1978 Barn Find

[Molampp]

Found a 1978 25th Edition, Indianapolis Pace Car edition. 4 miles on the odometer, plastic still on the seats, the logo graphics still in the box and never put on the car. It has been sitting for several decades. Need a source for the best price on the correct Goodyear tires? Also, going to pull the gas tank and clean it, put back non-ethanol. I was briefly cranked, Oil and original anti freeze look new. Needs a really good cleaning. Any advice would be appreciated, have not restored a Corvette (restored BMW, Mercedes and a Delorean).

I don't plan on ever driving the car, as it has not ever been on the road. Instead of new tires, would it be possible to put tubes in the existing tires (they are dry rotted, but hold air for a couple of days).

 

[douglasamariani]

Check Coker tires. They reproduce original tires and this is where we got them for our 2 pace cars.

Goodyear Eagle GT OWL | 255/60R15

Goodyear Eagle GT OWL 255/60R15The Goodyear Eagle GT Radial tire features extra wide 255/60R15 sizing, which is a great fit for 1970's and 1980's cars. They look great on Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs and more. The outlined white letters are authentic for the era, and the classic GT Radial tread...

www.cokertire.com

If you have the original tires on the car they need to be replaced. Putting tubes in them are just a Band-Aid and if one of them blows out even if you're driving it down the block it could take the wheel well with it.

 

[Molampp]

Check Coker tires. They reproduce original tires and this is where we got them for our 2 pace cars.

Goodyear Eagle GT OWL | 255/60R15

Goodyear Eagle GT OWL 255/60R15The Goodyear Eagle GT Radial tire features extra wide 255/60R15 sizing, which is a great fit for 1970's and 1980's cars. They look great on Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs and more. The outlined white letters are authentic for the era, and the classic GT Radial tread...

www.cokertire.com

If you have the original tires on the car they need to be replaced. Putting tubes in them are just a Band-Aid and if one of them blows out even if you're driving it down the block it could take the wheel well with it.

Thanks for the help, my logic is that I am never going to drive this car with 4 miles on it, and really just going to get it to a point where it runs and looks good, then sell it. Would the tubes be a reasonable solution with that in mind?

 

[douglasamariani]

No that is not a solution. The only reasonable solution is to get replacement tires for the car. If not you're just making it dangerous for the next owner.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I'd be worried about a tire blowing out and taking out a piece of fender; even sitting still in the garage. That would be catastrophic on a car like that. I know the repop tires are expensive but it's a safe way to protect the car. Keep the original tires to go with the car when you sell it. Also the original battery if it's still there.

Tom