too many maybe's. Quesses or could haves....Just looking for facts....I am sure that anyone that was that pure about that car would have changed them to the original tires if indeed they did not come on that car...Again, just want facts.
John, There's only one set of original tires. Just like there is only one original engine. Gone is gone. I like the tires Joe has on there. He could say that they are period correct. Even could say dealer installed. No need to put someone down saying Joe was or wasn't 'pure about the car'.
looking for the facts ,have someone check the date code on the tires,that will tell if they were replaced...which I would assume ( I know ,not facts) they were ,because the SHOULD have been ,just safety wise.....old tires are a hazard
I am at work...do not have access to my home server.
There are many, many referrals to Goodyear Polyglas F70-14 being an "option" on many '68 and up cars. As a bias-ply tire with a wide profile they were more performance oriented than belted tires, and offered excellent tire-smoking capability along with better braking and cornering due to the larger contact patch.
I believe I saw or saw reference to a Service Advisory or Engineering bulletin listing Goodyear tires, but I cannot locate it now. If I do I will post it.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Hmm...I never saw Goodyears being offered on Firebirds until 1969. Anyone have the original order form showing Goodyear RWL F70-14's in 1968 on a Firebird? Goodyear RWL were available on Corvette, Camaro, etc, but I never saw them listed on the 68 Firebird form. Pontiac's tire contracts were with Uniroyal and Firestone until 1969.
As for an owner of a feature car proof reading an article before going to press, it depends on the magazine, and of course the magazine's desire to get the information straight. My car had a 4-page spread in Musclecar Review, it was on the cover, and other than a call from Tom Shaw (editor) to get notes on my setup, the article went to press unchecked. No one asked for me to proof read it.
High Perf Pontiac Magazine has "elaborated" on things in their articles as well, and Pontiac Enthusiast Magazine sometimes makes mistakes so bad that you'd think the editor on their first Pontiac magazine assignment after being launched from Mopar Monthly.
Jim, I am not "putting Joe down' That is just another way for you to start trouble again..As a collector car (and that is one of the nicest)collectors put on original equiptment to maintain originallity..and original tires or repops of the originals are and have been availible, So my question was and is were they original?...I also know that the G-70 Goodyear Polyglass is not and has not been reproduced and are almost impossible to find a complete NOS set...I have a set I bought 4 years ago at chryslers@Carlisle and I paid big $ for them...If they are and could have been FACTORY for some 1968 Firebirds I will use mine on one of my cars, That is why I ask the question and want ONLY facts.
Originally Posted By Fbody69
Originally Posted By 67 Firebird 400
too many maybe's. Quesses or could haves....Just looking for facts....I am sure that anyone that was that pure about that car would have changed them to the original tires if indeed they did not come on that car...Again, just want facts.
John, There's only one set of original tires. Just like there is only one original engine. Gone is gone. I like the tires Joe has on there. He could say that they are period correct. Even could say dealer installed. No need to put someone down saying Joe was or wasn't 'pure about the car'.
"period correct" tires could be ok....I still contend "Original Tires" would be unsafe after 40 yrs, as a tires life is about 10 yrs....so , no use to save old tires that are unused...
OK if they were the original size/type/and so on and they were in need of replacement, I think someone did some searching for the correct replacement and put the same on....It is not a matter of this car wearing it's original tires from day 1 or them being replaced...The question is did that car come with that same tire when new from the Factory?...I think with research we will find that it did.
Jim and Bjorn, there are SO many cars out there with original tires on them date coded as well for their cars and cars of that caliber do not usually get driven...If they do, I am sure they change them for the shrt drives they might take...At point judged cars, dates are checked on tires and it could and has been a decieding factor of first or second place in some shows...People pay a lot of money for correct dated tires and they install them for that reason.
I better go look through my tire pile....EDITED Well I went out and looked at my old tires. I had some 30 year old Super Wide Grand Prix bias belted tires. They have perfect tread. And they have been stored indoors for most of their lives. The sides have long splits in them. I wonder how these guys keep their 40 year old tires like new? I wouldn't put a split tire on my car to even load it on the trailer for a show.
I better go look through my tire pile....EDITED Well I went out and looked at my old tires. I had some 30 year old Super Wide Grand Prix bias belted tires. They have perfect tread. And they have been stored indoors for most of their lives. The sides have long splits in them. I wonder how these guys keep their 40 year old tires like new? I wouldn't put a split tire on my car to even load it on the trailer for a show.
yep, perfectly unsafe...
to me its almost crimianal to give a deduct in points for a "safe " tire vs an old 'correct' tire...unless its a trailer queen...
The 25 year old radial tires on my Firebird ruptured a belt during winter storage with about 6,000 miles on them. Yet my 40 year old Le Mans had a PERFECT crack free original spare, and my compact spare is also in great shape with no cracks.
