Original Firestone Goldline Tire

[Donald T.]

I just picked up an original non-DOT Firestone goldline tire. The info in the archives indicates that originals are date coded, but I'm not sure of the format. Can anyone help me decipher the codes?

001AD511
1-UM-5
BD-37437-1

Would it be 11th week of 1965?

Thanks!

[Larry L.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

A gold line question:
Are these tires Delux Champion or ? on the side wall.

[Donald T.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

Larry,

The tire has "Firestone", "Nylon", and "Super Sports" on the side wall.




Firestone Goldline

[Joe C.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

Yes, that sounds like the real McCoy. If you have a digital camera, it would be great if you could post a picture of the tire.
Aftermarket dealers have been selling Firestone incorrectly branded "Deluxe Champion" tires as red/goldlines for some time. They have finally gotten around to reproducing the correct "Super Sports" brand.

Here is a link to the Coker press release:

http://www.coker.com/store/files/PR_Files/Firestone775_PR.htm

Let us know how your tire compares to this one.

Thanks,
Joe

[Donald T.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

Joe,

I have attached photos of my tire with the codes I'm trying to decipher. Picture 7 has the markings that should contain the date code. I assume based on other tires that the last 3 digits are the date code, in this case "511". From the archives it appears that the first 2 digits are the week and the last is the year. This would be the 51st week with a year ending in "1". However, It can't be 1961 because the tire wasn't even available. I don't think it could be 1971, since tires of that era would have required DOT markings by law, and there are no DOT markings on this tire. So, my best guess is that the date is actually the 11th week of 1965. Also, the seller claims this is an original spare removed from a 65. I am hoping this is the case since it fits perfectly with my cars approximate build date of 5/13/65. Could I possible get this lucky? Can anyone confirm this?

The Coker repro looks dead on, except for the markings around the bead of the tire. I can't read them, but I assume these are the DOT markings. You will still be able to easily spot the repros even when they are mounted on the car. Unless of course there is some careful surgery with the exacto knife. I can't evaluate the back of the tire from the picture.

Thanks!




Firestone Goldline

[Wayne M.]

*000KE665* spare on '66 VIN..219xx

Goldline Super Sports on Late May '66 car. Rules out 66 or 65 being the week of the year. Can't postulate what other date this code could mean.

[Donald T.]

Re: *000KE665* spare on '66 VIN..219xx

Ya had to go an' throw a wrench in my carefully thought out theory, didn't ya Wayne! Still could be a julian date. 65th day of '66? Only thing I can think of. Anybody else have an original Firestone tire?

Thanks!

[John Fowler]

[Tim B.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

Forgive my ignorance, were both the Goodyear and the Firestone available then in a goldline tire for 1966?

With Coker making the Super Sport now, which is most correct for judging?

Thanks

[John L.]

Re: Original Firestone Goldline Tire

Up until this new Super Sport was introduced, the Goodyear was the most favored. I have not personally seen the new Super Sports however it is about time. Both Goodyear and Forestone supplied Goldlines for the Corvette in 1966.