590 - 15 Tyres
5.90 - 15
- Inner tube for 590 - 15: Michelin 15E Offset Valve Tube.
- Rim tape (for Wire Wheel) for 590 - 15: Rim Tape for Wire Wheel 14" - 17".
- 590 - 15 can also be described as: 590 x 15, 5.90-15, 5.90H15, 5.90V15 or 5.90X15.
- A standard radial alternative to 5.90 X 15 would be a 165-15 or 165/80-15 classic tyres.
- A standard radial alternative to 5.90 X 15 is 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67.
- 5.90H15 Dunlop RS5 Was original equipment on Austin Healey & Daimler Dart.
- Currently our recommended tyre for an Austin Healey is 180HR15 XAS (Dunlop no longer make their 590H15 RS5).
- On some Daimler Dart a 180HR15 XAS rubs the inner wings, so we suggest 165HR15 XAS.
- 165 is the standard alternative to 5.90 – 15, but 180HR15 XAS is a little taller.
- A low-profile radial alternative to a 5.90-15 tyre would be 185/70R15.
- The most suitable low profile radial tyre for a classic car originally fitted with 5.90V15 tyres would be 185/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36.
Alternatives to 590 - 15 Tyres
590 - 15 Inner Tubes
The classic Dunlop RS5 5.90 H 15 tyres were the crossply we would have recommended in this size. However sadly Dunlop no longer make the 590 H15 which was original equipment on a range of classic British Sports cars. We would generally suggest 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67, 165VR15 Michelin XAS or in some cases such as an Austin Healey 3000 then the 180HR15 XAS radial tyres will make your classic car more suited to modern roads.
Currently we would recommend the 5.90 H15 Avon TurboSpeed as the best crossply tyre in this size.
The best value tyre for a car originally fitting 590-15 tyres would probably the 165SR15 Michelin XZX these tyres are an absolute bargain for such a high quality tyre. For Sports cars we would encourage people to fit Michelin XAS or Pirelli Cinturato and save their money elsewhere, on a car like a Jowett Javelin that originally fitted 590 -15 crossply tyres the 165SR15 XZX is great.
If your car originally fitted 590X15 tyres, the chances are it is a sportscar from the 1950s & 1960s. For an MGA Twin Cam or Daimler SP250 Dart we would recommend fitting either a 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato, or for motorway use we would suggest 165VR15 Michelin XAS. Austin Healey however, which also fitted the 590H15 Dunlop RS5 that is no longer made, we would strongly recommend fitting the 180HR15 Michelin XAS. This slightly taller tyre suits the gearing of a Healey and lifts it that little bit more above the speed bumps. Sadly often in an MGA or Daimler Dart however it rubs the inner wings a little.
Often with these classic sports cars the perception is that fitting fatter tyres will make the handling better. This is misguided. In some environments, fitting tyres such as 185/70R15 or 195/65R15 may give you more ultimate grip in a straight line, less wheel spin and better straight line dry braking, but that is not what classic cars are all about.
This extra straight line dry grip comes at the expense of handling in the corners, unless you start stiffening the springs and changing the camber and caster; effectively turning them into racing cars, you will not gain the benefits of the extra foot print in the corners. Fitting fatter tyres means that when cornering, instead of doing a nice gentle drift, it will let go more dramatically. The effects of this will be greater fitting a more modern tyres such as 195/65R15 compared. If you really most fit bigger wider tyres on a car such as an MGA, Daimler Dart or Austin Healey we suggest fitting 185/70R15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 or for racing 185/70VR15 Avon CR6ZZ, because these tyres have a carcass designed for a classic car.