How many people would buy a new set if they could??
figuring a set of ZR 245/5016s would prolly be atleast 800$
I know there are cheaper tires buut it would bring back "the look" plus they leave a cool pattern on the pavement
yes?
no?
maybe?
thoughts?
ideas?
Anyone?

 

Naaaah. Those tires were super aggressive looking in their day. But now, they look pretty tame. I replaced mine with a set of Goodyear GS-D3 tires and never looked back. Great in the dry, amazing in the rain, and a nice aggressive look to them. Even rode smoother than my 19 year old Gatorbacks.

Unfortunately, they stopped making the GS-D3 in our size.

Gatorbacks





GS-D3

 

Only for museum cars.
A quick look on tirerack.com shows plenty of good choices, including the most costly Eagle F1 GS-D3 in stock. It looks like feces, and surely the performance can't really be any better than the Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500.
If you want a tire you can drive, but that resembles the Gatorbacks, how about the Sumitomo HTR A/S?

 

Had Gatorbacks on my IROC-Z28 and they were the worst tire in the wet. You could spit on the road and they would spin you out. What saved me was they wore out with less then 20K miles on then. Bring them back, I hope NOT.

 

I have F1s on my car now and flat hate them. I also really really hate the look of those GS-D3s..
I know the Gatorbacks suck in the rain (so do 90% of performance tires) but some of that was due to the compound, plus who drives a performance tire in the rain??
If the Gatorback was done with a modern compound it would be better..
I also have 2 cars running 275/40/17s sooo
I like the look of the orginal 91-2 firehawk tires also..
the Wide oval and BFG KDW (that summit sells) isnt too bad looking along with the Nitto Nt555..
Other than those not many manly beefy looking tires out there..
Just throwing ideas..

 

Gee.. this tire looks goodwho cares if it has poor performance in the wet and try to wreck you. But it looks good on the car.

 

The best tires have all been discontinued, replaced by so-called "improved" designs. But if I was bringing back some older tires for these cars, I'd go for the BFG Comp T/A VR4.

 

Wow, that pisses me off. Eagle F1 GS-D3s are what I wanted but they were unavailable from Jan - May. Now they have them in stock...

I got Firestone Wide Oval Indy 500s - GREAT performance dry or wet, but they don't look as nice as GYs and I think they run a tad thinner.

And yes, someday they'll reproduce Gatorbacks - just think of all the C4 'vettes that had them and will want them.

 

Yup looks are a big thing (esp 4 a driveable restoration). A lot of tire treads these days are kinda goofy looking.
Im not looking for this 2b a great performing wet tire, If I was im sure it wouldnt be a Zrated summer dry performance tire, It would be a aqua tread type of tire.
I had gatorbacks back in the day also and Ill be honest I didnt think they were that bad in the rain. My F1s really arent much better. I had to slow down when it rains with both tires.
Its the junk asphalt roads that turn into 2 long greasy oily rain gutters within 6 months, thats the real problem..
Now granted I didnt setup a twisty course in a parking lot durning a rainstorm to measure the wet road performance of a tire made for dry summer driving.
Im looking more for this to be used on the restoration side of things and im sure using a newer compound would make it work a lil better.

 

The Gatorback tread came from the F1 rain tires of the day, I'm guessing Goodyear decided to let the rubber compound provide dry grip, and the tread design provide anti-hydroplaning, but that isn't the exact same as wet grip.

 

Best tire I've ever used, and lasted me was the Goodyear GS-C's

Stone

 

I'd never buy any Goodyear street tire...they are way overpriced for what you get.