Factory tire size - what profile?

[Sam SL]

I read my owner's manual and see that my 71 SL was originally equipped with 185H x 14 tires.  There is no mention of the profile.  I am pretty sure it would not have been 70 series, but was it 75 or even 80 series profile?

[twistedtree]

The whole 70 series profile thing came into existance later on.  Take a look at the Technical Manual on this site and you will find a good writeup of current manufacturers of the old 185R14 tire size which is becoming very hard to find, as well as suitable modern tire size replacements.

[zoegrlh]

A couple of years ago I wrote a thread on this site concerning my research on tires for the Pagodas.  I found the Vredestein 185HR14 Sprint Classic were the only tires currently on the market that have almost the same specs as the original Phoenix tires.  Section width Vredestein 7.40 vs Phoenix 7.25, overall diameter 25.60 vs 25.00.  Also Vredestein, made in Holland, come with curb bump, are only available in blackball, and have a classic 60s - 70s european tread design.  Search for thread on tires, you will see my article there.
Bob

[zoegrlh]

Search under "Tire Nirvana".
Bob

[Sam SL]

Thanks.

Yes, the Vredestein Classic is the best choice right now although there is a Michelin at double the price. 

[FRITZ68]

Does the Michelin or any other in this size have whitewalls, and if so, what width whitewall?   Also what was the original whitewall width when a 1968 Meredes 280SL was new?

Thanks, Fritz

[KevinC]

Fritz....

LOTS of information on tires in the archives.... just use the seach tool for "Tires" or even "Tire Nirvana". Also check out the Technical Manual or this very recent post

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16028.0

I believe that in the 60's the standard profile was "80" in Europe and "78" in the US. As you'll probably note in past posts I personally opted for 195/75/14 whitewalls for my car. When shopping, keep in mind that advanced as they were for the time, 113's didnt have the more highly "tuned" suspension of today's Sports cars so IMHO its a bit overkill to buy expensive high-end tires as they are just not required. I would opt for a good name brand "H"- rated (speed rated to 130mph) tire and you should be good. In today's market, I would probably but the Cooper brand (I have Bridgestones currently; no longer available in a whitewall though. When comparing sizes you'll get lots of opinions from this group but to check for yourself use this guide and enter 185/80/14 as the initial size to compare to


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php
 

[Flyair]

Fritz,
I saw that on some sites you can order Vredesteins with whitewalls. No idea whether they are added as an add-on or come already as factory-finished. Some sources report that add-on whitewalls are not worth much and that in time they separate from the tyre. It is true however that they look terrific.
 

[bogeyman]

According to Vredestein.com, they are offering the sprint classic in whitewall but unfortunately they only show 13" and 15" sizes currently.

[KevinC]

This dealer seems to have a UniRoyal tire in a ww...

http://www.tirebuyer.com/products/tiresize?N=4294966992+109&Nr=AND(Section_Width:195,Aspect_Ratio:75,Rim_Diameter:14,Group_Category_Dim:Tire)&Ne=105&pageSize=10

[FRITZ68]

The Uniroyal WW in 195/75 14 sure looks good for the price. However I already ordered the big buck tires from Coker, which are on the way.  Thanks for the help everyone.

Fritz

[KevinC]

The Uniroyal WW in 195/75 14 sure looks good for the price. However I already ordered the big buck tires from Coker, which are on the way.  Thanks for the help everyone.

Fritz

Woo Hoo! Congrats. Please post pics when you have them mounted.

[Raymond]

Fritz,
After you've had a few drives on the Cokers, please let us know your opiniion of braking, cornering, and straigt line stability.  The Coopers I have suffer in all of those categories.  And, no matter what product I try, the white stripes never get really white.  They actually match the 050 Classic White paint exactly. 

[mdsalemi]

And, no matter what product I try, the white stripes never get really white.  They actually match the 050 Classic White paint exactly.  

The white rubber on all tires will stain from and for various reasons--including tire dressings, and the carbon black (added to make rubber black) that leaches off the black tire and finds its way to the white rubber.

I've had superb results using a combination of Coker's whitewall cleaner http://www.cokertire.com/wide-white-whitewall-tire-cleaner.html IN COMBINATION WITH some body-shop, 1200 grit wet or dry sandpaper http://www.amazon.com/3M-32022-Imperial-Wetordry-Sheet/dp/B0002MSY72.  You can get this at any auto body supply shop; I posted the Amazon just as an example...you can even get higher grades like 1500.  If you know a body shop they'll probably give you a sheet.

It is something that has to be done regularly.  Clean the tires, then the whitewalls with the cleaner noted above.  After you have gotten them to "050" with the Coker, then use the same product as a lube with the sandpaper and go over the white walls.  It will take them from 050 to a considerably brighter and cleaner white.  At least it does for me...

[FRITZ68]

For cleaning whitewalls, I always seem to go back to a plain old Brillo Pad with the red soap when the pad is wettened.  My wife always seems to have a small supply under our sink that I can "borrow".

Fritz

[ptooner]

For cleaning whitewalls, I always seem to go back to a plain old Brillo Pad with the red soap when the pad is wettened.  My wife always seems to have a small supply under our sink that I can "borrow".

Fritz

I recall that method of cleaning from back in the days when my car was new.     I was considerably younger then, of course.  I installed Uniroyal 185/75 with whitewalls (one inch I think) a couple of years ago.  I put them on reversed (white side hidden) at the time but am considering turning them around now.

Gerry

[mdsalemi]

For cleaning whitewalls, I always seem to go back to a plain old Brillo Pad with the red soap when the pad is wettened.  My wife always seems to have a small supply under our sink that I can "borrow".

Fritz

The only "problem" with this is that the steel wool is a bit more aggressive than 1200/1500 grit sandpaper.  Also, you run the risk, for what its worth, of leaving bits of steel wool (which will rust in moments leaving stains) in places you did not intend...but what ever works.

The idea here is you need to be "cutting" the white wall a bit to make it bright white, and that's what the steel wool and sandpaper does.

[71Beige280SL]

Lately, I have had pretty good luck with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Granted not as abrasive as the brillo pad or sand paper but Comet and the Magic Eraser do the trick for me.

[Jonny B]

I will echo the use of the Mr Clean Magic Eraser. They also work for clean up on the sun visors, plastics bits, etc, etc. Really a pretty good item.