There hasn't been much interest from major tyre manufacturers recently to make a proper 13" tyre for you guys other than Michelin making a 155HR13 XAS which is a great tyre.
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/catalo ... gory/8918/ I used to run a 165HR13 XAS on a Zetech engined Cortina. they are brilliant.
For the earlier cars Pirelli make a 145R13 Cinturato CA67
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/145-r- ... -ca67.html Thiis tyre is perfect as it is a fenuuine period sports car radial tyre. (hence the H Speed rating) instead of just a cheapo tyre that happens to be the right size. the Cinturato has a suitable carcass. modern compounds, but a tread pattern that is period.
Michelin developed the Michelin X first radial and patented it in 1946, and they were readily available and offered as an option on the Traction Avante from 1949
Pirelli developed the Cinturato CA67 (Or Cintura) in 1952. It was developed to be the radial tyre for sports cars so it maintained the improved longevity and grip of the X, but importantly, for the rear wheel drive cars of the day, the Cinturato massively improved the progressive handling. The Cinturato also was able to withstand the speeds of the cars it was fitted to as OE such as the Lancia Aurelia, Ferrari 250, Maserati 3500 and of course the Lotus Elite! (like mine). If you asked for radial tyres on your David Brown Aston Martin they also fitted radials.
- Elite on 155HR15 Cinturato CA67 and Borrani wheels https://www.borrani.com/lotus-wheels/elite.html
Do any of you guys fit 175/70VR13 tyres, because Pirelli also now make this
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/catalo ... gory/8918/ original escort Mexico tyre. Personally i wouldn't want to over tyre the car. I would stick to the OE size. However if you want to fit an oversized tyre a period carcass like the CN36 will handle much better than a modern tyre carcass design.