N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
Picked these up stored in climate controlled garage and stored in Goodyear bags.. Nice soft rubber,lines,tags, and Goodyear bags...👌
Anyone that has any info on what cars the 245/50/16 were on, years made, anyway to tell when these were made??
Anyone that has any info on what cars the 245/50/16 were on, years made, anyway to tell when these were made??
Anyone that has any info on what cars the 245/50/16 were on, years made, anyway to tell when these were made??
Anyone that has any info on what cars the 245/50/16 were on, years made, anyway to tell when these were made??
The following 2 users liked this post by General Lee 01:
LiquidBlue (09-21-2020), TTOP350 (09-21-2020)
#2
Supreme Member
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
They're the standard size for the 16 inch IROC rims. And many others back in the day.
This may help with dating the tires.
This may help with dating the tires.
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-21-2020)
#3
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Moline, IL
Posts: 461
Received 169 Likes
on
134 Posts
Car: 88 T/A, 91 Formula, 94 Firehawk
Engine: 400 Pontiac, 5.0 TPI, 5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4, T5, T56
Axle/Gears: 4.10, 3.42, 3.42
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
Those tires were originally installed on the 4th gen Z28’s and Formula/Trans Am’s with the QLC RPO. One of my favorite looking factory tires to this day. You looking to sell them?
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-21-2020)
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-21-2020)
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 2,676
Likes: 0
Received 244 Likes
on
182 Posts
Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
I think that tire debuted on mid-generation C4s in 255/50ZR16, before it was available in 245/50ZR16 for 4thgens.
Always wanted a set of those on my Formula's factory wheels. But IIRC, they were in excess of $300/each thirty years ago, which new Goodyears still are today, and reproduction 3rdgen Gatorbacks will be too, if that ever happens.
Still wouldn't mind having them, except my big brakes would have to be converted down to 12", which they can be, but I know I'll never do that, so no point in even thinking, let alone, saying, "maybe someday," because it's never going to happen. People have such thoughts with good intentions, but then stuff just piles up.
It sounds like you feel they're good enough to use, so get a set of 16x8 wheels, mount the tires and install them on your Z28. Shops (that check) won't mount tires over 10 years old, so if you can't do it yourself, then you better know somebody. That's a 3rdgen factory size, so they'll look perfect on your car. Otherwise, sell them for bank to someone who wants to put them on their garage queen, which they only own to eventually flip, so it isn't going to be driven anyway, just uncovered for attention and occasionally started. You can probably go into semi-retirement for what they'd be willing to pay.
But if you do want to use them, then don't worry about what people might say. Plenty of people here on TGO drive on such old tires, just that they would never admit it. But they do it, no doubt about it, regardless of how hard they thump their bibles. Just don't drive like a teen or an adult in midlife crisis, at least, until you have a good feel for them. And if it turns out they're not as safe as you'd hoped, then I'm sure you'll know pretty quickly, hopefully in a good way.
Always wanted a set of those on my Formula's factory wheels. But IIRC, they were in excess of $300/each thirty years ago, which new Goodyears still are today, and reproduction 3rdgen Gatorbacks will be too, if that ever happens.
Still wouldn't mind having them, except my big brakes would have to be converted down to 12", which they can be, but I know I'll never do that, so no point in even thinking, let alone, saying, "maybe someday," because it's never going to happen. People have such thoughts with good intentions, but then stuff just piles up.
It sounds like you feel they're good enough to use, so get a set of 16x8 wheels, mount the tires and install them on your Z28. Shops (that check) won't mount tires over 10 years old, so if you can't do it yourself, then you better know somebody. That's a 3rdgen factory size, so they'll look perfect on your car. Otherwise, sell them for bank to someone who wants to put them on their garage queen, which they only own to eventually flip, so it isn't going to be driven anyway, just uncovered for attention and occasionally started. You can probably go into semi-retirement for what they'd be willing to pay.
But if you do want to use them, then don't worry about what people might say. Plenty of people here on TGO drive on such old tires, just that they would never admit it. But they do it, no doubt about it, regardless of how hard they thump their bibles. Just don't drive like a teen or an adult in midlife crisis, at least, until you have a good feel for them. And if it turns out they're not as safe as you'd hoped, then I'm sure you'll know pretty quickly, hopefully in a good way.
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-21-2020)
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,734
Received 795 Likes
on
528 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
I went through many of those after goodyear quit making the original gatorback tires. Really liked them
The following users liked this post:
CKone (09-21-2020)
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
4th gen tires. Every pair I experienced had all the same characteristics of other GY performance tires. They were hard, noisy, smoked easily, and generally were terrible tires to drive on, but it was great if they were on the car next to you at a stop light since they'd spin while you put car lengths on them, all civil like, without the tire spin. They make a car feel like the fastest thing on the planet, because they break loose under rapid acceleration, break loose under rapid deceleration, slip and slide with a hint of moisture on asphalt, etc... I'd describe the feeling as trying to drive around on roller skates, or driving on black ice (not the air freshener).
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-21-2020)
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
That makes sense, I was told it’s the four digit code which is (0710) so 2010?? Since these are before 2000 it’s (424) which would be 42nd week of 1994. I’m not sure what I’ll do buy and redo a set of wheel and install them or bag them up and store them until I get a good enough offer. I wonder who’d they be more desirable by 3rd gen or 4th gen guys? I’m just glad to have came by them and able to share them here. Thanks for the info guys!
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In the paint booth!
Posts: 2,659
Received 1,161 Likes
on
654 Posts
Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
Cool tires!
The GS-C tires came on 4th gens, like people have already stated. They are my 2nd favorite "looking" tire, ever!
I didn't realize they referred to these as "Gatorbacks", too....I thought it was only the Eagle VR50 tires that got that name
The GS-C tires came on 4th gens, like people have already stated. They are my 2nd favorite "looking" tire, ever!
I didn't realize they referred to these as "Gatorbacks", too....I thought it was only the Eagle VR50 tires that got that name
The following 2 users liked this post by dagwood:
F-body-fan (02-18-2024), General Lee 01 (09-27-2020)
The following users liked this post:
CKone (09-22-2020)
The following users liked this post:
General Lee 01 (09-27-2020)
#12
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In the paint booth!
Posts: 2,659
Received 1,161 Likes
on
654 Posts
Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: N.O.S 245/50/16 Goodyear Eagle “gatorback” GS-C.
I bought a set of GTA wheels a couple months ago, and they have 2 GSC tires, and 2 EAGLE VR50 tires mounted on them. They're shot, but they sure look cool
The following 2 users liked this post by dagwood:
CKone (09-24-2020), General Lee 01 (09-27-2020)
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post