Another Tire Question

Semi-Intelligent · July 8th, 2009

I've always used radial tires on my VW Bugs and Karmann Ghia. The Karmann Ghia is a HPOF certified very original 1963 coupe. It was purchased by the original owner, I'm owner number 2 since 1984, at the Karmann Coachworks, Osnabruck, Germany in June of 1963. All the original papers are in German, and I have translated them. I have an original document that shows that Michelin Z 155SR15's were mounted at the factory.
So now here is my question. I use 165SR15's on the Karmann and they are correct because 165's are the optional oversize tire to use in place of the rinky-dink 155's, and recently I was faced with replacing all four 165's thanks to my stupid mistake of letting the car sit to long under cover in my carport, and the tires dry rotted on the outer sidewalls thanks to weather extremes and Mr. Sunshine. Well, actually just 1 blew out, but why take a chance? So 4 it was.
My problem became the task of locating 4 165's at a reasonable cost. The best I got was a price of 125.00 apiece. This is what 2 Michelins used to cost, and these were some brand I've never heard of! So I passed and went with 165/80/15's at a saving of over 200.00 for all 4 and these were a name I recognized and trust. The 165/80's are almost identical to the 165SR's. They are not a stated 'P' series radial, and they are not a metric radial as are 165SR's.
So where am I in regards to breaking the tire rules at an AACA National Meet? Granted, I'm only HPOF and not Junior/Senior quality, but all the same I do like to try to stay accurate.
By the way, even though you can't see my battery, it has a factory cover over it, it is still a 6 volt with 3 caps.

novaman · July 9th, 2009

You should be fine. My Chevy II is pretty much orginal and it has had radials on it every time it has been in the HPOF class. So, as long as you aren't marginal on making the overall % (forgot the figure), you won't have a problem.

Just checked..65%

Semi-Intelligent · July 12th, 2009

No, I'm not marginal as the KG is almost 85 to 90% original. She does need so body work, and new paint would be nice too.

novaman · July 14th, 2009

Sounds like you shouldn't have any problems.

Stonefish · July 14th, 2009

one would think....but not the case.

Semi-Intelligent · July 15th, 2009

No, paint is not a total HPOF disqualification if the car is not below some magical percentage point rating which I have no idea what that is, but that is what I was told a few years back. If I do do a body cleanup and new paint I will be using acyrlic enamel. I'm still back in the dark ages on paint, no basecoat/clearcoat paint jobs for me on antique cars.

novaman · July 15th, 2009

HPOF works basicaly like this:
they look at the four catagories of the vehicle. Engine, Chassis, Interior, Exterior. In each of those catergoies it is broken down kindof like the sheet for Jr but a little more general. so you get a score/percentage for that item/area Those are average out for a percentage score for that category. Then they take each of the four areas percentage then average them together for an overall score/percentage. If it makes 65% or higher then the car gets certified. So if nothing was touched in the engine, chassis, interior areas, and the outside was repainted, rechromed, that would be a 100%+100%+100%+0% divided by 4 = 75%

This is a little different than how I understood it was to be when the HPOF first started which was more like the car had to be something like 80% in any category then the car was certified in that catergory. The idea was that the car info would be on file at the library and if I was restoring a car like it and needed info then I could contact the library, they'd put me in touch with the owner of an HPOF car certified in that area of need.

Semi-Intelligent · July 16th, 2009

Thanks for the information. I know I should be paying closer attention especially since I am a judge.
My reason for a repaint is simple, the car is starting to look bad. When I do the repaint I'll be using the correct color and paint base. No basecoat/clearcoat.
I guess if I lose my HPOF status as a result, I;ll just show as DPC.
I am planning to do the repaint this winter so the Karmann Ghia looks very respectable for Louisville in 2010.

Shop Rat · July 16th, 2009

S-I, I would think that whichever way your Ghia goes, HPOF or DPC, the library and research center would gratefully accept any photo documentation that you would be willing to share with others to help them restore their Ghia correctly. So even if you take photos and then restore/repaint/rechrome the area the photos are still available as to how it was new from the factory.

Semi-Intelligent · July 18th, 2009

You're probably correct Susan, and maybe I'll contact the library. I'm only 20 minutes away. The car is as close to original as you can get considering that it has had tires, brakes, etc replaced. Always used genuine German parts and since I'm a VW collector I have 100's of NOS items in storage.