Tyre help needed please!

[A216PWU]

Hi!

I need some help on the tyre front.

The model is a Tamiya 1/24 Porsche 959 street.

The kit comes with Dunlop tyres; I want to swap these for Michelin Pilot Sport (Front 235/45R17";Rear 275/35R17") tyres. I need these tyres to be real street, rather than sanding and applying a decal.

Do you know how I can source these tyres that fit the 959 rims well?
Do you know of another kit I could buy just to nick the tyres!

Any help will be gratefully appreciated.

Cheers,

Matt,
England

[Verminator]

Why so specific about the tyres?

[willimo]

Why not? No clue, though, buddy. Don't worry about the size, exactly, rubber tires can easily be stretched to fit around rims that are "too big."

[A216PWU]

Hi there!

willimo...ty for your advice. Much appreciated. This one's doing my head in!

Verminator...it's a custom build that requires specific mods to make it such...I feel the tyres play a large part in this...your input, and all others is very welcome,ty.

Please help me with the tyres !

Matt

[hirofkd]

hmmm, this is a tough one, indeed. I don't know any Michelin Pilot for the street use. (the 911 GT1 has decals, but the tires are slick.)

I know that Revell USA's Viper and Diablo has Michelin, but it's XGT Z, the size is different, and the mold is very poor.

As a side note, the D40 in the kit was certified by Porsche, when the kit was licensed to Tamiya, so it's (half) accurate. Later, it was decided that 135 out of 250 cars were fitted with Bridgestone RE71 F:235/45VR17, R:255/40VR17. So, RE71 is also a correct brand. Michelin is probably compatible (and probably better because it's newer) with the D40 and RE71 tires.
Bridgestone obtained more than 20 new patents when they developed this tire, and it would have cost $20,000 per tire, if the development cost was passed onto the consumer. (i.e. Bridgestone didn't make any profit from this tire, but the technologies were later adapted to other Bridgestone tires.)

[tpliquid]

what abuot the nissan 350Z kit by tamiya?

[A216PWU]

Hi!

Hiro...ty for posting...fascinating stuff. I'm building a bespoke item that requires Michelins, but I appreciate your thoroughness

Liq...seems like I have a bit of box bashing to do! Ty for the post.

Someone out there must have a model with 1/24 Michelin Pilot Sports Please post.

Matt

[freakray]

Matt,

This is the second forum I have seen you post this on, so you seem pretty determined to find these tires.

I hate to tell you this but not every tire produced is available in scale, as nice as it would be if it were.

Why don't you post a photo of the tire you're looking for so we can see the tread pattern and also give the sizes of the tires in the kit that you need to match.

And lastly, your request honestly belongs in the CLASSIFIEDS THREAD, that's what it's there for.

[A216PWU]

Hi Monkey Boy!

Thanks for your interest. Boy, you get around!

Here's that picture ...no tread pattern, I'm more interested in the sidewall..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...nepa9594_G.jpg

Thanks for all your advice, Monkey Boy, and please bear with all of us new-posters - we need your encouragement.

Matt

[Kurzheck]

Nobody makes a Pilot sport in 1/24. Kurzheck

[hirofkd]

> tpliquid
You're right. I have the kit on my desk, and totally slipped out of my mind. Tamiya's 350Z does have Michelin Pilot Sport.

The inner diameter of the Michelin in the 350Z kit is 20 mm, and, the front tire is mean to fit a 21 mm dia. and 12 mm wide wheel, while the rear tire goes with a 21 mm dia. and 13 mm wide wheel. The 959 wheels are probably wider, but those Michelins seem to be the most practical option.

[A216PWU]

Hi!

Thanks for posting all.

Looks like I'll have to become a 350Z owner!

Wheels will probably need rejigging to fit?

Matt

[freakray]

Originally Posted by A216PWU

Hi Monkey Boy!

Thanks for your interest. Boy, you get around!

Here's that picture ...no tread pattern, I'm more interested in the sidewall..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...nepa9594_G.jpg

Thanks for all your advice, Monkey Boy, and please bear with all of us new-posters - we need your encouragement.

Matt

My name is Ray, my screen name is freakray.

I gave you some friendly advice, you gave me disrespect.
My next piece of advice to you is to back up and re-evaluate how long you'd like to be a member here.

[hirofkd]

> Ray
You don't understand the meaning of this thread, do you?

1) This thread doesn't belong to the classified section, because it's nothing to do with buy, sell or trade. This is purely exchange of information, which will benefit other members.

2) The Michelin on the 959 has a special meaning, especially in the US. The 959 was only legalized in the US last year, and the US model has received mummeries upgrades, including the wheels and tires. The rear wheel was re-machined to fit the 275/35R17, as opposed to the 255/40R17 D40 or RE71 of the original 959, and for the accuracy's sake, you need the Michelin.

I, myself, is a tire fanatic, the brand and size issue play a major role in car modeling, so are many other picky modelers out there.

Also, if a certain threat seems to posted in a wrong forum, let the moderators do their job. That's what they are for.

[A216PWU]

Hi!

You're exactly right, Hiro. I've always found this forum friendly and hugely informative. Advice and encouragement help all of us make better models, and sustain this community. And you're spot on about the tyre upgrade. Geeez, you know your tyres!

Thanks for the input,

Matt