Dear MMM Guys,
I've only recently signed on to this list but haven't seen much
activity. How many MMM enthusiasts are on this list? Is this mostly US or
worldwide.
Many of you are likely aware of my own interest in these great cars.
Somehow it's a great diversion from the MG range covered by Moss Motors and
makes the hunt for needed spares etc that much more interesting than to
simply picking something off the shelf and waving it at the invoice guy on
the way out the door.
My L2 (#002) restoration is well along with fully restored coachwork
and most body fittings restored as well. The engine is the next major
challenge.
Many of you have likely seen the following article that I wrote for the
NAMMM Register. I now have orders for a fair number of tires and must place
my final order by February 1st. Anyone out there who is undecided should
give this some serious thought. I can be reached by return e-mail, or by
phone at home.
Cheers,
Chris Nowlan
Product Development Manager
Moss Motors, Ltd.
(805) 681-3400 x3212
(805) 692-2510 - Fax
nowlanc@mossmotors.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Nowlan [mailto:cnowlan@home.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 7:59 PM
To: Chris Nowlan
Subject: Fw: Tire review 400 X 19
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Nowlan <mailto:cnowlan@home.com>
To: Chris Nowlan <mailto:cnowlan@mossmotors.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 5:52 PM
Subject: Tire review 400 X 19
Triple Stud Tire Review
By Chris Nowlan
Since true vintage style triple stud tires were superceded by
Dunlop in 1935, I was thrilled to be able to fit a brand new set of 4.00 X
19" tires to my trusty '33 swept wing J2. This came about due to a
friendship with Derrick Freathley, MD of Concour Tyre & Rubber Co. in the
UK.
As it happens, Derek, an ex Dunlop Racing product manager, was
interested in expanding his vintage inner tube and rim band business into a
full line of vintage tires and was looking for suggestions for his first
foray into the vintage tire business. I have long thought that our MMM cars
look inappropriate in TC "highway tread" Dunlop tires, great for a TC, but
not "period" for MMM cars. I suggested the 4.00 X 19 tires which are
appropriate for virtually all 4 cyl MMM cars. The recent choices are as
follows:
Avon 4.00 X 19, a nice tire with a prewar style tread, slightly small in
appearance with a rounded tread, making it more of a motorcyle or at least a
motorcyle side car tire. These have been the most popular option for
earlier cars.
Dunlop 4.00 X 19 "highway tread" is a recent welcome addition to the vintage
Dunlop line and supplements the old 3.50/4.00 tire which is really a 3.50
and looks altogether anemic on anything other than an M type. Since the
tread is the same as the "TC" Dunlops, they look a bit modern for my taste.
These are nonetheless good tires with predictable handling characteristics.
These would be fine for the less discerning purist and have been popular for
P-types.
Dunlop 4.00 X 19 "Trials Universal". Until recently, these were fitted to
my J2 and have only been produced periodically in recent years. The tread
is an aggressive vintage 5 stud trials pattern, quite rounded, so once
again, more of a motorcycle tire. I enjoyed wearing out my set as it was
lots of fun tossing it into the turns, while experiencing considerable
oversteer. The lack of sideways traction and controlled tailwagging, made
me feel like Tazio Nuvolari as I terrorized the back roads at 30 MPH! This
also gave me confidence in the strength of my wheels which I've never
really felt behind the wheel of my TC. These were great fun but not the
tires for serious driving on road or track.
The brand new "Concours Classico" 4.00 X19 tires are absolute clones
(except for the name) of the original triple stud "Dunlop Fort" tires fitted
to all 4 cylinder non racing and F-type MMM cars. These are a true
automotive semi-flat tread tire and the sidewalls are very cleanly molded
which will delight the Concour D'elegance enthusiast. I mounted a set in
early November and have been most pleased with the performance. The tires
run far more silently than the old "trials" tires. Sideways traction is
vastly improved, which considerably quickens my "lap times" through my
regular road course. I found it difficult but not impossible to break away
the rear end which will give me more respect for my fragile original wire
wheels. They track smooth and true on the freeway at 65 in spite of not
being balanced. I did not have an opportunity to run them on a grooved road
surface which is usually a challenge for cart sprung cars. Mike Dowley is
currently evaluating a set in the UK and I strongly suspect he will be
favorably impressed with these tires for vintage racing and club events. I
can heartily recommend these without hesitation.
The tires will retail in the UK for approximately seventy two pounds and
should be available from all the usual outlets. Since shipping & customs
from the UK is always a hassle and no other US outlet has stepped up to the
plate, I am pleased to offer these as a sideline to my sideline business (
when I'm not at Moss Motors) This may be a one time offer but at this point
all orders received before February 1st will be added to a single order to
be shipped from the UK as soon as initial stocks are received in approx. mid
February , 2001 ( some slippage is certainly possible) My retail, dealer,
and distributor price is $149.50 ea! FOB Santa Barbara Ca. Domestic
shipping costs are reasonable and will be advised upon receipt of order.
Checks should be made out to "Applied Manufacturing Resources, Inc. and
sent to my worldwide corporate headquarters at 1475 Crestline Drive, Santa
Barbara Ca. 93105. I can be reached evenings and weekends at 805-569-0934.
British Cars Web: http://www.team.net/sol
MMM list subscription info: http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
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