Tires

[4380r]

Saw a letter to the editor in a past issue of Classic Motorsports in which a reader said he found tires to fit his Spitfire: Trazano H550A. Apparently Chinese. Quick search on the web shows available in original sizes for Europa. Anybody have them? Thoughts?

[EuropaTC]

I can't find them in the UK, or at least not easily via google. I found an Irish supplier but no reviews or technical description, just a price of £34 for 155/80x13. Which is very, very cheap over here, I paid much more than that for the same tyre on my Elan a couple of years ago.

I've no objection to cheap    but I think I'd search out a couple of reviews or email the chap in question before buying, just to see how he's getting on with them.  It might turn out that they're intended for high mileage/economy rather than grip ?

[cal44]

Don't let your dog or baby nibble on them............

Mr. Bib is holding up the Europa on  four corners, as Discount had a sale last year I couldn't pass up. 
On the rest I use Vredestein...........although that wasn't your question.

mike

[4380r]

I can't find them in the UK, or at least not easily via google. I found an Irish supplier but no reviews or technical description, just a price of £34 for 155/80x13. Which is very, very cheap over here, I paid much more than that for the same tyre on my Elan a couple of years ago.

I've no objection to cheap    but I think I'd search out a couple of reviews or email the chap in question before buying, just to see how he's getting on with them.  It might turn out that they're intended for high mileage/economy rather than grip ?

Agreed with your point about grip, but I don't see a whole lot of options, none really, in OEM sizes that are very grippy.

[Bainford]

For what it's worth, here's what I'm running. Tire wear is fair and grip seems decent. I drive my Europa enthusiastically and I've been happy with them, especially for a touring tire. I should say, though, that these are the only tires I've had on my car so I have nothing to compare them to.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-185-70-13-FALKEN-SINCERA-SN-828-70R-R13-TIRES-/310699500128?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Tires&hash=item4857222260&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-175-70-13-FALKEN-SINCERA-SN-828-70R-R13-TIRES-/310645777447?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Tires&hash=item4853ee6427&vxp=mtr

[4380r]

For what it's worth, here's what I'm running. Tire wear is fair and grip seems decent. I drive my Europa enthusiastically and I've been happy with them, especially for a touring tire. I should say, though, that these are the only tires I've had on my car so I have nothing to compare them to.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-185-70-13-FALKEN-SINCERA-SN-828-70R-R13-TIRES-/310699500128?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Tires&hash=item4857222260&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-175-70-13-FALKEN-SINCERA-SN-828-70R-R13-TIRES-/310645777447?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Tires&hash=item4853ee6427&vxp=mtr

Thanks, I just stumbled onto these as well. I will look into them.

Todd

[3929R]

I know nothing about the Trazanos. 
Here is what I use-

As of last spring when I got my tires, Federal made 13" performance street tires that fit on a TCS.
Federal 595 tires in size 205/60/13s are used on Legend racecars and stocked by their dealer network.  Locally (Utah, USA) I think I paid about $85 a tire.
Federal 595 in size 185/60/13s can be ordered from tire dealers that stock Federal tires.  Locally I got them from Les Schwab for $65.  It took about a month to ship from Taiwan to the port in Portland, Oregon (a shipping container goes every weeks), then truck to Salt Lake City.  Shipping was free because they were included with a regular/larger order to the dealer.