As we know Coker Tire sells Firestone cheater slicks (15" & 16") which are made in new molds built using Firestones blueprints. Does anyone know when Firestone originally produced these tires? Coker doesn't know, I wish they would look at their original blueprints and tell me the date.
Man, you're asking a lot expecting prints. After working in tool and die for years, once that tool makes its first proof part the prints are forgotten, subsequent updates, design changes, wrecks etc were never updated on prints, the tool was just kept running by any means available. I expect molds are the same. Sorry I can't help with the dates.
Coker said they had the prints and had the new tooling made. I was hoping they could provide a time frame or date.
They are in my 1960 Moon Equipment catalog, so I would say late 50's. Here is a scan of the '60 catalog page, they are on the bottom row, 3rd tire from left. Double-click image and zoom in. Hope this helps a little.
Just found this info quickly on the 'net. If true, then late 50's would be right. "Pie-crust slicks originated as truck tires with solid, ungrooved retreads on top. Alex Xydias of the famed So-Cal Speed Shop produced the first asphalt slick in 1953. It was a recap with 7 inches of tread. His tires produced roughly four times the traction of a then-standard tire. Inglewood Tire Co., Bruce’s Slicks, and M&H Tire Co. were the first to manufacture dedicated drag slicks in 1957."
Does look like them. I've also got a pic of an original, slightly different than the Coker version (no center grooves). Also seen more or less sidewall sipes, even in the originals.
Moon catalog reminded me the dragster also had some on it. Supposed to be 1963. http://www.mooneyesusa.net/2011/0214/mooneyes-remembers-duce/
Bruces Slicks comment reminded me of this. It was one of my favorite decals when I was a kid.Growing up in Fremont there was not shortage of cars set up for the drag strip roaming the streets. This decal was a familiar sight.
Hello, We had some of those slicks to use in the A/Stock cl*** to try and improve our 58 Impala. In 59 and 60, it was hard to keep up with someone that had 55 more hp, so we used everything possible. The slicks had the name cheater slicks, but they were legal in the stock cl***es for a while. Grooved tires for street use was how they were listed. We did well for being under powered. But, when we built our 40 Willys in 1960, we got a set of real Bruce Slicks for the car. They were outstanding. Excellent grip at the strip and on the street. One night, I put the Bruce Slicks on the rear of the 58 Impala for a night of cruising/racing. As the evening wore on, it started to get a little misty. The slicks were made for dry surfaces and not wet. I had a hard time keeping it straight when applying the brakes. If we accelerated too hard, the rear end came out to the side. It was a difficult, slow drive home in the dark. In 65, we purchased Pos A Traction tires made by the Inglewood Tire and Rubber Company because of the first wide tires with a redline built into the sidewall. They were wide and hugged the road with good tread, but on misty, rainy days, it hydroplaned easily. Because of the wide tire tread, even with the deep grooves, the tire felt like it made the car lift up over the street surface and began to drift around. The only way to get out of the hydroplaning was to let off of the gas and let the car settle down onto the street. (again, very slow driving in the mist/rain) Everywhere else in any other condition, it went over different terrain easily and it never got stuck. On the 65 El Camino, the stock tires were very skinny and did not do well in the deep desert sandy areas. These Inglewood Pos A Traction tires did the job on the dry street and on any sandy roads. Thanks, Jnaki
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