Blog

Milan, 19 August 2020 – Pirelli is launching a new tyre for the iconic Fiat 500: the car that symbolised mass motoring in Italy more than any other. This new tyre forms part of the Pirelli Collezione: a family of classic tyres dedicated to cars from 1950 to 1990, which combine a classic look with modern technology, while maintaining the overall originality of the tyre as it was first made.

Classic Fiat 500 Blog

It’s not every day you see a 106 year old Stanley Steam car on the road.

Recently purchased by its current owner and in need of a fresh set of 815 x 105 Ensign Chevron Cord Beaded Edge tyres.

The Ensign Chevron Cord is the direct replacement, using the exact same mould used to produce the no longer produced Dunlop Chevron.

The XWX is the perfect high speed, period correct, original equipment radial tyre from one of the world’s leading tyre manufactures.

With a W speed rating allowing it to handle speeds up to 170 mph.

Buy any set of 4 or 5 Michelin tyres and not only are you buying superb tyres at a great price you will also receive a FREE Michelin embroidered Micro Fibre polishing cloth, while stocks last.

After an epic event last year we have been informed that the Association of the Circuit des Remparts, in agreement with the Prefecture of the Charente and the Lord Mayor of Angoulême, has decided to postpone the 49th running of its event, scheduled for this coming 18-19-20 September, to 17-18-19 September 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Despite the organisers commitment and determination, the sudden exacerbation of the Covid 19 epidemic has led to a raft of health and regulatory decisions in the past few days which, taking into account the organisation of our event, made this outcome inevitable.

Preparations are already underway of the 2021 event, which we are told will be an even bigger success than the first three we have organised since 2017, especially as the 2020 Circuit des Remparts promised to be an even greater triumph.

The "Circuit des Remparts Organisers" would like to offer you the choice of a refund, or to carry over your Payment/Entry to 2021. Contact Information.

Contact Repayment: report2021@circuitdesremparts.com

Contact Press Office François Granet, vice president-Medias +33 625 911 277 f.granet@circuitdesremparts.com /// media@circuitdesremparts.com

Association du Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême* 19, place Bouillaud – 16000 Angoulême – France www.circuitdesremparts.com *association sans but lucratif sous l’égide de la loi de 190.

165 x 14 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 MGB Tyres

Correct period 165 x 14 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 fitted to this lovely 1970’s British racing green, chrome bumper MGB GT. Although the tyres are tubeless, quality Michelin 14D inner tubes and rim tapes were fitted at the request of the customer to guarantee no air would be lost when fitted to his wire wheels. Air can sometimes leak through the spoke heads even though most new wire wheels are classed as tubeless wheel.

Another satisfied customer.

The MGB did handle at its best on 165 size tyres. Low profile tyres such as a 185/70R14 were available to MG from 1968. However, the manufacturers of the best little sports cars such as Triumph, Austin Healey, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and of course MG did their testing with 185/70 tyres, but because their sportscar handled better with a 165 tyres, that is what they continued to fit. The bigger engine MGC fitted 165R15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67, and when MG fitted the V8 engine to the MGB V8 they increased the tyre size to a 175HR14. However I don’t think these larger tyred V8 cars were complimented for their improved handling.

The first MGB’s fitted a crossply 560-14 of which you have very little to choose from today, thankfully the radial equivalent would be 155TR14 Michelin X which is still available.

Later the original tyre for MG B’s was 165HR14 Pirelli Cinturato which is still in production today.

An alternative performance tyre is the 165HR14 Michelin XAS.

An MGB will handle best with 165 tyres. However Low profile options 185/70VR14 Cinturato CN36 or 185/70 VR 14 Michelin XAS.

Some Good News,
For many years the popular tyre size 145R13 has not been supported by any of the important classic tyre manufacturers.

The good news is that two of the world’s best tyre manufacturers, Pirelli and Michelin have now stepped up and made a quality tyre in the size 145R13, perfect for Austin Healey Frog Eye Sprite or Lotus Elan owner

In 1952 Pirelli developed the Cinturato, as a radial tyre designed to complement the handling of sports cars of the 1950s. The Cinturato tyre became a go to sportscar tyre throughout the 1960s and well into the 1970s. The Cinturato was used as original equipment by, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Rover, Aston Martin, MG and Lotus.

Pirelli have been celebrating their heritage by making many of these important classic car tyres again, involved in this was the reintroduction of the 145R13 Cinturato CA67. At the time this was not only the only H rated 145R13 tyre, but also the only 145R13 with a classic tread pattern built onto a classic car carcass that compliments the chassis of classic cars such as the Frog Eyed Sprite, Triumph Spirtfire, Lotus Elan and MG Midget.

The handling characteristics of the 145HR13 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 gives the driver progressive behaviour in the bends making it a predictable tyre and great fun in a light weight rear wheel drive sports car, this very much adds to the pleasure of driving a 1960 sports car.

In 1965 with the development of the dual carriageway and motorway, the need to develop tyres that improved the directional stability of cars at high maintained cruising speeds became more prevalent. Michelin at the time were very involved with Citroen and their new DS which was a little on the wandery side. This issue was solved when Michelin introduced the XAS, the first asymmetric radial tyre.

Michelin have now manufactured a 145R13 XAS again with a H speed rating, making it the perfect period tyre for little sports cars from the 60’s and 70’s. Giving the driver a more relaxing drive at cruising speeds on dual carriage and of course the assurance you get with Michelins fantastic build quality