and photographed for the Goodwood Revival auction catalogue. Good luck to anyone interested. Regards, Jim Dino72 UK
Best prices around - my first purchase years ago were just over $100 each David Cloverleaf Auto Service 207 Pennsylvania Ave. Malvern, PA 19355 610 647-5900 Welcome http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/206-246/195168-1970-246gt-tire-question.html http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vintage-thru-365-gtc4-sponsored-redline-restorations/331681-michellin-xwx-needed.html
Longstone has the XWX tires, about $500 each. Coker tires has them for $440 each. I have had Pirelli P4000 SuperTouring tires on my car for 6 years. While not a pure performance tire (there are no max performance tires in 14"), it is a very good performer and a good bit better in handling and stability than the XWX. It's also much cheaper. Unfortunately it's not made any more, having been replaced by the Michelin Defender (which is a terrific all season tire, have them on my daughter's SUV, but it's not performance-oriented). The only remotely performance tire in 14" is the Goodrich Radial T/A. I'm sure you remember those from 70's era Firebirds and Camaros. Unfortunately they only come in raised white lettering which would look horrible on a Dino IMHO. But if you want the originality you gotta spend the big bucks for the XWX's. Or get a set of 16" Cromodoras from Superformance and you'll have a bit more choice in tires. Do you want total originality, or a car that's more fun to drive?
I must correct you...Longstone sells XWX's for $400ea with free shipping to US. That's where I got my XWX's and I just confirmed their price...set of (5) for $2000 total.
I bought my XWXs from Longstone awhile back because of a previous post from HMB-Dino when Coker was charging about $550 per tire. Saved about $900 on a set of 4. Remember Coker charges shipping and tax (depending on where you live). Took only six days to get the tires from England. Just remember to call your credit card company first and OK the overseas charge or your credit card's fraud department might deny the overseas charge.
In addition, the Longstone site gives you a choice to pay in pounds or euros. If you are in the USA the conversion on the pound is better at this time and the price per tire is $377, instead of $400 if you use the euro.
