1972 RWL Tires for Stage 1

[upstaged]

I am looking for the correct tires for my 72 Stage 1 convt. The window sticker states, Super Wide Oval White Billboard Lettered tires, G-60 x 15. Who makes the best repops? The Firestone wide ovals or the Goodyear polyglas? I know about Coker tire in Tenn. Anyone manufacturer in the midwest? Regards, Upstaged in Michigan.

[Brad Conley]

The only correct tire is the Goodyear Polyglas G60-15. Firestone's were not the factory installed tire in that size.

Sometimes a group of people get together and make a group order for Polyglas tires...check out "The Other Bench" and search for group tire order.

[upstaged]

Thanks Brad for the skinny on the tires. I have a real good friend who owns a Goodyear dealership and I will task him with obtaining a set of 5. I know about Coker but any other vendors locally in the mid- west? Regards, Upstaged in Michigan.

[staged70]

If you can get adeal with your connection with a dealer why not try for another group purchase I will be needing them also.

[kevin mcculloug]

I'm also looking for "correct" tires for my 1972 GS . ( I say "correct" because mine came with 14" whitewalls and wire wheel hubcaps which will NEVER go on my car as long as I own it .) I'm going with 15" rims and raised white letter tires . I sold a book awhile back with a picture of a 1972 Stage 1 Suncoupe at Buicks proving grounds being thrashed with Firestone Wide O Ovals on it . When were Firestones available and in what sizes ? Thanks for any input.:TU:

[MGSCP]

:idea2: Well Kevin....just check these out......:Brow:

http://store.coker.com/cat/firestone-raised-white-letter/

[Brad Conley]

The only correct 15" tires, from the factory, for a 70-72 GS were the Goodyear Polyglass GT G-60-15 raised white letter tires. All the others, whitewalls, red lines, Firestone Wide Ovals, etc, were 14" tires.

[stage-x]

If you guys want, we have a deal with Kelsey. Call David at the shop and we will work on a group order with Kelsey. We just received a price increase letter from them last week.
Mark
Then & Now 770-592-4411

[stage-x]

We talked with Mr. Kelsey today, prices (list) go to 265.00 ea. on October 1. If you guys want, we can sell them for 245.00 each shipped if orders are received and paid for by noon on September 30. Call David 770-592-4411. Their list is 250.00 ea. plus shipping prior to October 1, so this is a pretty good deal.

Mark

[kevin mcculloug]

:idea2: Well Kevin....just check these out......:Brow:

http://store.coker.com/cat/firestone-raised-white-letter/

I went to this exact page after I made the post Mark. You know , the Great minds think alike thing . :laugh: Anyway, if I'm going to put on something that wasn't factory to begin with ( 15 chrome wheels and RWL instead of whitewalls and wire wheels , ) should I even worry about them being the wrong brand? I don't see many Firestones out there and I personally like the way they look. Thanks for the info Brad . ( I've never had the opportunity to meet you , but I have admired your GSX #1 in person in 1984 at the BCA National in Georgia .)

[copperheadgs1]

I thought of putting those on my car but man are they expen$$$$. I remember driving with those on cars when they were available as original equipment in rain and swore I would never drive with them again. Now they cost twice as much as a radial. Holy cow!

[buick64203]

They are pricey, but man do those tires look hot on a GS. Makes the whole car, believe me. Its gotta be those tires, gotta be those 15" Buick mags. :TU:

These repro tires my be an old design, but they are made with modern rubber. They really arent that bad. Ive even gotten cought in the rain with them.

[upstaged]

I obtained a set of Goodyear polyglas GT tires with the tall lettering. Probably late 1970's or early 1980's vintage. They look great but I am worried about having old/ brittle tires on my Stage 1. Tire failure is much more common than most of us realize. I will probably keep them mounted for my show tires and rims and get another more modern set on another set of road wheels that I have put aside. Upstaged in Michigan.

[Duane]

upstaged,
You are very smart to only use them for the shows.

I have a set of "Originals" on my GSX and only use them to get the car to/from the shows. After the car is done with the show circuit, I will buy a set of repros so I can drive it around.
Duane

[copperheadgs1]

How do the repros wear? I would hate to spend that much on tires that wear out fast if I decided to go that route.

[54Rich]

Anyone use these:

http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/

I have a dual whitewall as an orginal and they said that they could reprduce it. Like everyone else, expensive.

I'm a long way from tires, but it might be worth a look?

Rich

[buick64203]

How do the repros wear? I would hate to spend that much on tires that wear out fast if I decided to go that route.

I think they would probably dry rot before we would wear them out. I really dont put alot of mileage on my cars. If I put 1500 a year that would be alot.

[buick64203]

I have a set of brand new H70-15 Firestone wide ovals. Still have the stickers attached. I was planning on putting them on my Riviera. Lately I'm starting to second guess that idea because of the age of the tires.

Do I use them?

[Marco]

I have a set of brand new H70-15 Firestone wide ovals. Still have the stickers attached. I was planning on putting them on my Riviera. Lately I'm starting to second guess that idea because of the age of the tires.

Do I use them?

If you drive your car I would not use them.