I posted this thread in the Wheel and Tire section where it belongs and not a single team member responded so I'll try here and see if there's anyone willing to share their knowledge.

Other than size, I'm trying to determine what brand and/or design tires came originally on my '70 El Camino SS that was built in Baltimore the last week of December '69. I'm confused in regard to white stripes versus white raised letters and even brands put on at the factory.

The Owner's manual says that '70 Elky SS's came with white stripe tires as standard. The Chassis Service Manual says white stripe with red stripe tires being optional.

The somewhat questionable Chevelle Restoration Guide by Paul Herd says that '70 SS Elky's came with white letter tires - either Goodyear Polyglas or Firestone Wide Ovals.

My broadcast sheet in the Tire Description box (#106) reads G70X14-2X2-BB-W/S. The options listing on the broadcast sheet lists RPO PX8 G70X14W/S Tire. I have a listing of RPO codes that shows RPO PX8 as being G70-14 w/w.

I had a window sticker recreated from the build sheet and I was told that RPO PX8 option indicated Wide Oval White Lettered Tires.

Clearly, the information on the broadcast sheet is what needs to be believed, but other than tire size, I can only guess as to what it all means. How far can these numbers be taken in determining what was originally put on the car?

Rich, did you ever contact Bob Inhoff like I suggested in that email last week? Send me another email and I'll relay his email address.

Don:

Yes I did. See my pm to you.

These cars got whatever was in the plant at the time they were built. GM bought from several suppliers, and they still do. Possible for your car to have Uniroyals, Generals, Firestones, Goodyears, or possibly something else. The only way to know for sure would be to find a survivor that had the original tires that was built the same day as your car.
Good luck!

Dave;

I'm well aware that auto manufacturer's then and still do use a variety of brands. My apologies if my thread wasn't clear enough. Tire brand would just be a bonus. What I'm really trying to determine, if at all possible, is the style of tire as defined by the information on the build sheet. Other than the tire size, the information on the the build sheet has to mean something. For example, RPO PX8 lists the size along with W/S. Without guessing, does W/S mean white sidewall? Is the information that I was given regarding PX8 correct as being White Ovals? What does the 2X2-BB-W/S in block #106 mean? It's real easy to make assumptions. Bottom line: is there anyone familiar enough who can provide some insight?

Our '69 SS Chevelle came with PW7 which is white wall F-70X14 tires. Each code specifies a certain tire.

For example, RPO PX8 lists the size along with W/S. Without guessing, does W/S mean white sidewall? Is the information that I was given regarding PX8 correct as being White Ovals? What does the 2X2-BB-W/S in block #106 mean? It's real easy to make assumptions. Bottom line: is there anyone familiar enough who can provide some insight?

Not sure if the PX8 (G70x14) are standard or optional tires for the El Camino; I have 5 70 Elky build sheets, 4 have G70x14 and 1 has F70x14, so either (1) 1 got the wrong tire setup or (2) 4 were ordered with the larger tires or (3) more likely, the 4 with G70s are SS optioned where the 1 with F70s is not (350-2bbl). They are coded as follows:
Baltimore PX8 G70x14W/S TIRE in box 107 and G70X14-2&2-BB-W/S in box 106.
Kansas City PX8 G60X14 WS BLTD in box 107 and G70X14-B/2&2-BB--W/S in box 106.

BB is Bias Belted, W/S is white stripe (LTR would be lettered), and I think the 2x2 is a reference to the ply/rating or belts/ply. Normally a 2-ply tire still had a 4-ply 'rating' and would normally be noted as such.

The plant may also have a bearing on the tire code. Just looking at 70 SS Chevelles for comparison, in box 107 and box 106, note the differences for the same tire:
Atlanta codes the PL4 as - (PL4 F70X14WH LTR [note no closing ')'] or (PL4 F70X14WH LTR BLT on every SS 396/454 whether Customer Order (XXX) or normal lot car. One Customer Order car has (PY4 F70X14 BB W/S indicating to me a choice of white stripe over the standard white letter. Box 106 shows F7014/B-2&2-BB-LTR
Baltimore codes the PL4 as - PL4 F70X14WH LTR or PL4 F70X14WH LTR BLT on every SS 396/454 whether Customer Order (XXX) or normal lot car. Box 106 shows F70X14-2&2-BB-LTR
Kansas Citycodes the PL4 as - PL4 F70X14 BW BLTD indicating a black wall tire on every SS 396/454 whether Customer Order (XXX) or normal lot car. Box 106 shows F70X14-B/2&2-BB--LTR
Van Nuys codes the PL4 like Baltimore but box 106 is F70X14/B-2&2-BB-LTR

If I am informed right, a designation of 2x2 is two polyester plies and two fiberglass plies. Total of 4 plies.
Dale is correct, W/S is white stripe, and BB is bias belted. I will look in my manual and see if I can find you some more info.

Ah, ha. Wasn't sure about the 2&2 but that sounds logical. :thumbsup:

I have an old Goodyear polyglas out in the shed. When I mow tomorrow I will read the sidewall and see what it says for sure, but I think I am pretty close.

Dale and Dave:

Thanks so very much for taking the time to respond and your willingness to share hard to find (if not next to impossible) information. Anyone interested in authenticity can learn something here. Any additional input would be greatly appreciated.

Now, with that said, do either of you know anything about adjusting door latches?

Thanks again!

Rich/Big White

Just some more tire info. My 70 SS 454-M-22 El Camino that I ordered in Feb. 70-Blt-2nd wk. March-Left Sahli Chevrolet, Beaver Falls ,Pa April 4-1970. My SS 454 had "B. F. Goodrich Silvertowns " With a white stripe. NO raised white letters. I have a picture of my Camino from Sept.--Oct. 1970 and the tires are the org. White stripes. This may not sit well with some folks, But that was the tire my 70 SS 454 was delivered with.
No pun intended but 1970 was a very --Goodyear--
Bob

Bob

Thanks for the additional input. From everything that I've learned, I'm convinced that mine came with white stripe tires as well.

Just some more tire info. My 70 SS 454-M-22 El Camino that I ordered in Feb. 70-Blt-2nd wk. March-Left Sahli Chevrolet, Beaver Falls ,Pa April 4-1970. My SS 454 had "B. F. Goodrich Silvertowns " With a white stripe. NO raised white letters. I have a picture of my Camino from Sept.--Oct. 1970 and the tires are the org. White stripes. This may not sit well with some folks, But that was the tire my 70 SS 454 was delivered with.
No pun intended but 1970 was a very --Goodyear--
Bob

What assembly plant and what size tire? I'd love to see a picture of it from then. :yes:

Dale and Dave:

Now, with that said, do either of you know anything about adjusting door latches?

Thanks again!

Rich/Big White

Rich- What are you trying to obtain? The latch itself is not adjustible. The striker peg on the quarter pillar is. Do you need to align the door to the rear quarter? Tell me more about what the trouble is. :thumbsup: