Another tire size question...

[Doug K.]

I have a very original 1972 that came with pace car wheels and tires when I bought it. I have the original wheels and Goodyear spare which comes to my question... If the tires are not factory, does it matter what size or brand I use to put on the stock steel wheels. I would like to have it judged someday as an original car.

[Kurt G.]

Re: Another tire size question...

Refer to the TIM&JG. You will want 15X8 wheels and F70X15 tires. And yes it does matter. In '72 GM used either Goodyear or Firestone tires on the Vette, with a few Uniroyal's thrown in, I think just to confuse the judges. For my 2 cents worth, Kelsey Tire sells a Goodyear manufactured F70X15 that has the correct tread and everything else. Coker's Firestone knock-off is just that, a knock-off and I believe uses a different tread design and tread line count. With the Kelsey you will still get a deduct, but not as much. If you want to put on radials, make sure they are either Goodyear or Firestone. You will get a standard deduction for original brand/non original design, per the JRM. If you put on a set of the very popular Goodrich TA's its a total deduct.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Another tire size question...

I would like to have it judged someday as an original car.

Doug, what do you ean by "as an original car"? Flight Judging, which judges a car to the standard of the day it was delivered or Bowtie Judging, which judges the car based on its originality? I ask because for Bowtie Judging if the car doesn't have its original Day 1 wheels and tires still on it, then it doesn't matter what you have on the car the day it is presented. If you mean Flight, then follow Kurt's advice. FYI I showed my 72 for Bowtie Judging with the BFGoodrich radials on it because the originals were long gone.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Another tire size question...

I'll just add that tires are a "standard deduction" item. Refer to the Judging Reference Manual (currently 8th edition) for guidance.

[Doug K.]

Re: Another tire size question...

The wheels are original to the car, just no tires.
I was thinking Bowtie because the car is in too good condition to restore, and only the paint and some of the body aren't original. It has 46k on it so other things have been replaced (shocks, dist cap, etc.), but I figured wear items didn't really deter from it's originality. This makes me think that if tires are the same, I can install some wider radials to make it more drivable.

Thanks everyone!