Javelin tyres- Radials v Cross Ply

[paul wilks]

I know that this was aired about 4 years ago but looking round the Javelins at the rally got me to thinking. Most Javelins seemed to be fitted with 5.25 x 16 cross ply. More Jupiters than Javelins were fitted with radials. I spoke to Doug Rawson whose Javelin is fitted with Taxicord 175 x 16. He told me he sources them from a tyre place which provide taxis with tyres (makes sense!) He said they cost £35 each! My concern has always been clearance at the rear wheel arch, although Doug said he had never suffered any problem.
What are other owners' experiences with radials? Any particular type to go for given limited mileage? (I realise that there is different rating on tyres and the designation 175 x 16 is too simplistic) How do the Taxicords shape up in comparison to the cross plies? Are radials preferable to cross ply or are there any downsides?

Thanks for your forbearance.

Paul

[george garside]

I never had any clearance problems with taxicords , or with 600x16 firestone town & country tyres on Javs.

george

[TedAllen]

Hi Paul,

Hope all is well with you and the family.

I've always been a cross=ply man for the Javelin. I've never had any roadholding worries or scares. I'm not driving fast or over distances nowadays.
It's just my opinion but i think the car looks better on skinnier wheels.
Probably biased 'cos i've got enough in stock to see me out. new, about £80 when i last checked on line.

Regards
Ted.

[chapman]

I like crossply tyres for Javelins as it makes them easier to steer at low speed and aids parking, I got good ones from JCC spares at about £80 each .
However I have just changed my Jupiter onto radials for Jupitour and the difference is amazing on roadholding, these came from Bawtry and they are genuine Michelin X but they were about £120 each and I had to buy inner tubes as well so fairly expensive but they are 550x16 not 175s so they do fit in the spare locker which taxi tyres don't.
the supplier was Longstone Tyres Tel 01302 711123
sales@longstonetyres.co.uk

[TedAllen]

Longstone for the cross plys as well.

Ted

[paul wilks]

Thanks chaps. It looks like I'll stick to cross plies then! Ted, family are all well, thanks. My Javelin is about to travel to garage in Congleton (as mentioned by Tim Brown in Jowetteer) for 'fettling' to get her running again. Thirty years off the road is just too long especially when you still can't sort the same problem you first came up with!

Paul

[Keith Andrews]

I've never had any roadholding worries or scares.

This was an iddue of many 60s cars going to radials, minis hilmans, chev etc
Due to the softer more flexable walls of the radials higher pressures where required ..between 38 and 45 lbs
Also a change of wheel alignments in the caster and camber.