Radial Tyres


Radial Car Tyres


Radial Tyres
  • Radial tyres were first patented in 1946 with the vintage Michelin X.
  • The movement towards radial tyres started slowly throughout the 1950s.
  • In the 1950s with the introduction of the Pirelli Cinturato CA67, sports car manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo and Lancia started using radial tyres.
  • By the mid-1960s radial tyres were the predominant technology throughout Europe.
  • In 1965 Michelin developed the asymmetric radial tyre with the XAS.
  • Radial tyres were not the main tyre technology in USA until 1970.
  • In 1968 low profile tyres became available with Pirelli CN36, Dunlop SP Sport and Michelin XWX.
  • Pirelli were making 60% profile Cinturato CN36 for Porsche 911 RS in 1972.
  • Ultra low profile tyres hit the streets in 1974 with the Pirelli P7, and then Michelins millimetric TRX.
  • The handling of your classic car is dramatically improved by fitting a tyre design of the period that suits the chassis set up of your classic car.
  • A modern radial tyre is better than a classic radial tyre on a modern car, but a classic radial tyre will suit a classic car better. A late 1960s Porsche 911 is better with a CN36, however a late 1970s or 1980s 911SC is better off with a P7.

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Items 1-200 of 356

Radial Classic and Vintage Tyres Recommendations

Radial tyres became the predominant tyres in the 1950's and 60's. Longstone Classic Tyres can offer 
radial tyres as an alternative to classic cross ply tyres.

For help finding the correct classic radial tyres for your classic car, phone us on 
+44 (0) 1302 714 072 or email us at [email protected]


Radial Car Tyres Construction

The first radial car tyres were marketed as the Michelin "X" in 1949. At that time Lancia was the first company to offer Michelin's radial tyres as original equipment on the Aurelia. The Radial Michelin X began a long line of revolutionary tyre designs which include: 

Radial Michelin ZX tyres
Radial Michelin XAS tyres
Radial Michelin XWX tyres
Radial Michelin TRX tyres


Classic Radial Tyres

The radial tyre was first patented by Michelin in 1946 after years of research. The beauty of the radial tyre design is that it separates the functions of the sidewall and crown of the tyre, allowing greater vertical flexibility whilst ensuring that there is still as much tyre surface in contact with the road as possible. In classic radial tyres the sidewall has a one or two layers of textile cord giving good flexibility and the radial tyre tread is made rigid by combining the casing layer with two (or more) layers of steel cord bracing plies of the radial tyres. Both these factors give the classic radial tyre excellent road holding capabilities and a longer life span when compared to classic cross-ply tyres.

Radial Tires

Radial Tyres FAQ

Q: Who invented Radial tyres?

A: Radial Tyre technology was invented by Michelin during the war, but they chose not to patent it while they were under the control of the Nazi party so the Michelin X radial tyres were first patented in 1946.

Q: Are modern tyres radial or crossply?

A: Since the 1960s in Europe and 1970 in America most car tyres have been radial. For classic cars of the 1950s onwards we would often suggest fitting a radial upgrade such as a Cinturato over what might have been an original crossply. But importantly fitting a classic tyre carcass to suit a classic car chassis.

Q: What is the difference between a radial and a non radial tyres?

A: Before radials took centre stage, vintage cars fitted crossply tyres, which don’t last as long, don’t grip as well (specially in the wet), and tend to wander more at cruising speeds due to a less sophisticated carcass design.

Q: What does radial tyre mean?

A: The Cords in the carcass come radially from the centre of the wheel, and there is a separate belt in the tread.

Q: Are most tyres radial?

A: Yes, for road use. Though often off road tyres are still crossply or Bias ply. Most road cars fit radial tyres, since the mid 1960s.


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