Old Tires and Rubber Parts

[camarojoe]

Anyone paying 40 grand for a battery and set of tires for a car is likely just rolling it in and out of a box anyhow, so the concern of if the tires are "roadworthy" probably doesn't matter much.

A few years ago when I showed Steve Sandlin's 15k mile 69 RS/COPO, it had its 4 original "born with" Tiger Paws, all original GM belts and hoses from 1969. I drove the car around a little for a couple photo shoots, etc. Sometimes up to 35 or 40 mph and everything worked fine, but I don't think I'd have felt comfortable setting out on a 500 mile highway trip without swapping some of the 40 year old rubber parts.

Bottom line is that cars with ultra low milage and all original stuff don't see "regular" use like that anyhow...and probably never did.

[Charley Lillard]

The tires on my 1100 mile Z28 show no cracking at all.

[ORIGLS6]

And the hoses on my 39 year old, 32000 mile Chevelle are still in great condition.

[beater68427]

The front tires for beater look new 30+ old, the slicks look great but show some very mild cracking around cords, side walls very thin on them, the part that is amazing the trunk weatherstrip looks new, its the oe stuff kida skinned looking foam.

[Sportyworty]

I run G60-14 Goodyear Polyglas and they are at least 40 years old. I do keep a close eye on them though.