Hi All,

New to the forum. I just picked up a two owner, low mile 1989 Formula.

I am trying to determine if it actually has the original tires. Date code could make it a Feb 1989. They are Eagle GT IIs, P245x50xR16.

I have read that the Formula’s came with Gatorbacks ZRs, but since I have the L03 engine, would they have gone with a less aggressive tire back then? If they are original, is it worth keeping them mounted on the rims and stored, I have some GTA rims I can use for daily driving.

 

I just looked in my 1989 Pontiac driving enthusiasts handbook - it lists several tires available for the Firebird line up (including Formula) none are Goodyear Eagle GT II's
It lists Firestone tires (several different) or Goodyear ZR50 Gatorbacks

 

Found this on Goodyear website,

If your tires were made before the year 2000, the date code will be only 3 digits – the first two digits again listing the week of the year, and the last digit being the last digit of the year of the tire’s manufacture. This means a date code of “529” could mean the tire was manufactured in December 1999, or December 1989 – or even December 1979.

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn...tire-date-code

 

Can't say I'm up on 89 info, but I'd be surprised if any Formula, TA or GTA, came from the factory with tires that were not Gatorbacks, regardless of how "base" it was optioned. And AFAIK, 16" wheels were not available to any base model Firebird.

If the engine was TPI(F and 8 in the VIN), then we'd know for sure it's a Formula. But the LO3(VIN E) was available to both, base model Firebirds and base-optioned Formulas, so RPO W66 on the SPID label will be the telltale sign that the car is a Formula. No W66, then the car is not a Formula.

If it is a Formula, and it has Eagle GT II tires on it, then it's not likely that they're the original tires. Gatorbacks were hugely expensive back then, priced higher than many tires today, so when the time came, it wouldn't have been unusual for people to replace their Gatorbacks with a different tire.

 

Sales literature shows you could get a Formula without Goodyear Gatorbacks - I believe GB tires were standard on Formulas with TPI (LB9 or L98)

 

Whether the car came with those tires is kind of beside the point. All that matters is that the tires are genuine and older, and if so then someone is going to pay big $$$$ to have it for showing.

Cashing in is the first thing that would be on my mind because those tires are freakin' useless for driving. But I have a bent for the useful & functional more than originality.

 

Huh???
I dont understand your point.....
The Goodyear Eagle tires are not original to the car so they dont enhance the overall value

 

Well, that's easy to explain. You see, I'm talking without knowing what the hell I'm talking about.

Sorry, I got lost in conversation. I thought he was talking about the old "Gatorback" tires, which I maybe just figured out are Eagle VR type tires?

 

No worries buddy.....it can be hard to follow these discussions

 

Based on the great input here , thank you guys, the Eagle GT IIs are headed to the land fill, or where ever we pay the state of Florida to take them.

I put on Cooper Zeno RS3-GIs, man that’s a mouthful. Tires look great, great profile, almost looks a little like an old gatorback. The ride is super improved, speed rated to 168 MPH, which I don’t see the LO3 getting near. This car is so original, everything works, other than the open air cleaner mod I am planning (all factory air cleaner pieces are there and I will store them,) going to leave her alone, time capsule.

 

New York

 

Post up some pics - would like to see it 👍