What is the 1970 911T "Dunlop Tires" Option?

[RobFrost]

My COA says "Dunlop Tires" option was specified on my USA 1970 911T. It seems obvious this means the car was shipped with Dunlop Tyres. But does anyone know if it has any significance, such as low profile / tyre width / comfort etc.? Or is it simply a different brand, same spec?

[911hillclimber]

Dunlop make the excellent Blu Response Sport tyres in almost the right size for our car's wheels, I like mine for normal road driving.

[RobFrost]

Dunlop make the excellent Blu Response Sport tyres in almost the right size for our car's wheels, I like mine for normal road driving.

Good to know - I was thinking of replacing the tyres, as I know nothing of their history - so I might try those BlueResponse. Out of interest, what size do you use on the road? Stock I believe (on my T) is 185/70 R15. Currently it has 205/65 R15 on it. I'm inclined to go as wide as I can fit, at least on the back, to account for all the weight back there and to mitigate the oversteer but I don't know what 1971 wheel arches will take.

[911hillclimber]

I have 195 65 15 on my 7" cookies all round, 1973 T coup shell.
This gives correct outside diameter for correct speedo reading/road seed, useful passing through speed cameras...

Rears are tight to the lip on the arch. Size for 6" rims would be 185, but may have only one profile choice, you need to check.
They are 'cheap' too, around £70 each, right speed rating and A listed for wet weather grip.

Car drives and steers like a 911 should.

[RobFrost]

Thanks. The 205/65 rub at the front on full lock. They're 8mm greater diameter and 20mm wider I believe than stock. But I seem to have more room than you. Your suspension looks lowered compared with mine. But then I can see you have S trim so maybe that changes something. But that's not your hill climbing 911, right?

It says here some 1973 models had 215/60 on the rear which suggests yours would accommodate wider.

[911hillclimber]

Yes, my old hillclimb car, now long retired.
I used to have Kumho 205 x 50 x 15 all round and the car the same ride height for the hills, fabulous and hard.
For the road today and rough surfaces the tall profile helps smooth things out a lot.

The car is lowered, set so the font lower A arms are level and the rest dialled in from there to the back.

[BILLY BEAN]

My COA says "Dunlop Tires" option was specified on my USA 1970 911T. It seems obvious this means the car was shipped with Dunlop Tyres. But does anyone know if it has any significance, such as low profile / tyre width / comfort etc.? Or is it simply a different brand, same spec?

You don't actually state the rim width or wheel type.

[RobFrost]

My COA says "Dunlop Tires" option was specified on my USA 1970 911T. It seems obvious this means the car was shipped with Dunlop Tyres. But does anyone know if it has any significance, such as low profile / tyre width / comfort etc.? Or is it simply a different brand, same spec?

You don't actually state the rim width or wheel type.

I quote verbatim from the COA in its entirety: "Dunlop Tires".
Standard for a 1970T was 185/70 R15 and i have no idea what comfort option spec was.

[domtoni]

Like Hillclimber, I"ve got Dunlop Blue Response 195/65/15 on my 911E, fit perfectly. My car was equipped with 185x14s. Tyres are perfect.

[BILLY BEAN]

If your 1970 T has it's original 15" diameter wheels they are likely to be 6" rim width. Consequently, as stated above 185 x70 would be the original tire aspect ratio. I run
185/ 70 x15" Michelin XWX on 6" wide Fuchs on my 1970 S. They are an excellent tire but are pricey. They look like original equipment tires but have modern tire construction and compounds. CN 36s are another good quality option but again are not cheap. Vredestein make the same tire size at a more reasonable price in their Classic series. Many on DDK will have a favourite tire. Some run different aspect ratios to squeeze a wider tire under the arches. A wider tire does not necessarily give better road holding or outright grip. Tire compound also plays an important part. A 1970 911 equipped with 15 x 6 wheels was designed to ride on 185/70s.
As an aside, comfort specification, mentioned elsewhere included usually 14" diameter wheels.

Have a look at Longstone and/or Vintage Tire websites.

[911hillclimber]

Indeed, tyre questions are like 'what is the best oil to use' questions.
I like the Dunlops as they work for me and my cruising days in the 911 usually with the wife, so always sedate.
Doubt I would like to hillclimb on them, but that is a totally different game which I did for 12 years in my 911 with 5 different brands of tyre, one brand was terrific, others less so.(imho)

The Dunlops are a good price, around £70 each and suit me. I don't blast about on public roads, so they are fine. They are easy to get, not a specialised tyre too.
I also have my 3rd set on my tow car, I trust them so I'm happy of course, and so sound like a Dunlop salesman!

I just mentioned them because your car had Dunlops originally, and you can do that today.

[RobFrost]

Yes, my old hillclimb car, now long retired.
I used to have Kumho 205 x 50 x 15 all round and the car the same ride height for the hills, fabulous and hard.
For the road today and rough surfaces the tall profile helps smooth things out a lot.

The car is lowered, set so the font lower A arms are level and the rest dialled in from there to the back.

I stumbled upon some info among the many helpful links provided... It turns out USA cars (which mine is) were set up to ride higher than ROW cars, to ensure bumpers were high enough to comply with their regulations. So that explains why mine looks so high in comparison.

[domtoni]

Yes, my old hillclimb car, now long retired.
I used to have Kumho 205 x 50 x 15 all round and the car the same ride height for the hills, fabulous and hard.
For the road today and rough surfaces the tall profile helps smooth things out a lot.

The car is lowered, set so the font lower A arms are level and the rest dialled in from there to the back.

I stumbled upon some info among the many helpful links provided... It turns out USA cars (which mine is) were set up to ride higher than ROW cars, to ensure bumpers were high enough to comply with their regulations. So that explains why mine looks so high in comparison.

True, I bought my car in Chicago in 1975, brought it here in 2000. It was high, but the car has been lowered to EU specs. Pretty easy to do.