VW Baywindow Bus - 185R14C Tire & Sidewall Photosby Richard Atwell |
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Vintage Tires (1970's - 1990's):
No Longer Available:
NLA Winter Tires: |
This page can take a while to load in your browser because of all the photos. I collect photos of tires to aid as a buyers guide. Models and styles come and go so it also serves to record the details of each tire in the event a suitable tire from the same manufacturer becomes available in future. As you will see below, over the last 20+ years the tires specs haven't changed, only the selection and availability has changed; tread styles and construction ply designs come and go. NLA means no longer available. Tires are listed in no particular sort order but the vintage group on the left are grouped together so we can remember them. It's interesting to see what the original tires looked like and what their specs were. The date of manufacture if known is shown (in parenthesis). At present, the selection of 185R14C tires is very limited: e.g. Hankook RA18. If you would like to add to this collection you can email me for more info. If you also have a vintage tire in your garage not listed here, I am especially interested. A tire that says 8PR means it's 8-ply rated. When the number of plies listed is less than 8 this simply means the strength is equivalent to an 8-ply bias ply tire rating. 6PR has a similar meaning. Most radial plies are now made from steel, nylon and polyester. Rayon is out of fashion as a tire ply and kevlar is starting to appear but I haven't seen a bus tire made with Kevlar to date. When referring to tire plies below, poly is short for polyester. My list of Underspec truck tires is a must read. |
Michelin X (1980) - NLA
Purchased from VW dealer
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | 94 | n/a | 2 poly + 2 steel | 2 poly | reinforced | 1540 lbs | 40 psi | Belgium |
Michelin MX (July '00) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Chris Hinkley
Purchased used from GoWesty!
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | 94R | n/a | 2 poly + 1 polyamide + 2 steel | 2 poly | 1540 lbs | reinforced | 40 psi | United Kingdom |
Michelin XZX (made Oct '99) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Karl Von Salzen
Found in Junkyard
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | 94R | n/a | 2 steel + 2 rayon | 2 rayon | 1540 lbs | reinforced | 40 psi | Germany |
Metzler Monza (made Dec '95) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Matt Cuddy
Came from Previous Owner
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | n/a | n/a | 2 nylon + 4 rayon | 2 nylon | LRC | 1675 lbs | 55 psi | Germany |
Dunlop SP 68 - NLA
Found in Westy spare tire box
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | Germany |
Continental TS 771 (Jan '90) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Karl Von Salzen
Found in Junkyard
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | 94R | S | 2 rayon + 2 steel + 2 nylon | 2 rayon | reinforced | 1540 lbs | 40 psi | Germany |
Continental RS771 (Jan '94) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Karl Von Salzen
Found in Junkyard
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 99 | N | 2 rayon + 1 steel + 1 nylon | 2 rayon | LRC | 1710 lbs | 55 psi | Germany |
Continental Contrans (Nov '94) - NLA
Purchased from VW dealer
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 99 | Q | 2 poly + 2 steel + 1 nylon | 2 poly | LRC | 1710 lbs | 55 psi | Great Britain |
Continental Bias Ply - NLA
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Goodyear Ultra Grip G800 (1985) NLA
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 6PR | n/a | Sweden |
Pirelli Cinturato (1972) NLA
Original unused spare
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 6PR | n/a | Germany |
74/75 Folding Spare (by BF Goodrich) - NLA - Photos courtesy of Ed Woenker
Came with every 74/75 Westfalia
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F78-14 | n/a | n/a | 2 rayon + 1 nylon | 2 rayon | LRB | 1500 lbs | 32 psi | USA |
That is not a typo: the folding spare is a Load Range "B" tire. This normally means there are a maximum of 4 plies (tread and sidewall).
