Thanks for the input guys. I was leaning towards the Goodyears since I had used them before on a 71 SS-454 Chevelle I restored and was happy with the quality of them, although the Firestones look good on it also.......... Hmmmm
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Re: 71 LS5 tires
well I have the goodyear repops on my 71 LS-5, drove it today. they just look better on the cars than the new tires, they dont drive are ride that bad. but they are alot different than a mordern tire. I want the experince of a corvette like one would have if they were driving a new 71. but that is me. I know some will knock that, but that is just the way I feel about the tires. I dont drive it that much an just mostly go to local shows. round trip about 60 miles if I dont cruise. but hey I run them 75-80 miles a month except when RITA hit! but it all depends on what you want? do you want to drive the car a lot? are going to show it much? then you could go with the new tires, but then again I would still get a Goodyear! -
Re: 71 LS5 tires
Tom------
As I mentioned, the Goodyear Speedway Wide Tread reproductions are the most authentic reproductions of original tires used on 68-72 Corvettes. However, part of the authenticity involves the fact that they are a nylon cord, bias ply tire. This is exactly how the originals were, both Goodyear and Firestone.
The Firestone Super Sports Wide Oval tire that is available today in reproduction is a fiberglass belted tire. Such tires were used during the late 60's -early 70's period. However, they were NEVER originally used on Corvettes. Corvettes received a non-belted version of the Firestone tire. That version is NOT reproduced today.
There are pros and cons here. While not original to a Corvette, a belted tire is going to perform better than a bias ply, non-belted tire. So, while it's not completely authentic and is EASILY discerned, the belted Firestone reproduction may be a bit better in the performance area. However, one of the reasons that Corvette never received the belted version was that fiberglass belted tires ride a lot harder than a bias ply tire. So, Corvette engineers of the day felt that the bias ply tire was a better overall choice for the car than the belted version.
The first BELTED tire used on a Corvette was for 1973 and it coincided with the first use of a radial tire on a Corvette. That's because, with a radial tire, the belt could be added for better performance while the radial construction still allowed for a reasonably smooth ride. So, they were able to achieve the "best of all worlds". At least, the "best of all worlds" for 1973.
In any event, I like the Goodyear reproduction for the 68-72 tires, even though it's only a nylon cord, bias ply tire, as original. My opinion is not so much based on the fact that the tire is the most authentic, either. My opinion is based on the fact that I think that the Goodyear tire is (and always was) better looking than the Firestone tire used for 68-72. But, that's just my opinion.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 71 LS5 tires
thanks Joe
never did know why Zora kept using the nylon cord tire in that time frame, when he could haved used a radial tire.Comment
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