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RV8
spacesaver tyre
Recently Gavin Bailey (BRG 0766) from Surrey obtained an RV8 spacesaver
tyre and as they are not readily available, he has provided some
photos. (19.9.04)
RV8 spacesaver tyre is narrower than the standard tyre.
(Photo: Gavin Bailey)
Gavin says "I thought you might like the attached photos
of the RV8 spacesaver spare wheel which I recently bought from Steve
Beale when he sold his Le Mans Green car. The car does sit a little
lower (around 1") on the side fitted with the spacesaver,
but this does not appear to affect the handling or ride. I took
it for a quick spin down the road and the car handled and turned
OK at the low speeds at which you are supposed to drive when a spacesaver
wheel is fitted".
Comparing the tyre sizes
Gavin subsequently reported "I have just done done a quick
tyre size comparison via the web comparing the rolling radius of
the RV8 spacesaver v the standard tyre which shows that not only
does the car sit just under an inch lower at the corner where the
spacesaver is fitted, the rolling circumference is around 8 inches
smaller than the standard tyre. This will have obvious implications
for not only the gearing but presumably the Quaife differential
if the wheel is fitted to the rear of the car. I must admit that
it's all a bit of a mystery. When I've got a bit more time tonight
I'll do some digging and look up the size of the Saab 900 spacesaver
which is also rumoured to fit". Gavin's table is below.
Is the RV8 Spacesaver tyre a standard spare part?
Gavin comments "it appears that there is only one RV8 Spacesaver
Tyre and even the part number, ZKC 5997, does not appear
as a listed item in the RV8 parts
Part number label for the RV8 spacesaver tyre (Photo:
Gavin Bailey)
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V8 Register
- MG Car Club
Michelin TEX
spacesaver tyre. (Photo: Gavin Bailey)
lists. It may be that the wheel was a special order or even a prototype
that was never officially sold to the public". The tyre size/make
is Michelin TEX T125/80 R15 95M and is stamped "temporary
use only" and " 20m/h - 30km/h" on the wall of the
tyre. The part number label was still attached to the tyre when Gavin
bought the tyre - a copy is below.
Why do you want a spacesaver tyre?
The boot space is almost completely taken up by the full-size spare
wheel so it is quite a tight space for luggage for even a weekend
away, not to mention touring for a week or more! So the natural attraction
of the spacesaver tyre is it takes far less space so more luggage
can be carried. An alternative reported by Tim Hipwell some time ago
is the use of a tyre foam and then you don't need to carry
a spare at all. Have any members come across other spacesaver tyres
that can be fitted and used on an RV8?
Michelin spacesaver tyre. (Photo: Gavin Bailey)
Is the spacesaver tyre legal?
Gavin has done some digging and says "it appears that the
use of spacesaver spare wheel is legal as a "get you home"
measure even if they are of a differnt rolling diameter! A number
of Saabs have them as standard equipment and looking at the internet
forums, the cars often have a slight 'tilt' when they are fitted due
to the slightly smaller diameter". Gavin adds "I
think I'll keep my standard spare in the boot unless I specifically
need the extra space when I may carry the spacesaver". |
