Determining original VS. repro Wide Tread GT's

[tom406]

A friend of mine asked about ID'ing original F70-15 Wide Tread GT's versus repros. I know a lot of the visual cues on Polyglas tires(Made in Argentina vs. USA, the textured band near the wheel opening lip, etc.), but was stumped by this one. Any help out there? Also, can anyone read the date codes on the tires (to determine if his Wide Tread GT's are '69 vintage, or '71 vintage, or newer?) Thanks for the help.

(On a slightly related note, since some Z28's have been documented with Firestone Sports Car 200 tires, I was wondering if any of the Yenko/double COPO cars with 15" Rallys might have been so equipped. Or did Goodyear hold the contracts when most of these cars were produced?)

[bkhpah]

There are date codes in the tire that can be read, but they do not repo F-70-15 WTGT's. Any F-70-15's would be older. I have been told of one Firestone equipped Yenko, but could not confirm it....BKH

[68l30]

Yes on the COPO tires.I have looked at a nice old day two shot of a 69 double COPO at the drags.The factory ralleys and Sport car 200's are clearly visable......

Steve

[tom406]

Sorry, Brian, I've got Corvettes on the brain. I meant E-70-15's. They do repro those. (But not F70-15's for late 60's/early '70's Vettes, or F-70-14's for the '69 Camaros and Chevelles of the world. Thus many are doomed to wear the slightly superior, but technically incorrect, Polyglas GT's.) Any tips on ID'ing repro E70-15 Wide Tread GT's or date coding originals would be appreciated.

Thanks for the Firestone sightings-I was just curious.

[bkhpah]

Yenko Chevelles used the F-70-15 Goodyear WTGT's. Some original COPO's I have seen used the Uniroyal Tider Paws on the F-70-14's. The word Polyglas is not used on 69 Chevrolets. I will look on some original NOS tires I have...BKH