The 100 Forum

Hello,

Having acquired a set of wheels for reconditioning I am turning my attention to the tyres. Longstone recommend the 180HR15 Michelin XAS for Healey's and I curious to know if anybody has any experience on them on a 100?

I am very keen to have the correct diameter of tyre so that the look is right. I'd have no objection to using an original type of tyre which I believe the 590H15 Avon Turbospeed is an example of as I am unlikely to be pushing the car to any of its handling limits.

The diameter measurements of both tyres differ and I'm keen to know if they both fit in the spare wheel slot behind the drivers seat?

Basically, I don't want to spend the best part of £1000 without being sure I have the best option for the car, any advice / thoughts?

Hi
I som not have any experience with the Healey 100. But I cam tell you that the handling of my car improved dramaticaly when I changed from Avon turbosteel to Michelin XAS.
The Avon tyres where spongy and on the freeway
the car had very poor directional stability.
Now the car responds perfect. Best money I have spent on the car
Andreas Agger
Denmark

Steve,

I did a lot of research on Longstone's recommendation of using 180HR15 Michelin XAS for Healey's. In the end I got mixed reviews from others regarding the fit, and I used 165HR15 Michelin XAS tires instead, and after all, this is the original size radial used on the 100s. I have not driven the car with these as of this time, however most folks I've talked to love the 165SR15 Michelin XZX tires and the XAS tires get even better reviews with regard to handling.

Curt
AH Concours Registry
Carlsbad, CA
'55 BN1, '60 AN5 :{)

Steve,

It's good to keep the car as original as possible, but some things due to advancements in safety and technology should be upgraded, one of those things is tires. I have a set of the XZXs they look better, they handle better, and they're safer. As far as I'm concerned bias ply is for the concourse guys who don't drive their cars very much.

My 100 had the original 48 spoke wheels on it when I purchased it in 1987.
I took it out to a couple of race circuits in the first couple of weeks I had it and it broke spokes.
Had 5in X 15in wheels made up using Volvo rims and 60 spokes, fitted them with Michelin XAS tires......Best thing I ever did, plus a thicker sway bar on the front to stop it being tail happy.

Dear Howard.

What diameter is the replaced sway bar, at the moment i am also thinking of replacing the original bar.
And do you have to make adjustments to the fixing points?

Sorry, can't remember the dia. of the sway bar I put on it.....Too long ago, but maybe twice the dia. of the original.
It just went straight on with new bushes after the old skinny one was off. Hope that helps. It did make a huge difference to the handling.

Howard,

Thanks for your repley, i will install a 3/4' Anti roll bar according the cataloge of AH spares this will fit the 100/4

The XzX's are a good tire but no longer come in the previously-available 175 dimension which I prefer on my car--a later 100. I replaced them with a set of 180 XAS's and can say wonderful things about the tires. They fit the wheel openings of my 100 perfectly and due to their slightly increased diameter provide just a bit more ground clearance, always a good thing on a Healey. They track well and feel good on both wet and dry pavement. Yes, they are expensive, but for a car that is driven I think they are a great choice.

Best--Michael Oritt

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Best--Michael Oritt
1954 Austin-Healey 100 (street)
1959 Elva MK IV sports racer (track)
1961 Ginetta G4 (track)