Imperial Home Page -> Repair -> Wheels & Tires -> Spare
Read Bill White's article on spare tire placement in the trunk of his 1955 Imperial.
Question from Clay (1960):
While getting my '60 Custom ready for winter storage I had a somewhat nice surprise. Underneath the rather large spare tire cover I found what is probably one of the original tires. Its a B.F. Goodrich Silvertown bias belted tire with a 2 -3/4 (or thereabouts) wide whitewall. I am amazed that it still holds air, and that it is in as good of shape as it is. What a beautiful tire! I know what is going to be the next tire on my '60!
Replies:
From Paul:
That's really cool! Most Imperials had Goodyear tires when they were new in 1960, but there were some with B.F. Goodrich Silvertowns. The correct whitewall width is 2 3/4 inches, and the tread design is unique.
A feature of the tread is a double (maybe single, I'll look at mine tomorrow) line or ring around the tire in the middle of the tread.
I have an original Goodyear spare in my Custom and an original B.F. Goodrich in my LeBaron Sedan. Unfortunately, the LeBaron tire has a rust stain on the whitewall from the metal tire cover.
From Richard:
Having only 34,000 miles I am betting my spare is original. It is a Goodyear Custom Supercushion with a 2-1/4" Whitewall. It does have a deep groove running down the center of the tread.
Question from Loyal (1966):
Does anyone knows where to get the hook thing (don't know what its called) that holds the tire in place on a '66.
Replies:
From Paul:
The spare tire hook would be available from the vendors listed in the site. Imperial Heaven would probably be able to provide it. That is the same for many years of Imperial. I actually discovered that a similar part that will work is available at several of our local auto parts stores that carry a line of spare parts in red packages labeled "HELP". The stores that carry the full line of parts will normally have a whole wall of verious little things from chrome trim clips, to power steering pump covers and power window switches.
To get an original one check with Bob Hoffmiester. I'd go for the original one myself.
From John:
I believe these are all the same from at least 60 through 66. One problem you may find is that with today's wider tires, you probably won't be able to screw the wing nut on with the metal tire cover.
Question from Mark (1968):
Can someone tell me the right place to put the spare in a '68 convertible? I believe it's on the floor of the trunk, near the right fender. There is a bracket in the floor there, but I'm missing the connecting rod.
Replies:
From Don:
My '68 has it's spare below the hat rack (speaker tray in American parlance) on the rear end hump, secured by a bracket attached to trunk pan. It sits between 2 rear speakers (if you have them).
From Bill:
The spare on the '68 Imperial convertible is flat on the trunk floor, on the right side, with part of the tire in a cutout at the bottom of the removable side panel. Behind this panel are stored the tire changing tools, jack, jack base plate, part that fits on jack then to the bumper and the lug wrench.
The above spare tire position is also used in all cars equipped with rear air condition-ing but I don't know if this applies to cars with rear heat.
In all closed cars, without rear air conditioning and perhaps rear heat, the spare tire is mounted over the rear axle hump in the center of the trunk.
On the convertibles I have the convertible top boot well is black, this is true with two green tops and one white.
From Dick:
There should be a cutout in the right side panel that hides the jack which just barely clears the spare tire when it is properly bolted down to the welded on bracket you found. The connecting rod is just a simple piece of 3/8 Cad plated steel rod, with a hook on one end, and a threaded portion to accept the wing nut that holds the jack base and spare down to the floor. This hook is longer than that for the sedan, and has a different shaped hook end.
The sedans have different trunk carpet cutouts, and right side panel (and also different panels from the trunk hinge pillar toward the rear of the rear seat, I find). These parts will not interchange; however it is possible to make a convertible right side panel from a sedan's panel, if you have one for a pattern to match and a very steady hand on your jig saw!
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