1972 Tires for judging

[Jeff W.]

What tires would be correct for judging? Where can correct repro's be purchased?
Thanks for the help.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

To my knowledge the most correct tires available for judging are the Kelsey Goodyears. Minimal point deduction.

http://www.kelseytire.com

[Norm C.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

Our 72's were either Goodyear or Firestone F70-15 Raised White Letter. Kelsey or Coker both offer them, previous posts here seem to support Kelsey over Coker. A pair of supposedly Goodyear "Take Off's" were recently sold on Ebay for $140pr. If they were good with no aging ck cracks etc... that was good price, as new repos are over $150. each. This ebay # will give you a pic of one. 270026150653. Don't plan on doing too much driving on bias ply nylon tires (OEM Type) they just don't track or ride near as nice as the radials of today.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

There are no "correct" repros for judging...the only "correct" tires are going to be the type originally installed on the car. You can expect repro tires to be identified as such, and some points to be deducted.

If you COULD find NOS OEM tires, you would have to indenture your children to buy them, and you would still have tires unsafe while rolling at any speed. The good news is that the deduct for repros is usually not as much as having steel-belted radials in metric sizes.

The first repro tire to the Corvette resto market was the Firestone "Wide-Oval" sold by Coker Tire. Since then, Kelsey Tire has added the Goodyear OEM type tire. I understand the Goodyear tires are molded in the original molds and are very close. I would probably chose those if I had it to do over...they are the closest repro you can get, but I expect you'll get some deduction.

If you plan to drive the car AND have it judged, you are probably looking at two sets of tires and wheels. Most people have forgotten how to drive on those old timey tires if they were driving then.

[Jeff W.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

Thanks to all. I have the BFG radial TA on it now. I have the original wheels stored with a set of 1978 Radials on them and the spare still has all of the nub's, never has been on the ground! I will check with Kelsey.
Jeff

[Joe C.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

Jeff,

I like the Kelsey Goodyears, and drive my car to shows/parades/day trip vacations, etc. I do not use it to buy groceries, though. The old fashioned "bicycle tires" aren't as responsive as modern radials. They do not deliver anything near linear breakaway. They are suicide in the rain (yeah, but who drives in the rain, right??)

For occasional non-spirited driving, I don't think that you can beat the reproduced old fashioned bias ply, and later bias-belted tires. Goodyear is the best choice if you want faithful reproductions. The only departure from original, is the DOT marking on the sidewall. The carcass and tread are both "dead nuts on".

If you have a faithfully reproduced set of original bias-belted (wide oval) tires installed on your '72, it changes the look of the car, completely. It separates "the men from the boys" IMHO.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

Those Kelsey Goodyears can be purchased from any Goodyear dealer -- I'm not sure how many know about that, but it can be done.

[Jeff W.]

Re: 1972 Tires for judging

Good advice Terry. I dont know what the shipping costs would be from MO. to VA. is, but its worth a shot to see what the local Goodyear charges.
Thanks