Canadian source for tires?

[Digger89L]

Any of the Canadian members aware of a reasonable price source for 165-80-15 tires in Canada? Most of the online tire sellers that claim to be "Canadian" seem to actually be U.S. retailers with a Canadian web address ...and they all insist on tacking on import duties and fees. The Kumho Powerstar 758 (black wall) is the one that comes up most often when searching the tire seller's sites ....priced at around $67 ...PLUS import duties of $40 per tire. (the actual import duty is only about 7%, so we know that $40 is absolutely the wrong number!!). I'm not looking for performance tires, or even long-wearing tires. White walls would be nice. My 66 is not going to see a LOT of miles once I get it restored ....the odd spin around town, and perhaps to a local "show and shine" event once or twice a year.

[Digger89L]

Since originally posting this topic, I have re-searched a couple of the Canadian sites offering classic VW parts, and found a couple that indeed do offer classic-sized tires as well ...however not really at "classic" prices. CIP1's Nankang tire at about $72 per (including shipping) is the best price I've found ...and I guess that's not really that bad. Not a white wall, though. Anyone found a better deal? Anyone had any experience with these Chinese-made tires?

[hercdriver]

I had all four tires and spare replaced with Nankooks in May. I really like the way they ride. They're hard to tell from a distance between the original bias ply tires. I'm not worried about the white walls either. I don't believe they original to the 1966 model.

On a side note, they are slightly larger than the bias ply. I had to let some of the air out of the spare to get it in place.

[Digger89L]

So, what are you paying for tires (those Hankooks) down in Pennsylvania?
I notice a lot of the photos in original VW brochures from 66 show some cars with, and some without, whitewalls. I'm assuming those "with" are the "deluxe" models. I know the 3 year old "deluxe" 1966 VW that I bought in 1969 had whitewalls on it. I think they look a little better with the "thin" whitewalls rather than with the "fat" whitewall inserts that I see some places selling. It's a personal preference thing, I know.[/url]

[Blue Baron]

Canadian source for tires?

How about Canadian Tire?

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I'm having a bit of a love affair right now with the Classic All Season 165/80R15 tires on my Seasand '66. These have more of a tall, skinny look to them than most of the other 165 radials around, which look chunky on a stock wheel.

For narrow whitewalls I still like the Goodrich 165s from Coker, but they're expensive.

[Digger89L]

Yeah ....Canadian Tire ...good one. Actually, you have to look pretty hard to find tires at a Canadian Tire store. It's more kind of a combination Walmart-Home Depot, rather than strictly a tire store. Lots of good deals on tools, and stuff though. First place I checked, actually. They don't carry any tire sizes that even come close to 165-80-15. Guy suggested 165-60-15's as an alternative. Those would sit the car about 2 inches lower than the "right" size. Would that be problem???

[Blue Baron]

Yes. Besides looking like little rolling donuts and throwing off your speedometer it would kill your top speed on the highway.