Bill Gates just saved $281.78
The Porsche 959, the brand’s ground-breaking supercar, didn’t use standard tires. Like practically everything else surrounding this all-wheel-drive, twin-turbo monster, the tires were also special.
Dunlop developed a special tire for the 959. “Dunlop's Denloc tires had a unique rubber rib attached to the bead that ’locked’ into a recess in the wheel that would prevent the tire from coming off the rim and suddenly deflating in the event of a puncture,” Tire Rack’s website explains.
More trick stuff and remember that the 959 hit the streets back in 1986. “In addition to the recess to accommodate the Denloc bead profile, the 959 alloy rims featured a hollow-spoke design with a central locking nut,” Tire Rack continues. “The wheels' hollow spokes form a single air chamber with the tire. When fitted with the Porsche air pressure monitoring, the system can detect pressure loss due to cracked wheels and/or punctured tires. A hub sensor reads the pressure in the chamber and transmits it to the on-board computer, which activates an alarm below a certain pressure.”
The street version of the 959 sported the Bridgestone RE71 Denloc tire. A standard 17-inch tire won’t fit the factory 959 wheels and, likewise, the Denloc tire won’t fit on a standard wheel. Picture something akin to the old TRX system–close but not close enough.
All these years later, the Bridgestone RE71 Denloc is still in production–in limited numbers, of course. And, also of course, Tire Rack carries them: roughly $350 each and in stock right now.
However, the Tire Rack site also shows one lone Bridgestone RE71 Denloc listed for just $68.22. The catch? A 2017 production date.
But for those who’d like to own a piece of the Porsche 959 legacy for not a ton of money, this could be your chance: Hang it on the wall or turn it into a coffee table.
Bill Gates just saved $281.78
Saw one in the hood the other day. Neighbor supposedly has TWO OF THEM. Wife slapped me for slamming the brakes when I saw it.
i have a 997.1 centerlock wheel i bought that was on sale in a similar situation from TR.
I don't need this tire.. but i'm still very much staring at the listing on TR..
Neighbor of mine will save some cash.
spacecadet (Forum Supporter) said:i have a 997.1 centerlock wheel i bought that was on sale in a similar situation from TR.
I don't need this tire.. but i'm still very much staring at the listing on TR..
We have four of those centerlocks...but also have a car to put them on. Gotta love tire rack closeout deals...pay somebody $100 to mount tires, or buy a new pair of wheels for $300? Why not, you can never have too many spare wheels! Last I checked they were liquidating a few more, but only in neon orange.
I no longer see that long 959 tire listed on Tire Rack's website. So, did anyone here buy it?
It is on my wall.
In reply to 8valve :
Awesome! Pictures?
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