Delorean Dmc-12 Tires

The DeLorean went through many changes during its design process, with its original engine choice being a German Ford V6. That was ditched in favor of a Peugeot/Renault/Volvo V6, which was still underpowered for the car’s 2700 lb curb weight. An early design goal was to use elastic reservoir molding technology for the chassis, which would have saved weight but proved unsuitable. Interior changes, engineering challenges, and cost overruns pushed the car’s price up to $25,000 (in early 80s dollars), buyers and the automotive press were underwhelmed and the company filed for bankruptcy in 1982. Founder John DeLorean was also the man behind cars like the Chevy Nova, Pontiac GTO, and Grand Prix; the DMC debacle and legal problems put an end to DeLorean’s career in the automotive industry.

Due to their scarcity and status as an automotive curiosity, today DeLoreans are somewhat of a collector’s item. While there may not be that many of them on the road, they still need tires – and we’ve gone through and rounded up some of the best DeLorean DMC12 tires (including a 3-way tie for Best ranking). We then used SimpleScore to determine a numerical value for the categories of traction, handling, and longevity for each tire. Ready? Let’s go in for a closer look:

1. Hankook Kinergy ST (H735) - Best All-Season tire

Let’s get this list started with a great tire from Hankook, the Kinergy ST (H735). We’ve been fans of just about everything in the Hankook lineup for some time now, and the Kinergy ST (H735) is no exception. The Kinergy ST (H735) gets a SimpleScore of 8.6 overall, with scores of 8.5 for traction, 9.0 for longevity, and 8.3 for handling, so let’s break that down a bit. The Kinergy ST (H735) is engineered for great wear properties, with an advanced tread formulation and truly durable internal construction for long life and high-speed stability. The Kinergy ST (H735) is protected by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Handling gets a boost from tie bars that enhance the tread’s rigidity by linking groove structures and tread blocks together to resist the G-forces and inertia of cornering. A solid center rib helps with straight-line road manners on the highway as well as steering response that’s immediate and sharp. Year-round grip comes from a dense network of sipes that multiply traction with hundreds of sharp biting edges as well as wide circumferential grooves and lateral grooves that channel standing water away and through the tire’s contact patch to resist hydroplaning. The Kinergy ST (H735)’s tread pattern is also randomized and computer-tuned to help keep road noise low for a quiet and comfortable ride. Select sizes of the Kinergy ST (H735) are also available with a great-looking raised white letter sidewall.

2. Cooper Cobra Radial GT - Best All-Season tire

Next up on our list, we’ve got the Cooper Cobra Radial GT. Cooper Tire is one of America’s most respected tire manufacturers, with well over 100 years in the business, and they bring all their expertise and experience to the game with the Cobra Radial GT. The Cooper Cobra Radial GT gets SimpleScores of 8.2 for traction, 8.1 for handling, and 8.3 for longevity, with a composite SimpleScore of 8.2. Cooper designed the Cobra Radial GT as a replacement tire for muscle cars and high-performance classics, with a period-correct raised white letter sidewall for select sizes. The Cobra Radial GT features a notched center rib that promotes great road manners as well as helping to manage even wear. Along with an optimized footprint that puts more rubber in contact with the road for better weight distribution and an advanced long-wearing tread compound, Cooper covers the Cobra Radial GT with a 50,000 mile warranty. Cornering, braking, and steering response are all confident and predictable thanks to notched reinforced shoulders and an internal design that incorporates a nylon casing, two steel belts, and two low-stretch polyester plies. Year-round traction is also excellent with wide circumferential grooves and angled lateral grooves that disperse water and slush from the tire’s contact patch to resist hydroplaning. All in all, the Cooper Cobra Radial GT is a great way to keep your car’s classic looks along with updated performance and design.

3. Milestar Streetsteel - Best All-Season tire

Here’s another all-season tire with the aggressive looks and white-letter sidewall of a classic muscle car tire, the Streetsteel from Milestar. Looking at the SimpleScore ratings for the Milestar Streetsteel, it chalks up an 8.1 for traction, 7.8 for longevity, 8.1 for handling, and 8.0 for a composite score, so let’s go in for a little closer look. The Milestar Streetsteel’s all-season performance comes from a set of circumferential and diagonal grooves with an innovative pattern of angled sipes and a notched shoulder for great wet or dry traction. Handling and cornering are sharp and direct, with a solid center rib, and rigid treadface for reduced tread squirm and deformation during hard maneuvers and wide shoulder blocks. The Milestar Streetsteel has excellent wear properties too – Milestar stands by this tire with a 40,000 mile warranty. If you’re looking for modern-day performance in a tire with all-American classic looks and style, the Milestar Streetsteel is a great contender.

While these are the best tires for your DeLorean DMC12, there are plenty of other options to consider:

4. Mastercraft Avenger GT - Great All-Season tire

Here’s another all-season tire that’s designed for the weight, handling, and power of muscle cars, also with an eye-catching white letter sidewall: the Mastercraft Avenger GT. The Mastercraft Avenger GT’s SimpleScore rankings are 7.9 for traction, 8.0 for longevity, and 7.7 for handling, with an overall average of 7.8. With its long-wearing advanced tread compound and redesigned footprint, the Avenger GT is covered by a 50,000 warranty. Year-round traction gets a boost from slotted shoulders, plus circumferential and angled grooves. Handling is commendable too, thanks to a reinforced shoulder block design and durable internal construction that resists the hard forces of cornering.

5. Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST Radial - Good All-Season tire

We’re going to close out this list with an all-season tire from a company that has impeccable credentials in the racing and motorsports world, the Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST Radial. The Sportsman ST gets a SimpleScore of 8.4 for traction, 7.5 for longevity, and 8.1 for handling, with an overall average SimpleScore of 7.7. With its damage-resistant construction and a 45,000 mile warranty, the durability and longevity of the Sportsman ST Radial are quite good. Handling is competent and secure with a solid center rib and robust shoulder blocks as well as its flat, optimized contact patch. All-season traction comes from a set of circumferential grooves and angled/lateral grooves as well as notched shoulder blocks. And of course, the Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST has the undeniable cool factor of a raised white letter sidewall.

Order DeLorean DMC 12 Tires Online

Buying tires online can be a stressful process, but it really doesn't need to be. SimpleTire offers a simple approach to finding the tires that are best for you and your DeLorean DMC 12. Select your DeLorean DMC 12 below, then tell us a few more things such as year and trim level to determine your tire size. From there, we'll show you tires that fit your vehicle and are the best match based on performance characteristics, but you can also look for the best value tires, tires that are on sale or part of a promo, have the longest tread life, and much more