Re: Bad Experience with Original Tires

[lhemb@xxxx]

Since the age question on original DeLorean tires has come up. I would like 
to share my personal experience with the group. I bought my DeLorean (#5830) in 
1989 from the original owner with 13,000 miles on it. The car had always been 
stored indoors and only driven occasionally. The original tires were still on 
the car and they looked brand new. In December 1992 (mileage was 16,000+) my 
wife was driving the DeLorean on I-295 in Jacksonville, Florida at about 65 
mph. Suddenly and without warning, the left rear tire blew out. Fortunately, she 
was able to maintain control of the vehicle and bring it to a safe stop on 
the shoulder of the highway. I happened to be following her at the time in 
another vehicle and saw the tire blow. Examination of the tire disclosed that a 
sizable portion of the outside sidewall had blown out of the tire.

Since the tire blew for no apparent reason, I contacted Goodyear and 
eventually spoke with someone in their engineering department. I was told even though 
the tires had very little tread wear, they were eleven years old at the time 
of the failure, and that time takes its toll on tire composition. I was also 
told that exposure to light hastens the deterioration of the tire material, but 
in no case would he recommend using tires over ten years old on any vehicle 
that is driven at highway speeds.

I replaced the original tires with Goodyear Aquatreads in 1992. I now have 
21,000 miles on these tires, and I plan to replace them in the near future.

Brian McCabe & Harvey (5830)
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida


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