Michelin XWX tires New on ebay

Good on you for posting the manufacture date. That is no small risk if you are putting your car through any paces. If you want to look "period" they may not be a bad buy. I think the new ones are $350-$400 if you can find them.

I just bought 4 Vredestein Sprint Classics for $206 per, with free shipping.

https://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-8497-vredestein-sprint-classic-tires.aspx

I asked specifically about manufacture date and the salesman advised that with such limited runs, getting tires that have been on the shelf for too long is unlikely. They only showed 4 sets in stock and none of the 195/70/14's.
 
If they have been stored properly (cool and dark) i wouldnt worry about it personally but I know a lot of people would disagree with that.
 
beware of old tires...

30csl said:
If they have been stored properly (cool and dark) i wouldnt worry about it personally but I know a lot of people would disagree with that.
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It all depends on what you will do with these tires. If it's just for cruising around, then they're probably fine. However, even when stored properly rubber compound ages naturally and becomes harder with time. This has a big effect on traction (braking distance, cornering, etc...). Also, they develop cracks which makes them weaker and lead to what is called "catastrophic failure" (ranging from simple bulging due to wall separation to sudden blow out at highway speed).

There's no standard for tire expiration (there are too many variables: type of compound, storage, usage once installed, under/over inflation, exposure to chemicals and UVs, cold weather vs. warm weather, etc...) and the NHTSA has yet to provide clear guidelines. Depending on who you talk tires 6 to 10 years old should be retired no matter how much thread is left.
 
Bad memories

From someone who experienced the aforementioned catastrophic old tire failure on a '72 Mustang convertible while driving 65 mph across a bridge, totaling the car and nearly going over the side, the first thing I do when buying a car with old tires is replace them. If the car is for a collection or city driving at low speed/temperature then probably ok. I love the look of them but would't drive on the highway with them for too long.
 
The only 70 profile 14" tire I see is a 215/70R14, that's a big tire (and expensive!). The others have to be 80 profile such as the 205 VR14 which is very tall. Original was 175-14 or 195/70-14.
 
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