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Topic: Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (1/24)
5/30/09 5:19am

Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Hi, this is my first posting on a forum ever, so here goes.

I have just purchased a 1979 corvette, it has been fully restored with new paint and interiour( both have changed colour from the original), every thing except the engine(62,000 ) has been checked or replaced.

The last owner who has done the resto on it say's the tyres are the ones that came with the Vette when it was shipped to Australia 13 years ago, still in good condition and still has the lugs on it so they look new.

I have found the DOT CODE on the inside of the trye and this is what it looks like.

BF GOODRICH RADIAL T/A

235/60 SR 15 M&S

DOT BEVE 4CI 412

There is no "DIAMOND" after the ELONGATED CIRCLE whic has the 412 in it, does this mean the tyres are made in the 41st week of 1982 ?

Any help would be apprieciated Confused

Confused

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (2/24)
5/30/09 9:17am

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

Don't know the code info, but manufactures say not to use tires more than about 6 years because they break down internaly and can be dangerous even if they look new on the outside. Don't take any chances, get new ones.

Good luck with the new ride, enjoy.

Dave

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Dave's '82

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (3/24)
5/30/09 1:45pm

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

I heard 5 years but same difference. My 79 had tires with a build date of 1980. My tire dealer told me they were time bombs and could blow at any time! If you're just going to park it, fine. But if you're going to DRIVE it, get new tires, you won't regret it!

Barry

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (4/24)
5/30/09 5:13pm

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Good tires are cheap insurance in not having to go for thousands$ in body and driveline repair!! Get new skins my friend Wink

Wink

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (5/24)
5/30/09 7:02pm

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Welcome to the best C3 Vette forum. If you have never posted in a forum before then I want you to know you just hit the jackpot. This is the smartest most polite forum you will ever be on.

Please take every one's advice and put new tires on your vette. The car will ride great as there is nothin like new shoes!

I'm not sure what your insurance deductable is but if you blow a tire and just do minor damage your deductable out of pocket may be more money than if you bought new tires.

Also just think how good you will feel when you throw that baby into a curve and you know those tire are good.

Now if you do not replace them remember what I just said when you think you might want to throw your baby into that curve............ Shocked

Shocked

Let us know how you make out, and again welcome to the forum Big smile

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I B ebo......................... LOL

LOL

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ebo

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (6/24)
5/30/09 9:11pm

Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Thank's for the feed back, yes I agree it would be ashame to loose the Vette for not doing the right thing and putting new shoes on. It's just so hard to take off the existing oneswhen they have still the new mould lugs on them.

The next problem is finding something that looks good and rides well here in Perth Australia, have asked around and the RADIAL T/A's are no longer available, although I did see them on the COKER tyre site for $93.00 a piece ($us) is this a reasonable price ?

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (7/24)
5/30/09 9:57pm

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

If they are available down there, I would go for the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires. Lots of us have them up here and LOVE them. Great tires all the way around. And the good news is, at least up here, is that they are resonably priced! Good luck!

Barry

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (8/24)
5/30/09 10:19pm

Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Thanks, will have a look on the net and see if I can find them here in Aus

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (9/24)
5/31/09 11:28am

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Heh Mate! (sorry had to say it)

You will find some interesting old threads on tires here.

I also have the Firestone Indys and love em. But the BF Goodrich is also an excellent tire. Both my SUV's run BF Goodrich.

The price is about right.

Now there is a small fee to pay for this info..........

Get some pictures of your vette up so we can see one "Down Under" LOL

LOL

So is it a rare site to see an older Vette down under?

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ebo

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (10/24)
5/31/09 9:11pm

Aussie79vette
Former Member
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

I am in the process of up grading my mebership to be able to post images.

REALLY love this site, spent 4 hours going back over the post's for the last 5 years, have picked up some great info, again thanks.

Will start posting some info of what I have achieved in the last 7 weeks of owning my 79, including actually talking to the original owner in California, that sure freaked her out.

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (11/24)
5/31/09 9:33pm

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Andy, will be one of the best investments you will ever make for both you and your car!

So no kidding you talked to the original owner and told her that her vette is now down under...... Rolling On The Floor Laughing That is great, you'll have to tell us about that.

Well welcome aboard brother! Clap Thumbs Up

Evil Smile

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ebo

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (12/24)
5/31/09 11:15pm

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

Welcome to the site Mate. Yes $93.00 a piece for TA's is a good price. I just replaced my old ones with new. They were $98.00 here in the good ole USA.

Keep commin back my friend, "T"

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (13/24)
6/1/09 1:05am

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

[QUOTE=Aussie79vette]... It's just so hard to take off the existing oneswhen they have still the new mould lugs on them. ...[/QUOTE]

When we purchased "The Beast" late in the fall of '06 it had the original tires still on it. There was just 7,500 miles on the odometer and the tires looked brand new, from a distance. Closer inspection revealed that they were all checked/cracked and could have given out at any time. First order of business the next spring was to replace them before doing any serious driving. The originals are bagged and stored in case the next caretaker of the car wants them for showing/judging.

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (14/24)
6/1/09 4:47am

Aussie79vette
Former Member
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Hi "T", the price Iquoted as $93.00 was in the $US, the quote I had today was $250 $AU (out of Melbourne, all the way over the other side of the country),which eqates to $US200.00, plus frieght of another $AU25.00 and plus fitting, bit of a diffference.

