Looking for new tires for the Indy and can't find the exact replacement I want. Dunno if they quit making them in 60s or just no one carries them in stock. Anyone bought any lately?
If not available, what are you Indy guys using nowdays?
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01:35 AM
PFF
System Bot
Rallaster Member
Posts: 9105 From: Indy southside, IN Registered: Jul 2009
I am not sure but they may have gone the way of most white lettered tires. Most companies are dropping them as the are a liability in this day where even most small 4 cylinder cars can go faster than the speed rating of the tire.
We are not far now from where only the repo tires of the older styles will be offered for the muscle car retorations.
The white rubber in a tire that makes the white letters and white walls is not a structual part of the tire and holds a lot of heat at speed. It makes for a hot spot or weak spot in the tire. Many companies have put speed limiters on many vehicles with out proper tires. The tire companies also don't want their replacment tires to get put on cars they should not be on that can go oer the tires speed rating. Most are 112 MPH.
Sad to say product liability for a few has killed off many products for the many.
Best bet is to check any Fireston retailer and see if they have old inventory or the ability to locate unused inventory.
We may get letters again in the future but they will be decals like Goodyear uses on their race tires. Until then sizes and models will be limited and declining.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 07-02-2011).]
Yep, I've looked online, and have had the same luck as Rallaster.
I used 70s on a Fiero daily driver one time, for the same reason I posted this thread--the local shops just didn't have the 60s in stock that I wanted. The ride seemed a "little" softer, but I just didn't like the way it looked. I guess I will have to settle for less again--the ones that are on there still have good tread, but are just too old to still be safe.
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01:20 PM
johnt671 Member
Posts: 2271 From: sugarloaf pa usa Registered: Feb 2001
I know they aren't Firestone tires but I have four 215/60/14's on the rims if anyone would want them. Two of them have about 1k miles on them if that, they are cooper cobra tires. I bought them in 2009. (Rear ones) The fronts are goodyear eagle GT's have about 50% or so tread left.
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05:53 PM
donnie072003 Member
Posts: 1956 From: LaSalle, IL. Registered: Feb 2010
Yeah--it is. I can remember when you could buy them everywhere.
I'm just going to look next Tuesday for the Cooper Cobras in the size i want as well as the BF Goodrichs johnt671 has on his. If I have to get a local tire dealer to order them in, that's fine too.
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03:24 AM
PFF
System Bot
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
This, has become more of a chore than I ever thought it would be.
Yep, they've gone up a lot, From an old PFF TQ&A thread (2005) all 215/60/14:
quote
BF Goodrich T/A radials ~ $63.00 each (also at NTB stores) Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 ~ $61.00 Goodyear Eagle GT II ~ $61.00 each Yokohama Avid S/T ~ $48.00 each Kumho Touring Plus 732 ~ $43.00
not that I've had ANY luck finding what I want.You won't find them for that today, and in fact, I was told today, by several different shops, that the BFG TAs are no longer available in the size i want, and as of April 2011, the Cooper Cobras are no longer available in that size.
My tire ignorance seemingly knows no bounds. Been to every tire shop in a 30 mile radius today and found only one set of 215/60/14s and it was a plain jane set of pug ugly blackwalls from a company I've never heard of. Mirada Sports. Good (great?) price--$69 ea, but when we got to looking at them, saw they were manufactored in 2008. The guy decided he didn't want to sell them as they had been sitting in his rack too long, and I didn't like them anyway. I believed Yokohama makes them but not sure, tho these did say "Made in USA" on both the factory sticker and the tire itself. Just danged ugly tho.
So, what's an affordable and workable option from a local dealer (I don't want to ebay or buy online) ?
What taller or wider tire will work on a stock Fiero front and rear? 225/70/14 seems available in both Firehawks and Cobra. Any issues with that size?
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 07-06-2011).]
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04:07 AM
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004
With many Fiero owners switching to custom wheels there is an abundance of 15" Fiero wheels all around, some at very low prices. I suggest that you consider switching over to 15" wheels. You will have access to a larger selection of tire choices.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
With many Fiero owners switching to custom wheels there is an abundance of 15" Fiero wheels all around, some at very low prices. I suggest that you consider switching over to 15" wheels. You will have access to a larger selection of tire choices.
I would Dennis, if this weren't an Indy. Might have to tho.
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10:42 AM
Rodney Member
Posts: 4715 From: Caledonia, WI USA Registered: Feb 2000
Remember that Tire Rack only sells what is popular at that time. Just because Tire Rack does not stock them do not stop there.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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01:35 PM
johnt671 Member
Posts: 2271 From: sugarloaf pa usa Registered: Feb 2001
I would Dennis, if this weren't an Indy. Might have to tho.
