Don't over look tires !

[2R5]

I just put new tires on my Champ pickup this morning.....getting ready for this years driving season . At least one trip to South Bend , maybe more. My old tires only had 20,000 miles on them , they looked just like new but they are 12 years old.....don't over look your tires . It isn't hard to do especially when they look so good but when tires get too old there is always that threat of blowout and I'm sure none of us would want that experience in a 50 year old car. I really hated to lay out the $s for new ones since my old ones looked so good but the date code says they were made in 2000 and thats just too risky as far as I'm concerned. My wifes and my life are worth more then taking that chance.
So guys check your date codes on your tires ....they say that tires over 6 years old are past their safe life expectancy.....we want to see everyone who drives their Studebakers make it too the meets this year, safe and sound.

[raprice]

Well said.
Rog

[Cultural_infidel]

lol mine are probably 20 years old!

[FlatheadGeo]

Sound advice! I just changed my tires as they dry rotted while on the car sitting in a garage for the last seven years.

[Roscomacaw]

In late '01, Pete's left rear Armstrong LT tire let go at 8 years of age - like 2R5s tires, they had LOTS of tread left. Without warning - while headed to a swap meet - KABOOM! Balled up the rear fender and ruined a wheel. After the meet, new Bridgestone tires were bought with proceeds from stuff sold.

Eight years later, I was coming home from a shopping foray. As I left the mall parking lot, I thought a felt a strange sorta "fishtail" sensation - VERY slight. On the street it was fine. No biggie. About two miles from the house, I push the pedal to the floor. As the speedo approached 75 - WHACKA-WHACKA-WHACKA - BANG! The 8 year old RIGHT rear shed it's skin. Now the fender and rear bed side took the beating.
The tires on Pete are now three years old. No matter WHAT they "look" like at age 6 - they'll get replaced.

[PackardV8]

One of the Avanti club members did $5000 in damage to the fiberglass body and custom paint when an old $150 tire let go on the freeway.

jack vines

[2R5]

lol mine are probably 20 years old!



....you won't think its funny if something happens !
Like Roscomacaw says .....very little warning on big hyway speeds.....better to be safe than sorry.

[studegary]

This wasn't the failure mode with old bias ply tires. They usually started to look bad with weather checked sidewalls or cracks between the treads or they just plain wore out in about 15K miles (two ply 1960s tires).
The new manufacture of radial tires and the better rubber compounds give a different failure mode. The tires may have most of their tread and the rubber on the exterior may look new, but the tire may be ready for an internal failure. I have been replacing my tires at six to 10 year intervals. They usually have half of their tread left. Someone at the tire store may take them for use or resale, but that is their risk.

[woodysrods]

Bob
You don't own a tire store by chance??
Just Kidding!
Sound advice.
Good Roads
Brian

[doug]

I replace mine by time not miles, they usually look very good. When I "retire" them I drill holes in the sidewall so someone else does not inherit a tire failure.

[kmac530]

I have an idea....How bout you all start driving more so you actually wear out a pair of tires...
Studebaker "DRIVERS" Club right?
Just kidding. Not the worst idea though right?
I have been diving Oscar everyday for 2 weeks now. Even entered a little local car show tonite. Tons of smiles and even met another Studebaker owner. It was a 1962 Lark 4 door in a really nice beige or tan color with a V8 in it and a silver/gray ish interior and an owner named Beverly that is not a member here, but she said she would check it out....maybe a new member.
Oscar had alot of people who could not believe it was still Stude powered and that there was a V8 swap...that was NOT a standard sbc. Even took 2 kids for a ride around the parking lot after the show.

[Dads Baby]

My new tires go on Saturday. The old ones will be donated to the Forney Museum for one of their display cars. My old tires were made in 2002 and have less than 11,000 miles on them. The thought of hurting someone or my car is something I don't want to go through. It's not worth it.

[studegary]

My new tires go on Saturday. The old ones will be donated to the Forney Museum for one of their display cars. My old tires were made in 2002 and have less than 11,000 miles on them. The thought of hurting someone or my car is something I don't want to go through. It's not worth it.

The musuem donation is nice gesture and a good idea. Those old tires are fine for a static display or for vehicles that are only rolled in and out of their trailers.