The Ford Barn

Joe/Ct · 08-17-2014, 11:32 AM

I was thinking of replacing the front white wall tires on our '28 roadster with the two spares. The spares, which are unused and have no signs of cracking, have the following markings on the front: The Coker Tire Company 440/450-21 4 ply. The back reads: The Coker Tire Company with a stamped number 2 172.

Note that the markings are not on the whitewall, but on the outside black edge (near the tread), both front and back.

How old are the tires, and are they safe to use?

Smog Tech · 08-17-2014, 02:58 PM

Look for a DOT number on the tire. The last four numbers tell you the date the tire was made. No DOT number, not legal to use on public land.

msmaron · 08-17-2014, 03:38 PM

Call Coker!

J Franklin · 08-17-2014, 07:33 PM

Have you ever seen pictures of the tires many used during the war years. As long as they kept the tube from popping they were used. If you think those tires are unsafe I'll give you a dollar for them.

nickair · 08-17-2014, 07:46 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have heard that nylon tires last longest compared to others. Don't know why and this information is not verified. Does anyone know the real deal on tire life.

08-17-2014, 11:32 AM	#1
Joe/Ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waterford, CT Posts: 250	Dating Tires I was thinking of replacing the front white wall tires on our '28 roadster with the two spares. The spares, which are unused and have no signs of cracking, have the following markings on the front: The Coker Tire Company 440/450-21 4 ply. The back reads: The Coker Tire Company with a stamped number 2 172. Note that the markings are not on the whitewall, but on the outside black edge (near the tread), both front and back. How old are the tires, and are they safe to use? __________________ Joe/Ct "The older I get, the better I was"

08-17-2014, 02:58 PM	#2
Smog Tech Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 145	Re: Dating Tires Look for a DOT number on the tire. The last four numbers tell you the date the tire was made. No DOT number, not legal to use on public land.

08-17-2014, 03:38 PM	#3
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: Dating Tires Call Coker! __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

08-17-2014, 07:33 PM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,966	Re: Dating Tires Have you ever seen pictures of the tires many used during the war years. As long as they kept the tube from popping they were used. If you think those tires are unsafe I'll give you a dollar for them.

08-17-2014, 07:46 PM	#5
nickair Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 132	Re: Dating Tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have heard that nylon tires last longest compared to others. Don't know why and this information is not verified. Does anyone know the real deal on tire life. __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. L.D. I have 40 horses in the garage. Only feed them when I want to take them out. 31 Model A Tudor 55B Nick