Avon Tires: A Legacy of British Excellence in Classic Tire Manufacturing
Founded in 1885 in Melksham, Wiltshire, Avon Tires stands as one of Britain's most storied and respected tire manufacturers. With over 135 years of continuous production, Avon has built an unrivaled reputation for quality, performance, and craftsmanship that extends from Formula 1 and motorcycle racing to their cherished classic car tire collection. This rich heritage makes Avon a natural choice for enthusiasts seeking authentic period-correct tires with proven reliability and performance credentials.
What distinguishes Avon in the classic tire market is their unique combination of authentic period designs with continuous engineering advancement. Unlike manufacturers who simply reproduce vintage patterns, Avon has maintained many classic designs in active production for decades, gradually incorporating modern materials and manufacturing techniques while preserving the original aesthetics. This evolutionary approach ensures Avon classic tires deliver authentic appearances with significantly enhanced safety, performance, and durability compared to true vintage alternatives.
Historic British Sports Car Tire Collection
Avon's classic tire range is renowned for its exceptional offerings for vintage British sports cars and touring models:
- CR6ZZ Series - The jewel in Avon's classic crown, these performance-oriented tires feature period-correct tread patterns and sidewall designs specifically developed for British sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. Available in numerous authentic sizes for MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, and Jaguar models, these tires offer excellent grip while maintaining the character and feedback that make classic sports cars so engaging to drive.
- Turbosteel Radials - Combining vintage aesthetics with modern radial construction, these tires are ideal for classic British touring cars that see regular road use. The distinctive sidewall design provides authentic appearances while the advanced internal structure delivers improved comfort, handling, and longevity.
- Turbospeed Crossply - For absolute authenticity, these traditional bias-ply tires faithfully reproduce the crossply construction and appearance of original equipment tires from the classic British motoring era. Perfect for concours restorations and vehicles where maintaining original handling characteristics is desired.
- CR28 Sport - Developed specifically for larger classic British sports saloons and GT cars, these tires offer enhanced performance capabilities while maintaining period-correct appearances, with sizes appropriate for later Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Rover models.
European Classic Tire Range
Beyond British marques, Avon offers specialized tires for continental European classics:
- Textile Racing Tires - Authentic reproduction tires featuring the distinctive textile-reinforced tread patterns that equipped many prestigious European racing and sports cars in the pre-war and early post-war periods. Available in traditional metric sizing with appropriate period-correct speed ratings.
- GT Classic Radials - Performance-oriented radial tires designed for European GT cars of the 1960s and 1970s, offering enhanced grip and handling while maintaining the distinctive profile shapes and sidewall styling of the era. Particularly well-suited to Ferrari, Porsche, and Maserati applications.
- ACB10 Sports - A versatile sports tire designed for both British and European classics, combining period aesthetics with improved wet weather performance, making it ideal for classic car touring and regular road use in variable conditions.
Vintage Racing Heritage
Drawing on Avon's extensive motorsport legacy, their historic racing tire collection offers exceptional options for competition classics:
- Historic Racing Series - Purpose-built tires for vintage racing competition, available in both bias-ply and radial construction to meet various historic racing regulations. These tires feature period-correct tread patterns with competition-grade compounds for enhanced grip and heat management.
- Vintage Rally Special - Developed specifically for historic rally competition, these tires combine authentic appearances with reinforced construction to withstand the rigors of competitive use on varied surfaces.
- CR6ZZ Competition - The track-focused variant of Avon's popular CR6ZZ range, featuring the same period-correct appearance with competition-optimized compounds and construction for improved performance at speed.
Modern Classic and Performance Applications
Avon's commitment to classic motoring extends to more recent performance icons:
- CR500 Series - Designed for performance cars of the 1980s and early 1990s, these tires bridge the gap between classic aesthetics and modern performance requirements. Ideal for later Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz models that require period-correct appearances with enhanced capability.
- ZZ Radial Series - Performance-oriented radials that maintain a classic appearance while delivering grip levels suitable for modified classics and restomods with upgraded engines and suspension systems.
- Avon Touring Series - Comfort-oriented tires for luxury classics that prioritize ride quality and reduced road noise while maintaining appropriate period aesthetics.
Quality Construction and Materials
Avon's manufacturing excellence is evident throughout their classic tire range:
- Premium Natural Rubber Compounds - Avon continues to use high percentages of natural rubber in their classic tire formulations, providing the distinctive compliance and feedback that characterizes vintage tire performance while incorporating modern agents to improve longevity and resist aging.
