Crossply Tyres
Aston Martin DB3S (School for Scoundrels Bellini) on Crossply Tyres
- Crossply tyres for well-based wheels became standard equipment in the mid 1920s vintage period.
- In about 1924 the majority of car manufactures moved away from beaded edge tyres onto well based crossply tyres.
- Crossply tyres are also known as bias ply tyres in the US.
- Crossply tyres are made with the cords in one layer of the carcass arranged diagonally across the tyre roughly 45 degrees off the direction of travel, the next layer will go at a 90 degree angle, forming a crisscrossed pattern.
- Crossply tyres popularity carried on into the 1970s.
- Cars like the E-Type Jaguar started with crossply tyres, but then moved onto Radial Tyres in 1968.
- We also supply the range of Dunlop Racing Crossply tyres for historic motorsport.
- Currently the best crossply tyres for road use are the Michelin DR for comfort and the PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA for sports cars.
- See our Crossply Tyres and Radial Replacements tables for a list of crossply tyre sizes, the ideal radial equivalent size, and the best radial tyre in the size.
Crossply Vintage Tyres
Vintage Cross-Ply Tyre Construction
The cross-ply tyre is made up of superimposed layers of textile cord running at alternate angles from bead to bead.
With this design the sidewalls and tread are not differentiated and this gives the tyre structure great rigidity.
With a cross-ply tyre the maximum width and the height of the tyre above the rim are approximately equal. This relationship is known as the aspect ratio and with cross-ply tyres is approximately 100%, giving the cross-ply tyre its unique "tall" appearance.
Crossply Tyre Construction and Radial Tyre Construction
Differences between Crossply and Radial Tyres
Advantages of Crossply Tyres:
- Crossply tyres offer lighter steering.
- Crossply tyres provide a more comfortable ride.
- Crossply tyres were fitted to most cars well into the 1970s.
Advantages of Radial Tyres:
- Radial tyres provide greater directional stability.
- Radial tyres last longer than crossply tyres.
- The radial construction offers improved road holding.
Crossply Tyre FAQ
A: there was a brief period where tubeless crossply tyres were being made, however at this time the majority of cars were moving onto radial tyres. Apart from these rare exceptions all crossply tyres need innertubes.
A: Although the radial tyre was patented in 1946, it was seen as a performance upgrade in many cases. It became more standard in Europe towards the middle of the 1970s and didn’t become the predominant fitment in the States until 1970!
A: The vast majority of modern road car tyres are radial, Though many vintage cars and classic cars still fit crossply tyres.
A No in the majority of cases a radial tyre will last longer than a crossply tyre, because the crossply tyre carcass flexes while the tread is in contact with the road, scrubbing the tread off.
A: it is strongly advised not to mix crossply tyres on a car. It is illegal to mix crossply and radial on an axle, but for some reason it is legal to have cross ply on the front axle and radial tyres on the rear. We recommend having the tyres of the same structure and age all-round the car. Mixing tyres is not recommended and can be illegal.
A: predominantly crossply tyres have their sizes written in inches where radial tyres are mostly in inches. For instance 6.00V16 is the crossply size tyre for an XK12 Jaguar and 185VR16 is the radial option. 5.60-15 is the original crossply tyres size for the classic VW Beetle, that would fit 155 R15 or 165 R15 radials.
Crossply Tyres and Radial Replacements
The tables below contain an example of each main crossply tyre size, followed by the ideal radial alternative size, and the radial tyre typically considered the best in the size. These tables help you understand the relationship between crossply and radial tyres and assist you in finding the perfect radial replacement for your crossply tyres.
Crossply Classic Tyres 10"
| Crossply Tyre Size | Best Radial Alternative Size | Best Radial Tyre in Size |
|---|---|---|
| 520 - 10 | 145 R10 | 145 SR 10 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet |
| 440-10 | N/A | N/A |
Crossply Classic Tyres 12"
| Crossply Tyre | Best Radial Alternative | Best Tyre in Size |
|---|---|---|
| 520 - 12 | 125 R12 | 125SR12 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN54 |
Crossply Classic Tyres 13"
| Crossply Tyre | Best Radial Alternative | Best Tyre in Size |
|---|---|---|
| 520 - 13 | 145 R13 | 145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 |
| 560 - 13 | 165 R13 | 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 |
| 590 - 13 | 165 R13 | 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 |
| 640 - 13 | 185 R13 | 185 HR 13 Michelin XAS FF / 6.40/7.00 SR 13 Michelin ZX |
| 640/700 - 13 | 185 R13 | 6.40/7.00 SR 13 Michelin ZX |
Crossply Classic Tyres 14"
| Crossply Tyre | Best Radial Alternative | Best Tyre in Size |
|---|---|---|
| 500/520 - 14 | 145 R14 | 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 |
| 750 - 14 | N/A | N/A |
Crossply Classic Tyres 15"
Crossply Classic Tyres 16"
| Crossply Tyre | Best Radial Alternative | Best Tyre in Size |
|---|---|---|
| 500/525 - 16 | N/A | N/A |
| 550 - 16 | 165 R16 | 165 HR 16 Avon Turbosteel |
| 575/600 - 16 | 185 R16 | 185 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 |
| 600 - 16 | 185 R16 | 185 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 |
| 650 - 16 | 670 R16 | 670 R 16 Avon Turbosteel |
| 670 - 16 | 670 R16 | 670 R 16 Avon Turbosteel |
| 700 - 16 | N/A | N/A |
| 750 - 16 | N/A | N/A |