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If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
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Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Even when dry they had their limits and I had my 87 IROC sideways on more than one on ramp or switch back. Back when these cars were new, there was a Pirelli and a Dunlop that were supposed to be better compound wise but I stuck with the Goodyears.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
Even when dry they had their limits and I had my 87 IROC sideways on more than one on ramp or switch back. Back when these cars were new, there was a Pirelli and a Dunlop that were supposed to be better compound wise but I stuck with the Goodyears.
Yes, I remember doing that once or twice myself when they were new. But I can do that with the F1s that are on it now as well.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
I didn't say I was blaming the tire. LOL
Haven't done it yet in my second round with these cars.
I used to drive like an idiot. Not out of control or where I would cause a problem for another driver, but lets say I deserved a LOT more tickets than I received.
Today I am very respectful of everything around me, with a few exceptions when I am out on a country road with nobody else around. But even that doesn't happen too often. I just enjoy cruising in all the classic cars now. When I was in my teens & 20's, I was often found washing rubber off the rear quarters.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
I have to admit that by the time I got interested in these cars, the original Gatorbacks were plenty old. However, the GSCs and every other Goodyear 245/50R16 I've driven on, regardless of age have just been terrible tires with any kind of moisture on the roads. My 91 Formula was a riot on the Eagle RS-As it was wearing when I bought it. I got a smoking deal on the car because the previous owner put it in the median twice in 20 miles on the interstate in moderate snow. On dry pavement it'd practically set fire to the tires from idle, and still spin them easily at lower speeds or during the 1-2 shift. Switching over to BFG Comp T/As made the car just go with barely a chirp from the tires.
Aside from no-name garbage tires (Grand Spirit radials, anyone?), Goodyear tires are by far the worst tires I've driven on, as far as traction, regardless of weather.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Had a set of 'Grand Spirit" tires on a 5.0 LX in the 90's. The Goodyears ride poorly in my opinion. I would buy a set because of the look but would not enjoy them. Michelin is my tire, they are the best ride bar none.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
I asked the folks at Coker this weekend at a car show and got the typical wishy washy answer... I explained to them that they are missing an opportunity.. Does anyone know the original poster of this thread? I'm in for 3 sets as well. I just bought a set of vintage gatorbacks to have for shows but I really want new sets... it's time to get these released... everything else on these cars that I have needed / wanted is now reproduced or available with the exception of these.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
I think that is because there are NO tires at all available for the Jag XJ220. I am not sure who was the original MFGR for the Jag tires either... We can still buy 245-50R16 Tires, but the selection is shrinking is all... The Complaint is GoodYear has gotten out of making tires in our size...
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by okfoz
I think that is because there are NO tires at all available for the Jag XJ220. I am not sure who was the original MFGR for the Jag tires either... We can still buy 245-50R16 Tires, but the selection is shrinking is all... The Complaint is GoodYear has gotten out of making tires in our size...
Bridgestone is doing it; less than 271 XJ220s exist.
Despite the number of thirdgens produced, the lack of reproduction tires suggests that manufacturers don't believe there's a big enough market to justify production. I think a big key to accelerating this will be involving the C4 Corvette crowd. Yes, different tire sizes, but still a Good Year Gatorback.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by KMK454
Bridgestone is doing it; less than 271 XJ220s exist.
Despite the number of thirdgens produced, the lack of reproduction tires suggests that manufacturers don't believe there's a big enough market to justify production. I think a big key to accelerating this will be involving the C4 Corvette crowd. Yes, different tire sizes, but still a Good Year Gatorback.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
Who wants a C4?
(and that's when the fight started)
Hey now...
I do love my Callaway C4!
And this year, there were a few of them in the NCRS tent in Carlisle (an 84, a 96 GS, etc) and people were talking about the original tires for C4s. To get those points, they will need to have them. I do hope / think it will help fire the need to get them in production.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by ev305tpi
Hey now...
I do love my Callaway C4!
And this year, there were a few of them in the NCRS tent in Carlisle (an 84, a 96 GS, etc) and people were talking about the original tires for C4s. To get those points, they will need to have them. I do hope / think it will help fire the need to get them in production.
Yup, NCRS was the first thing that crossed my mind and why I suggested they'd be the pathway to repro Gatorbacks. Corvette guys also seem to have a higher group of stock restoration fans in the ranks.
The second thing was that in response to PurelyPMD, I love C4 'vettes! And if I had garage space and cash, I'd be after evo305tpi's 1990 C4 that was for sale.
I still want a ZR-1, an 89 (last year of the digital dash, but a 6-speed instead of the 4+3), and all the Callaways.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
May be a little off topic, but does Goodyear still make any 245/50R16 tire to fit our cars? I don't need any right now, but this thread made me start looking and so far I haven't found anything. My car has the Eagle GT HR, but I miss the slab-sided look of the original tires.
