KOCHI, India—Apollo Tyres Ltd. plans to release a Vredestein-branded portfolio of retro tires, called Sprint+, designed for classic vehicles of the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
The tire line will be available abroad in September. Once the tire is fully compliant with U.S. standards, it will be sold in the U.S. as well, Apollo said.
The first tire to be produced will be sized 215/50 R15, for the Audi Ur Quattro, a tire that Apollo said has not been available for a number of years.
Pricing has yet to be announced.
The tires were developed with help from former Formula 1 racer Jochen Mass, a Vredestein ambassador. Since manufacturers have stopped producing the original tires, Mr. Mass said the owners of cars built in the 1970s, '80s and '90s—often referred to as "youngtimers"—have to use modern tires "often with less than optimal results from an aesthetic point of view.
"Vredestein believes that a quality product with a retro look developed specially for youngtimers is a better choice," Mass said. "The value of youngtimers is growing, and retro tires that match their era of origin help preserve the magic of these cars."