Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

[Mick D.]

Hi Folks,

Pulled the spare on my 71 LT-1. It isn't date correct but I do have the date correct rim stored in the garage (without a tire).

This won't be great for judging on my car, so am thinking I'll try find someone who needs a 74 rim, or a 1963 tire.

I'm assuming the tire is '63 based on the code, but maybe I am wrong.

What do you think?

MickScreenshot 2022-03-10 085843.jpgScreenshot 2022-03-10 085821.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Hi Folks,

Pulled the spare on my 71 LT-1. It isn't date correct but I do have the date correct rim stored in the garage (without a tire).

This won't be great for judging on my car, so am thinking I'll try find someone who needs a 74 rim, or a 1963 tire.

I'm assuming the tire is '63 based on the code, but maybe I am wrong.

What do you think?

Mick[ATTACH=CONFIG]110691[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]110692[/ATTACH]

Mick------


It's definitely NOT a 1963 tire. For one thing it's a radial tire and radials like this one did not exist in 1963. In addition, the DOT (Department of Transportation) did not exist in 1963. I'd say it's a tire from the 1973-74 period.

[Gary B.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Michael,

I don’t think that Firestone Wide Oval brand of tire existed in 1963. I think it appeared in 1967, or even later.

Also, as far as I know the date code system for Firestone tires has not been publicly disclosed.

Finally, I think the DOT identification on tires didn’t start until 1971.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

A federally mandated tire dating system began in calendar year 1971, so if that tire is later than 1971 it should follow that code. That code is available in the TIM&JG which you can get from the NCRS store in one of the links above, but for your edification Google also works for this subject:

https://danthetireman.com/blog/article/how-to-read-tire-date-codes-what-do-tire-dot-numbers-mean

I can't read your photo well enough to de-code it myself, so I'll leave that to you.

[Gary B.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Terry,

Can tires codes of any brand now be decoded? I thought only the Goodyear code system was publicly disclosed.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Terry,

Can tires codes of any brand now be decoded? I thought only the Goodyear code system was publicly disclosed.

Gary

Any tire manufactured in Calendar year 1971 and newer can be decoded. It is before 1971 that only Goodyear codes are available.

[Gary B.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Thanks Terry.

Gary

[Mick D.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Thanks Joe - I should have done more research, although there is very little on Firestone date codes out there. 73-74 would match the rim. Probably came with this spare when the owner put it in the tub.

Mick------


It's definitely NOT a 1963 tire. For one thing it's a radial tire and radials like this one did not exist in 1963. In addition, the DOT (Department of Transportation) did not exist in 1963. I'd say it's a tire from the 1973-74 period.

[Mick D.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Also curious. I have the TIMJG for my 71 and there are only Goodyear tables in there. It has explicit call outs that Firestone isn't available and shouldn't be judged. Maybe it is different in other manuals for other years.

Terry,

Can tires codes of any brand now be decoded? I thought only the Goodyear code system was publicly disclosed.

Gary

[Patrick B.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Also curious. I have the TIMJG for my 71 and there are only Goodyear tables in there. It has explicit call outs that Firestone isn't available and shouldn't be judged. Maybe it is different in other manuals for other years.

Michael

See date code system 4. In the 1970-72 TIM&JG, Edition 6, Page 101.

If you have the 5th Edition the same information is on Page 102

[Mick D.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

Thanks Terry, I understand you now, thanks for clarifying.

Michael

See date code system 4. In the 1970-72 TIM&JG, Edition 6, Page 101.

If you have the 5th Edition the same information is on Page 102

[Mick D.]

Re: Curious on spare (1963 tire on 1974 rim) on 1971 LT-1

I think you are right Patrick.

In the photo, the date code looks like 163 which would be the 16th week of 1973 since I don’t think Firestone Wide Ovals were made in 1983.