Restored 1981

[johns81]

Hello!!

I am new to the Corvette Action Center and I would like some information. My wife and I are restoring a 1981 Corvette which had been setting in the garage for 12 years. The mechanic has just about completed the job, the car is running well and I am ready to rock and roll in it. Well, maybe just rock, really don't want to roll it.

It will need to have new tires and we are wondering which tire would be the better tire, the BF Goodrich or the Goodyear?? Or does anyone recommend another tire.

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these cars as they were doing back in 1981?? We may want to go to a movie and leave the car in the parking lot for a couple of hours.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[johns81]

Hello!!

My wife and I are in the process of restoring a 1981 Corvette. We would like some information.

The car is need of new tires and we were wondering which tire is the best, the BF Goodrich or the Goodyear? Or does anyone recommend a different tire?

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these vettes as they did back in 1981?

Any information will appreciated.

 

[82ColEd]

Welcome to the !!

As far as the tires go, i went with the look of the BF Goodrich's with the white lettering.. If i remember correctly, Radial T/A's, 255/70 (I would have to look at them again to be 100%). They fill out the wheel well nicely, IMHO and look good.. As to "Whats best ?": I havent had any other tires on the car, so i cant speak on that..

T-Tops: They used to. I had mine taken 3 times until i got her in the garage (didnt have one before).. Better safe then sorry!

A couple of pictures of the car would be great.

Good luck with the restore..


-Stefan

 

[johns81]

Welcome to the !!

As far as the tires go, i went with the look of the BF Goodrich's with the white lettering.. If i remember correctly, Radial T/A's, 255/70 (I would have to look at them again to be 100%). They fill out the wheel well nicely, IMHO and look good.. As to "Whats best ?": I havent had any other tires on the car, so i cant speak on that..

T-Tops: They used to. I had mine taken 3 times until i got her in the garage (didnt have one before).. Better safe then sorry!

A couple of pictures of the car would be great.

Good luck with the restore..


-Stefan

Thanks for the info. Were your T-top stolens recently??
The coolest thing with this car is that it has been in the garage for 12 years and the machanic put a battery in it and it started after the second try. Ran rough, but it was running.
The car should be done in a couple of weeks and I will post pictures then.

 

[Daryllawman]

Hello and welcome to the Corvette Action Center......Congrats on the Vette.....

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these vettes as they did back in 1981?

Not any more. They take the entire car now. Makes the insurance payout much easier to calculate. :L

 

[JJS]

Hello!!

My wife and I are in the process of restoring a 1981 Corvette. We would like some information.

The car is need of new tires and we were wondering which tire is the best, the BF Goodrich or the Goodyear? Or does anyone recommend a different tire?

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these vettes as they did back in 1981?

Any information will appreciated.

When I got my car ('71) it had fairly new Goodyear GT+ 4's on it.....really wide. Looked great on the car, but they were absolutely terrible handling wise. They were noisy too. I went with the Firestone Indy 500's, the stock size (can't remember actual width), but I was worried about the raised white lettering because there's a LOT of white. They look awesome, and I get compliments on them all the time. They also handle much better than the Goodyears.....and I've always been a fan of Goodyear. I was really worried about buying the Firestone's. -John

 

[81kix]

Hello!!

My wife and I are in the process of restoring a 1981 Corvette. We would like some information.

The car is need of new tires and we were wondering which tire is the best, the BF Goodrich or the Goodyear? Or does anyone recommend a different tire?

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these vettes as they did back in 1981?

Any information will appreciated.

Welcome to the CAC, I had to run outside and see if my tops are still on, don't want you taking them.

 

[MidShark]

I have BFG Radial TAs on all three of my cars and really like them (obviously).
If you have the painted tops on your car, I wouldn't worry too much, but if you have the glass tops, I'd be a little more concerned. They go for $1,000-$1,500 a pair.

Welcome to the CAC!

Rich

 

[82ColEd]

Thanks for the info. Were your T-top stolens recently??
The coolest thing with this car is that it has been in the garage for 12 years and the machanic put a battery in it and it started after the second try. Ran rough, but it was running.
The car should be done in a couple of weeks and I will post pictures then.

No my Tops were taken when i first got here with the car in 1997-1998. At the time, there was a gang going around in my area just taking the Tops. Wouldnt have been so bad (well, considering) if the 2nd guy didnt break the driver side window and stood on my seat to rip them off. I do have the locks on them (the Handle Locks), but they are more of a pain then i think it's worth (They took those too in both cases). But it'll deter any quick rip low life. After the 2nd, i had an aftermarket alarm installed.. Very sensitive setting, it barks at anyone touching the car. Havent had a problem since (well, except for the alarm going off unexpectedly.. :L ).. I also got a house with a garage then, so that might have taken it out of sight.. Oh, and never had a problem in Germany, parking it on the street.. Not many takers there.. :L
It shouldnt be too bad, but if someone really wants them, they will take them (or the entire car), alarm or not. As MidShark said, they are kinda expensive, $1000-1500 a pair (I have the glass ones), so, i would recommend a garage setting if you can..

