Good Find, Good Buy
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Good Find, Good Buy
I was looking for an original wheel for my 1971 project car when I came across an ad on eBay for a 1971 wheel and tire combination. I checked the information provided and found it to be an original September 71 Kelsey Hayes Wheel with a 1971 Spare Tire mounted on it, also manufactured in September, 1971. When I looked up the build cycles for the cars I realized that this tire and wheel matching combo would not have been put in a 1971 car, rather, would have wound up in an early 1972. Production of 1971 cars ended in July, this combo was manufactured in September.
At this point I plan to display the combo as an authentic wheel/tire combination from 1971 along with my 1971 automobile because it looks so nice and I think it adds some historical value to the display.
K 1 1 9 24 AZ Sounds like September 24, 1971. Tire is week 39 of 1971 which translates to week of September 27th to October 1st.
Looks like I now own an original date correct tire and wheel combo for a 1972 Corvette. Figures, I got close to what I was looking for.
David
At this point I plan to display the combo as an authentic wheel/tire combination from 1971 along with my 1971 automobile because it looks so nice and I think it adds some historical value to the display.
K 1 1 9 24 AZ Sounds like September 24, 1971. Tire is week 39 of 1971 which translates to week of September 27th to October 1st.
Looks like I now own an original date correct tire and wheel combo for a 1972 Corvette. Figures, I got close to what I was looking for.
David
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 378
Likes: 3
From: Oregon City Oregon
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I do some intersting things from time to time, but have never bought a whole car to get the spare. I have considered buying a car to part it out as I have never done that before and it looks like fun. One mans fun is another mans nightmare, but it does look like fun.
David
David
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
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From: Canboro Ontario
I happened to find one for my 73, as well. I thought that it would be pretty cool to have an original spare in my carrier as well.
That makes two of us, that I know of now, I wonder how manner others can boast the same. Cool find indeed.
That makes two of us, that I know of now, I wonder how manner others can boast the same. Cool find indeed.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
In 2003, I drove 100 miles one way for a unused spare / rim / tire. The tire & rim were date code correct for my build date....and it had never been on the ground...still had the nub's. 
How did I find it?????? It actually found me... as one Sunday morning, another 73 owner passed me on Rt-97 south and went up to the next exit, and turned around and chased me down.... just to say "Hi" to another 73 owner..... We struck up a longtime friendship and later on he offered me the deal for $100. After he made me the offer via phone...I think I was knocking on his door 45 min's later....I was afraid he might change his mind.
You do meet some nice folk's in a Corvette!!!!!!!!!
Stay in tune...
How did I find it?????? It actually found me... as one Sunday morning, another 73 owner passed me on Rt-97 south and went up to the next exit, and turned around and chased me down.... just to say "Hi" to another 73 owner..... We struck up a longtime friendship and later on he offered me the deal for $100. After he made me the offer via phone...I think I was knocking on his door 45 min's later....I was afraid he might change his mind.
You do meet some nice folk's in a Corvette!!!!!!!!!
Stay in tune...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Well mine is not as old or nice as yours but my 77 still has it's unused spare with original air! The two previous owners never had it down or bothered to check to see if it had air.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
You did get it for a good price too. I was watching that auction but not bidding because it wasn't correct for my car. There is one on that auction site that is correct for my car but he wants way more than what you paid for yours and it's not even in as nice of condition so I'll just keep waiting and watching. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
I still have the original spare and rim in my tub, as well. I was surprised to find it there after I purchased the car. It is just a nice 'museum' piece that I keep in the tub. No plan on ever using it though. I keep very little pressure in it and wouldn't trust it on the road. But, I do have Hagerty insurance which has road service coverage. 
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 378
Likes: 3
From: Oregon City Oregon
Firestone 500 is a great find they recalled some or all can't really remember. My brother got 90% credit from Firestone for a set that were on a 65 roadster he bought in 1980.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Never occured to me that my 77 spare was rare. I assumed all vettes got "Firestone" that year. Maybe it's like the chrome horn button on the 77's that was recalled? Is this true about recalls on the firestones?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
David
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Tire and Wheel Arrived Today - No Surprises
The tire looks good enough to use, but boy would that be a mistake.
It is clearly good enough to clean up and display, and that makes it fun.
Sparty will have a side display tire joining him at Carlisle this year.
It is clearly good enough to clean up and display, and that makes it fun.
Sparty will have a side display tire joining him at Carlisle this year.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Wheel looks great as well
K 1 1 9 24 AZ confirmed, September 24, 1971.
Back of wheel showing production overspray.
Wheel weight mounted to back of the wheel.
K11
K 1 1 9 air stem 24 AZ
If someone really needs this for their NCRS I have it and would sell it but for now it is a good display for Sparty.
Thanks for looking.
David
Back of wheel showing production overspray.
Wheel weight mounted to back of the wheel.
K11
K 1 1 9 air stem 24 AZ
If someone really needs this for their NCRS I have it and would sell it but for now it is a good display for Sparty.
Thanks for looking.
David
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi David,
That wheel and tire are quite a nice find!!!
The picture showing the amount of silver spray on on the back side of the wheel is a real 'keeper'.
Is there a name on the balance weight? It looks like there is, but I can't make it out.
Again.. NICE!
Regards,
Alan
That wheel and tire are quite a nice find!!!
The picture showing the amount of silver spray on on the back side of the wheel is a real 'keeper'.
Is there a name on the balance weight? It looks like there is, but I can't make it out.
Again.. NICE!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 29, 2011 at 04:45 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
If you have the original tire it is rare. My 77 had a replacement tire which was replaced in 78 during the recall, still had the paper label on the edge of the replacement. If you have that original then 1) it is a great find and adds value, and 2) you know it is for show purposes only and cannot be used as a spare because it is Old and unsafe, and it can break apart as detailed in the recall which makes it really unsafe. Great show peice though.
David
David