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My bias ply tires on my 63...no idea how old they are... are they really in 3 digit code time? So it's the last 3 digits on older tires, making this in 97 or something else? or am i missing another oval on the inside of the tire somewhere...i looked at 3 so not sure if i just cant see anything else and need to keep looking.
The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provide the same information as today's tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Seems like tires had the Y2K bug, too.
I'm at least a tad skeptical that prior to 2000 that the tire manufacturer's association - or whoever designated the date codes - assumed that no tires lasted more than ten years. Ever heard of a spare tire?
Besides: who looks at tire date codes but a bunch of OCD guys?
Double besides: How long are track tires good for? Ten laps or ten months, whichever comes first? Seriously, how long do track tires last?
Track tires are measured in heat cycles. If you want to run at the pointy end you have to qualify on stickers (brand new), and race on those tires, otherwise you get eaten like a hunk of meat by a school of sharks. The oldest Hoosiers I ever raced on were probably 9 months old, but still brand new, and they lasted pretty much like tires that were 2 months old. Afterwards, we'd use the race tires for practice and testing, then sell them cheap to guys who were real budget racers. I know guys who used Hoosiers that were 3 years old, they weren't competitive, but they were still in the show, and having fun. Those tires heat cycled out many races ago. After about 15-20 heatcycles, they become slippery as ice after a lap or two.
The old bias belt tires I took off of my '61 were date coded 269, which meant they were produced in a year ending with a 9, maybe 89, 79, or even 69. By their appearance and ride quality, it could have been any of those years.
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Originally Posted by Falcon
Track tires are measured in heat cycles. If you want to run at the pointy end you have to qualify on stickers (brand new), and race on those tires, otherwise you get eaten like a hunk of meat by a school of shsrks. The oldest Hoosiers I ever raced on were probably 9 months old, but still brand new, and they lasted pretty much like tires that were 2 months old. Afterwards, we'd use the race tires for practice and testing, then sell them cheap to guys who were real budget racers. I know guys who used Hoosiers that were 3 years old, they weren't competitive, but they were still in the show, and having fun. Those tires heat cycled out out many faces ago. After about 15-20 heatcycles, they become slippery as ice after a lap or two.
The old bias belt tires I took off of my '61 were date coded 269, which meant they were produced in a year ending with a 9, maybe 89, 79, or even 69. By their appearance and ride quality, it could have been any of those years.
Thanks for sharing that explanation. I never knew.
OP, sorry to drag your thread OT. But yours are most certainly over 20 years old. However, from what I've read on the forums, bias ply tires can last a long, long time and apparently longer than newer radials. I think it's about the inspection and not abusing them, too.
Last edited by Easy Rhino; May 10, 2020 at 09:30 AM.
Thanks for sharing that explanation. I never knew.
OP, sorry to drag your thread OT. But yours are most certainly over 20 years old. However, from what I've read on the forums, bias ply tires can last a long, long time and apparently longer than newer radials. I think it's about the inspection and not abusing them, too.
Lol, I have plenty of experience with track tires at least. So we all agree these are pre 2000 with the 3 digit code. The car in theory was restored in the 1996 period so I’m guessing they are 1997. Well they are in excellent shape. I don’t see any cracks or anything along the sidewalls. Still just driving in my neighborhood but yup will be getting new ones...Llast night under the car I could finally see I actually have a spare. Though need to get up the nerve to open the compartment and get it out.
...Llast night under the car I could finally see I actually have a spare. Though need to get up the nerve to open the compartment and get it out.
LOL! Some things you just don't want to know. Just have your AAA dues paid up.
I've got 1996 Grand Sport with 16k miles I've owned for over 20 years, and it still has the original tires; I've never opened the spare tire compartment to check it, and probably never will.
I've never opened the spare tire compartment to check it, and probably never will.[/QUOTE]
With you there. AAA in full force no doubt. Not one to ever think about actually using the spare but wondering if it’s worth taking out to save I sprung weight but not sure if bothering helps anything on my otherwise base 63.
Tire date code help...
