Firestone 721 spare

[Michael B.]

I'm curious if this was an original spare because it has a black wheel but the tire itself is a Firestone 721 GR70 15. The tire was never used. The label is barely legible but you can make out the firestone and the tire size. It's still fully inflated (I am going to keep the spare off the car so I can put in a spare but I'm going to sell the air inside on ebay - "Authentic 70's air"). I had always read the originals were painted silver. Everything else suggests this is original.

Since the car is now back on the road after a 10+ years resto (thanks to the occasional guidance from many of you) I want to have a useable spare but I don't want to disturb the tire/wheel combo if it's original.

Cheers,

Michael B.

[John H.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

I'm curious if this was an original spare because it has a black wheel but the tire itself is a Firestone 721 GR70 15. The tire was never used. The label is barely legible but you can make out the firestone and the tire size. It's still fully inflated (I am going to keep the spare off the car so I can put in a spare but I'm going to sell the air inside on ebay - "Authentic 70's air"). I had always read the originals were painted silver. Everything else suggests this is original.

Since the car is now back on the road after a 10+ years resto (thanks to the occasional guidance from many of you) I want to have a useable spare but I don't want to disturb the tire/wheel combo if it's original.

Cheers,

Michael B.

Michael -

That's a retail market tire, which replaced the original at some point - factory tires didn't have retail labels on them.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

721's were replacements for firestone 500's that were recalled. The black rim may have replaced a damaged rim when the tire had a blow out. What's the date on the rim and tire?

[Michael B.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Thanks John and Lyle, I'll get the date code off it shortly and post back.

Cheers.


Michael B.

[Michael B.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

just a quick followup.

Is this tire/wheel combo worth keeping together for originality. I'm going to put a real spare in the tub for daily driving and would reuse/restore the wheel if it makes sense, otherwise I'll find a new wheel.

By the way, has anyone ever used the yj8 aluminum wheels as a spare. I'll be getting a BF Goodrich 215 70 15 which looks like a combo that will fit in the tub.

Thanks.


Michael B.

[George C.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Michael, There was a tire strike in April 1976 that lasted 142 days. I am guessing your 1977 Corvette is a early vin.
While working at Palmyra Motors, selling Corvettes that year I can tell you for sure late August and September all cars including Corvettes started coming in without spare tires. The Corvettes and other cars had just a bare steel wheel in the tub, or trunk. That's where your black wheel came from and the 721 was the replacement for the junk Firestone 500's. So I'd be safe to say that's an original that came with your Corvette (Dealer Installed) Save the Wave. Any questions email me.>George

[Michael B.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

pretty amazing. I never could have imagined a spare rim with no rubber. Very impressive.

So I just replaced the spare combo today with one of the restored aluminum wheels I had and a 215/70 15 BF Goodrich T/A (the matching firestone supply for what I have was not available).

I pulled more photo's off the wheel and tire. The wheel stamp is tough to see through the rust but it is AZ. There is also a wire twist though the centre and a wheel lug hole where a tag used to be attached.

The date code is VNU5 2XF049.
I believe this suggests the tire was made in April of 1979, manufactured in Joliette, Quebec.

This is a late model 77. If it helps in some way I can get you the VIN but given the dates of the scenario you've painted it seems like the combo was probably swapped out at some point as part of the mass recall. Would that make more sense. Not sure if that still suggests historic value but the wheel/tire will be hanging on the wall just for jun and show.

Cheers,


Michael B.

[Russ S.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Michael, There was a tire strike in April 1976 that lasted 142 days. I am guessing your 1977 Corvette is a early vin.
While working at Palmyra Motors, selling Corvettes that year I can tell you for sure late August and September all cars including Corvettes started coming in without spare tires. The Corvettes and other cars had just a bare steel wheel in the tub, or trunk. That's where your black wheel came from and the 721 was the replacement for the junk Firestone 500's. So I'd be safe to say that's an original that came with your Corvette (Dealer Installed) Save the Wave. Any questions email me.>George

George, That still doesn't explain the black wheel as you state the car came from the factory with just the rim(would be silver) in the tire tub. Am I missing something here?

[Joe R.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Here's a pic of the Firestone 500's that were replaced by the 721's.
These are new spare take-off's (6) that has been in storage since the 70's. Still in good shape but NOT road worthy!

JR

[Martin N.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Original spare out of my 74.

Marty

[George C.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

George, That still doesn't explain the black wheel as you state the car came from the factory with just the rim(would be silver) in the tire tub. Am I missing something here?

I saw so many things back in the day at Palmyra Motors. Tires and wheels stolen right on the train, off transporter. Radios stolen off the train, busted consoles, bullet holes in the Corvette as people used them for target practice. This Corvette is NOT one of the early vin's with the tire missing because of tire strike. Painted wheel ?? Who said they came painted ???? That tire strike screwed up alot of people back in 76 and things that normally came as normal didn't happen. I sold Corvettes new, that's all I call tell you and I'm posting to try and help guy's here on NCRS.

[George C.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Michael, late vin, your Corvette had the tire and wheel replaced by dealer or former owner somewhere in its history. Anything is possible with Corvettes. Just trying to help you out. Save the Wave.

[Michael B.]

Re: Firestone 721 spare

Thanks for everyones input. Does look to be a replacement but to your point George, I remember a discussion on the board several years back where someone who had been on the line commented that various screws and bolts may not have been "factory" issue. The poster commented on people rushing to a hardware store because you can't stop a production line if an equivalent part is readily available.

Given the things I've seen of this car having totally torn it down and put back together I have no doubt anything is possible.

OK, so who needs original '79 air from a fully inflated spare tire

Cheers.

Michael B