Your Tests: Vredestein Sprint Classic Tires on a 1973 Alfa Romeo Berlina

By Staff Writer
Sep 18, 2019 | Vredestein Review | Posted in Tires & Wheels | Never miss an article

Vredestein knows that Classic Motorsports knows a thing or two about vintage tires. And they know that our readers do, too. That’s why they came to us with a simple request: Find five readers worthy of a set of Vredestein’s latest classic tire, their Sprint Classic. Over the next six months, you’ll be seeing feedback from these readers in the form of regular blog posts on our site.

Story and Photography by Alex Jordan

I was very excited to be chosen as a tire tester for Vredestein and Classic Motorsports with my 1973 Alfa Romeo Berlina. The tires are the Vredestein Sprint Classics and I chose a 185/70R14. The timing was excellent as I have a road rally coming up at the end of September and I wanted to make a change from an existing tire that had some rubbing issues in the rear overhangs.

The Berlina is has a mildly modified suspension with lowering springs and Koni classics installed.

I am very pleased with the look of the tire in general. The tread is a classic design and they appear very period correct for a ‘70s sedan.

Once I installed the tires I got a chance to really see how they look. They fit the wheel well very nicely and have a semi-square edge which I like.

I have now driven it a few times in the hills and taken it to a local Cars and Coffee. My impressions of the tire so far are very positive. Full disclosure: The tires I removed were Pirelli CN36s (this is the high-water mark for performance vintage-looking tires in my opinion) so this is some pretty stiff competition. What I have found after two very spirited drives is that the grip is comparable to the CN36s, a bit less at the limit but the big difference is in ride quality. These tires, in conjunction with the Koni Classics, provide a very forgiving and comfortable ride over the rough stuff. The other happy outcome is that they do not seem to rub at all in the rear arches of the Berlina.

Overall I would say that the Vredestein Sprint Classics are awesome tires. They fill the wheel wells nicely and rub less than the CN36s in the rear arches. They slide predictably when the car is thrown into a turn and only protest at extreme direction change. In all honesty, the CN36s are a bit grippier, but I feel like the look and ride quality is better with the Sprint Classics. It really is a perfect do-everything tire for a vintage car if you want a classic look.