Stupid odd French tire size on old Mustangs

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Didnt a few mustangs have a rare and now obsolete odd tire size that Michelin made? I know someone who had an old mustang and he put new rims and tires on it because he claimed new tires in the OE size were $1200.00 a set!!
 
Some BMW's and other Fords had them, too! I even recall seeing TRX's on a Ferrari.

Figure the French to try to reinvent the wheel. I just can't figure out why vehicle manufacturers bought into this program.
 
I think it was the Mustang SVO and a particuliar Escort EXP variation, back in the early/mid 80's.

The wheel/tire combo was completly metric. It was the start of the "Plus" low profile craze.
 
Yup, Michelin TRX; they tried to "reinvent the wheel" as it were with metric sizes. They somewhat mirrored standard sizes: 365 mm - 14", 390 mm - 15" and 410 mm - 16". The radial Michelin X was one thing, metric wheel sizing? BAD!

My Mom's '87 BMW 735i had the optional 220/55VR390 TRX wheels/tires. They were good tires but of course we were limited to Michelin tires only. I think Goodyear made some tires in metric sizes but that was short lived.
 
quote:

Originally posted by CapriRacer:
Some BMW's and other Fords had them, too! I even recall seeing TRX's on a Ferrari.

Figure the French to try to reinvent the wheel. I just can't figure out why vehicle manufacturers bought into this program.


Michelin was trying to corner the market on metric sized wheels. There were very successful, now they have the market all to theirselves.
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quote:

Originally posted by brianl703:
Do an Ebay search for Mustang TRX and you'll find a few with photos.

Amazingly, none have any bids!


That might be a place to get a bargain, standard wheels fit don't they? They did on the Tempo.

My MIL bought a used Ford Tempo, a real clean looking car with all the extras. It had the TRX tires. When she found out what replacement tires were going to cost she flipped out.

A set of nice used standard sized wheels and good quality new tires cost a lot less than the TRX tires alone.
 
quote:

Originally posted by XS650:

quote:

Originally posted by brianl703:
Do an Ebay search for Mustang TRX and you'll find a few with photos.

Amazingly, none have any bids!


That might be a place to get a bargain, standard wheels fit don't they? They did on the Tempo.

My MIL bought a used Ford Tempo, a real clean looking car with all the extras. It had the TRX tires. When she found out what replacement tires were going to cost she flipped out.

A set of nice used standard sized wheels and good quality new tires cost a lot less than the TRX tires alone.


The hubs are standard 4 lug Fox chassis - Mustang, Fairmont, T-Bird, etc...
 
Avon made some TRX tires for a while but I think those are discontinued as well. In most cases a set of aftermarket rims and new tires is cheaper than replacing the TRXs. I had a 535i with those rims on it and ended up buying tires at one of those used tire places. Had I kept it longer I had a set of 14" wheels in reserve...

nate
 
My brother also had a BMW 5 series with those tires and wheels. When he needed new rubber, he bought a set of OEM alloys from a junkyard; they were normal sized rims and he mounted a set of inexpensive all seasons on that car.

Not my choice of tires, but he did all right when he bought the wheels.

BTW, the cheapo Dunlops have worn, he's mounted his best 4 tires on the car now. That includes 2 of his old TRX wheels and tires.
 
Michelin is at it again, trying to invent an totally new wheel and tire combination called PAX. So far only Michelin sells it. It is a run flat. Some dealers selling the van with PAX do not have the right attachments to align the wheels on PAX tire vehicles. Tire pressure warning systems are standard on cars with PAX tires so far. Maybe PAX owners may want to change to regular tires and wheels if they ever become too expensive. This is possible with an exclusive Michelin only tire wheel design. Buying new wheels and tires will require buying and installing TPMS sensors that will work with the vehicle unless you want a constantly on tire pressure warning light.
 
Doesn't anyone think the tire sizing system is the most confusing one? I mean, mm and inch used in the same designator, where else do you see that?
 
The current tire sizing system was invented in Europe, but the wheel size was in inches for so long and there was so much equipment invested in producing wheels in those sizes, that they couldn't call the wheels some "metrified" number.

I think part of the reason Michelin went to the TRX was to address this hybrid system (in a way only the French would think would work!)

[ September 06, 2005, 06:29 AM: Message edited by: CapriRacer ]
 
The TRX tires on my '83 BMW 533i were just about completely traction free. A VERY dangerous combination.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Jonny Z:
Doesn't anyone think the tire sizing system is the most confusing one? I mean, mm and inch used in the same designator, where else do you see that?

Where you can buy a 12 oz can of soda or 2 liter bottle. ~5.5 cans equals 2 liters for you savvy shoppers.

The vending machines are set up for the 12 oz cans.

For TRX tires to be completely metric you'd have to inflate them not to pounds/square inch but to kilopascals.
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