- Advanced Carcass Design - Even traditional crossply tires benefit from Avon's modern understanding of carcass engineering, resulting in more consistent performance and improved durability compared to true vintage tires.
- Precision Manufacturing - Utilizing modern production controls while maintaining traditional design elements ensures consistent quality and performance across the entire classic range.
- Motorsport-Derived Technology - Avon's continuing involvement in contemporary motorsport allows them to incorporate relevant advancements into their classic tire offerings without compromising authentic appearances.
Key Takeaways: Why Choose Avon Classic Tires
- Authentic British Heritage - With over 135 years of continuous tire manufacturing, Avon offers genuine historical connection to the golden age of British and European motoring.
- Evolutionary Development - Unlike simple reproductions, many Avon classic designs have been in continuous production for decades, benefiting from gradual refinement while maintaining period correctness.
- Motorsport Pedigree - Avon's extensive racing history informs their classic tire development, resulting in superior performance characteristics even in period-correct designs.
- Comprehensive Range - From pre-war classics to 1990s performance icons, Avon offers appropriate tire options across the spectrum of classic motoring.
- Balance of Authenticity and Safety - Avon's approach successfully preserves vintage driving character while incorporating modern safety advancements, creating tires that are both authentic and reliable.
For discerning classic car enthusiasts who appreciate the nuances of period-correct performance combined with the peace of mind that comes from over a century of tire manufacturing excellence, Avon Tires represents a premium choice backed by genuine heritage and proven engineering expertise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Avon's classic tires historically authentic?
Avon's authenticity stems from their unique position as a manufacturer that has been in continuous operation since the early days of motoring. Many of their classic tire designs are not simply reproductions but evolved versions of original patterns that have been in production for decades. Avon maintains extensive archives of original specifications, tread patterns, and sidewall designs, ensuring their classic offerings faithfully represent the appropriate era. For many British marques, Avon was an original equipment supplier, giving them unparalleled insight into the correct specifications and characteristics required for true historical accuracy while incorporating subtle improvements in materials and construction techniques.
Are Avon classic tires suitable for regular driving or just for show?
Avon classic tires are engineered for both authentic appearance and real-world performance, making them excellent choices for classic cars that are actively driven. Their radial offerings, like the Turbosteel and CR6ZZ series, are particularly well-suited to regular use, providing period-correct aesthetics with significantly improved handling, comfort, and longevity compared to vintage originals. Even their traditional crossply (bias-ply) tires benefit from modern manufacturing techniques and materials that enhance durability and safety. Avon's ongoing involvement in contemporary tire development ensures their classic range incorporates relevant advances in rubber compounds and construction methods while maintaining authentic appearances.
What sizes are available in Avon's classic tire range?
Avon offers one of the most comprehensive size ranges in the classic tire market, covering applications from the 1930s through the 1990s. Their collection includes traditional numeric sizes (like 600-16), early alphanumeric designations (5.50-15), and conventional metric sizing (185HR15), ensuring correct fitment for virtually any classic vehicle. Avon is particularly noted for their extensive coverage of British sports car sizes, with specialized offerings for MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, and Jaguar models. Their range also includes numerous sizes appropriate for continental European classics from manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as specialty sizes for American classics that were originally equipped with imported tires.
Does Avon offer both bias-ply and radial construction in their classic range?
Yes, Avon provides both traditional bias-ply (crossply) and modern radial construction options across their classic tire range. This dual approach allows enthusiasts to select the construction type appropriate for their specific needs. For concours-level restorations and absolute historical authenticity, Avon's crossply offerings provide correct period performance characteristics and appearance. For classics that see regular road use, their radial options deliver improved handling, comfort, and longevity while maintaining period-correct aesthetics. Some popular designs, like the CR6ZZ series, are available in both constructions, giving owners the flexibility to choose based on their priorities for originality versus enhanced performance.
Do Avon classic tires meet modern safety standards?
While maintaining period-correct appearances, most Avon classic tires incorporate significant safety advancements compared to vintage originals. Their radial offerings meet contemporary standards for construction and performance, with modern materials and manufacturing techniques ensuring consistent quality and reliability. Many models carry appropriate speed ratings and load indices based on current testing methodologies. Even their traditional crossply tires benefit from improved rubber compounds and more precise manufacturing controls than were available when these designs were originally produced. It's worth noting that specific regulatory compliance varies by market and tire model, so owners should verify that their selected tires meet local requirements for their intended use case.