So if Gatorbacks to fit our F Bodies ever become available, that may be the go-to tire if you want Goodyear...
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Does anybody know why Kelsey is offering/ re-making the VR 225/60/15's ? I understand they are for the mustangs, but are those really selling better than what the 245/50/16's would? Not saying the F bodies are more popular than the mustangs, but the 245/50/16's fit so many cars. Must be another car the 225's fit? I recall those tires being on the late 80's mustang GT's but thats about it. I must be missing something here....
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by TTOP350
im still in for a set or 2
If they are produced in the same price range as those 225's, I would for sure buy 1-2 sets. I had a 1990 barretta GTZ back in the early 90's that I think had 225's, but iirc they were also 16" wheels. was a really quick car for a 90's 4 cylinder.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by KMK454
Are those OZ wheels on that Callaway?
Yep! If you can believe it, they cost $4600 for the set (without tires!) back in 1993. ZR1s are a whole lot of fun and there is a really big following for them right now. In fact, the 90-95 ZR1 folks had the best showing for club participation in Carlisle this year, beating out all of the other like type clubs (Grand sport, pace cars, etc).
Sorry i'm off topic Kelsey, i'll still buy three sets today! But let it be known that I just bought a set of new BFGs to drive on in the meantime... and I have three friends locally who will all buy 1-2 sets each... you are missing out...
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Anyone know if Good Year still has the molds to make the tires, or do they have to be completely redesigned & built with Good Years approval? Also wonder if they use more recent technology in a new mold, or if the whole process is from the 80's
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by F-body-fan
Anyone know if Good Year still has the molds to make the tires, or do they have to be completely redesigned & built with Good Years approval? Also wonder if they use more recent technology in a new mold, or if the whole process is from the 80's
Maybe a combination of both? Curious.....
Good questions.
The 15" Mustang sized Gatorbacks use modern compounds in the tires.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by F-body-fan
Does anybody know why Kelsey is offering/ re-making the VR 225/60/15's ? I understand they are for the mustangs, but are those really selling better than what the 245/50/16's would?
You better believe the Mustang crowd cares more than the thirdgen crowd ever will. It's a different community over there, not entirely different, but there's a TON more interest in preservation, not to mention some real money being spent. No one is going to buy a repro Gatorback just because it's a size that fits, but there are more Mustang guys who'll buy a repro than thirdgen guys, by far.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by Drew
You better believe the Mustang crowd cares more than the thirdgen crowd ever will. It's a different community over there, not entirely different, but there's a TON more interest in preservation, not to mention some real money being spent. No one is going to buy a repro Gatorback just because it's a size that fits, but there are more Mustang guys who'll buy a repro than thirdgen guys, by far.
Are you talking about mustangs in general, or the the specific years of mustang that came with VR tires? I wasn't trying to group all years in my statement. I just didn't think the mid 80's fox body mustang was that strong, but I could be wrong. I hardly ever see one at area car shows or on the street. What years had VR's? 85-90ish similar to like the 3rd gens? I recall seeing them on the 86-90 ish GT's but maybe these were used for a much wider group than I am picturing.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by Drew
You better believe the Mustang crowd cares more than the thirdgen crowd ever will. It's a different community over there, not entirely different, but there's a TON more interest in preservation, not to mention some real money being spent. No one is going to buy a repro Gatorback just because it's a size that fits, but there are more Mustang guys who'll buy a repro than thirdgen guys, by far.
Surprising... my anecdotal evidence suggests fox body Mustangs are either:
1. perfect, bone stock SVOs
2. high dollar, fully built drag cars
3. on their last legs
I think thirdgens will get there. There's actually a lot of activity, it just doesn't all surface on TGO.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
The 79-86 Mustang community over at Four Eyed Pride has been pretty serious in recent years. I haven't spent much time over there lately (I'm bored with my Mustang), but they're far more serious about restoration and preservation than we are.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by Drew
The 79-86 Mustang community over at Four Eyed Pride has been pretty serious in recent years. I haven't spent much time over there lately (I'm bored with my Mustang), but they're far more serious about restoration and preservation than we are.
Is Sky still a admin or whatever over there? She used to live real close to me.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by KMK454
Surprising... my anecdotal evidence suggests............
Thats funny
I remember when I quit driving my 87 iroc back in 1995 There were still "irocs at every stop light" And many of them were nice cars. I thought, this car will never be a rare collector, they were everywhere I looked! But, years went by & they seemed to disappear from the streets. I figure they either went to heck quick, or there were a bunch of guys like me that put them away while they are still in nice shape.
