<VV> Supply of 13" Tire Question

[Bruce Schug]

You're right, Bill. However, I'd like to comment on your recommendation  
for tire sizes. The 175/80-13 is somewhat smaller than the 6.50-13 was.  
A better replacement for the 6.50-13 is the 185/80-13.

If you look at the specs on the Sears tires you'll find that the 175/80  
is 24.0" in diameter. The 185/80-13 is 24.7" diameter. These are  
typical dimensions for these sizes. Unfortunately, there are no revs  
per mile specs given.

Now if you go to:

http://www.coker.com/store/customer/product.php? 
productid=17241&cat=262&page=1

you'll see that the 6.50-13 that Corky Coker is making is 24.58"  
diameter. We all know about variances in diameters and differences in  
construction, which result in different revs per mile, but this is  
essentially the same diameter as the Sears 185/80-13. It also matches  
the diameters of original replacement 6.50-13's, according to the  
documentation I have. Remember, Corky makes these tires from original  
molds. He doesn't tool these up according to his preferences.

The belief that a 175/80-13 is a replacement for a 6.50-13 and a  
185/80-13 is a replacement for a 7.00-13 is a popularly held one.  
Unfortunately is is inaccurate. The 185/80 is essentially a direct  
replacement, at least in regards to diameter, for a 6.50-13.

Where then does this leave the person looking for a 7.00-13  
replacement? Out of luck, that's where. There simply isn't a 13" tire  
being manufactured today that is a real replacement for the 7.00-13.  
The best substitute is, again, the 185/80-13.

Further, some will bring forth the 205/70-13 as the 7.00-13  
replacement. But, while this is an interesting tire, it is even smaller  
in diameter than the 185/80-13.

Maybe someday CORSA will get serious about the acceptable tire sizes  
for Concours entrants. Probably only then, when there is a market for  
them, will Coker, or anyone else, reproduce the 7.00-13. Then all those  
"original" concours cars will have real "original" tires, like all  
other concours cars do instead of the silly sizes called for in the  
CORSA rules.

Bruce

PS

Congratulations on being elected a new Director. Does this mean we'll  
see you at our "Corvairs in the Curves" autocross this Fall?

On May 26, 2004, at 9:01 AM, Bill Hubbell wrote:

> In the meantime, you can still buy new 13" tires from Sears:
>
> For 1960-64 Cars:
> Guardsman Guardsman III - P175/80R13:
> Sears item #09560842000
> Mfr. model #112-801
> http://tinyurl.com/2jz8k
>
> For 1965-69 Cars:
> Guardsman Guardsman III - P185/80R13
> Sears item #09560843000
> Mfr. model #112-828
> http://tinyurl.com/3ajt6
>
Bruce W, Schug
CORSA South Carolina
Greenville, SC
bwschug@charter.net

CORSA member since 1981

'67 Monza. "67AC140"