What to do with unused original spare tire

[djack]

After 50+ years of covered storage in the trunk, I think it time to replace the original, unused Firestone Phoenix spare tire.  The obvious question now becomes what to do with it after it’s replaced by a new (group purchase) Blockley.  Certainly, it’s earned a position of respect and admiration. I look forward to your thoughts and wish you all the very best.

[lreppond]

Clean it up, dress it with some tire black and display on a wall in your garage adjacent to the car! 

[neelyrc]

I keep mine in my garage in view, still mounted on the original rim. I bought and refinished a correct extra rim for mounting the present spare which is identical to the four tires on the ground.

[Bonnyboy]

I pulled mine off and disposed of it properly after I sliced the sidewall so some kid at the tire shop didn't reuse the tire on his MGB or Mustang.    I didn't need more junk on the wall. 

[MikeSimon]

I would do exactly what Ralph (neelyrc) did. Whatever you do, in some years you may feel different about it. As crazy and anal some people in the hobby are about "Originality" today, you never know. When I bought my 280SL in 1982, it had 4 aftermarket (Intra) Bundt wheels and the original steel spare with the original Phoenix tire. A colleague of mine at work had a late 60s 280SE that had 5 original forged Fuchs alloys. When he sold the car, I talked him into trading wheels with me and he did. I ended up with 5 Fuchs wheels and he got my steel spare and 4 Intras on the car.
I really don't know how I feel about it today.

[Benz280]

Original Phoenix still in car, it stays right where it is.
Should a flat be in the future, a fully charged cell call to the local flatbed service.   

[DavidAPease]

If you decide not to keep it, another option would be to offer it for sale to the group in case someone else would like to display it.

           -David

[Cees Klumper]

Original Phoenix still in car, it stays right where it is.
Should a flat be in the future, a fully charged cell call to the local flatbed service.

This is funny, I have exactly the same with my '90 Bronco II. The spare tire is the original one, now 32 years old, that sits in its designated place in the back, taking up space. Even though I will never use it, I do keep it properly inflated. People are weird ...

[Starchild]

Just now read this post. Have never ever looked at the spare in the trunk in the 30 years I have owned the car. Spare has the tire cover and had no need to look to see what was under it. This post made me curious and just now had to go take a look see. Those original Phoenix tires must not be to rare as that is exactly what is under the cover.  Wonder what year they quite making the original Phoenix tire?

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

I too have kept an original Phoenix spare tire in the boot. I thought I was the only "?"

Many years ago I  contacted Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft trying to find Phoenix tires and received the attached reply.  I now have Coker copies though they aren't even close to matching the original sidewall protectors as shown on the attached.

But, like the old man who wears suspenders with a belt to insure not losing his pants, I too have a "redundant" system for a spare.  I keep a donut tire (I was able to match the lug holes to our rims) and also keep a fix-a-flat aerosol  in case.

JB