Hi Guys
Looking to fit out some original RS Volantes.
Any suggestions on tyre application appreciated.
Cheers

It really depends on the rim width and offset.
Minimum 7" wide for the rims and whichever tyre will fill the guards out, completely :)
 
 
 

13's are pretty slim picking. I think yokohama rereleased the old 352 A pattern. these were a good tyre many years ago and period perfect for our toys. check if they are available in good ole 205/60 13.

I think 175/70 is the original size tyre fitted to Volantes, but unless you want the factory original look, that's pretty skinny. Widest you'll get on are 205 (should be 60 profile to maintain correct speedo reading), but they bulge a lot at the sidewalls as the rim itself is only 5.5" wide.   That wouldn't be so bad except that the the offset for the Volante isn't ideal (you'll get minor rubbing against the strut at full lock).  The pickings are pretty slim in either case, although I have seen some people run Toyo Proxes R888s on the street as they still come in 205/60R13 (two different compounds too).  All depends what you want to do with the car I guess.

If running the escort version of the volante (as opposed to the cortina version), a 205/60 does work quite well.

The only issue I had was the tyre rubbing slightly on the rally pack front spoiler when on 3/4 steering lock, but not on the strut.

Note that the spokes on an escort volante lean in at the rim end just slightly, where as the cortina spokes lean in quite a lot and a thus the whole wheel is offset towards the strut a lot more.

Ash

ash
If running the escort version of the volante (as opposed to the cortina version), a 205/60 does work quite well.

The only issue I had was the tyre rubbing slightly on the rally pack front spoiler when on 3/4 steering lock, but not on the strut.

Note that the spokes on an escort volante lean in at the rim end just slightly, where as the cortina spokes lean in quite a lot and a thus the whole wheel is offset towards the strut a lot more.

Ash

Now that's interesting, as my Volante's do rub ever so slightly on the strut, although only at full lock, which has never caused a problem in practice.  They are definitely Escort versions because I bought them a very long time ago from a guy who replaced his factory fitted RS wheels with new CSA Penta wheels like you are selling at the moment Ash.

I've got a set of Nexen 185/60R13 on my 13x7 wheels. No idea how they go on the road as its only been round the block once. They were cheap so are probably a long way from being the best.

Without a doubt the best tyre I've fitted to my mk2 - the Yokohama A539. I got mine in the 185/60/13. I was at first hesitant to go skinnier than a 205 as that is what I always had, but now I would never look back. Wide enough not to appear skinny with standard arches and have bags of grip. Can not recommend enough... and midland wheels deliver to Australia too
 
http://www.midlandwheels....x13-Yokohama-A539.html

Just be aware that (in a MK2 at least) a 185/60R13 will put your speedo out by about 9.4%, i.e. your indicated speed will be that much higher than actual.

185/70/13 all round with 13x7" hotwires
 
 
 

 
The 60 profile is a much smaller tyre and makes a huge difference to the look of the car. I know this because I just put 185/60/13 on the front (not pictured)