GR70-15 Radials

[Peter G.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

John,

At Kississimee and the NCRS Winter Regional 2008 I saw a set of five with 80% tread left For Sale. They just sold to the guy in front of me for $600.00.

A good price for the buyer.

I paid three years ago for my set of five with 60% tread left on four tires and one spare never on the ground $1,050.00 from a NCRS member on eBay and I was top bidder.

Not sure of today's prices since I haven't been in the market for these tires since I purchased mine.

I think the Firestone 500 would be harder to find and more expensive due to the fact that there are not many tires around now because of Firestone recall in 1976? I believe they were destroying the tires that came back, but I am not sure on that. I did return a original set that came on my new '76 that I purchased in December of '75.

The "Steelgards" I saw were mostly standard on 1974 model Corvettes and the Firestones on '73,75,76 and 77 cars. I don't know how difficult it would be to find a set of Steelgards. I have only seen a set once For Sale.

[William M.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Looks like I'll go the judging tire route. Firestone 500's are around. But what I'd really like are Goodyear Steelgard white stripes, as that's the way my car was built. Anyone know of any?
My car when it was new:

[Oliver B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

I would just LOVE to get repros of those SR 500's my '77 originally was equipped with........ Hope they will finally get to produce them.

NOS are quite fine, but I would like to get repros who would do without that safety-concern, because of what they have been recalled back then.

[Harmon C.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

I had three people who worked for Firestone come by my swap space last year and the took pictures of the 20 or so Firestone 500's I had their for sale. The big boss at Firestone had told them their was no Firestone 500's left anywhere and they had all been recalled. He also said their never would be any because the memory of that batch of junk did not want to be brought up again. If an OK from Firestone is need to make 500's it will never happen.

[Oliver B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Hope, their approval is not needed....

Lyle, something "personal": the pictures you have as avatar look intriguing - any possibility so see them in large???

[Steven B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

I had three people who worked for Firestone come by my swap space last year and the took pictures of the 20 or so Firestone 500's I had their for sale. The big boss at Firestone had told them their was no Firestone 500's left anywhere and they had all been recalled. He also said their never would be any because the memory of that batch of junk did not want to be brought up again. If an OK from Firestone is need to make 500's it will never happen.

I have one set that was not returned to Firestone. They came on my '77 when I took delivery. Each one has so many steel cords sticking out where the sidewall and tread meet that I have to wear gloves when I move them. I bought a set of GY GT Radial 255-60-15's when they became available a few months later. I also did not return my "reflective" horn button for a painted one.

[Oliver B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Yes - rare items now. But when imagining it would have been ME back then and manufacturer was re-calling their product, I guess I would not have been that "educated" (or "originality-nuts") to refuse to turn something in for a superior/more safe replacement.
But you're right: the bright silver horn button looks awesome!

[Peter G.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

I remember the Firestone 500s on my new '76 Corvette.

I was so scared of driving on the tire that I didn't wait long to turn them in. I remember they mounted a brand new set of BFGs. No cost!! No pro-rate, no mounting and no balancing charges. They just wanted them off the road as the tires were blowing out at a pretty fast rate.

[Harmon C.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Hope, their approval is not needed....

Lyle, something "personal": the pictures you have as avatar look intriguing - any possibility so see them in large???

The pictures are of my display at the National Corvette Museum. If you go to their web site and then to the area showing the Flint Brick Wall you should find a larger picture. Both cars were mine for three years. The body drop car a Duntov car at the 2001 Galviston convention has been their for eight years.

[Oliver B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Looks cool! Thanks for the directions, Lyle.

[Peter G.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Just remembered that the tire that the Firestone dealers were replacing the Radial 500s with was the Firestone Radial 721s.

I also remembered reading somewhere in the judging guides that the 721s are a confirmed replacement tire for the 500s and although not as good as the 500s for judging the 721s were the next prefered tire.

Surprising, but I have never seen any NOS Firestone 721s out there for sale. I would think that they should be out there though.

[Harmon C.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Actualy any GR-70-15 which you have the proof they replaced firestone 500 original tires get(0) deduction but you need the proof. I had one 73 bought from an original owner that I had the replacement tires and the paperwork fore each tire from the Firestone dealer. They were Firestone 125 radials I think.I think I have a few 721's. I need to check for steealguard white stripes as I know of a buyer for them. I showed the car on my 0 deduct originals as it was less of a headache than training judges as to the rules.

[William M.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

I need to check for steealguard white stripes as I know of a buyer for them.

Yes, that would be me. Thanks!

[Peter G.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Lyle..

I have a NOS set of Uniroyal PR6 in the correct size GR70-15 with the correct size white stripe. The tread pattern looks similiar to the Firestone 500.

I am planning on putting these tires on my car even though I know they are very old tires. I don't drive over 65mph even in the Corvette so I don't feel this would be a big safety risk. I am not sure I buy all this talk about tires having a expiration dates like a tub of cottage cheese. These tires have not been out in the weather UV rays or exposed to the elements. They are like new. No cracking on the sidewalls either.

Question: Would these tires score better than the Goodyear GTII in size P225/75-15 that are now on the car?

Uniroyal was a major OEM tire manufacturer in the 70's, but according to any print that I have read only the Firestone and Goodyear brands have been confirmed on the Corvettes?

I don't have any paperwork from any Firestone dealer for these as a replacement for the Firestone 500s.

What do you think?

Thanks.

[Oliver B.]

Re: GR70-15 Radials

Just be aware that - even if age does not neccessarily show - the rubber gets harder over the time, reducing grip and adding brittleness to the tire!
I even experience(d) that on tires younger than 10 years on a car never driven in rain...

Would you want to bet your Vette (let alone your life) on that?