Dr Gregory: Thank you for your information. You are correct these P5 tires are are bad. Your information conferms what many have said. Getting something other than V rated tires will save money.
Thanks again for your response,
Harlan Hoy

Submitted by v12-vdp@shaw.ca on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 20:16

Harlan: the Pirelli P5 was original equipment on your car. If the tires have not been changed then the must come off NOW. The P5 was a bad tire to begin with and as it aged it got worse: hard rubber, belt shift problems...You do not need a V rated tire for use anywhere in North America - you simply cannot drive at the sustained speeds that would make it necessary. But you do want a tire with a fairly stiff sidewall to retain the handling characteristics of the car. *You do not need to keep the original P5 tires for any concours purpose* and at this point it would be unsafe to do so. Michelin makes an excellent tire in this size: the Hydroedge - and Michelins are smooooth. And there are others but beware of putting a lower quality van tire on. The Hydroedge is very suitable.

Submitted by harlanhoy@gmail.com on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 17:59

I have Perelli P5 215 70 VR15 which I am sure is original to this car. They have become flat spotted but still hold good air. The only new tyre replacement is michllin xwx that i have found that are VR rated. As far as concours goes should I keep the P5's or do you have any better soliutions? I do intend on driving the car. Another solution could be is to put different rims with possible lower profile and tires on and keep these for show. I would appriciate your opinion.