Hi, I am picking up a 1953 mk vii tomorrow to start a lifelong project. I have spent quite a bit of time online looking for info on this classic car, I have also read the posts here and gotten some links for parts. Some of the things i'm looking to find out but am having no luck is modern tire size for this vehicle, 4 speed manual transmission, also 3.4 engine (car has been stored over 30 yrs) it is sitting on 4 flats and i have looked everywhere for the tire size? If anyone can help me with these questions I would appreciate it!

 

The original Mk VII wheels should be 16 inch rims with 650/16 or 670/16 Cross Ply tyres.

Avon in the UK distribute a 670R16 97V Turbosteel Radial which would be suitable. If they don't market this in the US, try a web search on '670R16 97V' to bring up any equivalents from other manufacturers which are distributed in the US. Although more 'modern' than the original Cross Ply, it's still not exactly the kind of tyre you'd be fitting on a 2012 vehicle!

The diameter of the Avon is 722 mm and the section width is 176 mm. This may help your tyre supplier find a suitable alternative.

I hope you're going to start a pic thread on the restoration project.

Graham

 

Hello from Thurgoona NSW..New member after slaving over a Mk 7m for 30 odd years.Still learning re photo s but I promise you the best looking Mk 7m in Australia,I hope. Just checked my wheels and the tyres fitted are Pirelli 185.SR16 Radial. They have done less than 50 km so when my engines back,see if they are safeHope it's useful cause they do look inadequate compared to modern profiles.Cheers,The Jackal

 

Hi, I'm new to the forum as well and have had a Mark 7M 1954 sitting in the carport for restoration for a little while. I have been buying bits and pieces awaiting retirement to do my work. Anyway, about your tyre situation, I ended up getting specific white-walled tyres, modern design & tubed to suit the marque. Start with a place like Antique Tyres | Australias Largest Range of Veteran, Vintage, Classic & Hot Rod Tyres for your research. I did alot before buying and ended up with a specialist here in Tassie. Been a while since the purchase, so if you want further info I'll have to search the invoices to give you more details. Regards, Neil

 

Hello, I'm just finishing my Mark VIII. The tires I put on my car after lots of research for a modern equivalent size tire is 215/70R16"s. These are a bit wider than stock ( I was concerned they would not fit with the rear skirts) but they do fit.
The rest is unbelievably soft, almost too much so in corners, but it does ride nice.
mike

 

What do you mean by "the rest"? Other makes or diagonal tyres for the Mk VIII in general?

 

I apologize, I meant ride, not rest.
mk

 

Ah - OK, thanks.
The tyre size is interesting for me too. Last Monday I received my "new" Mk VII, it will need new tyres as it is still on (very?) old diagonals. I will start a new topic on my car.

 

I recently found these for my Mark 7 - Coker Classic Radial 650R16 - maybe of interest. I noticed that they are also available in the UK - don't know about your locale though.

 

Coker Tires 866-516-3209 www.cokertire.com


Universal Vintage Tire Co. (Dunlop) 877-231-9926 www.universaltire.com