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Last week bought an original unmolested 1976 C3 with 50K original miles. It's a beautiful nice riding car, so tickled to own it. Just discovered that the tires that look brand new and pristine with 9/10 tread are 17 years old. Ouch. It's not a track car, but I can't justify 17 years. So, getting new tires this afternoon, some nice appropriate T/A radials. Sigh, only money, right? The risk of tread separation/blowout at highway speeds just isn't worth cheaping out. Someone could get hurt. I'm no longer 17 and bulletproof, and 10 years pretty much seems to be the outer limits of pushing it. So, whether to put new ones on isn't the question. That's happening. It's not even a question about which tire to buy. I'm good on my tire selection and sizing too...
Here's my Q: It's *killing* me to cast off those sweet brand new looking (Stupid 17-year old) tires. Is there any reason to hang on to them? Is there any other potential use for them, besides a bubba-style planter? Garage art? Suggestions? Ideas?
I really don't have the space. I don't have another car they'll fit. My wife will kill me if I drag the old ones home. On paper this is a no-brainer, and I are qualified for that. Still... Glass top and a man cave beer table? Ideas?
Is there anything you can do but cry over sweet virgin tires that lived out their whole life barely going to church on Sundays? What awaits them in tire heaven?
I can't justify 17 years. The risk of tread separation/blowout at highway speeds just isn't worth cheaping out. Someone could get hurt. I'm no longer 17 and bulletproof, and 10 years pretty much seems to be the outer limits of pushing it.
Not to mention you might kill one of us. You are preaching to the choir.
It’s a matter of space, I think. Your question isn’t whether to use them, it’s whether to throw them away or not.
I think the perfect use of something like that is mounted on a set of correct wheels and putting them on a stock car just for display at shows. Barring that, 4 tires do take up a lot of useful garage space. I have a second set of wheels and tires for my ‘69 that I keep forgetting to pick up at my buddy’s garage. (Hope he doesn’t read this )
FYI, the debate of “how old is too old re: tires? “ is a hot topic in C1/2 these days.
If they were the tires originally delivered on a 76 Vette they might be valuable to someone, but in this case they are just trash.
BK makes an excellent point... if they are original equipment tires, you could look to see if there’s a market for someone using them strictly for certification shows.
They are 17 year old tires. Not safe for highway use, and not old enough to be useful for NCRS. Throw them away like you would a long expired, uncooked steak. Just be sure to wear out your new tires long before they expire this time.
One of my poorer purchases was a set of YJ8 wheels with "brand new tires". The wheels are great. The tires, which I paid a premium for, were 20 years old. They went right in the trash. I didn't risk a single mile on them. I regret paying too much for a set of wheels, but I learned an important lesson about date codes codes and Craigslist. Life is too short to hold on to stuff like used tires.
Also, make sure they get trashed. A used tire guy gets his hands in them, they will be back on the road on somebody's car. A lot of towns take tires put out with the trash. And you are sure they go to the dump. Or find who recycles tires near you.
Also, make sure they get trashed. A used tire guy gets his hands in them, they will be back on the road on somebody's car. A lot of towns take tires put out with the trash. And you are sure they go to the dump. Or find who recycles tires near you.
When I replace tires on my '71, I always slice the sidewalls so they won't get resold. With only a few miles on them they still look new. Here is what happens to older tires from sitting the garage and having less than 100 miles.
Last edited by 71 Green 454; 08-16-2018 at 02:12 PM.
Hoardings a sickness, round file them!
Even 5 yrs can be risky....a set on my DD are exactly that age;have a few thousand on them but starting to dryrot fast. IMO not safe period, they can come apart at 10 mph just as easily as 60.
Believe it or not there are guys who convince themselves cause it was garaged their 12 yr old tires are just fine....
Risk a 30k car for $500 in tires?!
Hey Chip, welcome to the forum. If you can, post up some pics of your C3.
As for the old tires, I just had a DOT of 5001 on our ‘72. (We just recently bought it. I was not driving on those old tires) They stayed behind at the local Discount Tire for disposal/recycle. Good luck!
I am also voting to recycle them. If they are not original or date coded to the car, then they do not have
any value to keep them. You should not reuse them due to the age. So I would get a new set on the car
to drive, and have the old ones recycled.
in that order, if you don't drive them, the ozone/UV protection compound in the rubber wont get forced into the sidewalls to protect the rubber, and it will rot
Thank you all for your helpful comments and suggestions. The "new" old dangerous tires were disposed of. Hoarding is bad... tires are big.
The car drives noticeably better with fresh, resilient, NEW tires. I'm sure it's safer as well. Lesson learned. I'm grateful for the input.
08-16-2018, 11:24 AM
17 Year Old Tires
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