Standing in front of this truckload of Pirelli tyres is Dougal Cawley of Longstone Tyres. When he mailed us this photo our first thought was he going to qualify for the next issue of the well-known Pirelli calendar. But no, he just wanted to tell us that the celebrated Pirelli Cinturato tyre for fifties and sixties cars is now available through Longstone tyres. Pirelli started producing tyres in the late nineteenth century and the Pirelli Cinturato, first introduced in the 1950's, was the first example of a textile cord braced radial tyre. This tyre not only combined unprecedented grip with high-speed capabilities, it also gave a supremely comfortable ride. Not surprisingly, the Pirelli Cinturato soon became standard equipment on many of the great Italian marques of the era, including Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini. But they are also very suitable for lots of other sports cars. For instance the Cinturato 185VR16 is the perfect radial alternative for any car fitted with 575X16 or 600X16 cross ply. It has the correct diameter but unlike other radial tyres doesn’t have a massively wide tread pattern making the steering unpleasantly heavy. The 165HR400 will fit Citroën Traction Avant, Lancia Aurelia, Flamina and 50's Alfa's; 155SR15 serves the MGA, TR2's and 3's and Peugeot 403/404. Why not check for yourself at Longstone Tyres. Oh, and by the way, Dougal, we hope you don’t mind us thinking you won’t qualify for the calendar?

January 2, 2008