Original Shelby Goodyear Blue Streaks ownedby Carroll Shelby

I bought some Halibrand wheels that had been in storage since the 60's with Goodyear Blue Streak Racing tires mounted on them. All four tires are NOS with labels. One even has a shipping label that reads " Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, c/o Carroll Shelby, 10820 South Norwalk Blvd.,Sante Fe Springs, Calif."

These are historically significant and I'd lke to see them go to the right car.

I'm keeping the kidney bean Halibrands. I'm at home right now and the tires are at my garage, but I believe the sizes are 6.00/6.20x15 front, and 6.50/6.70 rear.

I'm new to Cobra items but I'm sure this would be the perfect set of tires for that vintage 289 Cobra for judging or display...particularly since they were once owned by Carroll Shelby.

 

I would agree except for this fact. These tires were racing tires. The address had no zip code which dates them before July 1, 1963. If this was just part of a stock order for Shelby's Goodyear store, there would have been no need for his name to be referenced. Since the development of the Cobra fell within the period that this dates, It's quite possible this was a set destined for a racing application or car that Shelby was directly supervising. I don't know how many tire compounds were available or how they were referenced but I'm confident that these are special and sent to Carroll for a specific application.
Thanks for your reply
Tom

 

Hi, I'm in West Virginia. I haven't got a clue regarding the value. I guess that depends upon the ability to validate other things important to a vintage Cobra owner.
Since the shipping label has no zip code, that dates the tires prior to July1, 1963. Since Shelby opened his Goodyear Tire Store in 1960, that gives this a range of 1960 to 1963. A Goodyear tire expert may be able to date the production date and plant from the impression in the side of the tire, the label information, tread pattern, or other physical markers on the tire. I'm confident that those factors will confirm that these are in fact authentic racing tires destined for the shelby racing effort in So Cal. I'm sure there aren't many around and these need to be on an authentic Cobra with racing history.

 

Yes I knew that. The interesting thing here is that this label is void of any zip code. That dates the tires before July 1, 1963. If his tire store opened in 1960, that gives us a time frame that spans the development of the Cobra. Add to that the fact that these are racing tires and the likleyhood that these were sent to Carroll Shelby for a specific racing application is a strong possibility. I don't believe these were just "tires as usual" being sent to his tire store. They need to be on a vintage Cobra with racing history.

 

Yes they defiitely did. In the case of the tires I have , there are a few characteristics that make them potentially significant to the history of the Cobra. First, the fact that they are shipped to Carroll Shelby's attention. There is no zip code which dates the shipment prior to July 1, 1963. His dealership for Goodyear tires opened in 1960. That makes the time span 60-63. A Goodyear racing tire expert could probably identify the tires from production codes, physical characteristics , or label info. My belief is that these tires were sent by Goodyear to Carroll Shelby for the devlopment of the Cobra Racing effort. The fact that they ended up on a very rare set of Halibrand wheels also would lead you to believe they were shared with Shelby's racing friends for So Cal sports car events.

 

1. Shipping Label has no zip code. That would make it July 1 , 1963 or earlier
2. Shelby opened his Goodyear Store in 1960. So the vintage is likely 60-63.
3. These are racing tires, not a standard passenger car order of stock items for his tire store. These were specifically addressed to his attention.
4. The tread, sidewall and tire label are all able to be reviewed to uncover the production date and even the tire compound. Is there a Goodyear racing tire expert out there that can help?
5. The development of the Cobra at that location, coincides with the tire date.
6. My belief is that these tires were sent to Shelby by Goodyear for a specific racing application to promote his business and the Cobra.

 

These tires are in remarkable condition for their age. After light washing, I coated them with ArmorAll and they are just outstanding.
The real challenge ,if I do remove them , will be to separate the tires from the rims.

 

Your point is well taken. We are all so detatched from our businesses today, because of the ability to communicate effortlessly, that I understand why it would seem that these may have simply been sent to his distributorship without his knowledge or involvement. However, during the development of the Cobra at that same address, I'd venture a guess that he was very "hands on" and worked with Goodyear to develop tire formulations on a per race basis. That's why I hope some one comes forward that may be able to identify these tires by the markings, label, and tread configuration.

 

Hi Joe,
Sorry for the delay. Here's what I can tell you after examining the tires.
1. They all say Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Special
2. They all say NYLON
3. All have the diamond pattern in the sidewall and a blue stripe around the sidewall circumference
4.Two of the tires are 6.00/6.40-15. They say Tread T-4 in a recessed rectangular banner that curves slightly upward. There are two sets of stampings I presume are date codes and factory identifications
they are C9OMO77R and AOOC52FR. Both tires have 50751 stamped on them.
5. Two of the tires are 6.50/6.70-15. They say Tread T-4 inside a depressed circle. They have a single number stamping on each tire. One is 5COM5D8R, the other is 5COMO1DR.
If I can get some additional pictures to load I will. Three pictures already exist in this forum thread.
What do the codes mean on racing tires? I've tried the Goodyear factory nfo but I think all racing tires were made in Akron back then. Can some one help with reliable information?
Thanks,
Tom