[DeTomaso] Tire Sizes

[michael frazier]

   345/35-15s were the original tire for GT5 cars. The first widebody or flared cars, Gp4s,  used a much taller tire.
I don't recall the exact size but it was around 27" tall.  The GT5 and Gp4 flares have completely different profiles.
The GT5 flares have a flatter square-ish opening compared to the rounder Gp4 opening and thus look different
with the same tire.  I think the 345s look too small on a Gp4 car.  On a related subject, you should have the tires
and wheels on the car before you mount the flares if your considering that.  You can center the flare around the
tire, but you cant center the tire in the flare!  Anyway...
   I'm thinking of using American Racer Asphalt Sprint Car tires.  That's a pretty brutal race series and it seems
that a tire which can deal with those conditions will be ok for my uses.  Roger Kraus tires can put just about any
tread pattern you want on them, modern or vintage.  They have 3 sizes with 13.5" tread widths in diameters from
25.5" to 26.7".  These are for 13" to 15" wide wheels.  They also have a 23.8" tall tire with a 10" wide tread width
for 9" to 10" wide wheels.  These seem about right (perfect) for a flared Pantera.  Prices range from $123 to $162
each.
    I know a few people running Goodyear and Hoosier race tires around here with no problems.  Those tires are
treaded or treaded slicks.  You just have to be a little more careful than usual I guess,  but I have to say the street and 
highways around San Antonio are very good compared to other places.  Hitting some object could happen anywhere.
These tires are not legal for road use for what thats worth.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Michael Frazier
Gruppo Rompiculi Corsa 

 

> From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
> Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:05:46 -0500
> To: forestg at att.net; MyCars at Comcast.net; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Tire Sizes
> 
> 
> In a message dated 2/18/12 15 30 57, forestg at att.net writes:
> 
> 
> > Roydon,
> > The original tire was a 215-70-15 that was 26.9-27 inches tall.
> > 
> 
> Forest,
> 
> The original tire size on a widebody (which is what he is asking about) is 
> a 345/35-15, which is only 24 inches tall. Put a 27-28-inch tall tire on a 
> car designed for 24-inch tires and it looks really weird.
> 
> If I had a widebody car, I'd do everything I could to keep 15-inch tires on 
> it, even if that meant using race rubber or speciality dual-purpose rubber.
> 
> Actually, the rear tires are easy--you can buy Pirelli 345/35-15 rear tires 
> all day long. It's the 285/40 front that is the challenge. Depending on 
> how much you drive the car, you might be able to get away with running Avon 
> or Goodyear race tires, or street-legal Michelin TB-15 race tires. Sure, 
> they might only last 5000-6000 miles, but how many years will it take you to 
> achieve that kind of mileage? The Michelins are available in appropriate 
> sizes for both ends of your widebody car.
> 
> Buying expensive tires for your existing wheels (which make the car look 
> proper) is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying new wheels and expensive tires 
> for those wheels (which make the car look weird).
> 
> Mike
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