73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

[Kenneth B.]

I went up in the attic & looked at the tires & unused spare that was on a low mileage 73 I owned. I took them off because the right rear steel cord let go. I checked the code & date of 2 of them VDU5 FMJ134 date C5s
VDU5 FMM7437 date B05N. Anyone know how to interpret these #'S
THANKS KEN

[Terry M.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

VDU5 FMJ134 The last three numbers are the date. 13th week of 1974, 1984, or -- unlikely -- 1994. I have no idea what the C5s means.

VDU5 FMM7437 date B05N Like the above the last three numbers 437 = 43rd week of 1977, 1987, or -- unlikely -- 1997.

This code was adopted for ALL tires manufactured for sale in the USA & Canada in the first quarter of 1971 at the behest of the USDOT and the CADOT. It has been widely published in many NCRS TIM&JG, the Internet, and even in daily news reports when the Ford/Firestone tire issues were reported.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

According to the 73/74 TIM&JG, the 1st position V = Firestone and M = Goodyear which were the only possbilities for factory installed tires in those years. The TIM&JG has table that breaks the codes down further.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

VDU5 FMJ134 The last three numbers are the date. 13th week of 1974, 1984, or -- unlikely -- 1994. I have no idea what the C5s means.

VDU5 FMM7437 date B05N Like the above the last three numbers 437 = 43rd week of 1977, 1987, or -- unlikely -- 1997.

This code was adopted for ALL tires manufactured for sale in the USA & Canada in the first quarter of 1971 at hen behest of the USDOT and the CADOT. It has been widely published in many NCRS TIM&JG, the Internet, and even in daily news reports when the Ford/Firestone tire issues were reported.

TERRY
THANKS. I did not know that thay made Firestone 500 steel belts that long. I knew that none of the dates were right. The small tag that I thought was The # date was a small tag that you could see the screw impressions. I bought the car 25 years ago. It had under 20,000 miles.
KEN

[Terry M.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

I was surprised at the year ending in 7 for this model tire too.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

77 was the last yeat for GR-70-15 Firestone 500's. They were made from 73to 77.

[Tom H.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

Correct, 500 were used through 77. I have a 77 500 spare in the garage.

[Terry M.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

Another thing to add to the "learning something new every day" list. It is better to have that list than a bucket list.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

Correct, 500 were used through 77. I have a 77 500 spare in the garage.

OK It makes sense now. The unused spare is dated FMJ143. The ones on the Corvette were dated late Dec76 & early Jan 77. I bought one to replace the one that blew which I assume is the 74 date. Sold the car befor the tires were put back on
Thanks Guys for the help. KEN

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

The one dated FMJ143 if it is raised white letters should have the white shield.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 73 Firestone 500 Rwl Tires

The one dated FMJ143 if it is raised white letters should have the white shield.

LYLE
Thanks Yes it does have the large white shield. I learned a lot with this post.
KEN