Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

[Terry F.]

Hi, I was looking at the previous post that showed the Wingate corvette with Goodyear Blue Steak tires. Is it still possible to get those?

I would like to locate a set for some old torque thrusts and put them on my 68 for show only. Any suggestions?

Terry

[Duke W.]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

http://www.racegoodyear.com/race_tires.html

click on vintage race tires

Duke

[Nick Culkowski]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

Try http://www.racegoodyear.com/products/vintage.html

[Terry F.]

Thanks! *NM*

[Brad K.]

Re: Thanks!

I don't know if they offer Goodyear tires but Coker tire in Chattanooga ( www.coker.com ) offers a wide variety of Classic, vintage, antique and race tires.

[Mike E.]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

Look carefully at their specs. A 7.00x15 doesn't have 7 inch tread, it has 8.7 inch tread, for example. I learned that while buying blue streaks for my old Gulf Oil racer. Also, those blue streaks were for off-road use only, and did not have a blue streak--I had to put the blue streak on myself (ineffectively).

[Terry F.]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

I was wondering about the looks of the tire also. In this case I am more interested in the looks (sorry). When I went to the Goodyear site their pictures are cartoonish. It is nice to know something still exists. In general I am looking for a performance tire from 68 or early 70's. My torque thrust are 7 inch rim width. I want a tire that will fit the wheel well/fender when cranked full left and right. The Goodyear site did advertise the actual phisical dimensions though and I found that helpfull. Now, just need to see good pictures of the side walls. No hurry. I looked at my torque thrusts yesterday. I need to get them out and clean them up. Any opinion on what type of fastener/screw they used to attach the center cap to the wheel. I was looking at a picture on a website and it appears to have been a simple flat head machine screw with a slotted head? Thanks, Terry

[Duke W.]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

If you go to a vintage race in your area you will probably see examples of each tire, or you could contact your nearest GY racing tire dealer, who probably has stock.

GY racing tires have a different distribution system from the normal GY retail tire distribution system, so you will not find any examples at your local GY dealer, and they probably cannot even order them.

The 6.00-15 will fit on your car/wheels, but is rather short. The 7.00-15 is about the "right" diameter, but the wider section width and tread width might be a problem, and a 7" rim is rather narrow. It's dimensionally roughly comparable to a P255/60R-15. Experienced users or a GY racing tire dealer can probably give you additional guidance.

Also note that these tires wear rapidly, puncture very easily, and they tend not to hold air very well, so they are not suitable for anything beyond occasional local driving and pressure must be checked before every drive. I would definitely not recommend them for a long highway trip!

Duke

[Terry F.]

Re: Is it still possible to get repro race tires?

Well, I have a different set of wheels and tires for every day of the week. If I get board with one, I just plan on putting the others on. I will set my suspension up with steel rales and radial tires. I am not certain that I will go with the vintage race tires on the torque thrusts since I like the torque thrust so much and I would like to have them on there the most. So, I might just mount some good radials. Thank you for your comments! Always appreciate reading your posts. Terry