Is it the original spare?

[Roger D.]

Slowly I am getting to check things one by one on the car I purchased a few months ago. Finally looked at the spare tire on my 1972 350/200 coupe. Can someone tell me from the following description (labeling on the tire) if it could be the "original" spare that came with the car?

Firestone 4 ply rating 2 ply max load 1500 lbs @32 psi max press

Nylon Cord V1 DOT 147

Super Wide Oval Sports

Load Range B

F70-15 Tubeless

The spare also has a thin whitewall on it's face.

Thanks
Roger Dupler

[Terry M.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

One can not tell from the information you provided. Words and numbers will not suffice to identify if the spare wheel/tire is original. They might tell you if is NOT original, but that method will never be proof positive of originality to a specific car. It might be able to be done with photos, but is best done in person. Often, even in person, the best one can do is to say the tire is period-correct for the car. For the wheel if the date codes match the other four wheels one can be reasonably sure the five wheels were all delivered on the same car. That car may, or may not, have been the one they are now mounted on.

Where to find the codes for the wheels and tires is spelled out in your copy of the appropriate Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (TIM&JG).

[Loren L.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Please don't even hint at the suggestion that all five wheels should have matching date codes! That belongs in the trash right next to "and then Charlie, after aiming the spinner at the valve stem hole....".

[Mike E.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Loren--
I hear what you're saying--but it does happen. Just moved a 72 through here that had never been through any restorer--just a number of drivers, and all 5 wheels were the same date. Can happen, but doesn't need to.

[Jack H.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

By 1972, the DOT sequence embossed on the sidewall was standardized into an 11-chracter sequence. The last three digits represent the week and year of production. This is mentioned in the JG books.

So, this is a 'hint' about your spare tire's originality, but it's not a guarantee. One never knows when a spare might have been swapped for one from a donor car by prior owners...

[Terry M.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Please don't even hint at the suggestion that all five wheels should have matching date codes! That belongs in the trash right next to "and then Charlie, after aiming the spinner at the valve stem hole....".

Then I guess I better throw out the wheels that came on my car. Since they all have the same date they MUST be wrong. Thanks Loren, I wouldn't have known that without your help.

That wasn't my intent Loren. What I was trying to state is that even IF all the dates were the same (let's not use the term dates matching -- that is too vague for lawyerly discourse) it is NOT proof that those wheels are the originals for the car. It IS a good argument that they are, but that is as far as one can go.

Please tell me more about Charlie, the spinner and the valve stem hole. That story doesn’t ring a bell. Or are you referring to the wheel with no valve stem hole story?

[Roger D.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Well I checked the dates code on the spare and 2 other wheels on the car. Date codes match on those three so if the tire I listed is period correct then perhaps it is indeed the original spare tire. I will get to the other two wheels to check those.

I had mentioned that the spare has a thin whitewall. Did the 1972 come standard with whitewall tires?

[Terry M.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Black wall tire was standard in 1972.

[Robert C.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Roger, those tires are probably the originals. I would get them off the car if you intend to drive it. The "white-line tires" are an option. Do you have PO-2s also?

[Roy B.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Please don't even hint at the suggestion that all five wheels should have matching date codes! That belongs in the trash right next to "and then Charlie, after aiming the spinner at the valve stem hole....".

Funny you would say that Noland and I started that rumor many many years ago

[Roger D.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Bob:

What were you referring to as PO-2s? Sorry I am still learning. Also, it is only the spare tire that I described. The tires I drive on are some old BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. Thought I would get another wheel/tire to use as a spare for driving and save the original spare.

Roger

[Mike M.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

PO2's are the full wheel cover option, rather than the Base Rings and Center Caps.
HaND

[Roger D.]

Re: Is it the original spare?

Ok thanks. Mine has the base trim rings and center caps.