When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Dropped the Spare out of my 72 for the first time... Why couldn't the rest of my car be preserved this well
The tire is dirty but the wheel was sealed and is like new! It has been used as a spare, the nubs are there but worn and there is evidence where the lug nuts were tightened.
Don't mind the pup, he was waiting for me to turn my back so he could do his duty to it.
Clean it up and put it back in the tub. What better place for an 'original' spare than in the tub of the car it was shipped in?
Of course, you want to drop the tire pressure down to about 5-10 psi--just to keep it's shape. But, you do have a call phone and collector car insurance with Road Service assistance. Tow it to a tire store or home on the flatbed.
P.S. Mine had the original spare in the tub, too....unused! And that's what I did with mine.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 30, 2017 at 01:09 AM.
Pretty sure I'm in the same shape based on what I see in there. I need to drop mine and see what I got (maybe my car used to be a cartel car and is stuffed with cash in there?? /dream over). Prob. should change my spare tire bulb as well while I'm down there.
Pretty sure I'm in the same shape based on what I see in there. I need to drop mine and see what I got (maybe my car used to be a cartel car and is stuffed with cash in there?? /dream over). Prob. should change my spare tire bulb as well while I'm down there.
+++Thanks why I opened mine, figured may be full of drugs or cash!
Hi G,
The tires available for 70-72 cars were Goodyear, and Firestone brand.
They were size F70-15 (215-70-15).
They were nylon cord, bias-ply tires.
The black wall was standard, with white stripe and rwl side walls as options.
The tires were mounted on the wheels in the St.Louis plant.
There was no choice as to which brand tire would be on the car when it left St.Louis.
Regards,
Alan
Another 72. The wheel was in good shape but now mounted with the new BF's. Nubs intact so never been on the road but does have some overspray from when the car was repainted back in the day. Can't bring myself to get shut of it so I just keep finding new spots in the garage for it. I have been looking for a wheel and dress up items so I can mount the tire and mount it on the wall. Thinking also of a clock face maybe. I don't know..
Hi bv,
An original tire as you show in your photo does have some value.
I don't know if someone would want it badly enough to pay what it would take to bring it back to the U.S., but I'd certainly hang on to it.
Regards,
Alan
Even though many Flight Judged cars have 4 replacement or reproduction tires on them, many owners like to have an original tire as a spare in the tub.
OP, can you take a few close up picture of the wheel weights on the spare? They appear to be the correct Micro wing tipped weights installed at the factory! Curious, it looks like there are two 2oz. weights on it?
TIA
Any trick to getting the spare out (I have a 78)? The key fits into the lock but won't turn, I sprayed WD40 up in there to see if that'll help since it's been in there almost 40 years. I looked at the owners manual and it doesn't help me much, just says remove the lock by using the small oval key.
Hi r,
On earlier cars you can reach the 2 bolts that hold the long bolt's bracket in place.
This allows the tub to drop and you can get the tire out.
In that position you might also have better luck getting the key to successfully open the lock.
Might that work on your 78?
Regards,
Alan
Time Capsule Spare
