Replacing Firestone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelsey?

[George H.]

^{th th} set; original 500, Firestone 721 replacements, Goodyear Eagles, and now Goodyear Steelgard if that is the best way to go.

I will appreciate recommendations or comments

George Hunt
FL Chapter Member
Team Member NCRS 73/74 Technical Manual 3^rd Edition Update.

[Tim S.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

I bought a set of Steelgard's for my Dad's 11k mile 73. They drive nice. The price is a hard pill to swallow, but was worth it in the end. They came from Kelsey tire.

[Duke W.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

It's Kelsey, not Kelly tires. Kelsey has exclusive rights to GY repro tires. I don't know who actually manufactures them, but Kelsey has exclusive distribution rights. You might check with some local tire dealers. They might be able to buy them with a trade discount and pass some of it onto you. If you buy direct from Kelsey, it's likely list price.

Also, you should study the standard deductions for tires. Even the most accurate repro tires will have some deduction because they have mandatory modern DOT markings.

Another much less expensive option is a set of modern 225/70R-15 Goodyear Wrangler outline white letter tires, about 180 bucks each through The Tire Rack. Firestone also offers an equivalent outline white letter 225/70R-15 at a slightly lower price.

Both will have a higher deduction than the Kelsey repros, and if the outline white letters lose points you could probably have the white buffed off by a well equipped tire installer. Check around for prices and get familiar with the tire standard deductions in the latest Judging Reference Manual. The GR70R-15 alpha-numeric size is obsolete, replaced by 225/70R-15 (beginning in 1978 on Corvette) that have essentially identical dimensions, revs/mile, and load capacity.

Since blackwall GR70-15 tires were standard for '73, you don't need to buy whitewalls. The judges don't know what tire option was original and even if you have documentation of what it was you are not obliged to divulge that information. IMO blackwalls look better on any sports car.

For the $2000+ you save you might find it gets fewer deductions spent on other areas.

Duke

[George H.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Thanks Tim, I apprciate the feedback.
My '73 has been nothing but a sinkhole keeping it almost original. Tires will just add to that. Repair costs today are going up and up. Had the LS4 engine rebuild by Jasper in Indiania in 2015. That cost $5,500 plus the labor to pull and reinstalling another $2,800, then, another $1,000 + in parts for a replacement GM water pump, hoses, fuel pump and power steering unit rebuilt. That was in 2015. I only spent $4,680 to buy the car in Feb 1980 from it's original owner. Over the years, I'm sure I've put over $40K into it. Corvettes are like having a love affair.

[George H.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Thank you for the information Duke, I appreciate it. You make a very good point.

[James G.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

I would be willing to bet that there is no way Firestone would allow the Radial 500 to be reproduced.
It is the tire which caused their bankruptcy and their eventual acquisition by Bridgestone.

Love affair... lol that reminds me of what my mother in law would say to other wives of car guys.

I could complain about him under his cars, but at least I know what he is under.

[Eric P.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Hi George,
If you decide to look into the Goodyear Steelgard correct reproduction RWL radial tires from Kelsey Tire, you may want to contact Rusty Small at 816-654-3400. I bought a set from him, and he offers a discount to NCRS members. The tires have been a good choice for my 1973 through the judging process and for driving the car occasionally. My set are approximately 6 years old, and they still look and drive good with no flat spots....

Eric

[George H.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Thanks Eric for the feedback. I don't drive the car very much and the next set of tires will be the last"I'll put on it. It just sits in the garage waiting to be driven. I attached a picture and you can see th GY Eagle GT+4 tires. They barely fit under the car. How about that 454! Its a big-bad-boy and all numbers match.

Samsung Download Jan 17,,2020 1067.jpgCorvette in Chicago 1.jpg

[Eric P.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

The time of ownership and money you have invested has left you with a very nice '73 Corvette! My first was a 1973 that I bought around the same time as you in 1981 with my brother. Neither of us could afford it, so we bought it together. That explains why my '73 and this model year is one of my favorite cars.

I hope you keep yours and are able to get it out to a future NCRS event.
Eric

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Any tire but Coker

[George H.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Thnak you Jimmy and thank you Eric.

One last question. Should I be cocerned about the wheel weights and valve stems? In 73 they were lead. Now wheel weights are stell or zinc. I see that there is a decuction of 8 and 8 for not haveing original type weights./stems. Ok, some states have outlowed lead wheel weights. Tires are 30 and 30. Therefore in judging, if I dont buy something like originals, I may loose up to 78 points total. Is that correct?

[Don H.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

George
Refer back up to Duke's Post #3 especially "Also, you should study the standard deductions for tires. Even the most accurate repro tires will have some deduction because they have mandatory modern DOT markings." Tires are judged using Standard Deduction Guidelines, and any Brand or type new tire, in the proper size for your car, will receive at least 10% of the Originality points, which means they would also receive all the Condition points. And you can go into any tire repair shop and grab some old used lead weights. And hang one on your spare. Your situation is not as dire as you perceive.

[James G.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

x2 on Rusty I have bought 6 or 7 sets of tires from him in the last 5-7 years, great to deal with and the best price I have found by far.

[Russ S.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Original 73 tires are dot marked.

George
Refer back up to Duke's Post #3 especially "Also, you should study the standard deductions for tires. Even the most accurate repro tires will have some deduction because they have mandatory modern DOT markings." Tires are judged using Standard Deduction Guidelines, and any Brand or type new tire, in the proper size for your car, will receive at least 10% of the Originality points, which means they would also receive all the Condition points. And you can go into any tire repair shop and grab some old used lead weights. And hang one on your spare. Your situation is not as dire as you perceive.

[Duke W.]

Re: Replaceing Firstone 500 Tires. Is it Coker or Kelly.

Current repro tires will have current date codes, and all tires manufactured 2000-up have two digit year codes. Thus it's obvious they are modern repros.

Duke