1965/66 911 Tires

[cdill]

I wold like to find some tires that are as cose to possible to the original for the 1965/66 model year. My Kardex shows Dunlop 165/15 no other details. Can someone make a recommendation on a classic Dunlop tire and a good source?

[NeunElf]

I used to have Dunlop SP20 or SP21 165R15 tires on my 911. I highly recommend you use something else--the handling was horrible if you couldn't use significant throttle.

When I had to "float" through a turn the car just had an evil unstable, squirrely feel. If the car was accelerating it would dig in, but try that on a blind, downhill turn.

I had used two sets of wheels, the others were Continental Sport Contact 195/65VR15s on 5½ inch wide rims. I switched to Vredestein Sport Classic 165HR15s and the handling on those is as good as on the wider, lower profile Continentals.

[gulf908]

These are the original style tyres - German Dunlop 'dogbones'.
I suspect you wont be able to get new ones of these any more.
Where are you ?
However,try Longstone tyres in the UK.
They seem to have stocks of tyres from the makers who are re making tyres of the classic eras.
Have you considered Michelins ?

HTH
Dennis.

[cdill]

I'm located in Colorado (Denver to be exact) I am trying to put the car back as close to original as possible so I would love to get a set of the Dunlop 'dogbones'. I may source a second set of wheels and tires should I ever do any spirited driving. I will try Longstone tyres in the UK. As with almost everything for this car I have had to buy things from all over the world. So why should this be any different

[304065]

Eric, Harvey says that the XAS, despite its availability in 1965, was rarely seen on the 911/912. He recommended the XZX which is what I use for show, great tire.

Longstone is the place, even with UK shipping it's cheaper than Coker (for the same tire.)

[Harvey Weidman]

Eric,
What does the list approve for 911S? Looks like all are for 912s or n/c 911s?
I still like the XZX (looks like the old ZX) for the 4.5s even though the XAS is available it just seems later....
H

[NeunElf]

... As his brochures became more comprehensive the tire offerings (availability) was much more broad. On his 1968 Porsche price list he had the following tires listed, the 4 digit number is the Porsche Factory option code for the tire model:
9106: Michelin X tires, 912 only
9107: Firestone Phoenix P110, n/c 911S
9108: Dunlop Sp57, n/c 911S
9109: Goodyear Grandprix, 912
9110: Metzler TT, 912
9111: Pirelli Cinturato, 912, N/C 911
9112: Semperit STT, 912
9113: Kleber Columbus V 10GT

Eric

The September 1965 Accessories Price (1966 model year) List had fewer tires:

9104 Conti-Radial, 165-HR 15 (only for 912) DM 108 $27.00
9107 Phoenix, 165-HR 15 (for 911 standard equipment) DM 108 $27.00
9108 Dunlop Sp, 165-HR 15 (for 911 standard equipment) DM 108 $27.00

An April 1965 Car & Driver said the test 911 had 165 x 15 Dunlop SP tires.
The January 1967 Car and Driver said the test 911S had Dunlop HR 165-15 SP tires.
The March 1965 Road & Track said the test 911 had Dunlop 165 - 15 tires.
The February Road & Track said the test painted-dash 912 had 6.95 x 15 Goodyear Grand Prix tires.

[cdill]

I just ran across Lucas Classic Tires http://www.lucasclassictires.com/Spo...adials_c23.htm They show a 165VR 15 Blockley Radial with dog bone pattern and a 185HR15 Dunlop SP Sport with the dog bone pattern. I think that the Blockley tire gives me the proper size and look I just wish they said Dunlop on the side wall.

[Frank Barrett]

Back in The Old Daze (early 1970s), I put a set of 165x15 Pirelli Cinturatos on my 912 and absolutely loved them. I notice Lucas offers them, and I bet Longstone has them, too. I've bought tires from Longstone before and been very pleased with their prompt service--they actually mail the ties to the US, which takes only a week or so!

[356hunter]

Here are photos of Blockley 165 x 15 VR