NEXEN SB802, Standard Touring All-Season Tire for Classic & Vintage Automobiles
Where Vintage Style Meets Modern Tire Technology
The NEXEN SB802 exists to solve a problem that every classic car owner knows well: finding a tire that respects the original proportions and aesthetic of a vintage automobile while delivering the safety, reliability, and all-season capability that modern driving demands. The SB802 was developed specifically for drivers of classic cars who want a tire with vintage style combined with modern technology, and it delivers on that mission in a single focused fitment designed for the narrow, tall tire profiles that defined automotive design from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Available exclusively in 165/80R15, a size that directly mirrors the factory tire specifications of many beloved American and European classics, the SB802 is the tire for the owner who has invested time, passion, and resources into preserving or restoring a vintage vehicle and wants a tire that honors that commitment. At 25.4 inches in overall diameter with a 6.5-inch section width and black sidewall finish, the SB802 presents the correct visual proportion and period-appropriate profile that modern metric radial tires simply cannot replicate on classic wheel and fender combinations.
SB802 Performance Ratings
The SB802’s performance profile is calibrated for the driving realities of classic automobile use, prioritizing comfort and safe braking over sport-oriented handling, with ratings that reflect honest expectations for a standard touring tire in a vintage fitment.
Comfort, Rated 8/10
A comfort score of 8 out of 10 leads the SB802’s performance ratings and reflects its standard touring identity. Classic car owners typically drive their vehicles with care and deliberateness, on weekend outings, car shows, and leisurely road trips, and the SB802’s touring-oriented construction delivers the smooth, composed ride quality that complements these use cases. Its relatively tall 80-series sidewall profile provides inherent compliance and cushioning over road imperfections, making the ride feel consistent with the original character of the vehicles it was designed to serve.
Braking, Rated 7/10
A braking score of 7 out of 10 reflects the SB802’s ability to deliver safe, controlled stopping in the dry and wet conditions that classic car drivers encounter on the street. Its UTQG traction grade of A, the second-highest available, confirms capable wet-surface grip for a tire in this category, providing meaningful safety assurance for drivers of vehicles that predate modern braking systems and may not have ABS or electronic stability control.
Handling, Rated 6/10
Handling scores a 6 out of 10, which is appropriate and expected for a standard touring tire in a tall, narrow profile designed for classic vehicles. The SB802 is not engineered for sport-oriented cornering; it is designed to provide stable, predictable directional response that allows classic car drivers to navigate confidently without demanding the kind of dynamic engagement that would be out of character for a vintage automobile experience.
Tread Life, Rated 6/10
A tread score of 6 out of 10 pairs with a UTQG treadwear rating of 320, which is moderate for a standard touring tire but appropriate for the limited, seasonal driving patterns typical of classic car use. Most classic automobile owners accumulate far fewer annual miles than daily drivers, making the per-mile tread life equation less critical than overall tire condition, age, and seasonal storage compatibility.
Fuel Efficiency, Rated 6/10
Fuel efficiency scores a 6 out of 10, a secondary consideration for classic car owners whose vehicles were designed around carburetion and mechanical fuel delivery systems, where modern fuel efficiency optimization plays a minimal role. The SB802’s compound and construction are appropriate for the power and drivetrain characteristics of the vintage vehicles it serves.
165/80R15, The Classic Car Fitment
The 165/80R15 size specification places the SB802 squarely in the fitment range of numerous beloved classic vehicles across multiple decades and origins. The 80-series aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 80% of the section width, produces the tall, rounded tire profile visually associated with period-correct classic automobiles, maintaining the wheel gap proportions and fender clearances that define the correct stance and appearance of vintage builds.
The SB802’s 165/80R15 single size carries a load index of 87, supporting a maximum single load of 1,201 lbs at 36 PSI, with a 4-ply construction and an approved rim width range of 4.0 to 5.5 inches, consistent with the narrow steel and wire wheels common on classic cars of the era. Its 10/32″ tread depth provides adequate wear depth for the service life expected of a specialty classic tire used in seasonal rotation.
