NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

[Ralph S.]

I have 4 Goodyear non DOT F/70x15 redlines one has a serial #S702460 it does not say nylon cord on it. It has an orange ink stamp saying deliver to MILFORD PROVING GROUND FROM GOODYEAR TIRE AKRON OHIO. Another tire serial# KS01608 and says NF NYLON the next is YK01259 NF NYLON CORD The next is YK01262 NF NYLON CORD They all have The letters NA burnt into the tire next to the serial number almost covering the serial number.Any thoughts on these.I have had these tires since 1978, the sidewalls are dryrotted but they have about 90% tread on them.

[Terry D.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

Ralph

Milford is GM's proving grounds. I delivered a lot of tires there for Goodyear. My guess would be these were test tires that never got destroyed. That happened more than Goodyear would like to admit.
Terry

[Kevin M.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

Ralph,

When Art or John read this they'll know the meanings. I'd say the letters burnt in were meant to convey don't use?

Kevin

[Terry M.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

The tire beginning with KS was manufactured April, 1967, and the ones with YK were manufactured October 1967.

[Chris H.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

These tires are probably development tires. When developing a vehicle we would ask for tires from the major suppliers with certain criteria (from rolling resistance to compliance to a bunch of other stuff). They would then be rode off and a source or two would be picked to continue the development with. (Purchasing would help with the decision of course!!)

Then the Development engineers would ask for revisions to the tires to improve what they wanted out of the car such as stickier rubber compound or a different cord or whatever.

The sources would go back and make the revisions and then resubmit. This could go on for quite a few submissions.

Most likely these were tires built off a production mold with the requested changes. To assure they did not get mixed up the serial numbers were covered.

When testing was completed the tires were supposed to have a hole drilled in the sidewall and scrapped. However it would be pretty easy for a car at the MPG to get these tires on them and then the vehicle is sold.

[Joseph T.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

Ralph
During the late 60's and 70's the tire copmpanies would brand the letters "NA" in the sidewall of the tires by the serial numbers to designate the tires were not adjustable. They would have no warranty what so ever. Also some tires were branded "Blems" wich would designate they had a blemish on them somewhere. This was in the appearance only. Then some were branded "ABO" meaninmg appearance blemish only. At one time before blems some tires were branded "Seconds". This was not tolerated by the DOT because you could not knowingly make a tire that was inferior in quality and sell it. All of these markings were a marketing tool of the tire companies to offer some lower priced tires in the market place.

[Kevin M.]

Re: NON DOT F/70X15 REDLINES

Joe,

Thanks I remember blems The only tire my dad would buy, always got the best tire for the cheapest tire price. It was usually just a stripe or lettering smudge.

Kevin