1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

[Terry B.]

I will be purchasing reproduction tires later this spring for my 1968 Roadster. The Corvette was built December of 1967. The correct tire size is F 70 15. My 1968-69 Judging manual says that original Firestone, Goodyear and Uniroyal tires all had 9 ribs on the tread. I have found that to be true with Goodyear Reproduction tires from Kelsey Tire. However, I have been in contact with Coker Tire which handle Firestone Repros and they say they have the correct tire but it has only 7 ribs. Coker tires are about $50 a tire less than the Kelsey but if not correct, not in consideration. Is the judging manual wrong or is Coker Tire wrong? Thanks!

[Lyndon S.]

Re: 1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

Coker tire is wrong for a corvette! do not belive what they tell you, no corvette ever came with the firestone tires they sell. if you have the car NCRS judged with those tires you will lose points, heck you would do better to go with modern goodyear tire. than with the coker tires. if you want the best tires for NCRS points then you will have to ponny up for the Kelsey tires.

[John H.]

Re: 1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

You'd think that when Coker decides to spend the money to make new molds for a correct reproduction tire for a Corvette, that they'd check with someone first to determine the proper configuration (for both the tread and the sidewall); in the case of their "new" tire, neither is correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

John-----

I think that it MAY be that the belted version of the original Firestone Super Sports Wide Oval tires did use the 7 ribs versus the 9 for the non-belted. I'm not 100% sure of this, though. In any event, the tire that Coker reproduces is the belted version of the Super Sports Wide Oval. This tire was used on other cars of the period (maybe, Mustangs and "muscle cars") but not Corvette. Since Coker had to decide on one or the other, maybe they figured that the market was bigger for the belted version, so that's the one that they reproduced.

The Kelsey reproduction of the Goodyear Speedway Wide Tread is the most authentic reproduction of the tires used on Corvettes during the 68-72 period.

One important consideration, though, is this: the belted version of the Firestone Wide Oval is a better street tire for DRIVING purposes than the bias ply, nylon cord design used for the Kelsey reproduction (which is identical to the original construction used for Corvette tires). So, if one is planning on actually driving on the tires, then one might be better off with the Coker tires. If exact originality is more important, than the Kelsey tires are the ONLY way to go.

[Terry B.]

Re: 1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

Thanks for your quick and insightful responses. It looks like Kelsey Tire has the correct tires for judging. One thing I have noticed on the Kelsey Website (http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/preformancetires.html) is some of their F70 15 tires have the N/F code which means non flat spotting. How important will this be for judging points, if any, and an authentic restoration? It looks as if their white line tires have N/F but red lines do not. I am partial to the red lines myself.

[James C.]

Re: 1968 F70 15 Reproduction Tires

I just bought a set of Kelsey Goodyear F70x15 White letters. If you ever, I mean ever drive this car, do not buy these for use on a car that is even driven occasionally. They are a handful and have a junk ride. Tire technology has really advanced since the 1960's and we have been spoiled by the handling and ride quality of new(er) tires. I would only use these for judging. I run 245x60 BF Goodrich radials when I drive the car.I have a 1971.. 454/4 speed. Jim