Good luck on your car, sounds like a real find...



-Stefan

 

[Tritium007]

John,

I have an '81 with 255/60HR15 BFG Radial Comp T/A's and although they don't make the Comp T/A's any more, BFG has three more T/A's. The Radial T/A has a speed rating of 112 mph and should be good enough, but if you want a comparison of the three go to the link and see. The 255/60HR15's look real nice on the car, but for the stock 190 hp engine, they're more than I need. They were on the car when I got it. I believe that the window sticker had 70 series when delivered. If you go with the 70's, post a pic. I'm getting ready to put new rubber on as well and would like to see what they look like. Good luck.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/catalog/index_2.jsp

Cheers,
Mike

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

We have the BF's

Hello!!

My wife and I are in the process of restoring a 1981 Corvette. We would like some information.

The car is need of new tires and we were wondering which tire is the best, the BF Goodrich or the Goodyear? Or does anyone recommend a different tire?

Also, are people still stealing the T-tops off of these vettes as they did back in 1981?

Any information will appreciated.

John, We have the BF's on our 81.
Before that we had a set of American Racing rims on (16inch). The mags were OK, but with 225/50/16 on the front and 245/50/16's on the rear, she was all over the place track wise.
We found our build sheet, saw there wasn't Code N90 indicating Aluminium Mag wheels which took the 225/70/15's and sought out a set of steel rallye rims. Our old girl was a poverty pack with standard steel rims and BF's 255/60/15's. 1 of 4121 Coupes that year that didn't opt for the alluminium rims.
I loved the look of the steel rims on the old girl, looks right if you know what I mean

As for the T-Tops, no one steels them if you keep them locked. My tip is to keep them locked as you may very well get some bonehead who flicks the locking lever while you are driving and there goes your top!

Cheers

Tony

 

[craig32]

the car is running well and I am ready to rock and roll in it. Well, maybe just rock, really don't want to roll it.

Roll IN it, just don't roll it! The cars came with Goodyears, But I personally don't get too hung up on tires. However, I sure as hell don't want Yokohama or some other Japanese name in big letters on my car!
Don't know about the T-top issue, seems one would have to gain access to the inside to remove the tops, keep it locked. Just my opinions, I could be wrong.

Craig

 

[Peer81]

Also a BF driver here.
IMO the BF is a off road tire incl the profile. I didn't compare it to other 255/50 tire's but to drive a sportscar with this kind of profile isn't what i have in mind.
The next brand for me will be the Dunlop GT qualifier. The profile is much better for grip on the asfalt and it will reduce tire noise to.
There is the link:
http://www.computersupport.ca/Restoration/DunlopGT.jpg

Groeten Peter.

 

[TheAnarkist]

Welcome to the forum John.

 

[Tifton81]

Hi John...I have an 81 and have the Goodyear Eagle GT II on the old girl. They were on the car when I bought her 5 years ago. I'm also in the process of restoration and can't find a shop close to me to do the job. Let me know what you go with as far as the make of the tire.
Tifton81

 

[Mr. Chuck]

My 81 came new with Goodyear Eagles GT which gave me 58,742 miles, next tires were BFG's that lasted until 90,103 miles, current tires are Kelly Chargers 255 60R15 102S, these have todate 36,101 miles and still have 7/32" tread remaining of the original 11/32" tread depth. The Kelly tires are quite and have good solid handling on dry or wet roads. Based on the remaining tread, I expect to get between 50 - 60K miles on the Kelly's. Of the three brands, my first choice would be a Kelly tire like the Charger. I also like Kelly's service, support and a strong warranty. But in my book if you find a good tire and company support, go with it.

 

[81kix]

I have kelly Chargers and I hate them in the rain.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

John,

I have to tell you. I got two sets of Goodyear Eagle GT2's two years ago. One set for my 82 Vette and one set for my 87 Lesabre. I have been lazy about getting the snow tires on this year and I tell you what, those things work great in the snow even though I never intended them to.
Big surprise that they actually work as good in the winter as they do in the summer on my Lesabre(Not the Vette).

As far as the summer performance on the Vette goes, they are great. The traction is phenominal. I can't even break them loose on wet roads intentionally, like I could with my old Eagle ST's.
You should get some Janine.

 

[Mr. Chuck]

My vote would be to try the Kelly Charger 255 60R15's which are what I have on my 81, they have really performed well in regards to handling, quite ride and the mfgr really stands behind their tires. The Kelly's (2nd set) on my 98 Suburban have also performed well even on this heavy of a vehicle, the milage isn't as near as good as on the vette, there I expect to get 50 - 60k. The original tires were Good Years and they also ran well over 50K miles.
Good luck owning a really fun Vette, I purchased mine new in 81 and currently have over 126K miles on her. You mite also look at what kind of shocks are there; they can make a big difference to improve road handling and safety. I changed to Monroe Sens-a-matic some years ago and notice a significant improvement in overall road handling, especially on those curving, winding, back roads which have become a really fun day's drive.