T Speed Rating & UTQG 320 A B
The SB802 carries a T speed rating, certifying it for sustained speeds up to 118 mph, more than adequate for the highway driving and spirited open-road use that classic car owners typically engage in. Its UTQG rating of 320 A B indicates moderate treadwear (320), strong traction (A grade, second-highest available), and a B temperature grade indicating good resistance to heat buildup at sustained speeds, all appropriate specifications for a touring tire designed for vintage vehicle applications where occasional spirited driving is part of the ownership experience.
SB802 Warranty, NEXEN Total Coverage
The SB802 is backed by NEXEN’s Total Coverage Warranty with 36 months of roadside assistance. As a specialty classic car tire without a mileage-based tread wear warranty or road hazard warranty, the SB802’s warranty structure reflects its targeted use case, providing the peace of mind of manufacturer support and roadside assistance for classic car owners who may encounter unexpected situations while driving their vehicles away from home.
FAQs: Standard Touring All-Season Tires
What type of tire is the NEXEN SB802?
The NEXEN SB802 is a standard touring all-season tire designed specifically for classic and vintage automobiles. It is available in a single size, 165/80R15, which mirrors the factory tire specifications of many classic American and European vehicles from the 1950s through the 1970s. It is T speed-rated (up to 118 mph) and carries a UTQG rating of 320 A B, combining vintage-style proportions with modern tire construction and all-season capability.
What classic cars does the NEXEN SB802 fit?
The SB802’s 165/80R15 fitment is compatible with a wide range of classic automobiles that originally used 165-series or similar narrow-profile 15-inch tires. This includes many classic European sedans, American compacts and intermediates from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, and vintage vehicles that have been restored to period-correct wheel and tire specifications. Use the NEXEN Tire Finder at nexentireusa.com or consult your vehicle’s original tire size specification to confirm compatibility.
Why is the SB802 only available in one size?
The SB802 is a specialty tire designed to serve a specific segment of the classic car market that requires the 165/80R15 fitment, a size that is difficult or impossible to source from mainstream modern tire manufacturers, most of whom have shifted their lineups toward lower-profile, wider metric sizes. NEXEN developed the SB802 in this single targeted size to serve the classic car community with a tire that correctly fits the wheel and fender dimensions of vintage vehicles without requiring custom or hard-to-find alternatives.
What is the UTQG rating of the NEXEN SB802?
The SB802 carries a UTQG rating of 320 A B. The 320 treadwear figure indicates a moderate-wear compound appropriate for the limited, seasonal use typical of classic automobiles. The A traction grade is the second-highest available, confirming capable wet and dry grip performance. The B temperature grade indicates good heat resistance at sustained speeds, appropriate for the highway use that classic car owners engage in on road trips and weekend drives.
Does the SB802 have a tread wear mileage warranty?
No. The SB802 does not include a mileage-based tread wear warranty or road hazard warranty. This is consistent with its specialty positioning as a classic car tire, where seasonal use patterns and the tire’s focused fitment application make a standard mileage warranty impractical. It does include 36 months of roadside assistance through NEXEN’s Total Coverage Warranty.
Is the SB802 good for all-season use on a classic car?
Yes. The SB802 is classified as a standard touring all-season tire, providing year-round capability in dry, wet, and light cold-weather conditions appropriate for the driving patterns of most classic car owners. Drivers in regions with severe winters should note that the SB802 carries a B temperature grade and a moderate traction A rating, adequate for typical driving conditions but not engineered for severe snow or icy roads. Many classic car owners store their vehicles seasonally, which reduces the all-weather demands placed on the SB802 in practice.
Where can I buy the NEXEN SB802?
The SB802 is available through NEXEN’s authorized dealer network across the United States. Because it is a specialty tire in a single size, availability may vary by location. Use the Dealer Finder tool at nexentireusa.com to locate the nearest retailer carrying the SB802 in the 165/80R15 fitment.
