% Mickey Thompson Tyres ...

[1972coronet]

I'm nearing-completion of the MPC 1975-1976 Dart Sport (photos will be posted when it's finished) , and am , in es. , down to tyres / wheels . 

My question : Are the Mickey Thompson D.O.T. slicks "correct" for a mid-1970s car ? They seem to be of a new(er) design , quite like Drag Radials ; they're nothing like I've ever seen on any period-correct car ( e.g. , 1970s Pro Stock , Modified Production , Stock , or Super Stock ).

Obviously , I'm going for a 'what-one-would-see-on-a-car-circa-1976 .

Your opinions , please .

[smhardesty]

Can't say for sure about the slicks, but I ran MT N-50s on a couple of cars in the 70s.

[Casey]

I don't recall any Mickey Thompson slicks back in the day, only the Sportsmans in the '80s and Indy Profile tires in the '70s & '80s.

This is what I think of when I think slicks, street car, and late '70s/early '80s:

[1972coronet]

Thanks much , Steve and Casey  . I'll likely just end up using a pair of now-ancient MPC tyres from the parts box or the MPC 1971 Road Runner (the tyres from the Custom / Drag version) .

That '71 Challenger is wicked ! That's real dedication to row that Lenco on the street ! Oddly , its E.T. doesn't "jibe" with its trap speed (unless he backed-off before he ran out of pavement !)

[Robberbaron]

Similar thread from about a year ago on these tires that didn't turn up much info, either:

When the Dart Sport was reissued I also tried Google researching these tires, without success.

However, tonight I was able to turn up the following vintage ad, supposedly from 1973.  Although it doesn't feature the cheater slicks in question, this ad at least confirms that Holley and M/T's parent company did indeed co-brand tires with both brand names.  This ad is the only example I've found so far that proves that Holley/Mickey Thompson branded tires did indeed exist.

My gut tells me that the MPC tires probably legitimately existed in the 1:1 automotive world, but available only briefly with both names (guessing only a couple years max).  If they were available longer than that, I'd expect more pictures/ads to be turning up on photo sharing sites, etc.

Normally, sites like the H.A.M.B. are great for getting the straight dope on stuff like this.  However, they usually try to limit their subject matter to mid-to-late sixties and older, I believe, so this subject kind of falls outside of that realm.

Edited December 20, 2017 by Robberbaron

[1972coronet]

Thanks much , Robert !  I may just end up using the Holly - M/T  slicks on another c.1975 Dart .

[espo]

I have some Wheel & Tire kits that I picked up several years ago. They were made by MRC and called Muscle Car Hop-Up Set. MRC offered both Keystone and Cragar style wheels in different kits. They were offered in different kits with either Good Year, Firestone and Mickey Thompson tires in large rear diameter and smaller front tires. The Mickey Thompsons  have the tread pattern of the Pure Stock tires shown in Robberbaron's  post. I don't think they are available any longer retail but maybe someone will have some they will trade or sell. The companies address was Model Rectifier Company, 80 Newfield Drive, Edison, New Jersey 08837. The boxing is from 1997 so there is no web site mentioned. Maybe with this information you can find them if you think they will fulfill your needs.   

[gtx6970]

21 hours ago, Casey said:

I don't recall any Mickey Thompson slicks back in the day, only the Sportsmans in the '80s and Indy Profile tires in the '70s & '80s.

This is what I think of when I think slicks, street car, and late '70s/early '80s:

I seem to remember this very car was for sale recently ?????

 

And If I remember right, this car was cruising the Indy fairgrounds  at the Car Craft Street machine Nats back about 1979 or 80 time frame when I went a couple years in a row with my old 1970 Road Runner

If  it is, this thing sounded WICKED

[Xingu]

16 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

That '71 Challenger is wicked ! That's real dedication to row that Lenco on the street ! Oddly , its E.T. doesn't "jibe" with its trap speed (unless he backed-off before he ran out of pavement !)

I have seen quite a few cars run mid 9's at right around 150 mph. Some guys are quick off the line and others run 'em down right before the trap.

[Dodge Driver]

John, check out Speed City Resin. They have several period style slicks, including these below.

[1972coronet]

Thank you for the idea , Frank ! Those Drag 500s look quite nice --- originally Jo-Han tooling ?

I should have clarified : the Dart Sport I'm building will represent a street-driven car . That's why I was originally inquiring about the D.O.T. slicks that're provided in the kit ; I want a wider & taller tyre , but with tread .

[Dragline]

I ran Sportsman's in the mid 80's on my Vega. Not certain when they began but it was not much before I got em if that helps. I think Sportsman tires started about 82/83. They were NOT cheap.

[Casey]

13 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

I want a wider & taller tire , but with tread.

Do you have a specific size or size range in mind?

[Dodge Driver]

19 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Thank you for the idea , Frank ! Those Drag 500s look quite nice --- originally Jo-Han tooling ?

I should have clarified : the Dart Sport I'm building will represent a street-driven car . That's why I was originally inquiring about the D.O.T. slicks that're provided in the kit ; I want a wider & taller tyre , but with tread .

 According to Speed City Resin, those slicks are not a copy of the Jo-Han slick.

How about the Mickey Thompsons from the AMT Baldwin-Motion Camaro? 

[1972coronet]

11 hours ago, Casey said:

Do you have a specific size or size range in mind?

The wheels I have ( from Fireball Models , A/K/A Chief Joseph ) are plain steel wheels in (scale) 15"x6"  front , and 15"x9" rear . I will likely go with Frank's recommendation ; see below :

4 hours ago, Dodge Driver said:

 According to Speed City Resin, those slicks are not a copy of the Jo-Han slick.

How about the Mickey Thompsons from the AMT Baldwin-Motion Camaro? 

Fantastic ! I have an extra set of those , as I built one as a stock SS-396 model . Excellent suggestion !