Exposure to sunlight, heat, ozone and chemicals make a big difference in longevity. So does load, and maintaining adequate but not excessive pressure. I would still not use a tire more than 10 years old for normal driving, and less for performance driving. For a trailer queen, I'd use the originals.
Anyone remember tubes? They still make cracked belted tires reasonably safe to use at low speeds.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Anyone remember tubes? They still make cracked belted tires reasonably safe to use at low speeds.
They made tubes for car tires illegal in Michigan. There's a huge fine if you get caught selling one to anyone for a car. There's a fine even if a shop installs one in a car tire. I doubt you will find any in car tire sizes at tire stores.
Anyone remember tubes? They still make cracked belted tires reasonably safe to use at low speeds.
They made tubes for car tires illegal in Michigan. There's a huge fine if you get caught selling one to anyone for a car. There's a fine even if a shop installs one in a car tire. I doubt you will find any in car tire sizes at tire stores.
they sell lots of Tubes around Austin ,Tx, they are used to go river rafting in....lol...not for car use though...
I saw a news piece about aged tires. They can blow at any minute. That would be a show stopper now wouldn't it. Hot day at the car show and BLAM!!! BLAM BLAM BLAM! (chain reaction) Everybody down, it's a drive by.....
I'll reword it then; I thought they were ONLY using Firestone tires on Firebirds in 1968.
and when I bought my 68 Firebird 350 in 1969 , a 6 mo old used car...It had redlines on it, not sure which brand they were...but they were "original".....I hope they were not Firestones*.... but no idea....
*you could buy those on "blow out sales" a few yrs ago, remember?
And the great recall of the Firestone 500's way back when.... Exerpt; The company will be obliged to recall as many as 7.5 million of the tires, primarily those produced between March 1975 and May 1976. In addition to the 500s, the recall includes similar tires sold as original equipment on General Motors cars and those marketed under other brand names, notably Montgomery Ward's Grappler 8000 and Super Shell Steel Radial. Firestone will have to replace them with its new and presumably improved 721 radials. It has also agreed to offer 50% discounts on the new tires to anybody who trades in a Firestone 500 model that was produced before March 1975.
So they gave you 721's and then THEY got recalled too.
Dont remember those, I only used Michelins (on my Volvos, only drove Volvos then) in the 70`s.... I take that back, my 75 Olds Cutlasses (2) had "General" , I installed as I bought the cars used (77-78)...
I had a pair Goodyear polyglas on my car when I bought it in 1981. The front tires were a different brand that I don't recall. I had debated keeping the Goodyears when I got my first set of Radial T/As, but in the end I decided not to, because frankly I was just two tired.
I had a pair Goodyear polyglas on my car when I bought it in 1981. The front tires were a different brand that I don't recall. I had debated keeping the Goodyears when I got my first set of Radial T/As, but in the end I decided not to, because frankly I was just two tired.
I had a pair Goodyear polyglas on my car when I bought it in 1981. The front tires were a different brand that I don't recall. I had debated keeping the Goodyears when I got my first set of Radial T/As, but in the end I decided not to, because frankly I was just two tired.
and I thought that was the reason a bicycle couldnt stand up by itself.... two tired
I aired up my Space Saver to clean and inspect it, then deflated it. It worked just as designed.
I can buy inner tubes in any car size. How many trailer queens do you know that are licensed for street use anyhow? I'd also like the cite for "illegal to use tubes".
And if you want to quote Michigan law, did you know that it is legal to drive a Historic registered vehicle, which includes actual year plates, with BALD tires? Section 257.710h(iii) of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Bring on the racing slicks!
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
I have several sets of original tires in my attick that are just about perfect! ...they are for various Schwinn bikes from the late 60's. Stingray, Manta Ray, Breeze, Typhoon. I sell a pair every now and then for rediculous prices. Would you pay $250 for a pair of bicycle tires?
Oh...wait! This is the FIREBIRD forum...
sorry
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
In a recent survey of Pontiac women at a national event (2004), a whopping 9 of 10 said they prefered the Raised White Letter look on Firebird black tires.
Most just said it caught their eye more than whitewalls or black walls.
Nine out of every ten. What are your questions?
'68 428 HO M3 Monster, 4-on-the-floor! Need I say more?
Read paragraph beginning "Along with the above changes and..." just before "1968 Production Numbers". Geoff, have any supporting docs?
And as for tubes, what about the cars that use wood or steel spoke wheels? No tubes? That would be difficult to manage. Someone better tell that Model A owner who lives up the street to permanently park his car if he doesn't want to alter it.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
AHH SO I am right...That car was too original not to be correct.
Facts...I just love Facts...and I quote..... "Along with the above changes and the addition of the Van Nuys, California plant on March 4th, a few more changes were made including the addition of a four-way power bucket seat, the midyear addition of the Goodyear Polyglas tire,"
Gone is gone. I like the tires Joe has on there. He could say that they are period correct. Even could say dealer installed. No need to put someone down saying Joe was or wasn't 'pure about the car'. 
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