Topic: Is this an original 73 spare tire?
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Lifetime MemberMight be. It's an early Firestone radial on a rally wheel. 1973 was the first year they put radials on Vettes.
I'm sure someone else has more specific info.
click on either image for larger view
Lifetime MemberModerator
The tire you show is not a 500, so it was is not an original tire from the factory, but...it may be the replacement tire. The Firestone 500 was recalled in '73(&'74 too). so this could be a replacement. Is it a GR70-15?
Original "500" tires for '73, up until around June of '73, had the raised, white tri-angle with the stylized "F" in the center, right after the name "Firestone" on the tire.
Check the date on the tire...on the back side, you should see what appears to be an embossed alpha-numeric series(usually 11 characters total).
Starting from the left, and going right, the characters mean:
1. Maker's code- M = Goodyear V = Firestone
2. Plant location
3rd & 4th position = Tire size code
5th thru 8th position = Tire line, and Type code
9-10 = Week of year produced
11 = Year produced(last number of year)
Not all positions were actually used, for all tires, so yours may not have 11 positions...
The real answer to your question, tho, is...it doesn't appear to be the factory issued tire for a '73 Corvette.
I just looked at the other pic...that's the same tire my '74 had on it(Firestone 721)...they are the replacement tires from the recall. Mine are not white lettered tho...they are blackwalls.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Lifetime MemberModerator
The tire would pass Judging standards, tho, as the originals were recalled, so most are gone. If a judged car has a correctly sized, Firestone branded tire that was available at the time, it would be accepted with no penalties.
I hope you get paid what it is worth.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System