Alan Thomas . . . is that you?

January 9, 200718 yr

comment_195155

Alan,

Is AVON the only tyre manufacturer over the that still has something available for 15x11 rims? It's getting quasi impossible here unfortunately. Unless of course you come across some NOS tires from a 911 RSR that is being parted out (there was just such a set two weeks ago)...

I had found a beautiful set of 15x12 Watanabe (OK maybe a little excessive in width) recently but simply could not find ANY tires to fit so I passed on them...

I'm even starting to have trouble getting good tires in more sedate 225/45R15 sizes... US tire availability is not what it used to be considering you can get a stock MINI with 18" wheels now, for example...

Since the DOT is relatively lenient on importing old cars to the US, I wonder how they will feel when I start to have to order new tires from Japan or Europe...

Comments?

-e

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January 9, 200718 yr

comment_195181

But seriously, contact me nearer August and we might be able to arrange for you to see my cars in London? The 432R-replica might even be running by then ( famous last words ).

Alan, I would love to say hi and see your cars! I'll likely be there for about a week. My wife's family is from India, and the cousins that are getting married in London are having an inter-faith marriage, so there will be a Hindu ceremony followed by a Christian ceremony. It promises to be quite the event...I'm not 100% on the time frame, I'm looking to start my master's program around that time as well...I'll definitely shoot you a PM when it gets nearer though!

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January 9, 200718 yr

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comment_195193

Since the DOT is relatively lenient on importing old cars to the US, I wonder how they will feel when I start to have to order new tires from Japan or Europe...
Comments?
-e

Hate to hijack, but I believe that it is DOT rules that the cars come in with DOT approved tires or they are changed to DOT approved tires before getting the ok. I had to have DOT approved tires on the car to ship (military is so strict). But, I would venture to guess that unless you have really strict vehicle inspections, non-DOT tires would not be a problem. I have yet to have my tires looked at by the vehicle inspector. I think the bigger problem may be getting the tires into the US.

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January 15, 200718 yr

comment_195558

Is AVON the only tyre manufacturer over the that still has something available for 15x11 rims? It's getting quasi impossible here unfortunately. Unless of course you come across some NOS tires from a 911 RSR that is being parted out (there was just such a set two weeks ago)...
I had found a beautiful set of 15x12 Watanabe (OK maybe a little excessive in width) recently but simply could not find ANY tires to fit so I passed on them...

Eric,

They were not the kind of profile that I was after for the GT-R ( so I went with the Avons ), but the re-released versions of the classic MICHELIN TB15, TB5 & TB5 F&R might be good for you.

DOT ( USA ) legal too, I believe:

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelintb15.php

Alan T.