Pirelli CN36 Tires, 356B, and Differing Widths

[Edwin Ek]

I own a 1962 356B which has been in storage since 1994. It is now going back on the road. I want to run 165-78 tires on 4.5" rims at the front and 185-70 tires on 5.5" rims at the back. Motivations are reduced oversteer (Porsche did the same thing a few years later when it figured out what was going on), no messing up the delightful steering feel (best part of a later 356), softening of the on-stilts look at the back, and it is a subtle modification which can be reversed in ten minutes.

I originally thought I would use Vredestein Sprint Classics, a nice vintage-looking HR-rated tire available in both sizes. Earlier this year though, Porsche and Pirelli announced a collaboration to provide updated vintage tires for older Porsches. In particular the CN36, well known to this crowd. In the early 1970's all CN36 tires were VR rated. Also, I don't think Pirelli ever made a 165-80 CN36, but it is now.

Here's the rub. Pirelli is selling an N-spec 165-80 VR 15 tire as part of this collaboration. It is also selling an N-spec 185-70 WR 15 CN36 tire. It continues to sell a 185-70 VR 15 tire, as it has for some years. So should I match N-spec front and rear, which means the fronts are VR-rated and the rears are WR-rated, or should I match the VR speed rating, which means the fronts are N-spec and the rears aren't. In other words, which characteristic should dominate?

A possibility is that Pirelli is only making one version of the 185-70 tire but with different labeling. If that's true, it obviously doesn't matter.

I have been in contact with both Porsche and Pirelli and haven't got a solid answer.

[66S]

I use 175/65-15 on the front of my 62. Lots to choose from and a step up from a 165.

[joegt3cup]

Go here... http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/