Bridgestone RD-603 (Oct 1999) - Photos courtesy of Adam McKinley
Purchased from Craigslist
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 LT | n/a | n/a | 2 steel + 2 poly | 2 poly | 1850 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Japan |
Continental CR21 (Nov '01) - NLA
Purchased from Discount Tire
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 | 94R | R | 2 poly + 2 steel + 2 nylon | 2 poly | reinforced | 1540 lbs | 40 psi | Sweden |
Cooper SRM II (made Nov '05) - Photos courtesy of Bret Giuliani
Purchased at Express Tire in San Marcos, CA - (alternate site)
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | Q | 2 steel + 2 nylon | 2 poly | 1875 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | USA |
Hercules G4000 LT - Photos courtesy of Phil Eslin
Product Page at German Supply
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1875 lbs | LRD | 65 psi |
Nankang N-810 - Photos courtesy of Troy Wical
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 100 | R | 2 poly + 2 steel + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1870 lbs | LRD | 64 psi | Taiwan |
Nokian Hakkapeliitta CQ (Nov '03) - Photos courtesy of Peter Steckhan
Purchased from Kal Tire - Product Page at Nokian
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | Q | 2 steel + 2 poly + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1873 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Finland |
Nokian NRC2 (Jan '05) - the best summer tire you can buy
Purchased from TireFactory.net
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | S | 2 steel + 2 poly + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1873 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Finland |
Jupiter SV-820 (March '04) - Photos courtesy of Evan Cabodi
Purchased from Les Schwab - (Product Page at Nexen Tire)
Known Clones: Capitol/Geostar/Signet/Woosung
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | n/a | 2 poly + 2 steel | 2 poly | LRD | 1875 lbs | 65 psi | Korea |
Signet SV-820 - Photos courtesy of Scott Lyons
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | P | n/a | n/a | LRD | 1875 lbs | 65 psi | Korea |
Woosung SV-820 (March '04) - Photos courtesy of Clarke Bayles
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 99 | P | 2 poly + 2 steel | 2 poly | LRC | 1710 lbs | 55 psi | Korea |
Vredestein Transport Steel (Jan '01) - Photos courtesy of Don
Product Page at Tyreland
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | N | 2 steel + 2 rayon + 1 nylon | 2 rayon | 1875 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Holland |
Continental Vanco 8 (May '06) - Photos courtesy of Chris Hinkley
Purchased at Five Points Tire - Product Page at Tire Rack
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | Q | 1 poly + 1 steel + 2 nylon | 1 poly | 1874 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Czech Republic |
Hankook RA08 (Nov '05) - Photos courtesy of Joe Bartoli
Purchased from Hankook dealer, Dexter's Tire and Auto - Product Page at Bus Depot and Hankook USA
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | Q | 2 poly + 2 steel + 1 nylon | 2 poly | LRD | 1874 lbs | 65 psi | Korea |
Michelin Agilis 61 - Photos courtesy of Kevin Smith
Product Page at Michelin
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 99 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1709 lbs | LRC | 54 psi | n/a |
Michelin Agilis 81 (Apr '05) - Photos courtesy of Tom Tuomey
Purchased at Tire Rack
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | R | 2 poly + 3 steel | 2 poly | 1875 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | France |
Vredestein Comtrac Steel (Jan '01) - Photos courtesy of Troy Wical
Product Page at Vredestein
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | R | 2 poly + 2 steel + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1875 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Holland |
Yokohama Y356 (Mar '06) - Photos courtesy of Ed Woenker and David Lawrence
Purchased at Tire Rack )
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14 LT | n/a | n/a | 2 steel + 2 poly | 2 poly | 1600 lbs | LRC | 50 psi | Japan |
Severe Service Emblem.
Nokian make the best winter tires, period. See my Nokian tire page for more info.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta CS (Sept '06)
Purchased from TireFactory.net - Product Page at Nokian
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | S | 2 steel + 2 poly + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1873 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Finland |
Nokian Hakkapeliitta C2 (Sept '06)
Purchased from TireFactory.net - Product Page at Nokian
Size | Load Index | Speed Rating | Tread plies | Sidewall plies | Load Range | Load Rating | Max Pressure | Made in |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
185R14C | 102 | Q | 2 steel + 2 poly + 1 nylon | 2 poly | 1873 lbs | LRD | 65 psi | Finland |
07/25/06 - Created w/ Michelin X
07/26/06 - Added my Continental Tires
07/27/06 - Added Karl's Continental Tires
07/27/06 - Added Evan's Jupiter SV-820's
07/28/06 - Added Joe's Hankook RA08's
07/29/06 - Added Ed and David's Yokohama Y356's
07/30/06 - Added Adam's Bridgestones
07/31/06 - Added Peter's Nokian CQ's
08/01/06 - Added Chris Hinkley's Vanco's and Michelin X
08/01/06 - Added Clarke's Woosung's
08/05/06 - Added Kevin's Agilis
08/05/06 - Updated Karl's photos
08/07/06 - Added Karl's XZX photos
08/07/06 - Added Ed's 74/75 Folding spare photos
08/07/06 - Added Tom's Agilis
08/10/06 - Added Scott's Signet
08/15/06 - Added Phil's Hercules
08/16/06 - Added Bret's Cooper's
08/24/06 - Added Don's Vredestein's
02/25/07 - Added Troy's Vredestein's
12/13/07 - Added Pirelli and Goodyear vintage tires
04/16/08 - Added Troy's Nankang photos
09/08/11 - Fixed broken photos, added translate button, updated footer
09/12/11 - Created Recently Departed category, added some new tires (links only)
07/15/19 - Google update: new adsense code, removed defunt translate button
11/30/20 - Updated links and NLA tire list :-(