The Ford Barn

flatheadfan · 07-23-2016, 12:56 AM

I have a set of Firestone tires that are marked "Made in New Zealand." I can find no date of manufacture. When did Firestone stop making tires in New Zealand? This might give me a clue as to how old these tires are.

Thanks

Tom

Phil Gillespie · 07-23-2016, 04:03 AM

The factory located in Christchurch Papanui area opened in 1947. Later towards the end taken over by Bridgestone but still know as Firestone. Closed in 2009.
Understand many tyre moulds were onsold to sources in America.
Maybe your tyres were from these moulds made in America but with New Zealand markings on mouds still.
Hope this helps.
Phil NZ

flatheadfan · 07-23-2016, 05:34 AM

Thanks Phil for the info.

Tom

1931 flamingo · 07-23-2016, 08:24 AM

I've got 19" F/stone w/w's on my A from the late 80's. Say made in New Zealand.
Paul in CT

A bones · 07-23-2016, 11:31 AM

Mine were bought in 1992.

Graeme / New Zealand · 07-23-2016, 02:13 PM

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I think the moulds went to Sth America when Firestone NZ stopped producing them

GB

FlatheadTed · 07-23-2016, 03:35 PM

I run a set of NZ Firestone that are 35 years still consider them good tyres ,Old technology made to last .No built in obsolete .Ted

fordscript · 07-23-2016, 05:14 PM

I got 40,000 miles out of the New Zealand made Firestones on my 37 coupe. Wish I could get some more.

Ian NZ · 07-23-2016, 05:22 PM

I have a set of Firestone whitewall tyres made in N.Z. now for 40 years on my 47 coupe.
I bought a set of double whitewall 18inch tyre in 1997 for my 32 from U.S and they have Made in N.Z. stamped on them which I now believe they have deleted.

mercman from oz · 07-23-2016, 05:34 PM

I bought these New Zealand Firestone Tyres in 1979 and they still look like new. In 2014, I did a 500 mile trip with no problems. The only problem that I have is that the Tubes were also made in New Zealand, and they don't retain the air like the Olympic Tubes that were made in Australia. I have to add Air every 2 months to these NZ Tubes, whereas, I can leave the Olympic Tyres and Tubes that I have on another car 2 years between checking them. These Olympic Tyres and Tubes on my other car were fitted in 1973 and also look like new. ( We spell Tyres differently to you! )

4dFord/SC · 07-23-2016, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

We spell Tyres differently to you! )

In some parts of the US, it's "Tars."

07-23-2016, 12:56 AM	#1
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	New Zealand Tires I have a set of Firestone tires that are marked "Made in New Zealand." I can find no date of manufacture. When did Firestone stop making tires in New Zealand? This might give me a clue as to how old these tires are. Thanks Tom

07-23-2016, 04:03 AM	#2
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,610	Re: New Zealand Tires The factory located in Christchurch Papanui area opened in 1947. Later towards the end taken over by Bridgestone but still know as Firestone. Closed in 2009. Understand many tyre moulds were onsold to sources in America. Maybe your tyres were from these moulds made in America but with New Zealand markings on mouds still. Hope this helps. Phil NZ

07-23-2016, 05:34 AM	#3
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: New Zealand Tires Thanks Phil for the info. Tom

07-23-2016, 08:24 AM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: New Zealand Tires I've got 19" F/stone w/w's on my A from the late 80's. Say made in New Zealand. Paul in CT

07-23-2016, 11:31 AM	#5
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,282	Re: New Zealand Tires Mine were bought in 1992. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

07-23-2016, 02:13 PM	#6
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: New Zealand Tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think the moulds went to Sth America when Firestone NZ stopped producing them GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

07-23-2016, 03:35 PM	#7
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,700	Re: New Zealand Tires I run a set of NZ Firestone that are 35 years still consider them good tyres ,Old technology made to last .No built in obsolete .Ted __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

07-23-2016, 05:14 PM	#8
fordscript Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oamaru, New Zealand Posts: 419	Re: New Zealand Tires I got 40,000 miles out of the New Zealand made Firestones on my 37 coupe. Wish I could get some more.