The Ford Barn

Synchro909 · 02-18-2018, 10:08 PM

When did they stop making Firestone tyres in New Zealand? I ended up with one out of a deceased estate so I have no idea how old it is but I know it wasn't made yesterday. The tyre looks good but I haven't put air in it yet.
Isn't there a code on tyres to say when it was made? If so, all I could find is:
1 BD 14010 in a location where it would just about be hidden by the rim.
Help appreciated.

Mike Peters · 02-18-2018, 10:55 PM

I bought a new set of New Zealand Firestones in 1985. Wore out very quickly. But that doesn't narrow it down very much.

Synchro909 · 02-19-2018, 12:59 AM

Thanks for what you are able to give, Mike.
If I recall correctly, the last digit of that code gives the year of manufacture so I'm wondering was it made in 1990 or 2000? I suspect 1990 so it would be 18 years old. HMMM

Y-Blockhead · 02-19-2018, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Thanks for what you are able to give, Mike.
If I recall correctly, the last digit of that code gives the year of manufacture so I'm wondering was it made in 1990 or 2000? I suspect 1990 so it would be 18 years old. HMMM

If it was made in 1990 it would be 28 years old.

Synchro909 · 02-19-2018, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

If it was made in 1990 it would be 28 years old.

Yeh, darned fat fingers!

pooch · 02-19-2018, 02:33 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Year age tyres to me is a total waste of time.

If you want new age tyres then fine, go buy them.

A brand new tyre can be run over a pothole in the first minute of driving and be compromised for it's life.

A 30 year old tyre can have superficial cracking on the outside and it means nothing, because the carcass is still good..

Admittedly a 30 old tyre will be hard and prob never wear out , and it will not be real good in wet weather.......

But a brand new tyre that has been compromised in the carcass is a blowout waiting to happen.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-19-2018, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Peters

I bought a new set of New Zealand Firestones in 1985. Wore out very quickly. But that doesn't narrow it down very much.

About this same time I bought a set of Firestone radial tires for my diesel VW Rabbit, and they also wore out very quickly. I never looked to see where they were made.

clem · 02-19-2018, 03:46 AM

Made until about 1990 in Christchurch New Zealand. ( guessing from a fading memory and verified From a quick google search).
I remember that they were made for export and if we wanted them, we would have to import them from overseas, (South Africa) even though they were made in the same country that we lived in.

Synchro909 · 02-19-2018, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem

Made until about 1990 in Christchurch New Zealand. ( guessing from a fading memory and verified From a quick google search).
I remember that they were made for export and if we wanted them, we would have to import them from overseas, (South Africa) even though they were made in the same country that we lived in.

Thanks, Clem. That fits with my guesstimate of 1990.
Aren't our politicians wonderful with tariffs and trade deals???
Q: How do you know when a politician is lying?
A: Their lips are moving.
And that's about as political as I'm going to get.

Hoogah · 02-19-2018, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

When did they stop making Firestone tyres in New Zealand? I ended up with one out of a deceased estate so I have no idea how old it is but I know it wasn't made yesterday. The tyre looks good but I haven't put air in it yet.
Isn't there a code on tyres to say when it was made? If so, all I could find is:
1 BD 14010 in a location where it would just about be hidden by the rim.
Help appreciated.

I spent some time with our local wheel alignment specialist today, trying to sort out a tyre-related harmonic vibrational issue on my little i30. Didn't really solve the problem but I did learn about the year of manufacture code on the tyre wall. It's a series of 6 numbers - the first two give the week and the last four the year of manufacture. So 212014 would be the 21st week of 2014.

None of that looks like the code on your Firestone! Sorry.

But it was a profitable visit for me. Got to check out his AC Cobra that's undergoing a rebuild. Bit faster than the A, or the i30 for that matter!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-19-2018, 10:07 AM

"THEY" could make tires that age better, but they WON'T, just like LIGHT BULBS!
Bill Dark

Mike Peters · 02-19-2018, 10:30 AM

Here's what's left of my NZ Firestones. Currently being used to roll a project around in the shop. Worn almost down to the air after about 10k miles. See the close up of the number. Almost identical to Synchro's #. 1- BD-BD-14010. So these were sold all over the world back in the 80's?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-19-2018, 10:58 AM

I sold a like new set of New Zealand '21" tires. Couldn't find a date code???
Bill W.

1931 flamingo · 02-19-2018, 01:28 PM

I've got six on my Tudor from the late 80's. The air in them is from then also.
Paul inct

Fullraceflathead · 02-19-2018, 11:36 PM

I'm driving on a set of 40+ year old Riverside Brand Tires. These were a Exclusive Brand name the Montgomery Wards Sold.
I will admit that a do have a new set of Firestone Tires to install once I paint my Rims.

ursus · 02-20-2018, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

I'm driving on a set of 40+ year old Riverside Brand Tires. These were a Exclusive Brand name the Montgomery Wards Sold.
I will admit that a do have a new set of Firestone Tires to install once I paint my Rims.

