The airless tire, specifically designed to withstand the harsh road conditions of growing markets such as China and India, will not puncture. In a similar fashion to how automakers unveil concept vehicles at the worlds top-tier auto shows, Michelin has chosen its home market. The new wheels and tires, which Michelin has stated it wants to make adaptable to "motorcycles, cars and heavier vehicles," are produced out of elastic, meaning they can absorb shock at higher rates than pneumatic tires while allowing for a smoother ride over rough road surfaces. "There is a robustness that is especially designed for fast-growing markets, like China and India, where the roads and infrastructure are not as well developed as ours," commented Didier Miraton, head of research and development at Michelin.Miraton added that designs for future wheel and tire packages, such as the Airless Wheel and Tweel tire, could use a wider range of materials, which would make Michelin less reliant on natural rubber, an expensive component incorporated into all tires currently available. No doubt Michelin feels it can overcome the general reaction for elastic to bounce, which would be cause for instability when applied to car tires. Miraton did not comment on this issue, but said that the Tweed tire would improve reaction to road conditions and especially when turning corners.
Classic Wheels 1968 GTO
Written by Pete Brekus
Bob Jones, of Lehigh Township, rescued this 1968 Pontiac GTO from a farmer's field outside Wind Gap about 20 years ago, restoring it to pristine condition over the years.
Jones' first task was to get the car running again. He went one better, dropping in a Pontiac HO (high-output) 455-cubic-inch V8 engine aspirated by a four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor. He had the car's original Pontiac Turbo 400 automatic transmission rebuilt, added a positraction differential and started racing the GTO at Island Dragway in Great Meadows, turning in a best time of 12.35 seconds in the quarter mile.
When he retired the car from racing Jones had the car repainted in Pontiac Verdoro Green to match the color of his first GTO, a 1968 he bought in 1969 when he was discharged from his service in the Army. He spruced up the interior and now takes it to area car shows and cruises.
Jones will show his restored GTO at the 12th annual Pontiac and Buick car show at Star Buick, GMC in Lower Nazareth Township on Sunday.
About his near-perfect '68 Pontiac GTO, Jones says, "I was originally a Chevy guy but I saw the light when stationed in Germany after Motor Trend named the GTO its 1968 Car of the Year. When I bought the car it was like three different colors and not running. It was just a very standard GTO. I cloned it to what I originally had years ago."