If authenticity is a concern try the specialty tire companies like Coker tire. Those guys even stock wide whitewalls that were popular back in the 1950's. If they can't get the 215 -60 x14's for you no one can. You could also use 205-60 x14's all around. They are only about 1/2" narrower than the 215 size.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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08:09 PM
Spoon Member
Posts: 3762 From: Sadsburyville, PA. 19369 / USA Registered: May 2004
Looking for new tires for the Indy and can't find the exact replacement I want. Dunno if they quit making them in 60s or just no one carries them in stock. Anyone bought any lately?
If not available, what are you Indy guys using nowdays?
I also like the Fire Hawk Indy raised white letter tire. I ran them on my Jeep 235/70R16. Two years ago I wanted to replace them and they were discontinued in that size. I went with another brand but they were Raised Outline Letter.
On the Fiero I have Goodyear Nascar Eagle I / 205/55R16 RWL. THEY'RE also discontinued in that size. So I'm searching too.
A year ago I bought some wide white walls for my 60 Pontiac from Universal Tire in Hershey, PA. Cost over $200 a pc. because they were 14". A 15" in that configuration was half that price.
Good luck on your search.
Spoon
------------------ Two yeast spent their entire life "about 2 days" discussing what the purpose of life could be and not once did they even come close to the fact that they were making champagne. Quoted by: Unknown
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09:32 PM
fierofool Member
Posts: 12810 From: Auburn, Georgia USA Registered: Jan 2002
I have an old set of Firehawk Indy 500's on the 88 Coupe and I purchased a set for my Dakota less than a year ago. Got the last set from Tire Rack, but I remember searching for someone else and the only white letter tires in a Fiero size that could be found were BF Goodrich. The local Dunlop dealer said that the white letter tire sidewalls aren't as strong because of the layered construction and tend to come apart quickly as the tire deflates when punctured at road speeds so most manufacturers are discontinuing them.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 07-06-2011).]
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10:14 PM
fierofool Member
Posts: 12810 From: Auburn, Georgia USA Registered: Jan 2002
Maybe......but they're a back order item. Our local Firestone dealer has had another customer a set of those on back order for over a month now, and has no idea when they will be in.
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11:21 PM
Marine1981 Member
Posts: 1364 From: Austin, Texas, USA Registered: Jan 2011
Looking for new tires for the Indy and can't find the exact replacement I want. Dunno if they quit making them in 60s or just no one carries them in stock. Anyone bought any lately?
If not available, what are you Indy guys using nowdays?
Maryjane, send me a pm tomorrow if you get a chance. I have a friend who is a store manager at a Firestone store. He can look up those tires and see if any store has them in stock for you here in Texas.
Edit: He can not find them. Closest he might be able to get are Cooper Cobra's. Sorry
[This message has been edited by Marine1981 (edited 07-08-2011).]
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11:44 PM
Jul 10th, 2011
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Maryjane, send me a pm tomorrow if you get a chance. I have a friend who is a store manager at a Firestone store. He can look up those tires and see if any store has them in stock for you here in Texas.
The problem is going to be is that they are not made anymore so even if you find some NOS tires they are going to be old. Maryjane doesn't want old tires, he wants new ones.
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11:32 AM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15143 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
The problem is going to be is that they are not made anymore so even if you find some NOS tires they are going to be old. Maryjane doesn't want old tires, he wants new ones.
If NOS tires were stored indoors in a climate controlled environment ( away from sunlight and excessive moisture) then tires even a few years old could be good. The problem is that there is no guarantee. You might get something good or you might get a set of tires that will split in a short while. IIRC Pontiac Sunbird rims were 15" and they look identical to the Indy wheel design. If you painted them white no one would notice the difference. . ------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-10-2011).]
IIRC Pontiac Sunbird rims were 15" and they look identical to the Indy wheel design. If you painted them white no one would notice the difference. .
The Sunbird had the same 14"x6" wheel as the Fiero. The Firebird had 15"x7" of the same style, but they're the wrong bolt pattern and offset (RWD). Believe me, I looked a long time when I got my Indy...
Yeah I know they had a 16" x 8" option, I had them on my 88 Trans Am, but those are definitely the wrong bolt pattern and offset for the Fiero. At least the 4th gen Firebird switched to a FWD offset, but the bolt pattern is still too big.
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01:19 AM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003