Original Spare Tire

[Dale C.]

What's the hit for the spare tire having some minor rubber cracking on the sidewall close to the bead. It's a Goodyear and almost 45 years old and I would say its in pretty good shape other than the small cracks. I would never use it and run 4 new Firestones on car for safety reasons. I just like having the original over new and shinny. That's the worst crack.
Dale

[Harry S.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

If all 5 tires are reproductions you will have the standard deduction of 3 points. If the spare is real then the standard deduction is 2 points. Worst case is a point on condition so you break even. Best case, the judge does nothing and you just see a two point deduction.

[Tim G.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

I think the spare will not receive any deduction as long as it is a correct tire for the year of the car. Judges love seeing original spares.

[Loren L.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

I would scream "Amen" to Tim's comment and add that any judge who would make a deduct on a 50 year-old spare tire, obviously in the car for judging purposes, deserves to be branded with a "A" on his hand, and NOT for adultery

[Dale C.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

You know that's why I don't show the car cause I don't want the degradation of what I have worked so hard on. It is my objective to return everything to OEM and put condition as a secondary consideration. I know there is a class for survivors but that's not what my car is. It is what a lot of people do, in just returning the old OEM parts back to the best condition you can and striving for a correct car that is not so pristine. I could, unfortunately, match reciepts with any 98 pt car out there so it would be awfully disappointing for it to be judged substandard.
Dale

[Steven B.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

Dale, I have two I ordered and watched come off the carrier. They were substandard when they left St. Louis, but unfortunately not by St. Louis standards. It is good to see original parts as compared to repros. and I believe most judges agree. Steve

[James W.]

Re: Original Spare Tire

Dale,

Here's the original spare from my '65 that will be judged this weekend at out chapter meet and then again at a regional and the 2014 National convention. After repainting the wheel, I remounted the tire and cleaned it with 3M weatherstrip adhesive remover and then put a light coating of tire dressing on it so it didn't look all dried out. I know this is not per the standards but I will wipe it down to lessen the sheen before this weekend.

James West