Replicating Original Tire Look: '85 GSL
08-07-15, 04:26 PM
#1
Replicating Original Tire Look: '85 GSL
Hi Folks,
I recently purchased a 1985 GSL that remarkably only had 10,000 miles on it. One of the bonuses/drawbacks was that the car still wore the original tires which, in my opinion, really helped set off the appearance of the car with the raised white lettering.
Of course the 30 year old rubber was pretty hard, a bit cracked, and frankly miserable to drive, even without the worry of having them delaminate on me at 40 mph. As you know, even finding 185/70 R13s is a bit of a challenge, and they certainly aren't available with raised white letters if that's what you like. I found some suitable Toyos, and subsequently came across a company that sells raised white letters you actually glue to the sidewall of your tire. Because I had the original tires I was able to send them the font, which they were able to replicate.
The purchase of my car included a duplicate set of rims, so I had the Toyos mounted on the extra rims, applied the raised white letters, and swapped the new tires on to the car; now the car drives decently but still looks original. The letters are a bit "sharper" than the originals, which are a bit "doughy", but under anything but close scrutiny the tires certainly replicate the look of the originals.
I recently purchased a 1985 GSL that remarkably only had 10,000 miles on it. One of the bonuses/drawbacks was that the car still wore the original tires which, in my opinion, really helped set off the appearance of the car with the raised white lettering.
Of course the 30 year old rubber was pretty hard, a bit cracked, and frankly miserable to drive, even without the worry of having them delaminate on me at 40 mph. As you know, even finding 185/70 R13s is a bit of a challenge, and they certainly aren't available with raised white letters if that's what you like. I found some suitable Toyos, and subsequently came across a company that sells raised white letters you actually glue to the sidewall of your tire. Because I had the original tires I was able to send them the font, which they were able to replicate.
The purchase of my car included a duplicate set of rims, so I had the Toyos mounted on the extra rims, applied the raised white letters, and swapped the new tires on to the car; now the car drives decently but still looks original. The letters are a bit "sharper" than the originals, which are a bit "doughy", but under anything but close scrutiny the tires certainly replicate the look of the originals.
08-07-15, 06:16 PM
#3
Thank you, Sir: I am a big fan of keeping things not only original looking, but actually original. Unfortunately, actual originality was just not possible when it came to the tires (assuming I wanted to drive the car). Since it is in such fantastic original condition, I see my role with this car primarily as caretaker: it's really mostly a "drive to car shows" sort of vehicle. I've had my share of great hobby cars to drive, but this car sort of fits in to a different category, and my daily driver is more fun to drive from a 'throw-it-around-corners' perspective anyway.
As far as my affinity for the tires, it probably goes back to having this brochure displayed on my wall throughout my college years
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As far as my affinity for the tires, it probably goes back to having this brochure displayed on my wall throughout my college years
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08-08-15, 08:28 PM
#11
The short answer is no, the car wasn't driven regularly, at least not for the last 15 years. It looks like the first owner did 8700 miles in the first 15 years; second owner: very little in the subsequent 15 years. The car is unbelievably clean underneath, everything is original, and even items that age poorly are in excellent condition. I had to redo the clutch hydraulics shortly after I got the car, and the gas tank and fuel system had been fully attended to just before I bought it. The next job is to get the cooling system and brake system flushed (a bit too messy for me to do, I don't really have the facilities for that one) and I think things should be good.
08-10-15, 11:34 AM
#14
Beauty Car eh? (fellow Canuk)
Love the euro-style headlight washers the Canuk versions got. Nice find! Hope the low mileage does not trap you into trying to keep it "low" (mileage) and not use it. Truth is that cars not used tend to fail more quickly than regularly-used ones. ironic I know. Suspect your more active use will start generating a number of "new leaks" as ancient rubber bits and seals start to fail. But this may be a good thing, long term, since toDAY you can still get most of those seals!
The other option, if you are as **** (*cough*asme *cough*) as some, is sit down with a parts book (rare) or PDF parts catalogue (available thru this Forum) and get ahead of this by buying the spare bits while you can. I ran thru my whole SA (1980 model) doing this and now have spares that are no longer available for it. Unlike our lucky 240Z brothas, RX7 parts are not generally supported with a network of aftermarket parts, and the dealer inventory gets shorter every day. Nice peace-of-mind to have if your intent is to keep the car.
enjoy!
Stu
80 GS
Alaska (ex-Calgary)
Love the euro-style headlight washers the Canuk versions got. Nice find! Hope the low mileage does not trap you into trying to keep it "low" (mileage) and not use it. Truth is that cars not used tend to fail more quickly than regularly-used ones. ironic I know. Suspect your more active use will start generating a number of "new leaks" as ancient rubber bits and seals start to fail. But this may be a good thing, long term, since toDAY you can still get most of those seals!
The other option, if you are as **** (*cough*asme *cough*) as some, is sit down with a parts book (rare) or PDF parts catalogue (available thru this Forum) and get ahead of this by buying the spare bits while you can. I ran thru my whole SA (1980 model) doing this and now have spares that are no longer available for it. Unlike our lucky 240Z brothas, RX7 parts are not generally supported with a network of aftermarket parts, and the dealer inventory gets shorter every day. Nice peace-of-mind to have if your intent is to keep the car.
enjoy!
Stu
80 GS
Alaska (ex-Calgary)
08-10-15, 10:56 PM
#17
Actually, I'll add this : if you think, like me, that the '7 looks really good with raised white letters on the tires, given that said letters are pretty much unobtainable, why not make your RWL imitate the factory original look?
Last edited by 73JPS; 08-10-15 at 11:16 PM.