Thought some might be interested. I have an original Firestone Wide O Oval spare. Bought 4 Firestone repro's. I knew the differences. Thought you might like to check them out. First, the number of "bars" in the tread is different. Second, the "logo's" around the tires are different. If you look closey the "Firestone" is within the whitewall on the original....outside the whitewall on the repro. The repro's also have Sup R Belt on the sides. There are other differences... DOT numbers, etc. Check it out. See any other differences? Sorry for the lousy pix. Chuck
While the differences are quite distinct, it would be difficult to envision without having the original to campare to. A couple of questions: what year is the original, who produced the repros and where did you purchase them? I have been thinking of acquiring repros, but get very confused with catalog claims like "made from original Firestone molds, exact replicas, etc."
Your help appreciated.
The original is a real "factory" 1969 Corvette tire. The Firestone repro's are made by Coker in Tennessee. To the best of my knowledge, they're the ONLY outfit making Firestone's. These are, in fact, the ones that you've read about...."exact replicas.....original molds". They're the only thing going out there.
Cost? I paid $125.00 each for the tires. Got a deal on free shipping (long story). Total cost $500.00 delivered to my door via UPS. I've been told that the Goodyear repro's are closer to the originals than the Firestones. Chuck
Nobody is making the bias ply tires. Only the belted ones you bought. Coker will try to tell you these are correct. Beware!! Corvettes never came with belted ties.
Ok,I got some stupid questions.First,I thought the repros were bias plias.Second,is it possible that there were two different types/models of wide ovals,because there are some major differences between those.I cant believe that some one would even consider them exact repros. :seeya
The repro's are bias ply (Sup R Belt), while the originals are nylon cord. I think these are the ONLY Firestones available. As I said earlier, I knew the differences, so I knew what I was getting. Anybody with pics of the Goodyear wide ovals? Chuck
Could the differences be the original spare was an OEM tire and the Coker molds are for F'stones over the counter ones? I distinctly remember in the early 70's trying to get tires to match the factory installs and finding that the "same" model over the counters were much different. Ran across the same thing on my Mitsu pick-up around the 80's with BFG all terrain tires, the factory installs were not available. I havn't checked recently but suspect that there is still a difference between "factory only" and over the counter models ... makes you have to buy 4 tires not just one or two to match.
Chuck, Sorry to hear you got such a poor reproduction. I have bought the Goodyear repros and been quite happy, but had heard the Firestone repros were not very good. The reproduction Goodyears only have a couple of minor differences from the originals. Now we know. Due to the problem you encountered I have gone the original route where I have bought original nylon cord tires for judging purposes and eliminated the problem with originality. Just don't drive to far on them.
Chuck, I, too, have an original Wide Oval in my basement that came off of my car. My tire has a very distinct white lettering "Wide Oval". How come yours don't have that? Was there a difference between the white letter tire option and standard tires?
My tire still has the colored lines in the tread, the read ink stamp on the side wall and most of the nubs.
There's a significant difference between current OEM tires and their similarly-named retail versions; OEM tires are selected by the car manufacturers based on submissions each year from the tire manufacturers that are designed and built to meet OEM requirements for rolling resistance, coast-down horsepower, and tread-generated road noise; OEM tires supplied to assembly plants are constructed specifically to meet those engineering requirements. Retail replacement versions of those tires LOOK pretty much the same, but their internal construction is slightly different and they're made in different molds.
Excellent points by GregP and JohnZ. Yes, this could be the case, OEM vs. over the counter.
Let me say again that I am HAPPY with my Firestones. I KNEW what they looked like, knew what the differences were, and Coker gave me a good deal and treated me well. I posted the pix just to show others the differences. LOVE my Firestones. They're on the car now, but I haven't driven on them yet. Will switch back to my street radial Uniroyals.
Can't answer the "white letter" question, Gary. Honestly don't know what was "white letter" and what was black. Chuck
I am sorry that this is off topic but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in 5 NOS Goodyear Speedway F70/15 redline tires that are non dot for 1968 Corvettes? These tires have never been mounted and are in mint condition with the tips still showing. Perfect for the Bloomington or NCRS candidate. Thanks in advance.
Goodyears repros are virtually undetectable from originals except for DOT marking and date code. THe guys who make them have now matched the "E" to the original tires. FOrmerly the middle bar on the "E" was slightly shorter than the upper and lower bars. If someone can tell me how to post pictures I'll post some of the Goodyears.
Would love to see the pix. That way others can compare. To post the pix, you first of all have to upload them to a website. I have one here on CF, but it could be elsewhere. After you've uploaded them you do this:
Chuck,
When I purchased my 72 new, it came with Raised White Lettered [RWL],Firestone Wide Oval tires. They were of nylon cord construction. Thin white side walls were another option. I had my car about 6 months when I had a flat with one of the original tires. When I had the tire adjusted at a Firestone dealer they told me that the tire needed replacement. They replaced it with a fiberglass belted tire that looked very similar to the reproduction tires that Coker is now selling. It took me sevral weeks to realize that the tire was not the same construction as my original tire. I believe Firestone told me back then[early 1973] that they now longer made the nylon cord tire.
Coker in 1996 tried to sell their repo tires as original tires for 68-72 corvettes. I purchased a set to use for my PV, as I did not want to do a PV on 25 year tires. You will notice the difference in driveablilty immediately from radials. I am still driving the 72 with the repo"s.
Ed
Corvette Store
Original vs. Repro Tires
