DOT approved

[mikiec]

There has been much discussion on the large white lettered Goodyear Tires not being DOT approved.

Did they not come on the original cars?

Question....Why?

Is it because they are bias ply? Is it the tread wear? Is it because they are sticky? I realize the slick style may not be approved but what about the grooved rain tire?

Mike

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Mike,
You remember the Firestone 500's on a Pinto? Manufactures' going cheep on their products caused all the regulations. Now suppose you spin out on your Goodyears and hurt another person, what do you think your insurance company is going to say about you driving on the street with non approved race tires?
I think they'll say you have no coverage and you will pay the medical bills and damage from your own pocket, if you don't go broke first. Lawyers and insurance companies 'run' the country.
Perry.

[PatBuckley]

Mike-

To answer your question, racing tires are built way differently than street tires.

Street tires are built with the idea that people are going to be doing really dumb things with them - like running against curbs and things like that.....so they are built way tougher in order to survive the abuse..

Racing tires are built with one thing in mind - speed. The tire is more than likely quite a bit lighter, has very poor sidewall durability, and will wear out fast. They are designed to operate at around 220 degrees and when they are cold they don't have very good traction.... when used on the street they NEVER come up to temperature.

They do look awfully good on a Cobra though.

Pat

[hodgey]

DOT approved stands for: "Ducks at the Opera House are Titty Boppers!"

[CSX 4027]

Goodyear is not going to go through the testing process on such a limited use, limited production, ancient technology tire. Also, the variations of runout and inconsistency from their place of manufacture in Chile has been problematic. I have seen new Bluestreaks have to take over 4 ounces of weight to balance. That is not acceptable. You have to cherry pick them when available.

[PatBuckley]

He asked about the "billboard" Eagle Sports Car Specials, not Bluestreaks.

My comments regarding those tires are the real reason why they are not street legal.

[CSX 4027]

Dot or not they are terrible on the street. If you are talking about the Cobra Tire G-15 tread that Shelby put into production. I had them. I hope none of you race on them. Even up to temp they still are terrible. Way too hard even in the softer compound. They are designed for dirt track. I had them on the car at Michigan Int'l at above 120. That was the last time they saw the track.
If you are talking about the other rain tire, they are really too short in for the front. There is no great answer if you want the look except drive around like you are on ice.

[CSX 4027]

Easy fix......
Where they say "Not for Street Use"
--Just take a razor blade to "NOT"

[PatBuckley]

A friend had the "for racing purposes purposes only not" ground off - leaving the "for highway use" still on the tire...

Goodyear has a bunch of different compunds on those G15's because I know you can get some REALLY soft ones that are designed for dirt track racing - and only cost about $129 each - but would not last long even on the street.

The ones I am talking about, and I think Mikiec is asking about are the 26.5X8X15 fronts (which are the original height Cobra tires - in fact they are so tall they rubbed slightly at full lock on my ERA) and the 26.5X10X15 rears in D2546 and D2547 compounds respectively. They do have the G15 tread pattern.

These tires are about $190 each - but I did get 12,000 miles out of a set.

You are right about them being a little darty but the way I see it is that this is how an original car probably felt back then....paying attention was part of the price of admission.

Tires that aren't tall enough do look poor - you're right about that also.

[computerworks]

Originally posted by CSX 4027


I have seen new Bluestreaks have to take over 4 ounces of weight to balance. That is not acceptable. You have to cherry pick them when available....

What do these tires look like? Do you have a part number for the style?

[Cracker]

Now I am confused. Are you talking about or including the "Bluestreaks" Goodyear racing tire as well? Coincidently, I was just with a senior Shelby Rep at their LA/Carson tire distributions center and mentioned that I was considering using my Bluestreaks on the road and without bating an eye said they would be great and wouldn't be concerned. Now I have heard they are treacherous in the rain but I don't drive my COBRA in the rain. Please explain.

Tony Hull

[PatBuckley]

If you are talking about the Bluestreak G7 semi treaded tires, I would imagine that they would be pretty lousy in the rain.....

I am talking about the "Sport (sic) Car Specials with the big "block" tread pattern.

[computerworks]

[CSX 4027]

I ran real G7 thread Bluestreaks on the street just to the alignment shop. Forget rain. If someone spits and you drive through it, you will find yourself going directions that aren't on the map.
Ron.. Those are the G15's that come in the right size and look great on the car but, they are like snow tires. The original street Bluestreaks did not have such an aggressive pattern and were similar to the now defunct G12 pattern. Actually on mine I took offf the eagle and just left the Goodyear. Looked great and they are still on 4027 currently with the new owner.

[mikiec]

Are the G15's DOT approved?

Mike

[PatBuckley]

Mikie - no.

[CSX 4027]

Negative