Keyed Lock for the Spare.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Keyed Lock for the Spare.
How common is it for the keyed lock and its rubber boot/cover to remain on these cars. I'm curious how many still have the lock and its rubber cover and whose have bounced down some mysterious road into oblivion?
And how many still have the orginal spare (dangerous though it may be) under your car? Who has removed it for looks. or replaced it for reliability with a newer tire?
And how many still have the orginal spare (dangerous though it may be) under your car? Who has removed it for looks. or replaced it for reliability with a newer tire?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
From: Seattle Wa
Still got my lock with rubber boot but its in the wife's kitchen cabnet for safe keeping. I was afraid it would fall off like you said. Hmmm! Now that you mentioned it, I haven't seen it for a while........ You don't think she might have.........? I better go check tonight. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I still have the original carrier and spare tire from my '80. The carrier had a couple of holes worn through from the spare tire sliding around slightly over the years. These I repaired. The '80 I purchased brand new back in the day didn't have a lock on the carrier bolt. I'm not sure if it was supposed to.
I put a lock on my restored car. I don't think it was necessary. I'm positive a potential thief would have bigger things in mind than just stealing a spare tire from a classic Corvette. With that said, a C3 doesn't look complete without that spare tire carrier installed under the fuel tank.
I put a lock on my restored car. I don't think it was necessary. I'm positive a potential thief would have bigger things in mind than just stealing a spare tire from a classic Corvette. With that said, a C3 doesn't look complete without that spare tire carrier installed under the fuel tank.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
79 was the last year that came with a lock. I think that Chevrolet figured out that no one was likely to steal the "temporary" spare, that came in 78-82 cars.
I've never heard of anyone loosing a spare lock, while driving. Usually they disappear because someone took it off, and didn't bother to put it back (especially repair shops).
A bigger problem with the locks, is not being able to remove them. They either end up rusted up inside, or the owner doesn't have the key. It seems that a lot of these cars get sold, and the spare tire lock key, doesn't go with the car. I don't know if this is because people loose the glove box key (which also works the lock), change keys and forget to change the spare lock, or some other strange reason.
An awful lot of 68-82 Corvettes, still have their original spare. This is easy to understand with the 78-82's, since they have the temporary spare, which isn't likely to get removed and used. I think many of the 68-77 cars, still have the OEM spare, because so many of these cars got wider tires put on them over the years, leaving the spare as a mismatch. Also, the fact that it was under the car, made it a pain in the a$$ to remove, which may have dissuaded people from using it for tire rotations, etc.
I've never heard of anyone loosing a spare lock, while driving. Usually they disappear because someone took it off, and didn't bother to put it back (especially repair shops).
A bigger problem with the locks, is not being able to remove them. They either end up rusted up inside, or the owner doesn't have the key. It seems that a lot of these cars get sold, and the spare tire lock key, doesn't go with the car. I don't know if this is because people loose the glove box key (which also works the lock), change keys and forget to change the spare lock, or some other strange reason.
An awful lot of 68-82 Corvettes, still have their original spare. This is easy to understand with the 78-82's, since they have the temporary spare, which isn't likely to get removed and used. I think many of the 68-77 cars, still have the OEM spare, because so many of these cars got wider tires put on them over the years, leaving the spare as a mismatch. Also, the fact that it was under the car, made it a pain in the a$$ to remove, which may have dissuaded people from using it for tire rotations, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I too still have the original lock and rubber boot.
I agree that the locks seem to have wanted to stay on rather than fall off as the years went by.
The spare is worn but is one of the original 5 tires that left St.Louis with this car.
Regards,
Alan
I too still have the original lock and rubber boot.
I agree that the locks seem to have wanted to stay on rather than fall off as the years went by.
The spare is worn but is one of the original 5 tires that left St.Louis with this car.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Wow... Thanks guys. Interesting to see what has survived out there. I have the lock, the boot, the original spare, a cover in need of fiberglass repair, and intend to leave them all as is under the car (after the repair of course). Pretty cool. Now if I can just get under there and pull a tank sticker... (Wishful thinking I know) Fun.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 21
From: Klein Texas
I realize this is a hijack, but how common is it to find the build sheet? Is it the rule or the exception? The reason I ask is no evidence of build sheets were found on either of my cars.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
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From: Shamong, NJ
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Rockford Illinois
You guys are lucky. My 78 does not have any spare tire or tire carrier or boot or lock. Is it normal for these to be missing? I think I will keep an eye out for these things along the side of the road based on the comments.
Is there a bolt hole built into it that I can carry an exposed spare tire?
Is there a bolt hole built into it that I can carry an exposed spare tire?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
You guys are lucky. My 78 does not have any spare tire or tire carrier or boot or lock. Is it normal for these to be missing? I think I will keep an eye out for these things along the side of the road based on the comments.
Is there a bolt hole built into it that I can carry an exposed spare tire?
Is there a bolt hole built into it that I can carry an exposed spare tire?
When installed, the spare tire is not "exposed". The tire goes in a tub, that hangs under the rear of the car.
The spare tire carrier is made up of a lid, that's bolted to the frame, and the tub, which hangs from the frame by 3 bolts. At the front of the tub, there are 2 bolts, that are threaded into the differential crossmember, and then a third lock bolt is bolted to the center of the frame's rear crossmember.
To remove the spare, you loosen the lock bolt, move it asside, and the rear of the tub drops down to access the spare. The front of the tub hinges on the 2 front bolts.
All of the holes needed to mount the spare tire carrier, are in your frame already.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Rockford Illinois
What is the spare tire size? I assume it is not the full size tire. I see the tub and hardware is about $350 at Willcox and corvette parts world but no one has the tire and I need to get a spare tire under the car.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 21
From: Klein Texas
I assume it is not the full size tire.