If any one knows of a cheap way of sending them please let me know, even if it was $US30.00 a tyre, plus cost it would still be cheaper. this works out to be about $AU155.00

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (15/24)
6/1/09 8:13am

sundew
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Eagan, MN - USA

Vette(s):
Gone, but not forgotten: 1974 Coupe Red, matching numbers, Black Interior, L-48 w/ 4 speed; The “Admiral”, also gone and never to be forgotten. 1994 Admiral Blue LT-1 coupe, Black Interior Automatic

Joined: 6/18/2007
Posts: 427

Andy:

I would also like to say welcome. This is the best C3 website. There are really good people here who love Corvettes and are willing to share information about their cars.

Sunlight and age will deteriorate tires so I, too, would strongly recommend replacing the tires. I have BFG TA's on my corvette and I really like them. But, I also run BFG's on my daily driver, so I am a bit biased. The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tire is also an excellent choice. Did you try the Tire America website for TA's?

A simple question?..Is your car right or left hand drive? I was wondering if GM ever produced right hand drive cars for export.

Wally

sundew2009-06-01 05:14:50

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (16/24)
6/1/09 8:20am

sundew
Former Member
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Eagan, MN - USA

Vette(s):
Gone, but not forgotten: 1974 Coupe Red, matching numbers, Black Interior, L-48 w/ 4 speed; The “Admiral”, also gone and never to be forgotten. 1994 Admiral Blue LT-1 coupe, Black Interior Automatic

Joined: 6/18/2007
Posts: 427

Boy, am I dumb! doh

doh

Had I read through all of the earlier posts, I would have seen that your car came from California...obviuosly left hand drive! Embarrassed

Embarrassed

.....nevermindsundew2009-06-01 05:21:18

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (17/24)
6/1/09 9:19am

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

Check tire rack, http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp maybe they have shipping that far, don't know.

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Dave's '82

Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (18/24)
6/1/09 9:26am

dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

G'Day Mate !

Yup, new tires are the 1st thing you should do. If you can get BFG'S for 93.00 apiece, get them!!

Welcome to C3VR. Lots of nice folks here !!

Dan

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (19/24)
6/1/09 11:32am

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

http://www.truelocal.com.au/search/tyres/australia

Hi Andy. Don't know if this will help but I found this link to a bunch of tire (opps..sorry, I meant tyres) stores in AU. "T" my7T12009-06-01 08:38:08

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (20/24)
6/2/09 1:23am

Aussie79vette
Former Member
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

DaveM, have sent off an email for a quote to send them to me in Australia, wiil wait and see.

Thanks for the feed back

Andy

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (21/24)
6/20/09 11:47pm

Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Just a quick update on the info I got bak from you guy's.

I got in contact with Tire Rack and have purchased 4 X 245/60 15 BFG TA's for $US88.00 plus frieght of $US200.00 = $US552.00 or $AU704.00. This company have been real good good Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up

with there help and very quick getting back to me with my question's.

This is by far cheaper than I could have bought them here in Australia, would have worked out to be around $AU1100.00, a saving of $AU$400.00 (better in my pocket than there's)

Will let you know when they arrive and if it worked out ok with no problems.

Again thanks for the help

Andy from down under

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (22/24)
6/21/09 1:04am

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
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Andy hope you enjoy your new treads! I am sure the will look and ride great.

Now, normally I agree with me brutha's and sista's here to the T. But today I be feelin like the Devil's advocate a wee bit.

You see I own Coker Redlines and I bought em at a pretty penny. I know they been on the car more than 5 years and have been Armour All'd ta death.

I also know the aint got 4,000 miles on them because the car sits more than I drive it. But, I drive it in the summer sun when the mood strikes me.

Somehow I can't see meself ditchin them treads for a new set. Likewise I have me doubts other folks who drive their classic cars in the same manner are doin the same.

Soooo.... realisticly unless I see or feel some form of problem beginnin ta occur I am gonna run these babies until their number is up as determined by my safety standards and not something that is written by the lawmakers of America or someone quoting insurance statistics.

Out of curosity just how many folks here change their tires ever 5 years irregardless if they are needed or not? I wonder?????

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (23/24)
6/21/09 2:09am

Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1979 corvette

Joined: 5/15/2009
Posts: 28

Hi Larry, I agree it see'm's a waste to get rid a perfectly good set of tyre's.

When I bought this Vette I new the tyres on it were the ones that were on it when it came out from the states and that seemed ok, but when I looked at the DOT CODE it was then that I realised hey were 27 years old.

This is tooooo old to be driving around on, even though they still loked brand new.

Andy from down under

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Age of tryes on my 1979 Vette (24/24)
6/21/09 2:22am

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

[QUOTE=Aussie79vette] Hi Larry, I agree it see'm's a waste to get rid a perfectly good set of tyre's.

When I bought this Vette I new the tyres on it were the ones that were on it when it came out from the states and that seemed ok, but when I looked at the DOT CODE it was then that I realised hey were 27 years old.

This is tooooo old to be driving around on, even though they still loked brand new.

Andy from down under

[/QUOTE]

Your right Andy...... 27 years would definately be out of my comfort zone. Unless they were OEM and then I would stick them on for shows and judging purposes only.

Hope you enjoy the Registry...... Tux...

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