Spare tire
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
From: Renton, WA
Spare tire
When I bought my '70 coupe, it didn't have a spare tire or even as far as I can tell, a cradle in place to hold one. Was this a factory option for this year? The car isn't numbers matching and I'm never going to try and restore it to that condition. As far as needing a spare, I have AAA and have quit changing flats unless it's absolutely necessary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 721
From: Marietta GA
I believe there were tubs and full size tires on all C3’s Model years. You can find the fiberglass tubs new or used ones on eBay.
The vendors
all sell the bolts/fasteners. I spent a good amount of time getting the overspray off mine, since I like the look of the tub under my convertible. However, there ain’t no way I can picture my self changing a tire on the side of the road. Like you I have AAA on special.
The vendors
all sell the bolts/fasteners. I spent a good amount of time getting the overspray off mine, since I like the look of the tub under my convertible. However, there ain’t no way I can picture my self changing a tire on the side of the road. Like you I have AAA on special.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,245
From: US-PNW
No. Spare tires were standard on all Corvettes since the very beginning in '53. Your '70 would have had an F70x15 spare (now about P205/70 R15). A number of previous Corvette owners removed the spare tub, wheel, and hardware to save weight and/or have better access to the rear suspension. As Eliredandblack mentioned, tubs and hardware become available pretty frequently. Even if you have no vision of ever changing a flat again, they're awfully nice to have on hand, just in case.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,406
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Been driving since I was 16 and have had only two flats in my life. I removed the spare tire and tub from my 68 and 70. Removing the spare tire and carrier saves about 50 pounds. With this out of the way, I mounted an aluminum bracket for my fuel pumps.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,680
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
Only 68-77's came with a full size spare tire. Starting in 78, the full size spare on an 8" rally wheel, was replaced with a P195/80D15 temporary spare on a 15x5 standard steel wheel. The spare tire tub used was the same for all 68-82's, though the hangers changed a few times.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
Yes, my '79 still has the Goodyear P195/80D15 temporary spare tire mentioned by gbvette62.
This change from a full size spare tire to a smaller temporary one coincided with the change from a 17 gal fuel tank in '77 to 24 gallons in '78.
Below is Chevrolet's rationale for the smaller spare, from the '79 Corvette Owner's Manual.
"The temporary spare tire supplied with your Corvette is designed to weigh less than your standard tires, while its narrow width allow for a larger fuel tank. Reduced weight helps to improve gasoline mileage and makes it easier to handle if a flat tire occurs."
It goes on to inform that the tread life is expected to be about 3,000 miles, and one should not exceed 50 mph for any continuous length of time, among other things.
These original temporary spare tires are useless, even dangerous, at this late date, except I suppose for NCRS judging.
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
This change from a full size spare tire to a smaller temporary one coincided with the change from a 17 gal fuel tank in '77 to 24 gallons in '78.
Below is Chevrolet's rationale for the smaller spare, from the '79 Corvette Owner's Manual.
"The temporary spare tire supplied with your Corvette is designed to weigh less than your standard tires, while its narrow width allow for a larger fuel tank. Reduced weight helps to improve gasoline mileage and makes it easier to handle if a flat tire occurs."
It goes on to inform that the tread life is expected to be about 3,000 miles, and one should not exceed 50 mph for any continuous length of time, among other things.
These original temporary spare tires are useless, even dangerous, at this late date, except I suppose for NCRS judging.
--------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,245
From: US-PNW
This change from a full size spare tire to a smaller temporary one coincided with the change from a 17 gal fuel tank in '77 to 24 gallons in '78.
"The temporary spare tire supplied with your Corvette is designed to weigh less than your standard tires, while its narrow width allow for a larger fuel tank. Reduced weight helps to improve gasoline mileage and makes it easier to handle if a flat tire occurs."
"The temporary spare tire supplied with your Corvette is designed to weigh less than your standard tires, while its narrow width allow for a larger fuel tank. Reduced weight helps to improve gasoline mileage and makes it easier to handle if a flat tire occurs."
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
I'd gladly change a tire before hanging out for hours in the middle of the desert.... and I have the 200 mile AAA towing....
You can buy just about everything from our Vendors other than the spare tire cover. I bought a used spare tire cover from a local corvette place....the guy let me look through bunches and just pick one.
Last edited by carriljc; Sep 6, 2020 at 07:48 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
The sales brochure proclaims, "Also new for 1978 is a larger, plastic-lined fuel tank. Capacity has been boosted from 17 to 24 gallons."
That might have been appealing to some prospective buyers of a car not renowned for fuel efficiency.
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin