"Hi Enrico,

I have written some editorial about Pirelli’s Cinturato tyres that were original equipment on Maserati in the 50’s and 60’s.

Pirelli Cinturato

In the early Fifties the world of Sports cars was rocked by the introduction of the Pirelli Cinturato. The Cinturato moved boundaries forward as to what could be expected of a tyre as, until then the ‘Michelin X’ had been the only radial tyre. Michelin developed the ‘X’ to enhance tyre longevity using their new radial technology which considerably improved grip. Pirelli tailored this new technology to suit sports cars by developing the Cinturato which are more progressive.

It was because of this new progressive radial technology that many of the World’s best cars fitted Cinturato as original equipment; Lancia, MG, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Morgan, Maserati and Lamborghini to name but a few.

The Pirelli Cinturato brand is thriving today with a range of sizes in the CA67 tread-pattern (155HR15, 165HR400, 185VR15 and 185VR16).

The 185VR16 Cinturato CA67 tyre is of particular importance early Maserati fans as it was the factory fitment for cars such as the 3500GT and the early Sebring and Mistral cars. Although earlier A6GCS cars might not have left the factory on the Cinturato because they were too early they are the ideal tyres for road and rally use with these cars. The last batch of these tyres has just run out and they will be back in production in June this year.

Throughout the 60’s a lot of the world’s best cars (Ferrari 330, 500 Superfast, 365; ISO Rivolta and Grifo, Lamborghini 350 GT, 400 GT, Islero , Espada). Maserati also chose to use it for their range of cars. So in 1968 the Mistral changed to 15” wheels and the Sebring changed in 1969, both fitting the 205VR15 Cinturato fitting the same tyres as the 5000GT and Quatro Porte. Through the end of the 60’s all the new cars like the Mexico and Ghibli all fitted the 205VR15 Cinturato. It wasn’t until the introduction of the Bora that Maserati started to use 70% profile tyres, because the simply weren’t around till the early 70’s.

This 205VR15 Pirelli Cinturato has not been available for Some considerable time now. It was at the end of the 60’s that the development of the 70 profile tyre happened, but for some time now all these cars have been forced to fit more modern tyres, which although they handle well are smaller in diameter. Which is why often when you look at these cars from the side the wheel arches look a little empty. For instance if your car fits a 205/70VR15 tyre instead of the original 205VR15 tyre, you are going to find it 4cm (nearly 2 inches) smaller in diameter.

This 205VR15 tyre has just been remanufactured by Pirelli using Pirelli’s clever new up to date compounds to make sure we get excellent grip and all the tests have given excellent results.

Dougal.

Available from Longstone Tyres.

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Tel:00 44 1302 711123.

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