Says the guy from Riverside, CA. I am running a set from about 1985, when the local Monkey Ward closed up. I got them on close-out, at $20 each and, after all these years, they are still holding air and on the road. They seem to get harder with age and wear like iron.

pooch · 02-20-2018, 01:06 AM

I am sure I see new Firestones made in NZ gum dipped still on sale at Antique tyres....

will check..

did check

http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/tyre-brands/firestone-vintage?page=6

http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/node/475

And I will agree they do not wear well.

I had a set of WW on my 28 plymouth and it had a fair bit of camber and the outside of the tyres wore down, and I could not flip them around because of the WW.

Synchro909 · 02-20-2018, 04:10 AM

Well, today I fitted the tyre and inflated it. The walls look good - no sign of cracks. Time will tell about the wear. I think I will put it on the road straight away (rather than as a spare) so that I get the miles out of it rather than allow it to deteriorate further. Maybe I've had a (rare) win.

Floats · 02-20-2018, 05:17 AM

I just fitted new tyres and tubes today. The valve was leaking slightly, I nipped it up a little and the valve broke off in the valve nozzle. ��

Mikeinnj · 04-30-2018, 04:30 PM

I bought a set of five "made in NZ" Firestone 21" tires from Brattons in 1988 and within two years all of the tires sidewalls developed cracks so big you could stick a dime in them. Since I only drove on side roads I left them on the car for 28 years until I sold it.

02-18-2018, 10:08 PM	#1
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Firestone tyres made in new Zealand When did they stop making Firestone tyres in New Zealand? I ended up with one out of a deceased estate so I have no idea how old it is but I know it wasn't made yesterday. The tyre looks good but I haven't put air in it yet. Isn't there a code on tyres to say when it was made? If so, all I could find is: 1 BD 14010 in a location where it would just about be hidden by the rim. Help appreciated. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-18-2018, 10:55 PM	#2
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I bought a new set of New Zealand Firestones in 1985. Wore out very quickly. But that doesn't narrow it down very much.

02-19-2018, 12:59 AM	#3
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand Thanks for what you are able to give, Mike. If I recall correctly, the last digit of that code gives the year of manufacture so I'm wondering was it made in 1990 or 2000? I suspect 1990 so it would be 18 years old. HMMM __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-19-2018, 02:33 AM	#6
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Year age tyres to me is a total waste of time. If you want new age tyres then fine, go buy them. A brand new tyre can be run over a pothole in the first minute of driving and be compromised for it's life. A 30 year old tyre can have superficial cracking on the outside and it means nothing, because the carcass is still good.. Admittedly a 30 old tyre will be hard and prob never wear out , and it will not be real good in wet weather....... But a brand new tyre that has been compromised in the carcass is a blowout waiting to happen.

02-19-2018, 03:46 AM	#8
clem Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 9	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand Made until about 1990 in Christchurch New Zealand. ( guessing from a fading memory and verified From a quick google search). I remember that they were made for export and if we wanted them, we would have to import them from overseas, (South Africa) even though they were made in the same country that we lived in.

02-19-2018, 10:07 AM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand "THEY" could make tires that age better, but they WON'T, just like LIGHT BULBS! Bill Dark __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-19-2018, 10:58 AM	#13
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I sold a like new set of New Zealand '21" tires. Couldn't find a date code??? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-19-2018, 01:28 PM	#14
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I've got six on my Tudor from the late 80's. The air in them is from then also. Paul inct

02-19-2018, 11:36 PM	#15
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I'm driving on a set of 40+ year old Riverside Brand Tires. These were a Exclusive Brand name the Montgomery Wards Sold. I will admit that a do have a new set of Firestone Tires to install once I paint my Rims. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

02-20-2018, 01:06 AM	#17
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I am sure I see new Firestones made in NZ gum dipped still on sale at Antique tyres.... will check.. did check http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/tyre-brands/firestone-vintage?page=6 http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/node/475 And I will agree they do not wear well. I had a set of WW on my 28 plymouth and it had a fair bit of camber and the outside of the tyres wore down, and I could not flip them around because of the WW. Last edited by pooch; 02-20-2018 at 01:15 AM.

02-20-2018, 04:10 AM	#18
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand Well, today I fitted the tyre and inflated it. The walls look good - no sign of cracks. Time will tell about the wear. I think I will put it on the road straight away (rather than as a spare) so that I get the miles out of it rather than allow it to deteriorate further. Maybe I've had a (rare) win. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-20-2018, 05:17 AM	#19
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I just fitted new tyres and tubes today. The valve was leaking slightly, I nipped it up a little and the valve broke off in the valve nozzle. �� __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

04-30-2018, 04:30 PM	#20
Mikeinnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 1,262	Re: Firestone tyres made in new Zealand I bought a set of five "made in NZ" Firestone 21" tires from Brattons in 1988 and within two years all of the tires sidewalls developed cracks so big you could stick a dime in them. Since I only drove on side roads I left them on the car for 28 years until I sold it.