Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

[Ralph S.]

I have 2 of these tires from my 1973 Corvette. The steel belts are broken and there is a large bulge in the tread area on both tires is there any historical value in keeping them or should they be thrown out.

[Alan S.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Hi Ralph,
Happy New Year!
I believe Yogi Bair has one that 'exploded' that he displays at Carlisle.
The little sign with it indicates it 'popped' while on display at the tire dealer's showroom.
Regards,
Alan

[Duke W.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Those tires were subject to tread separations, and it sounds like both of yours have failed. They would be good for static display only on a tire cradle - like the kind you find to display tires in tire stores, and some may be interested in having them for that purpose as museum pieces for display.

I suggest you place an add in the Driveline -free, buyer to pay shipping.

For any vintage Corvette part, serviceable or not, I think it's a better idea to find someone who wants it rather than throw it away.

Duke

[Joe R.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Ralph,

You certainly don't want to put it on your Corvette and drive it anywhere including around the block. Those tires are dangerous and could take off a fender.
Do not sell or give the tire away in the condition it is in. Firestone recalled those tires and replaced them free of charge. There is liability connected with that tire and it is already damaged. Firestone was not taking them back out of the good graces of their heart!
Throw them away or keep them as a warning to others.

JR

[Ralph S.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Both of the tires failed on 2 different occasions while I was driving but I pulled over right away and put the spare tire on. The bulge was so big I had to let the air out to get it in the spare tire carrier. This happened around 1975 or 76

[Peter G.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Ralph...these tires are STEEL belted....please please be careful! When these tires blow those steel belts can become belts of razors!!

[Jim S.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Let the air out of them. They have been known to explode and damage things while just sitting there. I assume without compressed air inside they would be harmless.

They replaced the 500s on my new 1976 with Firestone 721 tires only a few months after I picked it up. My wife had a Beauville van with many thousands of miles. We got five new Firestone tires for the van at no cost.

The worst part of this saga was that I had mentioned to my neighbor that his 1977 Vette had 500s and that he could take it to a Firestone dealer and get replacements. Before he acted on my suggestion, his son was killed when one of the tires failed. I have always felt bad that I had not been more forceful at the time of my discussion with his dad.
Jim

[Bob B.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

My X wife had a Firestone 500 blow apart on a Monte Carlo back in the 70's - it made a mess out of the car but she kept it on the road. She was going well over 90 mph 5 am across CA desert highway. I wouldn't use that Firestone for anything other than display.
Good luck.

[Ralph S.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

So does anyone want them ? Pick them up in the Boston area 2 white stripe tires not mounted

[Edward J.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Ralph, I Hope you don't have one of those tires in the spare tire tub, I have heard about them exploding in the tubs and it destroys the tub.

[Russ S.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

It's my understanding that 1977 500s weren't included in the recall.

Let the air out of them. They have been known to explode and damage things while just sitting there. I assume without compressed air inside they would be harmless.

They replaced the 500s on my new 1976 with Firestone 721 tires only a few months after I picked it up. My wife had a Beauville van with many thousands of miles. We got five new Firestone tires for the van at no cost.

The worst part of this saga was that I had mentioned to my neighbor that his 1977 Vette had 500s and that he could take it to a Firestone dealer and get replacements. Before he acted on my suggestion, his son was killed when one of the tires failed. I have always felt bad that I had not been more forceful at the time of my discussion with his dad.
Jim

[Christopher H.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

Ralph, if yours were WHITE LETTERS in 1973, Firestone F Steel Radial 500 the "F" would be WHITE. You would have one (1) year only Tires. Since they are WHITE LINE these are used on 1973 - 1977. They are still rare, especially being WHITE LINES. I WOULD NOT throw them away, as someone said above they are a display piece. Please take a look at the attached photo. Tires on the Left are 1973 WHITE LETTERS with white "F" and the tires on the Right are 1974 - 1977 WHITE LETTERS with black "F". I am missing the White Lines in this picture. I would keep them. Chris.
Tires.jpg1973 Corvette Firestone 500 1 Year Only White Logo CROPPED.jpg

[Peter G.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

gregory-R1-E003.jpggregory-R1-E009.jpgI went with the BF Goodrich T/A tires. The 721s were offered to me, but I remember that no one wanted to have anything to do with Firestone after this recall. This was in early 1976 after I purchased my '76 new.

[Michael M.]

Re: Firestone steel radial 500 1973-1977

A friend of mine back in the 70s worked at a Firestone store. He said that when Firestone first started to have problems with these they were to show empathy but make the customer think that it was their fault. As I recall the problem was caused by the steel belt material. It was stored in a non humidity controlled area and retained too much moisture.
Mike