After installing ipd sways on my ES i feel as if i need to upgrade my tires now. What are the widest tires i can put on stock ES rims? (are 205's safe?) I'm not necessarily looking for low profile either. I know 1800s had tall gislaveds out of the showroom. Basically I'm looking for a tire to give my ES a nice agressive stance.

I bought an ES with 205 tyres fitted once, but found it really killed the self centring on the steering, very dead to drive. I'd also go with the advice to use 195 section tyres, 185/65 is readily available as well but is a bit smaller than original works well though.

Regards

I have a set of Michelin Energies sized at 185/60 R15 mounted on my 1800s The original size was 165SR15 .. Any you can get just about any tire size you choose it’s just a question of how much your willing to pay.

With any thing other than recommend tire sizes with either damage your performance or increase your tire wear

Chris,

Your posting has a typo in the year part of the car id. It says 75 which can't be right since production of the 1800 series ended in 73 with the ES. Assuming you have a 1965 1800S like mine, you would have the original 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern 15 inch wheels with 4.5 inch rims. You are right, the original tires on those cars were 165 SR 15. Mine came from the factory with Pirelli Cinturato tires in that size. I recently decided to upgrade my wheels & tires and wanted to preserve the original appearance without spending a fortune in the process. I ordered 4 new wheels from American Racing Equipment (ARE) in their classics rally series (#775-5604) for about $60 each. They come in either 6" or 7" rims and have the correct bolt pattern and a roughly correct positive offset. They are slotted and look similar to the original wheels (although they are chromed as opposed to painted and have plain hub covers without the V on them). I combined these with a set of four Pirelli 6000 "Sport Veloce" tires in 195/55 HR 15 size which gives me a much wider footprint but about the same height as the original tires. I am very pleased with the result. The car feels like it is glued to the road either straight ahead or in corners and the ride comfort and steering effort have not changed. The entire upgrade (tires, wheels, balancing & mounting) cost around $600 and was well worth it. I haven't had the new setup for long enough to report on wear, but see no reason to suspect that with such a modest change there will be problems with suspension, steering or the like.

Your are correct about the typo, Sorry

my 1800 is a 66 with a 65 radiator and re-powder coated rims.

I've found that the 185's work great but are a more expesive option than what you did. After I had my rims Powder coated and the new tires mounted, my bill was around $1000.00 For shows & vintage class road rallies. I hate to say it but I don’t drive my 1800 daily, partly due extreme weather conditions. The reason chose this option was because, I wanted the original looking wheels for shows & vintage class road rallies. I hate to say it but I don’t drive my 1800 daily, partly due extreme weather conditions.

If your ES has the original wheels, they *should* be 5.5" wide. Stock tire size would be a 185/70-15, which seem to be made these days only out of unobtainium. You could probably go with a 205, but your steering might be a bit heavy. Were I you, I'd go with a 195/65-15...or 195/70 if you can find them (not bloody likely though).

Make certain your wheels are indeed 5.5 before you buy anything wider.

I have personally found that 195/65 tires with good shocks and IPD sways is a delightful combo. Your handling is probably a bit squirrely right now with tall skinny tires.

-Matt B

65 1800s

71 145s

53 XK120