550-18 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA

Description

550-18

During the 1930s, renowned vintage sportscar makers, such as 6C Alfa Romeo, Type 57 Bugatti, and 3½ and 4¼ Liter Derby Bentley, transitioned from 19” wheels and tires to the 5.50-18 dimension. Nowadays, for these classic vehicles, we recommend the 550-18 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA. Crafted with a structure that harmonizes perfectly with the car’s chassis, these tires provide excellent grip, consistent handling, and impressive directional stability, even though they remain vintage bias ply tires in design.

550-18 Tires

550-18 Tires

Debuting in 1927 during the inter-war period, the PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA tire marked a significant advancement in tire design. It exhibited unique tread patterns and construction characteristics of that era. The tire incorporated distinct features such as a cord carcass fabric, low inflation pressure (for tires of the day), and a straight-side bead profile. These characteristics endowed the 550-18 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA with excellent directional stability, even at high speeds. A defining aspect of the Stella Bianca was its tread pattern. Defined by trapezoidal blocks securely linked by robust “bridges”, this design effectively resisted tearing when driven at high velocities.

This tread innovation was so effective that it persisted mainly unchanged through the 1950s, highlighting its top-tier quality and resilience. The PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA also stood out as the only V-rated bias tire of its time, denoting its ability to achieve speeds up to 149 mph. Such performance standards were recognized by iconic automobile brands. Vehicles from Maserati, Ferrari, and Aston Martin in the 1950s sported the Stella Bianca. In the realm of competitive racing, automotive powerhouses like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Maserati chose the Stella Bianca as their preferred tire for their Formula One endeavors.

Fits Alfa Romeo 6c, Aston Martin Second Series, Third Series, Ulster, 2 Litre, Derby Bentley, Ford V8, Model B, Talbot Baby, Lago, Bugatti Type 57 and Lagonda LG45.