15 year old tires - unsafe?

[Uncle Buck]

Question

Assuming a garage queen car, are 15 year old tires unsafe on dry roads?

My new to me 66 has some old rubber that needs replacing. No cracking etc just old.

How urgent is the replacement needed.

A tire purchase now will push me into a rim purchase too since buying a set of 14" tires and tossing them next spring when 15" rims are added seems silly.

[Laffs]

Personally I wouldn't feel safe on them, but if you're talking about a week end cruiser that doesn't see any highway speed or spirited cornering odds are you will likely be ok until end of season.

[hammerhead]

Look for side wall checking and checking between the treads - sometimes very soapy water on the sidewalls will reveal air permeating thru the sidewalls - I've seen this a lot with old tires - also consider the valve stem as it is rubber too and may breakdown under stress - I've driven on 15 year old tires many times but always keep an eye on them - and yes they sucked in the rain

[Chinga]

Should be good for this season until you make the move next year to 15". I had tires on 67' Fastback that were new in 1988 and only replaced them 2 years ago but i will add that the car is a garage queen seeing 12,000 kms since its restoration and facelifts. If the car you purchased has sat outside for a good deal of its life and the tires were exposed to UV rays and the elements i would be more concerned.

[Ponyryd]

Should be fine for the remainder of the season, but as stated if it was mine I would avoid highway driving.

[92redragtop]

I'd be afraid of them acting like hockey pucks if you had to stop quickly even on dry roads. If you could trust all other driver's on the road, maybe but.......

[55 HD]

I say replace the tires now before you have to replace the car. Risky is what comes to my mind.

[Stephen06GT]

Just put the Roush wheels on from the other Mustang. I’m sure they will fit as both cars are Mustangs. ;)

[RedSN]

First thing that came to mind reading the thread title was that crash on the 407 a few years back, a 1948 Chevrolet, killing the 3 occupants.

https://dynamicmedia.zuza.com/zz/m/original_/d/5/d57b63c3-212a-465e-8a99-6597ff42afc9/B822628105Z.1_20160725092839_000_GUS1N7N8U.1_Galle ry.jpg

Tire blow-out is bad enough in a modern car with modern suspension, brakes, and stability control. But in a vintage car?
Get new tires.

[hammerhead]

First thing that came to mind reading the thread title was that crash on the 407 a few years back, a 1948 Chevrolet, killing the 3 occupants.

https://dynamicmedia.zuza.com/zz/m/original_/d/5/d57b63c3-212a-465e-8a99-6597ff42afc9/B822628105Z.1_20160725092839_000_GUS1N7N8U.1_Galle ry.jpg

Tire blow-out is bad enough in a modern car with modern suspension, brakes, and stability control. But in a vintage car?
Get new tires.

I remembered that very sad - avid hot rodder too

[mavrrrick]

I wouldn’t chance it, replace them.


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[fast Ed]

Question

Assuming a garage queen car, are 15 year old tires unsafe on dry roads?

My new to me 66 has some old rubber that needs replacing. No cracking etc just old.

How urgent is the replacement needed.

A tire purchase now will push me into a rim purchase too since buying a set of 14" tires and tossing them next spring when 15" rims are added seems silly.

Maybe even look on kijiji for a deal on some good used tires in a close enough to get you through this season ... chances are they will be fresher than what you have now.

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks guys.

I think I'll replace them pronto with either a wheel and tire package or just some cheap rubber to get us through the season. Good idea on the used but newer

[Chinga]

First thing that came to mind reading the thread title was that crash on the 407 a few years back, a 1948 Chevrolet, killing the 3 occupants.

https://dynamicmedia.zuza.com/zz/m/original_/d/5/d57b63c3-212a-465e-8a99-6597ff42afc9/B822628105Z.1_20160725092839_000_GUS1N7N8U.1_Galle ry.jpg

Tire blow-out is bad enough in a modern car with modern suspension, brakes, and stability control. But in a vintage car?
Get new tires.

Likely no seat belts...

[FABMAN]

Just spend the money on the rim and tire package you like. Its never worth risking safety. They make some really nice larger diameter rims for first gen mustangs.

CJ Pony Parts has a decent selection too:

https://www.cjponyparts.com/mustang-17-wheels/c/60210210/?product_year_mustang=664

Here are some of my personal favs on a 65-66:
17402
17403

[Ponyryd]

^That blue one is a beauty.

[fast Ed]

When you're ready to order new wheels, check out what Scott Drake has to offer:

http://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/Store/ProductSearchResults.aspx?wid=141&mak=3&mdl=196&y=0

We can order these at Parkway through Keystone Auto.

[Screw]

Magnum 500’s

[Scott]

I feel for you Al, last time my Boss 302 was licensed was in 1997. I bought new tires for the trip from Etobicoke to King City. Tires have less than a 100 km on them and look perfect but junk they are at any speed. Car of course has not been sitting on them and last time I looked they still had air in them.