[ta6point6]

Thought this was kind of interesting????? Is it rally or rallye??

[Lightfoot]

I think someone was just board and mounted a space saver on a Rally II to see if they could. Maybe some Rally II experts could nail down the application codes that are stamped in the rim.

Never heard of a ss spare coming from the factory on anything but a standard stamped wheel. Certainly no wheels wider than 6".

[ta6point6]

Yeah I did not think I had ever seen one before not that I am an expert

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

I think someone was just board and mounted a space saver on a Rally II to see if they could. Maybe some Rally II experts could nail down the application codes that are stamped in the rim.

Never heard of a ss spare coming from the factory on anything but a standard stamped wheel. Certainly no wheels wider than 6".

I’m thinking the same

[Half-Inch Stud]

So i had a Rally II space saver spare with GM fill can. Probably the nicest condition in existance. 1969 Bird Ordered Option on Window Sticker.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

So i had a Rally II space saver spare with GM fill can. Probably the nicest condition in existance. 1969 Bird Ordered Option on Window Sticker.

Any pics?

[keith k]

I have never seen an original Space Saver mounted on anything but a basic steel wheel. There wouldn't be much point in mounting it to a Rally wheel -- it's not like once it's inflated it's a regular tire. It's a temp. Just good enough to get you home or to a shop so you can repair the damaged road wheel/tire.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by keith k

I have never seen an original Space Saver mounted on anything but a basic steel wheel. There wouldn't be much point in mounting it to a Rally wheel -- it's not like once it's inflated it's a regular tire. It's a temp. Just good enough to get you home or to a shop so you can repair the damaged road wheel/tire.

Picts maybe but stashed in a box. When the trunk is popped on a Firebird, the point is it looks nice. Dunno how such a collapsed tire could ever be mounted on a rim.

['ol Pinion head]

The HW coded 15x7 rally II shown above is date coded May 16, 1977.
The wheel itself would have came originally on a late '77 built GrandPrix, LeMans, or Firebird. from the factory these were typically factory mounted with GR70-15's, possibly with GR78-15's.

-HW's & the preceding HM coded 15x7 are the most common original 15x7 Pontiac Rally II's in existence.

-Neither style rally II was EVER used as the wheel on a space saver tire/wheel combo.

-As an original owner/restorer/collector/vendor have owned over two dozen original GM space saver tire/wheels, all being the blow up style (early Firebird- '80 model Firebird). Have also had a few early 70's Mopar usage "space savers". Every one of these blowup style space savers was mounted on a specific stock narrow "space saver only" style steel wheel.

-Agree with Keith, have never seen anything other than a narrow space saver specific steel wheel mounted. Space savers were meant for temporary use, not many miles at all. Many were pitched early on in a car's life, either due to the owners desire for a full size spare or due to the space savers tread being well worn & dangerous to use again as a spare.

[GT182]

I've never seen the inflatable spare mounted on a Rally II rim. This is the first time. The one from my 79 Formula, now in the GTO, is on it's original steel rim, and never inflated.

It is possible tho as Pontiac tried different things back in the day. This could be one of one. But once inflated I don't think it you can dismount it and recollapse it to fit in the ever-so-small Firebird trunk like the steel rim originals.

[Firedup6975]

Maybe it was just put on for looks to match the wheels on the car.

[rohrt]

I have a space saver that looks exactly the same.

I guess they are rare if most of you have never seen one. I can't recall where I got it. I need to see if its a 14 or 15". Not sure if it came out of my 68 or if I picked it up somewhere else.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by rohrt

I have a space saver that looks exactly the same.

I guess they are rare if most of you have never seen one. I can't recall where I got it. I need to see if its a 14 or 15". Not sure if it came out of my 68 or if I picked it up somewhere else.

Very interesting! I’d love to know the history on this.

[dataway]

OPH ... I wish you would go ahead and write a book. It would be helpful to all of us

[Half-Inch Stud]

My 1969 Firebird Space Saver Rally II was 14x6. Orginality is not in question.

GM fill can and bumper Jack kit were put in a custom Tan naughahide pouch & those got held down tight by the Spare. Dealer might have made the Pouch (matches Leather Interior color).

Dealer installed the Underdash AC to go with the Sprint 4- Speed. Tan case.

Protecto-Plate
Tinted and Shaded glass (no factory AC)
AC baffles underhood.
PS cooler, Power Discs.,Ride&Handling pkg, Posi,
Factory Koni ADJ shocks all around.
Rally Dash with WOODGRAIN insert, Tach and Sawtooth Gauges
Wood wheel, shift knob
Tan Leather Interior
AM/FM with rear speaker.
Deluxe Interior.
4-speed, no console. no foot pedal trim.
Rally IIs with black medalion centercaps

I dont see why the spare tire wouldnt get a Rally II.

[unruhjonny]

Forgive my ignorance, but don't the space saver wheels have two valve stems?

I seem to be picturing a second stem on a space saver wheel.

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

Forgive my ignorance, but don't the space saver wheels have two valve stems?

I seem to be picturing a second stem on a space saver wheel.

The space saver spares I've seen have a safety blow-off valve near the standard schrader fill valve, which is a 2nd hole in the rim. Is that what you're thinking of?

[JimFB400HO]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

The space saver spares I've seen have a safety blow-off valve near the standard schrader fill valve, which is a 2nd hole in the rim. Is that what you're thinking of?

Some got a single valve (like mine) and some got the double. A few years back I looked for a reason why the difference but did not find it.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head;

The HW coded 15x7 rally II shown above is date coded May 16, 1977.
The wheel itself would have came originally on a late '77 built GrandPrix, LeMans, or Firebird. from the factory these were typically factory mounted with GR70-15's, possibly with GR78-15's.

Now that you mention it, the space saver tire in the OP photo should have a date of manufacture on it. That may also point to it being an 'imposter'.

I believe HIS about the 1st gen firebirds having a Rally II space saver optional.
After that, the bean counters probably killed it.

Without looking it up, I'd guess that the 1st Gen F bodies were probably the first U.S. cars ever to employ an inflatable space saver.

[ta6point6]

This was on craigslist and up for sale if anyone wants to buy it.