Early Spacesaver Spare Restoration
 

Finished the first part on the new project. Thanks to 928 International for sourcing the rare N.O.S. Vredestein space saver tire. And sourcing the holeless correct for '78 rim.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...bd3ca07ea7.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...0af35750f1.jpg
Mounting and dismounting these tires with extremely stiff sidewalls is a challenge. You will need access to a serious tire mounting and dismounting machines. I can recommend Grand Prix Tire in Costa Mesa for mounting / dismounting on these 40 year old antique tires. They have an arsenal of such machines but the serious investment is their $25,000 Corghi Artiglio Master J Touchless Tire Changer. This had three bead manipulators to get the job done.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...3d9bc89c9e.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...629d8a3c6f.jpg

Nice job, is that a new tire?

Interesting about the "no-hole" spare being only for the early cars. I picked up one of these for my '85 ROW because the owners manual (also '85 ROW) pictures a "no-holes" version like yours. However, it doesn't quite fit in the trunk space, when fully seated, it stands a little tall by a cm or so. So I'm wondering if the later version with holes (or maybe a different ROW version) is a little thinner. Mine is marked ET70 I believe, which I also thought odd because the wheels are ET65.

Years ago when when customers brought cars in with the spare on,we would use the a/c vacuum pump to "shrink" the spare to a small enough diameter to fit back into the spare tire well.

This is very cool. I've always dreaded getting a flat in the 928 because even though I have my spare, its 30+ years old and the likelihood of it holding air is questionable at best. It never occurred to me that you could actually get new collapsible tires for these.

spacesaver availablity
 

I do not know if new production space savers are still available. Mark at 928 Int'l had this New Old Stock unit for sale. As I understand it he got this from a supplier that had it on a shelf. You've got nothing to loose in inflating and testing your spare. Mine collapsed back into position immediately.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d4f113dee4.jpg

A subscription to AAA means you'll get a free tow to a tire shop for tire repair or a new tire. Hence no concerns about spare tire's age or the labor involved with changing to the spare.

The OP is trying to make sure he is True-Original and this was great. Its not always about efficacy and efficiency. Its about how the car was when purchased in early 77 or 78.

A subscription to AAA means you'll get a free tow to a tire shop for tire repair or a new tire. Hence no concerns about spare tire's age or the labor involved with changing to the spare. Otay?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...6068a73fae.png


Or maybe a 15 year old spam bot? OP is not concerned over having a spare for functional use.

Roadside service is only as good as your cellular coverage or access to a phone. Risk being stranded in the middle of nowhere without a spare? No thanks. I like options.

Looks great. What was the original finish on these spares? Were they painted from the factory?

Under the patina of rust on mine, it appears to be painted.
This thread has me eyeing the spare, but I am wondering if I dare to trust the 41 year old rubber, even as a last resort...

Seems like z driver 88 T, Post #6 is. ADD?