145SR10 Dunlop SP44 Update

Dear all,

As you may be aware the original moulds and drawings for the Dunlop SP44 were lost some years ago, luckily however we have been given several original tyres which have provided sufficient information for the factory to produce a new set of tyre mould drawings, this in turn has enabled them to carryout a cost exercise to establish a unit production cost. It is still not clear as to the actual demand for this tyre so we’ve based prices on an initial batch of 500 pieces, we must also take into account the price of the new mould together with several other pieces of building equipment, this has brought us to an approximate unit cost of £130+vat.


I would now value your opinions as to whether the price makes it a viable project or not, if the general consensus is good then the next stage is to arrange to manufacture a new tyre mould, this would take around 4 months but should still be on time for the next production window in the third quarter of 2012. When we get to this stage I will contact you again and ask for a more positive commitment.


Finally, if you are aware of any other enthusiasts who may share your interests in this sized tyre, please fee free to forward this message on to them.


Kind regards

Chris Marchant

Vintage Tyre Supplies


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"Providing there is sufficient demand (approx 200 need to be pre-sold so 400 tyres can be made), Vintage Tyres will fund a mould in order to produce the 145R10 SP44 in two compounds (for both road and competition use).
If they go ahead it will be a very limited batch and may not be repeated. The retail price would be £132 + VAT per tyre. (Discount of 5% for MCR members).
All interested parties are asked to send a £10 deposit per tyre to Vintage tyres before the end of August 2012.
If sufficient orders are received the tyres will be made during this winter. If not, unfortunately the project will have to be mothballed and all deposits will be returned."

November 2013

PRESS RELEASE


INTRODUCING THE NEW DUNLOP 145SR10 SP44 WEATHERMASTER


At Vintage Tyres we're always working hard to reintroduce important tyres for classic cars – going to great lengths to locate original moulds throughout the world. Sometimes we are fully tested! For instance when there's a need for a tyre where the mould and drawings have long since been destroyed. With the new 145SR10 SP44, we had to go right back to the drawing board and create a brand new mould to the original specification. The SP44 is the classic rally tyre for the Mini Cooper and with its rugged design was also widely used on the famous Mini Moke.

The tyre is suitable for speeds up to 113mph, it can be fitted tubeless and is available either direct from VTS or most reputable tyre outlets and is priced at £129 + vat.

Based at The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu in Hampshire, Vintage Tyres are the sole distributor of the Dunlop Classic range carrying over 20,000 tyres in stock and delivering to over 50 countries each year. In the UK mainland, tyres are delivered free and normally within 24 hours.

For further information on the range contact Vintage Tyres on 01590 612261 or visit their website at http://www.vintagetyres.com

Interesting to see how they would perform in competition compared to the 'Black Rocket' tyres I brought in from Finland?


Planning on running Rally of Canberra at the end of February.

what was the wear like after rally aust? any life in them?

I have 4 rally tyres I get to use in 1 motorkhana per year - I'd love a set of newies, but there is absolutely no justification at all!

Simon -I was lazy on the last day and left the front tyres on - so only used the same four tyres from start to finish. The fronts are pretty well stuffed but most of that damage was the 2 x 'super special' that was tarmac. The rears are fine to go again. None of the wheels were balanced so didn't use weights. Even on the 60 km transport they were OK and no vibration. Tread pattern was good but with litlle sidewall support they got being twitchy when hot. Only ran 28 psi cold but think next time will run up higher. Considering forest stages saw 150 kph and 120 on the highway non of the tread came off.

BTW - in our club motokharna events we have to use a road tyre pattern - not rally tyres. Can you use a rally tyre at Hay?

I have 8 'BR' tyres left and if I use them again will order another shipment early 2014.

Trying to find out if Stuckeys can sell me the Dunlop SP44?

Trying to find out if Stuckeys can sell me the Dunlop SP44?

Planning on running Rally of Canberra at the end of February.