1985 Replacement Tires

[65TripleBlack]

The original Gatorbacks have had it. What should I replace with?

 

[c4cruiser]

Getting good performance tires in 255/50 ZR16 is becoming hard to do. Go the the Tire Rack site Select the ""Products" button and in the drop-sdown window "Tires". Do a search on that size and select "Max Performance and Ultra High Perfomance Summer tires. Don't worry about brands or speed ratings. You should get this page:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?startIndex=0&width=255%2F&ratio=50&diameter=16&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&performance=MP&performance=UHP&x=17&y=12

There are other brands like Toyo Proxes from Les Shwab and some others and your decision is really going to be based on how you drive the car.

Going to 17" wheels is an alternative as that opens the doors to a wide variety of some really good performance rubber. AFS wheels (www.afswheels.com ) makes a ZR-1 style wheel with the proper offset for 84-87 cars. You can find sets on eBay or order direct from them.

 

[jr7221]

You might try Kumho tires, I bought a set last year, good traction dry and wet, Esta 712 and they are less than $100 per tire..good luck

 

[Mr Dark]

I went with Cooper Cobra GTZ for my 1985 and I'm happy with them. Here's the website -

http://www.coopertire.com/us/en/ProductDetails.asp?ProdType=Passenger&id=13

 

[Edmond]

You might try Kumho tires, I bought a set last year, good traction dry and wet, Esta 712 and they are less than $100 per tire..good luck

I read the same thing about Kumho's. I think Car & Driver did some kind of test with them and they came out very well; even more so when you factor in how much they cost.

 

[WhalePirot]

Depends

Have you decided to drive or collect the car? I run 17"s but have the original 16" Z-51 wheels and tires stored in my garage attic. I regret not having replaced the stock Gators when they were easily available, but with all the mods I have done now, would likely do little with them but sell the package, at a loss.

The only major American tire company left, is Goodyear. I never had serious issues with the Gatorbacks; bought 3-4 sets for the Vette and got 30k miles+ on each set. One set delivered 36,000!

I have used TireRack for years, but have found 'resistance' from locals when trying to mount. These costs make the mail order tires barely worth the effort, even from installers listed on the Rack's site. My protests to TireRack ot me a nice, digital pressure gauge. Nice folks!

From what I've read, the Kumhos are Korean and the Firestones have improved a lot. I currently run BFGs, but they are old,hard and slippery after years on my project Vette. I suppose using them as fuel for liquid smoke has not helped much.

 

[Mr Dark]

The only American tire company left, is Goodyear.

I think Cooper is also American, if I'm not mistaken...