The Ford Barn

MikeK · 06-06-2015, 12:15 PM

I always wondered what "Gum Dipped" referred to on old Firestone tires.
This was today's antique-market find. I paid $1 for the card.

BlueSunoco · 06-06-2015, 12:29 PM

Thanks I always wondered what that meant too

Interesting.

ModAfan · 06-06-2015, 12:58 PM

I have a set of Firestone Gum-Dipped whitewalls on my '28 Tudor. They are from the mid '80s and they have no signs of splitting or cracking. They were made in New Zealand.

40 Deluxe · 06-06-2015, 03:25 PM

I imagine this process helped protect the cotton cords from exposure to the elements so they wouldn't rot as quick.

Skibb · 06-06-2015, 05:27 PM

MikeK, thanks for the posting that very special post card. I like Firestones and have them on my Model A. When my new tires arrived a year ago they had a tag attached proclaiming that they were "Gum Dipped". The tradition continues into the 21st Century.

Dan Partain · 06-06-2015, 05:51 PM

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Cool! I've always wondered about that too.
Thanks for posting that Mike.
-DAN

zzlegend · 06-06-2015, 06:25 PM

Interesting. Thanks Mike.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 06-06-2015, 06:53 PM

I have an OOOOLD Lester 6:00 X 16 for a spare. It has raised lettering, "NOT TO BE USED ON CARS MANUFACTURED AFTER 1948"
It is smooth, supple, beautiful beads, about 2/3 tread left! It looks like a 6 months old tire. SEE, them bastards COULD make us some GOOD tires, if they were willing to do it!!!
Just for fun, I'll try mounting it TUBELESS & SEE IF IT WILL HOLD AIR. (Yes, I have a new tube for it, just in case??)
Bill W.

Mike V. Florida · 06-06-2015, 09:58 PM

Gum dipped firestone tires

Skibb · 06-07-2015, 04:45 PM

Terrific Mike, Ty

Simonpie · 06-07-2015, 05:10 PM

I hope I'm not the only one who visualized an old B western sidekick like Fuzzy St. James saying "Gosh golly! I'll be gum-dipped and hornswaggled!"

Dadburnit.

06-06-2015, 12:15 PM	#1
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? I always wondered what "Gum Dipped" referred to on old Firestone tires. This was today's antique-market find. I paid $1 for the card.

06-06-2015, 12:29 PM	#2
BlueSunoco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Windy City Posts: 937	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? Thanks I always wondered what that meant too Interesting.

06-06-2015, 12:58 PM	#3
ModAfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Near Boston Posts: 135	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? I have a set of Firestone Gum-Dipped whitewalls on my '28 Tudor. They are from the mid '80s and they have no signs of splitting or cracking. They were made in New Zealand.

06-06-2015, 03:25 PM	#4
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,778	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? I imagine this process helped protect the cotton cords from exposure to the elements so they wouldn't rot as quick.

06-06-2015, 05:27 PM	#5
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? MikeK, thanks for the posting that very special post card. I like Firestones and have them on my Model A. When my new tires arrived a year ago they had a tag attached proclaiming that they were "Gum Dipped". The tradition continues into the 21st Century.

06-06-2015, 05:51 PM	#6
Dan Partain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hangtown, CA Posts: 556	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Cool! I've always wondered about that too. Thanks for posting that Mike. -DAN

06-06-2015, 06:25 PM	#7
zzlegend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Reseda, Calif. Posts: 2,188	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? Interesting. Thanks Mike.

06-06-2015, 06:53 PM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? I have an OOOOLD Lester 6:00 X 16 for a spare. It has raised lettering, "NOT TO BE USED ON CARS MANUFACTURED AFTER 1948" It is smooth, supple, beautiful beads, about 2/3 tread left! It looks like a 6 months old tire. SEE, them bastards COULD make us some GOOD tires, if they were willing to do it!!! Just for fun, I'll try mounting it TUBELESS & SEE IF IT WILL HOLD AIR. (Yes, I have a new tube for it, just in case??) Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

06-06-2015, 09:58 PM	#9
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? Gum dipped firestone tires __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

06-07-2015, 04:45 PM	#10
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? Terrific Mike, Ty

06-07-2015, 05:10 PM	#11
Simonpie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Portland Or Posts: 137	Re: Firestone GUM DIPPED ?? I hope I'm not the only one who visualized an old B western sidekick like Fuzzy St. James saying "Gosh golly! I'll be gum-dipped and hornswaggled!" Dadburnit.