Radial tyres for R-types

Sir,

Two years ago I bought a rebuilt standard Mk VI (LH series) Bentley which to my surprise had Michelin ” X ” tyres. John Walker said he had fitted them to a number of Mk VI and R-type cars with satisfactory results. Since he has now moved from the Kings Road (that S bend by Park Walk will never be the same again alas!) I cannot refer Ian Ryall to him; I’m sure J.W. could provide a great deal of information on this need, once contacted.

The “Xs” have been utterly satisfactory. My normal car usage is for speedy long-distance transport—London-North—and the tyres have done some 17,000 miles. They are very heavy for parking— the only disadvantage—which is only noticed in town use, but lighten up at once when on the move. They have worn well, and are excellent in the wet and snow. Other Mk VI and R-types I have driven with non-radial-ply tyres handle less well than my own.

Punctures? I ran over a nail in Redhill after I’d had the car a month. The tube was replaced by a Kenning Group garage to whom I felt great loyalty (they stocked tubes for my old Royce). They put in, however, a non-radial tube. A further ” nail ” in Richmond a week later was replaced similarly, bringing the first repaired one into use. The tube, unable to stand the flexion, ” went ” after 200 miles, and the other repaired one deflated outside the house.

I was then recommended to the Greyhound Tyre Co., Fulham, who removed all the covers, checked up and sorted things out properly. It is well, therefore, to ensure tyres and tubes do match each other: I’ve had no trouble since.

The only way of improvement seems to he to get a set of XAS Michelins, which I would much like to do, but there’s still a lot of running on the old ‘uns. If anyone would care to do an exchange . . ?

Disclaimers as usual of course.

Putney, S.W.15. Richard Brown.