Aston Martin DB2 Tyres

DB2 Tyres

DB2 Aston Martins were arguably the best sports cars of the day, and until 1962/3 they fitted the same size tyres as all the other top marques such as Ferrari, Maserati and Jaguar etc. Because this size is needed for the "best" cars, Michelin set themselves the task of manufacturing the best possible tyre.

With these 50's performance cars in mind they produced the Michelin Pilote X 600WR16 which is a tall period looking tyre designed to keep steering light with a tread pattern that can move water very efficiently. The Pilote X has rounded side walls with writing on the side designed to look like tyres of the period yet built with the best modern tyre manufacturing technology to keep the road noise down to a minimum with brilliant handling characteristics.

The Dutch company Vredestein make a radial tyres in the size 185-16 Tyres. Vredestein tyres are proving very popular with XK Jags because historically, it has a very low price. Importantly with classic cars a tyre should be designed to give you, as the driver, the feedback you need to make the experience of driving your car pleasurable, instead of the numb experience you could get if your car ends up fitted with a modern tyre carcass designed for power steering and modern suspension.

The First Ever Aston Martin DB2

Michelin also still manufacture the original radial tyre - the 185 SR 16 Michelin X. This tyre is the closest to the original crossply in shape and will keep your steering as light as possible when fitting a radial. The Michelin X is its own worst enemy in that they last forever and people may well have driven on a tyre that is 50 years old! The Michelin X is available at a very competitive price and for a more steady driver (speed rating 112mph) is a very nice option, keeping the handling the way it should be while at the same time being gentle to your wallet.

Avon make the 185R16 Avon Turbosteel - another good sporty option. If you want to slightly lower your car and have a big footprint and the price is important to you, then the Turbosteel is for you. Considering Aston's long-standing relationship with Avon, the Turbosteel was tempting until Michelin produced the Pilote X and the re-emergence of the PIRELLI 185 VR 16 CINTURATO ™; gave us better options.

Cross-ply tyres are still just right for some, where originality is important. Fitting crossplys will keep your steering good and light and they also give a very comfortable smooth ride. Directional stability is the issue for cross-ply tyres and at cruising speeds, they tend to wander. This is unavoidable by the nature of cross-ply construction, no matter what wild claims some manufacturers may make. If its cross-ply you want there is no doubt it needs to be the 600 H 16 Avon Turbospeed as it is the tyre your cars left the factory on.

You wouldn't give Marilyn Monroe, Marge Simpson's hairstyle. So the exciting news for cars such as these is the re-emergence of the 185 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 ™;. This is the only genuinely period tyre available in this size with a suitable speed rating (V 150mph) this was a hugely famous tyre in Europe and it was the upgraded tyre as it had the advantage of being a radial tyre but it was also progressive so it was the perfect tyre for road and track, just like an Aston. These PIRELLI CINTURATO™;'s have just become available again exclusively through Longstone Tyres +44 (0) 1302 711 123. There is a special offer on the CINTURATO™;, Longstone Tyres will ship them free of charge, and if you mention you are a club member you will get a club discount!

The DB2 was the first Aston Martin vehicle to bear Sir David Brown's initials. Early automobiles were powered by four-cylinder engines, but production series cars received six-cylinder 2.6-litre engines capable of producing roughly 105 horsepower and reaching 60 mph in around 11 seconds. A total of 400 were built, with around 97 Aston Martin DB2 drophead coupes.

From 1950 to 1953, 411 Aston Martin DB2s were manufactured, and the car's success was owing to the fact that the second, third, and fourth DB2 models produced were taken to race at Le Mans. Two of the vehicles finished first and second in their class that year, and all three continued to race until 1951. The success of David Brown's firm was secured by the outcomes of these three cars.

Borrani wheels are available for your Aston Martin DB2. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.

If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding then please contact us at [email protected]

Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.

Click the link for Aston Martin DB2 Borrani wheels.

Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:

• Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
• Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
• Painted finish with polished outer edge