Correct Goodyear tires for `69 Chevelle SS

[Rixls6]

I want to put the correct style white letter Goodyear tires on my `69 Chevelle, but I'm getting conflicting info as to the correct ones.
Some say they are supposed to be the Custom Wide Tread, and others say they should be the Polyglas (no size) on cars starting around May 1st of `69.
My car was built the last week of April `69.

Here's something over at Camaros.org
Member

Posts: 46


Re: Firestone or Goodyear F70-14 tires
« Reply #24 on: July 06, 2008, 07:44:29 PM »

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I think it is an Urban Mith in the making that Polyglas was not availible on 1969 model Camaros. My original spare is a Polyglas. I have takled to Kelsey who make both Wide Tread and Polyglas tires and they say Polyglas N/S is correct for 1969. The internet info I have read says Polyglas was on 1969 cars (and Mustangs) .

[SmallHurst]

Information that I received from John Kelsey points to the no size polyglas.

As for set dates of when a tire was available and when it was not..... yes and no. The turnover (for Goodyear) going from the no-size polyglas to the elevated size polyglas occured starting in October of '69 and was completed in December of ' 69. Different plants producing the tires as well as the different assembly plants and the inventory they may have had stocked can result in different tires on a car built the same time in a different plant.

[Rixls6]

Is there any supporting paperwork that Kelsey, or others, have showing the changeover from Custom Widetread to Polyglas N/S (no size)in `69 model year, that sets a timeframe for the change?

[Charley Lillard]

I think whoever made that statement at Camaros.org is mistaken about it being his orig spare....

[Rixls6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think whoever made that statement at Camaros.org is mistaken about it being his orig spare.... </div></div>

So are you saying that Goodyear Polyglas N/S were never original equipment on `69 Chevelles and Camaros? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[mockingbird812]

FWIW: GY Wide Tread F70-14 on my Baltimore 06A built Chevelle photographed on 14 June 1969.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/mockingbird812/69%20Blk%20Red%20L78%20Velle/TrophyChevelle029_2_3.jpg

[camarojoe]

This topic comes up every year or so... I still don't believe any Polyglas tires were used by Chevrolet in 1969, regardless of what Kelsey Tire says...Other manufacturers may have used 'em but Chevy didn't. If Corvettes didn't use Polyglas tires I highly doubt Camaros and Chevelles did. Every vintage photo or GM press photo from 69 always shows Wide Treads or Wide Tread GT's on anything made by Chevrolet in 1969.

[Rixls6]

Thanks Sam and Joe. That's the kind of answers I was looking for.

[bluel78]

Until this post I always thought the widetreads were the only Goodyears available in 69, because the polyglass tires aren't in the press release photos. The 69 press release photos would come out in the summer of 68. What if the polyglass tires would of came out in the fall of 69 after the press release photos were taken. This could be one of the 69 Chevelle changes in 69 like: chambered exhaust, walnut steering wheels or rolled exhaust tips. I would like to see written proof one way or the other. Dustin

[SSRSBOB]

I called McNeish. Goodyear Polyglas WERE available starting April 1969. He has documented cars (Chevelle and Camaro) with original dated Polyglas tires from April 1969 until the end of production. John Kelsey actually helped with the date code decoding. Listed under the belted tire option. Call him for more details. He just did an engine for us &amp; it runs great.

Bob

[SSRSBOB]

Just called him, McNeish is banned from this site so he can't post. Wanted to post this data. He has several cars with OEM Polyglas tires. Late addition to the RPO sheets, April 1969. Here is one date cade for this site.

Example:
J= year, 1969, S= 4th month, April and 5 is the Gadsden, AL plant. This tire was on a 1969 Camaro SS396 built 04C. It all fits.

Bob

[Rixls6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SSRSBOB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just called him, McNeish is banned from this site so he can't post. Wanted to post this data. He has several cars with OEM Polyglas tires. Late addition to the RPO sheets, April 1969. Here is one date cade for this site.

Example:
J= year, 1969, S= 4th month, April and 5 is the Gadsden, AL plant. This tire was on a 1969 Camaro SS396 built 04C. It all fits.

Bob


</div></div>

Interesting info. Thanks for sharing that, but I still suspect that most `69 Camaros and Chevelles that came equipped with F70-14's got the Speedway Widetreads unless they got used up at the plant. Then they may have switched over to the Polyglas N/S.
I have decided to use the Speedway Widetreads as the general consensus is that would most likely have been the one used on my April `69 Chevelle.

[SSRSBOB]

Most the cars did get the wide treads but the Polyglas were available, and installed on cars.......and they wear and ride better. Had them our old SS359 Camaro.

J. Kelsey has also stated that the PG were used in many cases when the assembly plant ran out of the std tires.

Bob

[Steve Shauger]

I know the PL4 belted tire option became available 4/1/69, and it has been debated if this optional tire was in fact a polyglas. I rarely say never as there were supplier shortages and substitutions, as well as changes in the available options throughout the production year.

Bob if there is definitive proof, possibly you could post it.

[SSRSBOB]

You have to go to McNeish, I'm just the messenger. He has photos from on site inspections. I'm just a customer of his.

Bob

[302moz]

Hello Bob , What is a ss359 camaro? thanks

[William]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paceme</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the PL4 belted tire option became available 4/1/69, and it has been debated if this optional tire was in fact a polyglas.</div></div>

The description of the PL4 option on factory documentation read &quot;F70X14 FG BELTED WH LET TIRES&quot; so there can be no question about what they were. I have 3 original docs showing the option so it was available later in the model year.

Obviously I am in contact with JM and there was no question the Goodyear Polyglas spare was OE. I believe it is a 2 owner car with known history, late April build.