Firestone tires from Firestone ??

[marty in Ohio]

I started this post and you guys gave me a lot to think about. After I read some of your replys I went out to the garage and took another look at my Firestones. To my surprise I noticed on the back side they say "made in New Zealand." Who said you're too old to learn something new?
Marty

[hop2it]

Originally Posted by Not George

I have heard that Summit Racing has the best pricing on Firestones (Coker) AND has free shipping!

I bought 5 bf Goodrich tires from summit last summer and had to pay $60.00 shipping.
Doug

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

I started this post and you guys gave me a lot to think about. After I read some of your replys I went out to the garage and took another look at my Firestones. To my surprise I noticed on the back side they say "made in New Zealand." Who said you're too old to learn something new?
Marty

You have an older (pre-Coker) set.

My Tudor had a NZ made set of Firestone's on it when I got the car. They were rock hard. Not sure how old they were. I'll bet when new, they would have lasted a really long time on a daily driver Model A. They had to be replaced due to sidewall cracks. Also the fact they were not made in USA and the guys in the club would have razzed me relentlessly had I shown up with them.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Those original Firestones are sharp! Nice looking tire! I'd almost go for a set today if they looked like THAT even though I don't care for Firestones. On any car. (had some bad experiences in the 70's -80's with them.)

[1931 flamingo]

I've got 6 of the NZ Firestones on mine. No cracks but some checking, these are probably from the late 80's, with about 5k on them.
Paul in CT

Pricey to replace all six.

[juke joint johnny]

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So when did they stop making them in New Zealand ?
I have some of both types 19" the USA ones look like a larger cicumference than the New Zealand ones .

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Those original Firestones are sharp! Nice looking tire! I'd almost go for a set today if they looked like THAT even though I don't care for Firestones. On any car. (had some bad experiences in the 70's -80's with them.)

So did Ford! Which is why you won't find any on new Fords.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by pgerhardt

So did Ford! Which is why you won't find any on new Fords.

Ford replaced all the Firestone tires on both my Explorers (92 & 93) including the spare tires, even though the tires on the ground had 75K+ miles on them, plus the fact that I was not the original owner of either one of those cars.

[DougVieyra]

About 1970 I bought a set of six 21" tires (of new manufacture) with the original 1928 Firestone tread and side-wall design. They look 98% like the photos Marco has posted. They were also the original (smaller) size - 4-50 X 21 - much smaller than today's modern 4:40/4:50 21" Firestone tires. They were made and distributed by Universal Tire Company, Lancaster, PA. I have had them on my '28 Pheaton since restoration in 1980. No cracks, no splits, but the tread is beginning to show signs of wear.

When I replace them it will be with the new Goodyear Diamond Treads, to match the two 1930's originals that I have, which I will use as spares.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

About 1970 I bought a set of six 21" tires (of new manufacture) with the original 1928 Firestone tread and side-wall design. They look 98% like the photos Marco has posted. They were also the original (smaller) size - 4-50 X 21 - much smaller than today's modern 4:40/4:50 21" Firestone tires. They were made and distributed by Universal Tire Company, Lancaster, PA. I have had them on my '28 Pheaton since restoration in 1980. No cracks, no splits, but the tread is beginning to show signs of wear.

When I replace them it will be with the new Goodyear Diamond Treads, to match the two 1930's originals that I have, which I will use as spares.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif

Like these?-

19": https://www.universaltire.com/475-50...blackwall.html

21": https://www.universaltire.com/univer...blackwall.html

Says "imported" on the website. Do yours say where they are made? If so, where?

[DougVieyra]

P.S. - Post # 30 : "Like these ?"
__________________________________

No, P.S. - they are not like those available today. Those that are available today are not the design of the 1928-30 tires. Mine look just like the examples pictured in Marco's post. The tires are "Made in USA".

- Doug

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by juke joint johnny

So when did they stop making them in New Zealand ?

1960s i think. i had some from the '60s made in NZ but they were cracking and brittle. Otherwise they're very hardwearing tires i would have used.

[dr.j]

Originally Posted by JonC

I never see any weights on the rims, are the tires balanced like modern tires?

DYNA BEADS are very popular to balance the tires.

[Not George]

Originally Posted by hop2it

I bought 5 bf Goodrich tires from summit last summer and had to pay $60.00 shipping.
Doug

Just copied this from thier website:

Domestic Shipping
"We provide standard ground delivery at no additional charge. In-stock parts ordered by 10:00 PM EST Mon-Fri ship the same day via ground service. Transit times vary depending upon where you live and what warehouse the parts are shipped from."

I believe it is on $100.00 or more.

[ABento]

I see you guys mentioned John Kelsey I believe thats the gent they call Mr Goodyear isn't it. He does a lot of the reserictiong of old tire molds and such.