Tyre size range for Sunburst Alloys
 

Ive a set of Sunburst alloy rims I’m thinking of fitting to my ‘89 Volvo saloon - which is currently fitted with 175/70/R14. tyres.

I’d ideally like to keep to 70 profile, but would be interested to know what tyre size was originally fitted to these alloys…and what width I can reasonably extend to (185-195?) without any modification to the bodywork.

Many thanks.

With those tyres your car is seriously under-geared, so acceleration will be better but fuel economy and engine noise worse as the car will be pulling more revs for any given road speed: they equate to a 155/80/14 and not a 175/80/14 which is what a 240 saloon should have. The estates usually ran 185/80/14s

You could fit 195/70s if you really want lower-profile tyres; the 15" on the GLT's Virgo alloys ran 195/65 rubber so there probably wouldn't be an issue with the 195/70/14.

What marvellous knowledge again Alf, and what good advice.

I run the RB with 195/65R15 tyres (on both the Virgo and Pholus wheels) and that is a very good solution - they don't look too low profile but give good grip without being too noisy.

As you suggest, 195/70R14 tyres would probably be a good solution and give about the same rolling diameter with no clearance issues on the OP's motor car.

Alan

Thanks Loki. Btw, I used to own a ‘71 FD Victor 2000SL. Loved that car. So much torque from the slant 4. It’s was fitted from new with a 3 speed column change (still an option - probably elderly original owner). Tyres were original Michelin X. They were very old and would screech like those on a ‘70s American cop show going around a corner above 30 miles an hour. Needed changing of course, but they hadn’t cracked and were so much fun!

Back to my 240. I suddenly had a brain waive to dig out the ‘89 handbook (normally my cars are so original I can simply look at what the car is currently fitted with). Anyhow, the handbook lists the following for a saloon:

175 R14
185/70 R14
195/60 R15

My car is currently fitted with Volvo turbine wheels (as I call them - as fitted to GT export models and GLEs for a time in the UK) and wearing 175/70 R14 as I mentioned.
Will need to decide whether to change over to the Sunbursts I have or stick with the turbine wheels with new tyres.

Thanks for the help. It kick started further investigation on my part.

Many thanks Othen. Very useful as the picture appears to cover all the models/wheel types.

I have an Owner's Handbook for the early, i.e. first year's production run, 242/244/245 (printed in August 1975) that quotes 165 R 14 for the 242 and 244 Luxe, 175 R 14 for the de Luxe saloons and 185/70 R 14 for the Grand Luxe saloons; the 245 Luxe and de Luxe get 185 R 14s.
Presumably the de Luxe is the later 24xDL and the Grand Lux (why no "e" on the end of Grand?) metamorphosed into the 24xGL? And, given the relatively low specification of the DL, what spec was the L/Luxe - vinyl upholstery perhaps?

Presumably because lux is masculine, whereas luxe is feminine?

70 series tyres are hard to find and proper ones are expensive. Don't be tempted by van tyres.
If the Sunbursts are 15" 195/65 is a good suggestion.

Thanks Derek.