The time has come to replace the old Firestone tires (or tyres as we say here in the UK) on my 79 Firebird.
I do not believe that the Firestones are the originals. Originally my car was fitted with FR78-15 whitewalls; rpo code QBW.
Does anyone out there know how wide the width of the white wall band should be?
I can get 205/75 x 15 tires here in the UK with either 18mm or 28mm white wall band widths and want to get as close to original style as I can.
Many thanks
Tim
Bob F said
Mar 8, 2018
I would suggest looking for factory press photos of 1979 Firebirds. Most will be of the T/A which has white letter tires. I get that. But out there, there has to be some decent 1979 Redbird factory photos or have a look at the 1979 Pontiac brochure to see what other Pontiacs had whitewalls, and go off of that.
Have a look at the following based on a quick search:
Thank you for the links - they make interesting reading.
Bit difficult trying to estimate the width of the band on the whitewall tire.
Tim
Urban_suburban said
Mar 8, 2018
I like white walls - most people forget that Camaros and Firebirds had them. If you search the tire number for the P-metric equivalent you will find lots of info
Tim, you're fortunate to at least have a choice of stripe width for a WW tire. I know that they are not that common any more compared to what used to be sold - certainly in North America anyway. You may not easily find the definitive answer on your question... I suggest you go with what you think looks best. Personally I think the wider stripe looks better (see the last pic posted above). Cheers
NOS said
Mar 8, 2018
ask the tire guy; 427 Carl
Dale
seventy2plus2 said
Mar 8, 2018
I've got a Ralley II wheel in the garage with an original radial tire on it, from the late 70's. It's never been mounted, so in perfect condition. I'll try to get the tire size and white wall dimension for you tomorrow evening.
seventy2plus2 said
Mar 9, 2018
I checked, and found the "General" brand of tire is only a blackwall on both sides. No stripe.
TimW said
Mar 10, 2018
Thank you all for your comments and advice.
I think that Bob is right, I will just have to go with what I think looks the best.
As his images show, some F bodies had thin stripes and some wide. Suppliers of US tires / whitewall tires are few and far between in the UK but i will track one down and go and look at the tires in person.
The time has come to replace the old Firestone tires (or tyres as we say here in the UK) on my 79 Firebird.
I do not believe that the Firestones are the originals. Originally my car was fitted with FR78-15 whitewalls; rpo code QBW.
Does anyone out there know how wide the width of the white wall band should be?
I can get 205/75 x 15 tires here in the UK with either 18mm or 28mm white wall band widths and want to get as close to original style as I can.
Many thanks
Tim
Have a look at the following based on a quick search:
1979 Bonne, with WWs: www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1979_Pontiac/1979%20Pontiac%20Full%20Line%20Brochure/image7.html
Some 1979 Redbird factory pics here, but quite small: www.firebirdtransamparts.com/redsky/ladybirds.htm
Thank you for the links - they make interesting reading.
Bit difficult trying to estimate the width of the band on the whitewall tire.
Tim
I like white walls - most people forget that Camaros and Firebirds had them. If you search the tire number for the P-metric equivalent you will find lots of info
ask the tire guy; 427 Carl
Dale
I think that Bob is right, I will just have to go with what I think looks the best.
As his images show, some F bodies had thin stripes and some wide. Suppliers of US tires / whitewall tires are few and far between in the UK but i will track one down and go and look at the tires in person.
Thanks again.
Tim