How to Identify Space Saver Tire and Wheel

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Community Discussion
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I really need some guidance here. I picked up a 60,000 mile GTE that was built in April of 1968. It has been stored since 1987 in upstate NY. It is green with a vinyl top and a chestnut interior. I continue to be amazed by the amount of original parts that came on the car and came with the car. It has the original radiator, fan and shroud, distributor, interior, fuel pump, exhaust hangers, engine, rear, 5 wheels and center caps, owners manual with service dates, even the original exhaust tips came in the trunk.

The reason for my posting is, the 2nd owner told me that the space saver spare same with the car when he bought it in 1981. There is a space saver tire, wheel, greyish looking insulation piece that fits over the center of the wheel, a hold down with a big washer that has the same size and shape as the indent in the insulation piece and the space saver tire inflation bottle. I had a few people tell me that if a space saver came with the car that 100% of them had it identified on the Marti report. I am looking for confirmation.

I am also looking how to identify the part number and date codes of the tire and wheel.

If you done research in the past and you have accurate information,I could really use some help here.

Thanks and enjoy those Cougars.

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We have some information on our site

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/Search.aspx?SearchTerms=C8W%20Space%20saver%20

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If its original to your car the Marti report or your cars build sheet will confirm that

Is it the correct style for a 68? First start with the type/brand and size found on the sidewall.

Does it have a single tube valve stem? If its double then its a much later

That’s a good start.

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I suspect that dealers may have switched some cars because we sometimes find cars that do not have Space Saver on the Marti Report in the hands of the original owner who says that it came with the car when it was purchased off the lot. Regardless of that, it’s not a great spare to have today if you need one. If it’s not on the Marti Report I would get a fifth tire and wheel to match the others when you restore it. A true factory equipped space saver car should have a bracket welded to the RH trunk floor for the inflation canister and its retention spring.

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OK thank you for the information, It looks to me like it is likely a 1969. There is a marking on the wheel under the blue oval that says 9ML,the M is larger than the 9 and the L. The tire itself says F78-14 and REPLACES 7.75-14. My bottle says TIRE INFLATOR 7.35-14 and has a C9WA-19F514-A.

I would be curious to see a picture of the welded in bracket in the trunk floor.

Thank you all for your help,

Dan Mohry

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A F78-14 was used 70 and later I think, if original it would be a 7.35-14.
Mike

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M is for the Motor Wheel Corp, it is the manufacturer. Your wheel is dated 9L or November 1969.

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Please post some pictures of your GTE, sounds like another great car.

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Two pictures of the size lettering from the sidewall. The top is what you have - the bottom what an early one would have
Sorry for the poss resolution of the first but was what I had handy


Anyone have a picture of a bracket installed in a original 68 space saver car?

Know on Mustang side there are examples of early 69s without the brackets and the bottle just left with no holder.