With wheels and tyres getting ever larger in diameter and broader of width, you’d be forgiven for thinking that getting four new tyres for a classic car could be tricky. After all, while a 185/70/R14 would once have been quite a racy tyre, it’s a size that looks a little on the small side even for a supermini these days.
Thankfully, tyres like the Falken Sincera SN110 give owners of historic cars an affordable option that’s a massive upgrade on the original items. While they are unashamedly eco-biased, advances in rubber compounds, tread patterns and other tyre tech can improve braking performance, increase cornering grip, and even improve efficiency.
Sure, they won’t give the retro look a set of Pirelli Cinturatos, for instance, would give, but then they cost an awful lot less. For the purposes of this test, we’re replacing four rather perished Avon ZT5s on a 1977 Reliant Scimitar GTE. To be fair they’d performed well enough, but a year or so’s inactivity due to relocating from Sussex to Norfolk led to cracks appearing and me questioning the tyres’ safety.
With the new rubber on, our Scimitar unsurprisingly felt a lot more surefooted. Turn in is crisper, there are plenty of messages being telegraphed through the steering wheel, and there’s a lot more dry weather grip than your average classic motorist is ever likely to call upon. As for braking, you really have to stamp on the middle pedal to get the wheels to lock.
Despite the improved performance, there’s still a reasonable amount of compliance. Eco tyres often have stiffer sidewalls to reduce rolling resistance which can hurt ride comfort, especially on a classic with generous sidewalls. While the Scimitar does feel slightly less supple over road imperfections, it doesn’t ruin the character of the car and is a trade-off that’s welcome given the improved performance.
We were only briefly able to test the tyres in the rain, finding them to be confidence inspiring and predictable should you push a little too hard. Sadly, further testing was curtailed when the Reliant’s old Ford V6 decided to develop a worrying knock with smoke on the overrun. As is often the way with classics, one step forwards, two steps back….
Verdict: Well-priced tyres that perform well especially in the dry. A great upgrade for your classic
Score: 4/5
Pros
- Affordable price
- Good range of sizes
- Impressive performance
Cons
- Slightly firmer ride than original tyres
- Modern tread pattern looks a little out of place on a classic
What’s good?
Although designed with compact hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf in mind, the Sincera’s sizes work well for many classics, too. This gives a more cost-effective alternative to some of the rather pricey classic tyres, while the modern tread pattern boosts performance, too.
Sourcing a set is easy enough thanks to plenty of stockists, and they’re well-priced compared to many big names, too. Yes, you can buy even cheaper tyres, but they’re unlikely to perform as well.
What’s okay?
While I didn’t have any issues with the wet weather performance, independent testing by the ADAC in Germany showed there were better alternatives out there. However, taking into account dry weather performance, noise, handling and feel, they still reported the Sincera was a recommendable tyre.
Any negatives?
The only real negative I could come up with is a very classic-specific issue. Although the Sincera looks right at home on a modern hatchback, the sidewall design and tread pattern can look a little out of place on a classic car. Whilst I’m more concerned with how they perform, those with an eye for detail may see this as a problem.
More items to consider
Who tested it?
Alan Taylor-Jones is the New Cars Editor for the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, working on both Parkers and sister title CAR. He’s been reviewing cars for nearly a decade, so really knows his automotive onions. This driving experience also means he’s the perfect person to properly test tyres.
How it was tested?
These tyres were fitted to a 1977 Reliant Scimitar GTE for this test. Replacing an aged set of Avon tyres, the Falkens were assessed for their road holding abilities, road noise and braking abilities. Unfortunately, engine troubles prevented proper testing in wet conditions.
Alan Taylor-Jones is the New Cars Editor for the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, working on both Parkers and sister title CAR. When not driving the latest cars you can find him fixing his Reliant Scimitar or playing with Tamiya RC cars.
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