Spare Tire Found In My '64 Superior Pontiac LWB Ambulance

[Kurt Arends]

This is the spare found under the floor in my recent purchase. I just can't myself to pitch this one! It would be awesome to get these back in production! Could this possibly be from the original set of tires? I did find an ad for these tires on-line from 1963.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

I would think that the original tires would have been a 6 ply rated tire, and at least a 8.00 x 15. That might be a replacement tire.

 

[Tim Prieur]

Kurt, very cool. Never seen these (though maybe I am a little too young). Very sharp.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

Not origional in 64 64 would have been the 890 8 ply. But a replacment tire. Hight end one at that.

 

[Kurt Arends]

This one actually is an 8.45-15.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

Don't know when they started to cast the date into the sidewall of the tire, but it might help to determine its age, if you can find a date. Most likely it will be on the back side of the tire..

 

[Kurt Arends]

Here is the mfr. code.

 

[Kurt Arends]

Not original in 64. 64 would have been the 890 8 ply. But a replacement tire. High end one at that.

Remember, this is a '64 Superior Pontiac. The Superior Pontiacs didn't even come with rivetted C.C. rims in those years.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

One would not have thought they would put a light tire on a high top ambulance.

 

[Walter Suiter]

63-was the beginning of a few changes in tires, including the short lived experience with Rayon cord tires.
New cars were arriving on dealer lots with 2 ply/4ply rating tires and salesmen were using a rock and patches of fabric to demonstrate how 2 ply was better. I can close my eyes and still see Harry the salesman demonstrating the superior flex of 2 plys over 4.

I also remember Harry finding a way to put 4 ply Firestones on the new Chevelle Mom was in love with because he really wanted to sell the car..

Rayon went away, Nylon came in and next thing we got glass belted tires with wide footprints that stuck to the pavement. Then we got steel belted radials.