Correct tires?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
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Correct tires?
I apologize if this info is somewhere in the forum already. I just did a quick search and didn't see any obvious hits.
Two questions:
What tire brands and styles came on a 1968 late (July) Corvette?
What is the best (cheapest!) place to buy them?
Thanks!
John
Two questions:
What tire brands and styles came on a 1968 late (July) Corvette?
What is the best (cheapest!) place to buy them?
Thanks!
John
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi John,
The tire suppliers for model year 68 were Goodyear, Firestone, and Uniroyal.
They were available as blackwall (std), white and red stripe (opt.).
I believe Coker and Kelsey are the only companies reproducing tires that are somewhat close to what were originally on our cars. Various venders distribute them at various prices. The Goodyears are probably the closest to original.
Modern tires are VERY different.
Are you interested in appearance, performance, or what?
They are never available for what I would consider 'cheap'.
Regards,
Alan
The tire suppliers for model year 68 were Goodyear, Firestone, and Uniroyal.
They were available as blackwall (std), white and red stripe (opt.).
I believe Coker and Kelsey are the only companies reproducing tires that are somewhat close to what were originally on our cars. Various venders distribute them at various prices. The Goodyears are probably the closest to original.
Modern tires are VERY different.
Are you interested in appearance, performance, or what?
They are never available for what I would consider 'cheap'.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 2, 2013 at 05:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
*Edit* - Alan types faster than me!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If you spend the buck$ to buy good reproduction tires, you likely are going to attend judging shows. And, most folks that are that deep into that culture probably have 'trailer queens' and rarely drive the car.
Those repro tires are probably as stable as the original tires were...and I never had any problems with them 'back when', except for tires wearing pretty fast and having a flat on occasion.
You could always have a driving set of tires/wheels and a show set for when you want to look 'factory original'.
Those repro tires are probably as stable as the original tires were...and I never had any problems with them 'back when', except for tires wearing pretty fast and having a flat on occasion.
You could always have a driving set of tires/wheels and a show set for when you want to look 'factory original'.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
If you spend the buck$ to buy good reproduction tires, you likely are going to attend judging shows. And, most folks that are that deep into that culture probably have 'trailer queens' and rarely drive the car.
Those repro tires are probably as stable as the original tires were...and I never had any problems with them 'back when', except for tires wearing pretty fast and having a flat on occasion.
You could always have a driving set of tires/wheels and a show set for when you want to look 'factory original'.
Those repro tires are probably as stable as the original tires were...and I never had any problems with them 'back when', except for tires wearing pretty fast and having a flat on occasion.
You could always have a driving set of tires/wheels and a show set for when you want to look 'factory original'.
with what 7T1vette said. If you are going to drive the car on a regular basis and want the car to just look stock consider a set of Diamond Back Radials (which are not cheap by any means but you get modern radial performance with the "classic" look).
