The automotive industry from the earliest of days has had a focus on the overall design of the vehicle. The tires on a vehicle are after all, the only part of the car that makes contact with the road. Cars have evolved from their classic predecessors as they have more power behind them now with the addition of more efficient brakes. Perhaps most significantly of all, the speed that cars can now attain are so much higher, without even needing to have a foot on the peddle with cruise control.

To ensure the overall performance of new vehicles and their more powerful engines and designs, tires have also had to adapt alongside them. So modern tires are designed to provide better grip, more certain handling and, most importantly of all, greater levels of safety.

The main types of modern tire

Unlike classic tires which were very much a one-size-fits-all in use, today there are a wide range of different types. This makes tire selections much more detailed than they were previously, but also far more suited to their use and purpose.

The standard is generally considered to be the all-season tire. This has been designed to give good grip and performance across a wide range of road and weather conditions. In terms of material, these contain a relatively high level of silica which helps to ensure that they remain flexible even in cold conditions.

Winter tyres, which are compulsory in some countries in Europe but optional in the US, are even more pliable in cold conditions. They also feature a tread pattern that is designed to disperse water more effectively, and which can provide up to 60% better grip in slippery conditions.

High performance cars are often fitted with asymmetric tires. These have a different tread pattern on the inside and the outer edges. On the outside there are large tread blocks that help with cornering, on the inside smaller blocksare designed to disperse water and increase grip.

SUVs and cars that tend to go off-road are generally fitted with all-terrain tires. As the name suggests, these are a kind of hybrid that are rugged enough to cope with rough ground but refined enough to give a smooth ride on the road.

How modern tires differ from classic ones

When it comes to the difference between modern tires and classic styles it’s all in the construction.

The earliest tires were made using something called the bias-ply method. This meant that there were a number of diagonally overlapping cords forming a number of layers called plies, hence the description of them as cross-ply tyres.

The needs of modern cars have meant that a different sort of construction has been introduced. These are now radial tires, and they still have plies. In these they are angled at 90%and there are also steel bands to give extra traction while also providing s smoother ride.

The dangers of putting modern tires on classic cars

You might be inclined to think that putting a modern radial on a classic car might work perfectly well, perhaps even better than the original cross-ply alternative.

But that’s to overlook the fact that for all the extra grip and smoother ride this can be too much for older cars to handle.

It could have the effect of putting extra strains on older cars’ suspensions and bodywork. An additional knock-on effect could be the complete failure of the tyre and even the wheel itself.

The solution, should you want to go ahead and use modern tires, would be the rather extreme measure of upgrading the suspension to be able to take the extra strain. For purists this would be as unacceptable as putting modern seats in an old car or respraying it in a colour that would never have been available when the car was built.

There is a solution in that a number of specialist manufacturers are still making tires that meet the specifications of the originals. Some are even available with white walls for a look of real authenticity good enough for any concours or classic car show.

For drivers considering a tire upgrade, pairing them with the right wheels can enhance both performance and style. Retailers like AudioCityUSA provide a wide selection of options to match everything from high-performance sports cars to rugged off-road SUVs, ensuring that your setup delivers the perfect balance of function and appearance.