I often see red line tires on Mark II's/2.5-250 V8's. I find them quite attractive with these cars, but I'm wondering if they were ever a factory option and/or if they were a popular period correct replacement item.



Thanks,
-Dick-

 

Because of the special size for the Jags the Red-line was used as a replacement. The Red-Lines were popular on Triumphs, E-Types, Healeys and anything needing the 185-15 size. Jags came with black wall Dunlop Sports, whitewalls are an American thing. Red-Lines are still produced by Coker Tire Co., and are pretty reasonable priced, unless you cross to the modern conventional radial and save some $.

 

Thanks, Jagfixer.

Were red lines were the only tires available as replacements...no blackwalls? Or did some owners view the redlines as an "upgrade" when it was time to replace?

Do you know what years the redlines were originally available?

-Dick-

 

They looked good and were cheaper than the Dunlop Sports, which were being phased out. As for years my archives ( which are fading ) seem to remember them in the late 60's and early 70's. Cannot remember exactly as I bought a set of Michelin Red-Lines in the 80's on my 73 XJ6 and the only draw back they were bias and needed tubes. Coker makes them in radials now.

 

Dick, why does the first post in this thread only contain a picture?

For info, Longstonetyres carry a range of 185VR15, if you are stuck.

 

Hmmmm...I can see the words in my first post. They are...

"I often see red line tires on Mark II's/2.5-250 V8's. I find them quite attractive with these cars, but I'm wondering if they were ever a factory option and/or if they were a popular period correct replacement item."

I wonder if something goofy is happening with the forum that doesn't display the words correctly.

Actually there are several 185 and 195 15 tires available here including the red lines. I was just curious as to why I see the red lines as often as I do.

Thanks for the additional source.

Regards,
-Dick-

 

When I bought the '61 MK2 3.8 sedan that I'm working on, which now belongs to my youngest son, James, it had red-line Michelins. That was 1968. When those wore out, I but another set of the same on. They were cheaper than Dunlops, and they looked better on this red car than black walls or, certainly, whitewalls. Not long after James was born in 1980, the car was worked on and then stored in a barn where it has remained except for a couple of unfortunate adventures into the real world. Slowly it is coming back, but the old Michelin redlines are still on it and worn. I'm looking for an affordable, relatively new, used set of 185/15 or 205/15. The look is conservative racy.

 

...and a good look it is.

-Dick-