KOOL 
Do you remove your spare tire ?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 56
From: Southeast Ohio
Spare Tire
Saint's Shark is correct about the spare being part of the rear-end crash protection. (saving the gas tank) There was a thread on the NCRS board about this recently. I didn't take any measurements but, the way it was explained, it made sense.
Rick
Rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Blasphemy!!! 
Actually I think it depends on the car. My 81 (custom) wouldn't look right with it. But IMHO my 72 LT-1 wouldn't look right without it. But, if it's your car, do what you want.
Actually I think it depends on the car. My 81 (custom) wouldn't look right with it. But IMHO my 72 LT-1 wouldn't look right without it. But, if it's your car, do what you want.
Last edited by 78Vette-SA; Dec 17, 2009 at 10:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
From: midlothian texas
i have a small tire repair kit and an electric air pump just like the zo6 the same for the 33 ford and 49 chevy truck
typical white racist
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
I have had my '73 for about 10 years and have never opened it up to see what is in there. There is a tire in it but have no idea what, but would assume it is the original since so much of the car is original. As such it probably would not be worth much in an emergency.
tom...
tom...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Gotham City CA
Mine didn't have the carrier when I got it. I installed one, but not for a spare. Tires are too wide and I hate donut spares. I use it to carry tools, spare parts and coveralls in case I need to get down and dirty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Neither of mine (76 and 80) came with one. The tubs were removed prior to my ownership, and I don't miss them at all. That's what roadside assistance is for....to tow it home! Besides, no one has really addressed the notion of having different sized wheels and tires on the front and back, so carrying a spare on my 76 is more of a 50/50 proposition anyways....225's on the front, and 315's on the rear. And don't forget the guys that are running custom 20 inchers! 
Trevor
Trevor
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 3
From: Nixa Missouri
I run one on my convertible and it needs to be cleaned up and the metal trim needs a little paint but other then that I think it looks ok for that year of car.
When I blow by some one I sometimes wonder what the people are thinking.
Like, Gee what a neat corvette, or Honey I like that little car let's get one, or that sob that just passed me in that thar corvette doesnt have his spare tire on the back of his car.
When I blow by some one I sometimes wonder what the people are thinking.
Like, Gee what a neat corvette, or Honey I like that little car let's get one, or that sob that just passed me in that thar corvette doesnt have his spare tire on the back of his car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
It was missing when I bought mine. Maybe I'll replace it at some point as I do like things as original as possible, but it sure does make access to the rear components easy. I also keep a can of Fix Flat & have AAA.
I may jinx myself but I haven't had a flat in nearly 20 years.
Glenn
I may jinx myself but I haven't had a flat in nearly 20 years.
Glenn
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I would like to add by using the later year carrier , C2 wheel and a skinny tire you can tuck it up under the car fairly well. I also think its important the diameter of the spare be matched to the other tires , not a big deal for the front but somewhat for the rear.
(And again on the fix a flat there is some danger involved so be sure and let the tire changer guy know that you used fix a flat.)
(And again on the fix a flat there is some danger involved so be sure and let the tire changer guy know that you used fix a flat.)
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
I opened my '69 tub up this summer and found the original spare and rally--unused--very cool. It's valuable for an NCRS resto.
I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought a used rally and a new tire to keep back there for peace of mind. All-in, $200.00, cheap insurance, I think. I also think the car (mine's all original) looks much better with the tub there. No matter what anyone says, I think it's foolish to take a chance without a spare. Tires go flat no matter how careful you are, and I don't want to be either 200 miles from a service station or stuck on an interstate relying on somebody to show up and get me home, or some can o' goop that might only work for 25 miles. There is a reason cars come with spares (or run-flats, or inflation systems).
With a real spare, I'm back in business in 15 minutes like nothing ever happened.
I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought a used rally and a new tire to keep back there for peace of mind. All-in, $200.00, cheap insurance, I think. I also think the car (mine's all original) looks much better with the tub there. No matter what anyone says, I think it's foolish to take a chance without a spare. Tires go flat no matter how careful you are, and I don't want to be either 200 miles from a service station or stuck on an interstate relying on somebody to show up and get me home, or some can o' goop that might only work for 25 miles. There is a reason cars come with spares (or run-flats, or inflation systems).
With a real spare, I'm back in business in 15 minutes like nothing ever happened.
