"Hi,

I have some editorial about the Pirelli Cinturato tyres that we stock. I have new stocks of the 185VR16 CA67 tyres which has prompted me to send it to you. I wasn’t sure who to send it to, but a mention of these tyres in your magazines and/or on your web site would be a great help.

It was exciting to see those fantastic Tipo 26 cars for sale recently. I can’t think of a car I would rather have.

Regards,

Dougal."

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, 165HR14, 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 3500 GT and the early Sebring and Mistral cars. Although earlier cars like the A6GCS may not have left the factory on the Cinturato because they were too early and fitted cross ply, they are the ideal tyres for road and rally use with these cars. A new batch of these tyres has been produced in 2012 and production for the future look secure.

In 1964 Pirelli developed a new bigger tyre; the 205VR15 CN72 Cinturato HS. a lot of the world’s best cars such as Ferrari 330, 500 Superfast, 365; ISO Rivolta and Grifo, Lamborghini 350 GT, 400 GT, Islero , Espada and of course Maserati also chose to use it for their range of cars. In 1964 the Maserati range of cars started to use 15” Borrani wheels. The Quatroporte and 5000GT came with the 205VR15 Cinturato. Cars such as the Mistral and Sebring changed to 15” wheels in the mid 60’s both fitting the 205VR15 Cinturato. By the end of the 60’s the whole range of Maserati road cars were fitting 205VR15 CN72 Cinturato HS. Until the introduction of the Indy on 14” wheels. It wasn’t until the introduction of the Bora that Maserati started to use 70% profile tyres, because 70% profile tyres weren’t around until 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. Throughout the 70’s Maserati’s range of cars moved on to 70% profile tyres predominantly the 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX, which is a fabulous tyre for a 70’s car, but not right for the 60’s.

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.

For more information about these tyres contact 00 44 (0)1302 711123 info@longstonetyres.co.uk.

You can buy these tyres online from www.longstone.com with free carriage.