In the early 1960s, Goodyear experimented with tires made from translucent polyurethane that could glow in bright colors when bulbs inside the wheels were switched on. The idea promised a striking new styling option—and perhaps a way to make cars more visible or signal turns and braking. But poor wet-weather performance and heat damage under hard braking kept the illuminated tires from becoming a road-going product.
What were Goodyear’s glowing tires made of?
The tires were made from Neothane, a translucent synthetic polyurethane, rather than the opaque rubber used in ordinary tires. IEEE Spectrum’s 2017 account describes the material being poured into tire-shaped molds and baked at 250 °F (121 °C). That differed from conventional tire construction, which uses multiple layers of rubber and fabric.
Goodyear could add dye to make the tires green, yellow, red, orange, or blue. The company claimed Neothane resisted abrasive wear, chipping, cutting, and tearing; that was a material claim, not proof that the prototype performed safely over normal road use.
How did the tires light up?
The tires did not make their own light. IEEE Spectrum reports that 18 small bulbs mounted inside each wheel shone through the translucent material. A panel near the steering wheel let the driver control the illumination individually or in pairs.
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- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 are 205/55R16 91V SL-Standard Load, 4 Ply Rated Performance Tires Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: Four Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 16 Inch Tires
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 91 Supports up to 1356 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating V Certified to 149 mph
- Additional Note: Tires Only - Rims/Wheels Not Included
Why did Goodyear make illuminated tires?
Goodyear saw the tires as a fashion statement: their colors could complement a car’s paint, upholstery, or even a driver’s outfit. A passage from the company’s 1961 press release, reproduced by IEEE Spectrum, imagined motorists choosing tires to suit their appearance and called the idea “a whole new frontier for the tire designer.”
The company also considered practical uses for the light, including improving visibility in poor weather and making the tires function as turn signals or brake lights. Those were possibilities under exploration, not established features of a production vehicle.
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- Patented tread pattern: Provides a comfortable and quiet ride
- Efficient fuel-saving tread compound: Offers grip in wet, dry, snow, and ice
- Specially formulated rubber compound and tread features: Low rolling resistance, for eco-friendly driving
- Optimized contact area with the road: Provides reliable tread life
Why were Goodyear’s illuminated tires never sold?
Initial testing reportedly found the tires smooth and quiet, but their weaknesses mattered more than their novelty. IEEE Spectrum reports poor performance on wet roads and says the material could melt under heavy braking. Those shortcomings made the prototype impractical as a consumer tire, regardless of Goodyear’s claims about its resistance to wear and damage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which car used the glowing tires?
The illuminated Neothane tires later appeared on the Golden Sahara II, a custom concept car developed by Jim Street and designer George Barris. Goodyear says it custom-developed the translucent, internally lit tires for the car. The Golden Sahara II was restored and unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, as described in Goodyear’s 2019 announcement.
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- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 is a 215/55R17 98W XL-Extra Load, 4 Ply Rated High Performance Tire Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: One Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 17 Inch Tire
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 98 Supports up to 1653 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating W Certified to 168 mph
- Additional Note: Tire Only - Rim/Wheel Not Included
The car was built as a showcase for experimental technology as well as design, with an aircraft-inspired control lever and an automatic braking system. Its glowing tires revived the visual idea in a custom-built historical display; they did not mark the launch of a retail tire.
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- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 are 215/60R16 99V XL-Extra Load, 4 Ply Rated Performance Tires Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: Four Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 16 Inch Tires
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 99 Supports up to 1709 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating V Certified to 149 mph
- Additional Note: Tires Only - Rims/Wheels Not Included
Rank #4
- Treadlife: N/A
- Tire Only
- Season: All Season, Performance: Performance
- Car Type: Passenger
- Load Range XL, 4-Ply Rated, 4-PR
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