When it comes to the tires on your classic hot rod, are you the kind of guy that uses a pedestrian, whitewall-emblazoned discount store set of tires? Or, do you want tires that can grip the road and help you throw your car in the direction you want? We’re all car junkies, and we want our car to handle as well as it looks. Well, Nitto tires is of that same mindset.
That is why their original NT555 ultra-performance tire has been so successful for the last several years. But, they have great news. Building on that success, they have now developed the next generation 555 tire, and it’s the NT555G2. The Nitto NT555 G2 features several tread innovations that make it a best-in-class performance tire. Starting in the middle of the tire, the twin center ribs provide better dry traction and straight-line stability than its predecessor. Next, the large tapered blocks increase grip and cornering stability, and the circumferential grooves aid in water evacuation and wet handling.
According to Harry Kong of Nitto, “The NT555 G2 outperforms its predecessor in almost every category from dry performance and wet performance. It features an updated compound alongside with tread block arrangement that gives increased grip capabilities and better cornering stability. One new feature is the large tread block arrangements on tire sizes with 275 mm or wider section width. It allows these tires to have enhanced traction on staggered fitments.”
This new tire also features a proprietary high-silica compound that increases the interaction between the base compound elements to further reinforce their chemical bonds. This specialized bonding agent helps create a tire with a higher compound stiffness, which results in better cornering performance in both wet and dry conditions.
Keep in mind, this is not your run-of-the-mill all-season tire. This is a high-performance tire designed for use during summer months or when warm temperatures are present. Using these tires during cold weather will greatly reduce performance, traction and handling, and greatly increase stopping distance. If using this tire in a drag or track environment during cold weather, we strongly recommend warming the tires however you see fit to make sure they deliver peak performance.
Plus-size tire and wheel package sizes have been growing in popularity on classic musclecars, and these tires come in fitments that will tuck up nicely under almost any Camaro, Chevelle, Mustang or other musclecar. So, if your classic is sporting a set of 17, 18, 19, or even 20-inch wheels, we might have found the perfect tire to compliment your car’s great looks. When it comes to aiding in your car’s performance, check out the Nitto NT555 G2 webpage to find the plus size for your musclecar. It is a definite must-have tire.