ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

This is great news! Please keep us posted on when they are available and prices. Will you also be releasing the 255/50/16 (for the 84-87 vettes, they also fit nicely on the rears of the 3rd gens)?

Rumblin70SS

Interested at $200 each and my car needs tires soon. Wow would they look good. I remember paying $180 each in 1992.

smallhurst

As for the $200 price range, that is not happening. These tires are a specialty piece built in small quantities but have to adhere to modern DOT standards for radial tires.

As for the rubber compounds, this is the same rubber compounds that is being used in the reproduction Polyglas tires. This rubber has great grip and last for a good while.

I will be happy to give individual pricing for interested parties. Please PM me for pricing.

KMK454

So if we had a time machine and brought a fresh set of Gatorbacks from 1992 to 2012 and put them next to your tires, they'd:

1. Look exactly the same?
2. Outperform the originals due to modern rubber?

Just trying to figure out if these are repros intended for every day use or just for the show circuit. I see you have Eagle GTs up there for earlier Camaros. I know some vintage tires made by other companies have the look but actually aren't the best day to day performers.

scottmoyer

Guys, please also remember that if you get these "correct" tires for you show cars, they will only be good for about 6 years. I personally don't see the point in paying excessive amounts for a "correct look" tire that lasts only as long as other replacements. I got 70k miles out of a set of Michelin tires that I paid $1400 for on my truck (oversized tires). The last set of tires on my IROC-Z had 8k miles on them, but I got rid of them because they were 9 years old! Your decision.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I'm interested in at least a couple sets of Garorbacks. And I'm willing to pay about what the most expensive tire costs in that size, (GY F1's), for them. But I do expect them to perform at least as well as the originals did. If I'm just looking for a static display, I'd just remount my 23 year old, 10K mile, originals.

Dartht33bagger

I don't think I would. The thread design on the tires are kind of ugly. I like the Michelins that I have on my car right now much more.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ort+A%2FS+Plus

smallhurst

I do not know if they will outperform the originals. As far as looks, they should be spot on or very little different.

I will refer you to www.kelseytire.comto look at some of the tires that he has had reproduced.

I will yell you that when he was doing his research on the 215/65/15 Eagle, it was discovered that 19 running line changes were put in place during the run of that tire.

Speaking of the 215---- here is a side by side comparison of an nos tire vs the new reproduction. Here is the link....http://www.oldspower.com/vb/showthread.php?t=58971

The tire will be built so that you could use it for every day... just like the original.

Z's r Best

Yes, but only because I have two sets of front IROC wheels on my 86 IROC. That way I can at least rotate the tires front to rear on the same side without having to have the tires dismounted/remounted/rebalanced every time they need to be rotated.

I've been running it with four front rims for almost 4 years now with no issues.

Jason E

I imagine the recommended useful life on these is the same 6 years as other tires? It would be nice if there was a way to design them to last longer...

FWIW, I have 10 year old Eagle GSCs on my Z28, and its only been in the past 2 years where I've really noticed them hardening. This will be my last year using them. My OEM Gatorbacks, at 24 years old, were beyond useless for traction 2 years ago...not to mention they sounded like mud tires!!

I think 6 years is a little too soon to change them, but I can attest that 10 year old tires are pretty useless. Last year, at the track, they just didn't hook. I'm kinda sad because I'm buying my father's 2000 SS this Spring, and he has 12 year old Eagle F1s, which are $300 a piece. OUCH.........

HI85WH1

Back in the late 80's when 16" wheels were considered huge the Gatorbacks were about the only game in town. As new, they were good tires. I drove several 5.0 mustang rentals in that time frame that had goodyears that were severely flatspotted... but we all know the life of a rentacar.

I had a set of IROC wheels on my El Camino in the late 80's and the gatorbacks held up well... rain or dry.

The 92 B4C I am to look at today has an original set of tires and wheels to go with the car... is it wise that I never drive the car with them. (Rubber doesnt retain its elasticity for 20 years)

Would I buy a set so I can drive the car with the OE wheels? probably... $200 a tire is far cheaper than they were new.

