Where to buy 165x15" good quality tires?

I decided to put 165x15" tires on the front of my car for several reasons. Unfortunately, 165x15" tires do not seem to be readily available these days. There are several brand "x" makers who supply tires in this size that are "economy" tires, speed rated for about 75 miles an hour. That wont do! I bought Michelins in the past but discovered 165x15" Michelins are now only sold by Coker and they want $175 per tire plus shipping. Dunlop no longer seems to offer this size at all. Since this is a pretty popular size for 356's in general I am wondering if anybody knows of a source for a decent tire with a good speed rating, or am I stuck with Coker at $175 per skin?

Firestone tires in 165 x 15 are availible in UK ,I purchsed a set of 2 x 165 x15 (rear) 2 x 145x15 (front) from a local tire supplier in july 2004. The good thing is that these tyres have the 'old' crossply tread pattern on a radial tire which looks period authentic.
Mitchelins are now discontinued in UK ( in those sizes)
As for cost

Jim: CB Performance sells 165/15 metric radials for around $40/tire. Check out www.cbperformance.com.

Jim: Sorry for the bum info.

Jim: Dayton tires (a division of Bridgestone) makes a 165R15 with a "T" speed rating (118mph).
Had to make ammends.
Cheers!

If the tire has an s, as in 165SR15, it is rated for 112 mph.

Daniel: True. The Dayton tires are "T" rated.

Jim

I found 165/15 Dayton tires for $36.74.The load range is 86T which means the higher the load index number the greater it's load carrying capacity.So 86=1168 pounds or 530 kilos.The speed rating I belive is T which is 118 mph or 190 km/h.The web site is www.artire.com.On my speedster I have Michelin 165 15.Good luck.

I referenced "s" because most of the cheaper tires are at least rated that, the next being t, h, v, and then z. The important thing being none(maybe some) of us spend much time above 80, much less 112. Then even more significant might be the load rating, as on the front of our Speedsters and Spyders the tires are very lightly loaded, and I'm sure the tires are rated for far more than we're asking.

I appreciate all the thoughts and your ideas on this subject. I did end up buying a set of Michelins ZXZ's from Coker. They ended up costing me $125 each plus shipping, down from the original quote of $175 per tire. I agree that we may well not need the speed rating, I don't spend much time at high speed, but I do like the tread patterns and have good luck with them in the past.

By the way, I odered the tires Sunday afternoon and they were delivered today and are now on the car. They look better (more period than the 195/60 Yokohoma's that were on the front. Also, it appears as if the rub problem is gone, I can now drop the front of my car back down to where it should be, least that is the plan. Need to take it for a drive with a passenger on a rough road just to be certain.

Tom, those that CB sell as well as others are the "brand x" type with a speed rating of about 75 miles per hour. I am trying to get something with a speed rating of 100+ but I don't need racing grade tires.....just a good steet tire that will take 125 mph from time to time....

Jim, there should be no problem finding a rough road around Houston after the rains this week. Wish I could get a ride in your car this weekend but I am going to the last UH football game this year. I have 2 extra free tickets if you (or anyone else near Houston) want to see #11 Louisville Sat afternoon.

A little further info. For a "T" rated tire, like the ones discussed above, the tire manufactuer's recommend running additional pressure in the tire for speeds over 100 mph. For example:

Speed (mph) Additional pressure (psig)
100 0
106 1
112 2
118 3
On my '69 911s there was a sticker in the engine compartment that listed tire pressures for normal and high speed driving.
So, if you plan to fly, add a little air.

George,

good to hear from you, appreciate the thought on the game tickets, but we have been out of town for the last week and a half or so.... and you are certainly welcome to a ride anytime. I recommend the ride as soon as your schedule allows. Weather is not real good at the moment, now that fall has officially and finally arrived. But, I will be back in the car and on the road as soon as the rain stops.