Tire Decisions for 67 2000

[datsun65]

Over the past few weeks, I've been pondering a new set of tires/rims for my red 67 2000.

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I have a nice set of Gold Panasports, but in a quest to bring the car back to a more stock look, I've decided to order up a set of 185/70R14 white wall tires. Last time I bought White Wall 14 inch tires for a roadster, there was lots of availability & the prices were really inexpensive. Well, those days are long gone.

After closely examining John Baker's gorgeous '69 Red 2000, I opted for the Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II - P185/70R14 87T WSW. I believe these are the same tires that John has on his car (when he doesn't have show Bias Ply Tires on)

jb1.jpg

(Credit Automobile Magazine)

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(Credit Automobile Magazine)

Should take a week or so to arrive. Purchased online at Sears.com for about $69 a tire. There is cheaper out there, but I had some points/credit.

[bakerjf]

First, you have excellent taste.

I really like those tires, and I think they look great too. I paid a lot more for mine than what you're getting them for, but actually I'm very close to shelving the Tiger Paws and pulling the trigger on some reproduction Pirelli Cinturatos (165/hr14's)...in a blackwall. They are expensive ($179/corner), but I think they match up better with the suspension/steering of our cars, and are well-regarded as a very driver-friendly, progressive tire (they look cool too). I will still have the bias-plys for shows - the whitewall looks great on our cars, I just want to see if I can push the performance of the car a little bit. Might have them on the car by Solvang if I can get it together...

[Alvin]

Nicely done (to both Dan and John!). I think the side trim and whitewalls on stock wheels are must have's for the definitive "look".

[datsun65]

Well..Big thanks to John B. (For the Tires) and James W. (For the Cowles Replacement Side Trim Find)!

The picture of John's car being driven through the corner by John Morton is just classic. I think I purchased the tires based on that great photo.

Dan

[datsun65]

Tires mounted and balanced. Perfect suggestion by Alvin and John. Great improvement.

Next up, Side Trim.

[Alvin]

YES!

[bakerjf]

Beautiful car!

[Stretch]

John, I put on the Pirelli Centuratos in 185 X 70 for my Libres about six months ago, they are outstanding.

[bakerjf]

John, I put on the Pirelli Centuratos in 185 X 70 for my Libres about six months ago, they are outstanding.

Awesome!! I took delivery of the old-school 165HR14's last week. I should have them on for the drive down to Solvang.

[Datsun.David]

Hey Stretch -
Any pics of the Pirelli's installed? I was considering...

[datsun65]

Little more to go...But coming together.

[bakerjf]

Thought I'd give a quick update on my choice to go with the reproduction Pirelli Cinturato (165/HR14) available at Lucas Tire in Long Beach, Ca. ($179 corner).
I installed the tires immediately before the four-hour drive down to Solvang and was quickly blown away at how much lighter the steering felt, and how much more nimble, yet solid, the car felt on the road. I owned both a Triumph and an MG back in the 80's/90's (with the narrower radials) and had always felt the Datsun seemed a little lacking in handling in comparison - not anymore! Really a very big difference - completely worth the price.
For those who don't know, these "vintage" radials were standard equipment on Alfa's, Ferrari's, and others...and the optional radial tire for Jaguar, MG and others, back in the 60's and 70's.
I wish I had thought to take a picture of the car with the tires on at Solvang - duh...but it looks great. Here's a picture of the Pirelli with the Uniroyal Tiger Paw to the left of it. It's easy to see the narrower footprint, and that it is a slightly taller tire. The Pirelli is .09" taller than the bias ply's Nissan put on our cars when they were new. The Uniroyal, which is still a nice tire is almost .33" shorter...

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[pebbles]

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the car with the tires on at Solvang - duh...but it looks great.

I'm sure Alvins report will have at least one great picture of your car, that you can steal and post here

[datsun65]

Awesome. Thanks for the update, John.