89G92CAMARO

Yes, If Goodyear offered them to today's standards and safety. Don't really like the Goodyear F-1's but if that is what is available then sure I would get them but at 300 a pop??? Hmmm, Bring the Gatorbacks and GS-C back!!!
Just sayin...

lt1zr28

This is just my opinion and nothing else. To be 100 percent fair to the Gator's if you never had a set that was brand new an put the miles on them you cant give a fair judgement. No they did not do as well in cold or wet weather as dry. But most people that own these would know to change their driving habits because of that. And the ones that didn't are the reason why so many were gone before their time.Again IMO.As far as tires I was alway's partial to the eagle gt plus 4.

HI85WH1

Ahhh. The GS-C... another good tire...

I have 245/50 BFG's on my Grand National... liked the way they behaved... hated the way they looked

IROCZTWENTYGR8

iTrader: (1)

I have a feeling that Gatorbacks in our size are going to be about $350 a piece since the 215/65/15 Z28 tires are $325 each. Kinda insane, what a shame.

J-(Chicago)

iTrader: (11)

Indy 500 firehawk are the best I've found, but I haven't really beat the crap out of every tire I've owned.

I know that bf goodrich radial
TA are grease stains in the summer and useless in the winter though.

This pattern hooks well if you want traction on the street.
Tires are a bit soft though. Works well in the cold too because of that though.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Nitto NT 555 or somthing like that??

cerberus

Ill say. i cant believe the price for a old run. My bet is the cost must be around 125-175

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

They would sell a buuuuunch of them at that price.. I'd be smoken them off soooo fast !!!

cerberus

I mean actual manufacturing cost. But heck yeah.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

"Gatorbacks" weren't just top of the line for our cars, they were top of the line for the industry in the '80s. Speed-ratings and performance tires were still new to the general public and passenger cars. Today, people look at them as only V-rated, but that was impressive. Even by "today's standards," a V-rated tire is a very good tire.

A new 245/50VR16 "Gatorback" was in excess of $225. That's outrageous for a V-rated tire today. But in the '80s, it was the best. Even Enzo put them on his Ferraris.

The basic tread pattern has survived for 3 decades and has been duplicated by every tire manufacturer in the world; it's even used for rain tires in the auto racing industry. That's because it works. So to remake the Gatorback in a Z-rated tire at "today's standards," it would be excellent.

Of course the "Gatorback" was a safe tire; it was an excellent tire. And new, it would be safe today too. Being good in the rain was a big part of the tire's design criteria and tread pattern development. Even tires built to "today's standards" are only as good in adverse conditions as the car's driver. No tire is good in the rain if you drive stupidly.

Someone in this thread complained that his "Gatorbacks" let-go in wet conditions on a curve while traveling at 130 mph. Hello?

My personal opinion about why so many people "knock" the "Gatorback" isn't because of the tire, itself, but rather, it's due to their venomous dislike for Goodyear.

Regarding size, 16" might be considered small today, though the guys who think that probably look at their index finger and see 8". But in the '80s, 16" was big. Even Mustangs were only getting 15" wheels.

Now, about about those 17" repros for Mustangs(a link somewhere in this thread), I'd be surprised if "Gatorbacks" were still being used when the Mustang went to 17". I had several friends who owned Mustangs during the '80s, and they complained that Mustangs were still coming with 15" wheels, not even 16" yet. So that 17" repro must be based on what someone wished he could've gotten back then. But that's cool because Year One reproduces 2ndgen wheels in today's larger sizes for the same reason: to give the classic car an updated appearance. So why not?

So yes, I'd like to see the "Gatorback" reproduced to "today's standards." I'll be due for a new set of tires in about a year. I've been shopping for quite a long time but still haven't found anything I want. I won't overpay for them, but if they're priced comparably to today's similarly sized V-rated tires(or Z-rated, if so rated), I'll buy a set.