I think i would buy the repop tires for two reasons. The first of course is having my car the way it came new, but secondly because the tires themselves bring me back to the 80's & I have gotten very nostalgic as I get older.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
The problem is we have to change the perception of the MacGyver Hairdo GTA and the backwoods hillbilly IROC. The fact is too many people do not take care of their cars like they should, those that really do care are becoming more numerous which is a good thing, but the perception has not changed as much as it probably should have. To make a positive impact we need to start acting the part that we want. There is a thing about jobs I heard years ago, "Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want." More or less, stop going to car shows with your 80's hair thinking it is funny to make fun of the car, You might get a trophy for being original, but that only brings the brand down, rather dress for future success, which in turn will change the perception of the cars. If you dress like you owned a Ferrari, rather than a Firebird, the perception of you and the car will change.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
It will change with time. The worn out ratty ones with two different aftermarket wheels, & the chevy decal on the windshield will eventually succumb to the salvage yards or some farm field USA.
I have a few original 2nd gen birds that I felt the same way about years ago. this was at a time when nice 3rd gens were still daily drivers. Every time I would see a jacked up 70's trans am with keystone classics & fuzzy dice i would just sigh & realize it wasn't cool anymore to drive my trans ams. But, since then those ratty 2nd gens have pretty much gone. Yes, there a few of them that are a bit of an eye sore, But there are a lot more really nice restored ones, so the tables have turned IMO. But it was no doubt the other way around 15+ years ago
I don't think there's any escaping the "cool" hairdo & Sammy Hagar effect on the F-bodies. It's just part of what was & I guess I'm ok with that, but I don't endorse it. I think as long as the cars don't look the part, it's all good in my book.
Sorry for trying to de-rail the thread......
Last edited by F-body-fan; 09-23-2016 at 02:07 PM.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
I have an almost NOS set of takeoff gatorbacks from a 1990 Iroc that are in perfect condition with zero dry rot. I'd be willing to sell them to the right person at the right price. They won't be cheap though! Text or call me at 310-279-6974 if interested
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Here is the reply I received from Kelsey this morning:
Your photos and interest are sincerely appreciated. Although an ample
amount of time will pass. These tires will rejoin the family. I encourage
you to continue to retain your original tires.
Regards,
Kelsey
Last edited by GASPEDDLER; 09-26-2016 at 03:22 PM.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by GASPEDDLER
Here is the reply I received from Kelsey this morning:
Mr. Rodriguez,
Your photos and interest are sincerely appreciated. Although an ample
amount of time will pass. These tires will rejoin the family. I encourage
you to continue to retain your original tires.
Regards,
Kelsey
Well.......that's definitive! I just wonder what "ample time will pass" means.
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Originally Posted by okfoz
The problem is we have to change the perception of the MacGyver Hairdo GTA and the backwoods hillbilly IROC.
A lot of the rock and roll, doo-wop, hot rod greaser culture surrounding 50's and 60's cars was once seen as undesirable. Also, car manufacturers had agreed upon racing bans and could not directly support motorsports during the muscle car era.
Now, 50's and 60's American cars benefit from very high perceptions and your local cruise night is filled with campy visual and audio reminders of the era. Additionally, drag racing and road racing from the era is now romanticized as some of the best ever.
The perception shift is coming for 80s/90s cars; we're just not there yet. One key is making the cars clean, be it stock or modified. Original, reproduction tires are a key part of this. Once people realize the car is worth their time, the fun and campy aspects of the 80s/90s culture will be cherry-picked to for a period correct accent to the cars. We're never going to separate the car from hair metal/synth music, big hair, and leather jackets. So why not own it and change it from within?
Even GM recognizes this. Here's their commissioned mural to celebrate third gens for the Camaro 50 celebration. Note brush stroke typography, the pink/teal colors, the mirror effect on the IROC, the grid with triangles and spheres - pretty much the most stereotypical aspects of 80's graphic design. I think it's awesome. Or should I say totally radical?
This is also a generational thing. I'd rather the local cruise night be filled with 80s/90s cars and campy cultural references instead of poodle skirts and Elvis music. The 50s/60s cars and their owners are still welcome, though!
Re: If they still offered 245/50/16 Gatorbacks, would you buy them?
Hey all.I got my response from Kelsey today...
Good morning Mr. Harris,
At present, the timeline has not been established. All of the Gatorback segmented molds and respective curing containers have been salvaged. Substantial tooling regeneration has to be completed on a prioritized size by size basis. This is to be followed by the redevelopment of the respective tire. Yes, the news could be better. I assume we are talking about a Camaro. Perhaps an IROC.
05-03-2016, 02:53 PM
But I can do that with the F1s that are on it now as well. 
