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Post Info TOPIC: White Wall Tires


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White Wall Tires


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 

 



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Guru

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Date:

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:

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



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1977 Can Am, W72 Pontiac 400 engine



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Bob

Thank you for the links - they make interesting reading.

Bit difficult trying to estimate the width of the band on the whitewall tire.

Tim

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Poncho Master!

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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

 

FR78-15P205/75Rl5, P215/70Rl5, P215/65Rl5, P235/60Rl5, P245/50Rl5

1.jpg 

2.jpg

3.jpg



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Guru

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Posts: 537
Date:

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

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1977 Can Am, W72 Pontiac 400 engine

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Poncho Master!

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ask the tire guy;  427 Carl

Dale



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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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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.

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70 2+2 convertible
70 2+2 hardtop
70 Parisienne hardtop
72 GMC Sierra

 

 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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I checked, and found the "General" brand of tire is only a blackwall on both sides. No stripe.

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70 2+2 convertible
70 2+2 hardtop
70 Parisienne hardtop
72 GMC Sierra

 

 



Member

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Posts: 14
Date:

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.

Thanks again.

Tim

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