90-irocdx3

iTrader: (4)

i have a set of 4 of these off my old 9k original mile iroc. the have 60% tread on all four tires. no cracking or stress on tires. if anyone is interested. 245/50/16 tires.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The 17" Mustang Gatorback isnt a repo. They are still made by Good year for the mustang when they went to 17s and was in production up until just a few years ago. (I think)

My 89 formula 350 came with the Z rated Gatorbacks in 245/50/16.
This is my car and I a few months after I got it.. Snazzy Gatorbacks !!



I bought maybe 5 sets of gatorback tires brand new and they didnt do to bad in the rain, 70-75 was about the limit you wanted to do with them. They would pull just as hard as my F1s do when ya hit a puddle of water.

Azrael91966669

i remember driving on a set of new gatorbacks in a 9k mile orginal iroc 225-60-15s where the size the car would burn out like crazy and was all over the road in the rain but i admit the tires looked good but they where noisy

i also used a set of good year Gs-c also looked good burned out like crazy but any time it rained the car would fishtail also noisy
i just put a set of rs-as on the car and they suck i had to get 225-50-16 only size they had for 16s

i have to say the only tires that offered a good ride and where good in all weather even snow where goodyear viva2 not a performance tire by any means
on my other camaro ive used many differant tires basicly any of the 16s dont work very will in bad weather
i did have a firebird with good year assurance triple tread that car had 215-65-15s and would drive threw anything even decent grip in the snow and they didnt slip on dry road if they made those in 245 50 16 id buy them but the closest size is 225 60-16 but atlest that size wouldnt throw off the speedo much

its also becomeing harder and harder to find good tires in our 16 inch size lets face it 16 is the base size now
most everything is 17 or larger

would i give a new set of gatorbacks a shot sure but ive seen the same tread pattern on many other tires

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Are you sure those were Gatorbacks? I don't think they ever came in that size - certainly not OE.

Azrael91966669

yes they where replaced with gatorbacks by the orginal owner he wanted lower profile wider tires these where 15 inch iroc rims mind you the orginal goodyear gt 215 65 15 he didnt like the sidewall hight the gatorbacks when i got them only had 3000 miles on them this was back in 93 when the owner replaced them my dad bought the car in 96 with 9,656 miles on it

me and my dad drove the car with the gatorbacks till it had 26 k on the car
but neither of us like them 225 60 15 was the size the mustangs used

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Any news on timing for the Gatorbacks?

sonjaab

They SUCKED and wouldn't wish them on anyone!
Noisy, vibrated the whole car, lousy in the rain and worn out at 20k miles!

I had them on my 85 and 87 TA/s I bought new................

chazman

iTrader: (4)

What did you replace them with?

sonjaab

The 85 I traded in on the 87 and the 87 I traded it in on a new 90 Cadillac
Deville (cause I had a new baby and all the associated baby gear to
pack and haul around and it was a PIA loading everything in the T/A
so it had to go ). So I never really bought any replacement tires
for either of them. New 16 inch Gatorbacks at the time were $200
EACH....Think 80s dollars to boot !!!!!!!!!!!!

But now the kids are grown and I have my 84 Z-28 to tool around
in and it wears a set of BFGs !

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Apparently Kelsey Tire is considering repo-ing the Gatorback. They may want to use one of my originals as a reference. But don't expect them out before 2 years from now.

IMissMy86TA

Hope they give you a free set..

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Hey, that'd be nice!

IMissMy86TA

thats what I asked for for my set and never got response. Apparently he liked your offer better

ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

Anything new with the production date on these?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I was told within 2 years, maybe sooner. They would also offer Gatorbacks sized for Corvette and Mustang.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Here is a set I have. Lots n lots of tread. I'd give these to them to help make the repops.. For a new set of course!
they arn't ZRs buut..
2 245/50/VR16s
2 vette size 255/50/VR16s

kfsullivan

This may sound crazy, but I still have my original VR16 Gatorbooks on my 1988 Trans Am. So this summer after 24 years and 46,000 miles it will be time for a change.

