Hi All, I recently joined this forum after resurrecting my '71 Stingray. The car sat for nearly 15 years, and we haven't quite got it road ready, but as expected it is nickel and diming us on the road to the road. The question I have is about the tires. We replaced one that had alot of wear, but the other 3 look to be in great shape. On the one hand, my husband thinks they are dry rotted, and he said that the tire guy gave him heck about them. On the other hand, I called the tire place to order the other 3, and the guy who worked on it said he hadn't really looked at them. Knowing hubby has a tendency to exaggerate, I thought I'd slide over here and ask before I drop another $400.

 Definitely replace the other three! Tires that old are an accident waiting to happen, especially if they have just been sitting. I bought my '71 in 2002 and it had an almost new looking set of BFG's. The PO didn't tell me they were 10-12 years old. Two weeks later, the right front tire threw off about a four foot slab of rubber and .......you can guess what the rf quarter panel looked like.  Tires are a lot cheaper than body work, not to mention the safety concerns! longhorn2942008-06-12 13:17:38

I can't agree enough with what longhorn said.  Replace them with fresh rubber or your looking for trouble...sooner more likely than later.

Ok, guess I'll pony up the bucks :) Thanks guys!

When we bought "The Beast" late in the fall of 2006 it had the the original tires on it - and just 7,500 miles on the odometer.  So those skins looked virtually brand new at first glance.  But after 16 years of sitting they were shot.  One of the first things done the next spring was to put all new tires on it.  I wish I could have gotten by for just $400.  The 315s for the rear were about that a piece...!!! 

I really appreciate all of your advice, I will be ordering the tires tomorrow morning! (and still have about a hundred things to do...)

dmerrill2008-06-12 20:59:32