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Vintage Tyre Offers

Vintage tyres – featured by authenticity and attention to details

The Charm and Quality of Vintage Tyres

For vintage car enthusiasts, authenticity is paramount, and tyres are no different. However, the nostalgia for old-world charm must be balanced with safety standards, and aged tyres can compromise safety on the road. Vintage tyres, thus, strike the perfect balance between classic aesthetics and contemporary performance. They closely resemble the original tyres in terms of size, shape, tread pattern, and appearance, thereby preserving the heritage of these classic machines.

Vintage tyres can significantly elevate the aesthetics of your vintage car, adding an element of elegance and old-world charm. They often come with distinctive features such as white sidewalls or bibendum, which are not just about personal preference, but also a means of expressing individual taste and style. Despite their classic appearance, modern vintage tyres are crafted with the latest technology, offering enhanced grip, handling, durability, and resistance. They are designed to provide safety and performance for those who regularly use their vintage cars.

Manufacturers of Vintage Tyres

vintage tyres Copyright: Alexander Milo via Unsplash

Reputable manufacturers, such as Michelin, Yokohama, Dunlop, and others, provide high-quality vintage tyres. They use premium materials and the latest technology, all while valuing authenticity. At eiretyres.com, we stock a range of vintage tyres from these renowned manufacturers. Retro, for instance, is a classic tyre brand offering a variety of tyres for vintage and retro motorcycles. The last are also produced by Metzeler, a German tyre manufacturer with a history dating back to 1892. Retro tyres combine the timeless look of classic tyres with the safety standards of modern technology.

Another option available at eiretyres.com is the Yokohama GT Special Classic Y350. This tyre, designed for classic and vintage cars that use radial tyres, is a reproduction of the original Yokohama GT Special tyre launched in 1967. Its classic tread pattern with four circumferential grooves and a zigzag center rib offers excellent grip, stability, and steering response. The tyre features a polyester carcass and steel belts, enhancing its strength, durability, and comfort. Additionally, a special rubber compound enhances the tyre's performance on wet surfaces and wear resistance.

Variety in Vintage Tyres

Vintage tyres differ from modern tyres in several ways, including their size markings, which could be straight-sided, beaded edge, or bibendum. The construction of vintage tyres may also vary, offering options like cross-ply or radial. Vintage tyres can feature white walls or racing stripes, and they may offer different performance capabilities, such as lower speed and load ratings or higher rolling resistance.

Tyres, while often overlooked, have been instrumental in shaping the evolution and development of vintage cars. They have been key in enhancing the speed, safety, and distance capabilities of these timeless vehicles, adjusting to various road conditions with grace. Furthermore, the aesthetic contribution of tyres to cars is undeniable, adding layers of character through their size, shape, tread pattern, construction, and even colour.

Whitewall Tyre
Copyright: Kevin Stanchfield via
Wikimedia Commons
Racing Stripes on Tyres
Copyright: Christofer Ziemnowicz via
Wikimedia Commons

Understanding the Types of Vintage Tyres

The history of vintage tyres unveils the remarkable evolution of technological advancements and shifting design trends across different periods. Straight-sided tyres, characterised by their perpendicular sidewalls and clincher rims, were a product of ingenious engineering. The tyre's hold on the rim relied on the force of the air pressure inside the tyre, resulting in a mechanism that was as effective as it was simple.

Beaded edge tyres, by comparison, exhibited a distinct structural design. These tyres incorporated a wire bead within the edge, which seamlessly interacted with a groove on the rim. This innovative design not only ensured a secure fit but also significantly enhanced the performance of the tyre.

Adding to the diversity of vintage tyres were the Bibendum tyres. Named after the celebrated Michelin mascot, these tyres incorporated an additional layer of thick rubber on the sidewall. This design not only provided supplementary cushioning but also contributed to a distinctive aesthetic that was reflective of the era's stylistic preferences.

Cross-ply tyres were a testament to the period's comprehension of materials and structural design. These tyres employed fabric plies that ran diagonally across the tyre carcass at varying angles. This configuration provided an optimal equilibrium between the tyre's flexibility and strength, signifying a remarkable stride in tyre technology.

The introduction of radial tyres marked a significant milestone in tyre evolution. These tyres were constructed with fabric plies extending radially from the tyre's centre to the bead. This design enhancement facilitated superior durability and augmented road contact, thereby optimizing the tyre's performance.

White wall tyres, with their characteristic white stripe or band adorning the sidewall, were an epitome of elegance. Their unique aesthetic appeal complemented vintage vehicles, adding a touch of sophistication that was highly sought after during the era.

Last but not least, racing tyres were integral to the high-speed endeavours of the period. Designed with a smooth or minimal tread pattern, these tyres offered unrivalled grip on dry surfaces, making them ideal for the thrill of the racetrack. In essence, each type of vintage tyre encapsulates a unique facet of the era's technological ingenuity and aesthetic sensibilities, painting a vivid picture of the evolution of tyre design and construction.

Vintage Tyres: Tube-Type and Tubeless

Vintage tyres can be categorised as either tube-type or tubeless, depending on their compatibility with the vintage car or motorcycle's rim. Tyres like the Michelin X, XAS, and XWX are versatile and designed to work with both tube-type and tubeless rims. On the other hand, beaded edge and straight sided tyres are specifically designed for tube-type rims, offering a tight fit and improved performance. Conversely, the TRX and Pilot Sport tyres are more suited for tubeless rims, providing a hassle-free and efficient fit. The key takeaway here is the importance of compatibility between the tyre and rim when shopping for vintage tyres. The right match ensures optimal performance, safety, and aesthetics for your vintage car or motorcycle. It's essential to check this before making a purchase or attempting to fit vintage tyres.

At eiretyres.com, we're committed to helping you navigate the fascinating world of vintage tyres. We offer a wide range of options to suit your unique needs, whether it's maintaining the authenticity of your vintage vehicle or balancing it with modern performance standards. Explore our extensive collection today and elevate your vintage driving experience.


Choose quality and high performance:

  • Over 100 tyre brands like Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Avon, Michelin, Nexen, etc.
  • Tyres for every budget
  • Over 35.000 tyre profiles
  • We only sell quality tyres

Tyres at small prices:

  • Customers inform us that the prices listed on www.eiretyres.com are about 25% lower than with other sellers
  • Our prices include VAT, packaging and shipping costs for delivery within Ireland.

Choose quality and high performance:

  • Over 100 tyre brands like Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Avon, Michelin, Nexen, etc.
  • Tyres for every budget
  • Over 35.000 tyre profiles
  • We only sell quality tyres