I bought the car new, and knowing that the retail cost of each tire was $250 (from my dealer) I knew I needed these tires to last as long as possible. I was very diligent in having the tires rotated regularly in order to even out the tread wear, as well as keep the front end aligned, and the tires inflated to the proper pressure.

The ride in my TA was always stiff, but I attributed that more to the suspension than the tires. I've driven in the rain and never experienced any problems, but you can't drive in the same manner as when the pavement in dry.

I haven't driven the car a lot over the past 10 years, but I thought the Gatobacks were good performing tires.

I'd like to have new Gatorbacks on my car to keep the OEM look if they were available, but I don't show my car, so most likely I will find a less expensive alternative.

ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

Chazman, thanks for the update! I hope the sooner the better.

Those corvette gatorbacks shown above are SUPER rare with the indented upside down lettering. They came on early 1984 vettes only. Good find!

I drove an 87 IROC this weekend with very low miles and the original tires. Beautiful car but it made the ride terrible. Looking forward to being able to get a new set for each of my cars!

Jason E

I may actually consider 2 sets...one for my 88 TA and one for my IROC. The problem is, I have a 9 month old set of Firehawks on the TA, and a 18 month old set of G Force BFGs on the IROC. I dare say they'll last awhile. I could start using them up on my 97, but I wanna go with ZR1s and 275/40s when I replace my 10 year old GSCs this year or next...

IMissMy86TA

Since you need new tires.. and dont show it.. well even if you did like i do.. you should try http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

they ride much better and have good grip and tread life!
MUCH cheaper! Thats what I have on the pic below. I really like them and at 106 a pop they are a good deal. I bought them for 89 before obama put on a tax on foreign tires.

Jason E

Foreign tires on your American muscle car? What what WHAT????

I do my best to only buy American-made tires. That was one thing that irritated me about my Firehawk Wide Ovals on my TA that I bought last Summer. G Force Sports (US made) were on back order, and everything else was less aggressive, so I settled on my Mexican-made Firehawks. They do the job ok...

I know those Generals well...I've used them on several used cars in my inventory. IMO, they aren't overly aggressive. Smooth riding...yes. Cheap...yes. Aggressive? Hell no. I use them on Chrysler 300s and Chargers all the time. For an F car, I would stick with a G Force Sport, Wide Oval or an Eagle F1.

Just my .02...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I have the Altimax HP on my son's car. While they are a great tire - they sure are ugly. If you're using your car every day, it is a great tire. If you have a show and shine car like my TTA I wouldn't get them because they look nothing like the originals and have an ugly tread. They are definitely not a performance tire.
Jason - if you are really going to try to buy made in America products you are going to be stuck buying trinkets and crap. The sad reality is that nothing of value is made here anymore. Even Craftsman tools are now made in China.

kfsullivan

Thanks for the info everyone!

Jason E

What's the matter with preferring to buy American when I have the choice? If I have no other choice, that's one thing....but when I do???

And the Craftsman thing has forced me to boycott Sears. That's an entirely seperate matter...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Jason - we are running out of choices. Many of the times the better alternative is no longer made here.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I to would prefer to buy from the USA but as stated, we are running out of choices that look good.
Very few tires have a decent looking tread anymore.

IMissMy86TA

wonder where these Gatorbacks will be made.....

IMissMy86TA

I dont feel like paying the big $$$ for anything like that unless they look were VR50s. I dont drive it enough to pay that kinda change for something that will get dry rot before they wear out.
any no one has looked at my car in the skin and said..wow.. ugly tires.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Quite honestly, It's the very 1st thing I look at when I see a car in the mags or at a show.
If I see cheap tires or ugly tread, in my mind, I put the car in 2 different catagories, I won't ever say it to the person tho because its very rude. I always look for the good stuff about a car and comment on those things..
To me, its a part of the wheel and It can make or break the looks of the car. I'm also a bit weird.
I do use cheap/ugly tires sometimes... for burnouts