1971 'Cuda space saver spare bottle/bracket project

Let me tell you what I did today. I have been looking at the new reproduction space saver bottles that sell for close to $200. That seems a bit high for a non-usable, just for show bottle. Then it's another $40 plus for the bracket. With shipping and handling and a decal for the bottle, you are looking at somewhere around $250 to $300 for just the bottle and bracket.

The picture is of what I believe to be an original set-up, but you get the idea.




.,

I thought that I would try to do something else. Now keep in mind that I am trying to get my 'Cuda to look as original as I can but I am not building a 100 point car here.

I took a paintball bottle that has the same basic shape. It is about 2 inches taller and 0.155 inch wider than an original. Just FYI, a butane bottle looks just like a period correct replacement bottle in shape. Not an original bottle but a good copy of a replacement bottle.

I went down to my local home supply store and picked up some metal. I made my own bracket. I also stopped by my local auto parts store and picked up some rattle can spray paint.


.,

After I made the bracket, I painted the bottle and bracket in my garage. I am letting the paint set up right now but I will post more pictures when it is completely finished to show how it comes out. I am kind of stoked about it right now. I am still going to have to use the rolled up news paper at car shows. If you look too close, you get the rolled up news paper across your nose. LOL I will post more details if anyone is interested in doing the same thing.

So far I have about 30-35 bucks in the whole thing. Let me know what you guys think...



More later.


.,

I have no problem with someone trying to re-invent the wheel - necessity is the mother - right ? Prices for the OE stuff is tuff. My car came with 14's so it doesn't bother me - if you're just going for looks - have at it - so far, doesn't look bad atall' other than the ribs in the bracket - those looking for the real ting will and should know the diff - the wheel and the tire are another matter - keep up with the pics!

Keep in mind that my car did not come with this option so of course it is just for looks. I don't know anyone who would try to use one of these space saver spare tires. The reproduction bottles are empty bottles.

About the spare tire...

Most of the original space saver tires on ebay are around 300-500 dollars. I have seen a really good example for $2500. Although this is not so much out of my price range, I am not willing to pay that much.

I found a space saver tire out of an old Datsun for $25 dollars. Heck, I spend that much when I take my girls to Mcdonalds.

Here are some pictures...


.,

Here is the tread. This $25 dollar tire was unused and stored indoors for years. The condition is as good as any you will find. I was only interested in the tire its self. It is a C78X14 which is close enough for this project. Here is the tread.

Just a side note. You do realize that the fact that you are reading this, you are way more ate up with Mopars (by about a thousand times more) than an average person. Even most (almost all) people even at all mopar car shows have no idea what they are looking at. Like I said earlier, I am not trying to build a 100 point car and my car did not come with the space saver spare option, so this is just for fun.


.,

Here is my original spare with a full size tire. I plan on at some time down the road putting the Datsun tire on my original rim.


.,

I put a few things together to show the scale of it all. I have not clamped anything down (I pre-fit everything before paint) because the paint is not cured and there is no sense in messing up the paint just for the sake of rushing. LOL

Chime in, let me know what you think. Like I said, this is just for fun to see how close I could get with a cheap redneck approach.


.,

great thread,and job.im doing something close.i took the space saver tire from a pontiac and mounted on a mopar rim,its a good year tire but it will do.have you thought of what to do if you get a flat tire? instead of the paintball can ive found one of those cans with goo in them to fix a flat tire , to be an ok match versus the original can.though ive never measured an oem can so i dont know how close it is,but it looks like the can in your earlyer pic of an oem can.once you peel the label of off it its just the hose on top off it that gives it away,for most folks anyway. do you know what the diameter is of a stock can? i guess im going to make a bracket too,i like how your thinking.great job

I didn't have a bottle to measure but I got the measurements from another thread.

7 5/8" tall and 2.885" wide


.,

thanks,ill check my bottle tomorrow and post the dimensions.

Quote:

---

thanks,ill check my bottle tomorrow and post the dimensions.

---

The Paintball tank that I am using is a little big at 9 1/2" tall by 3 1/4" wide. It is still in the ball park and to an untrained eye or to someone who has never seen one in person, it's perfect. LOL


.,