Midwest Muscle

Hey folks, the '89 TTA cars had a Goodyear Gatorback VR50 tire from the factory. It was the only one you could get.

The '89 IROC (and perhap other years) had an optional Goodyear VR50 or ZR50 tire that same year.

Would anyone happen to know if these are the exact same tire? Or were the TTA varieties slightly different?

Mike M

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

It's the same tire.
Both are directional and were used in multiple years, for sure through '91.
I think just the name and rating changed.
Do you have an RPO code of QLC?
That's for the P245/50ZR-16 Goodyear Gatorback tires.

The Gatorbacks were the V rated ones they used to use until the introduction of the Z rated ones.
The Z rated tires they used were Goodyear Eagles.

I've seen you on the nor-cal boards, a late welcome to you.

- Del

Midwest Muscle

Hey Del, thanks for the info - I thought I recognized that member name!

My '89 TTA has a QLC entry "P245/50ZR16/N BL. All '89 TTAs had this same tire. I was wondering if a laterl model IROC could also be had with that tire.

Why? My TTA does not have the original tires (flatspotted at 1,200 miles) and I'm looking for a set. I found a nice '89 IROC online that looked to have the same tire. I was going to take them off the IROC and put them on the TTA.

Shame the owner tossed the tires. He kept everything, and I do mean everything. The rims still have the stickers on them that would come off on the 2nd - 3rd wash. He was **** about everything, but didn't think the original tires were worth keeping?!

Mike M

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I imagine flat spotting is an issue after sitting that long.
As far as I know and have read, it's the same tire as some IROCS and GTAs. They also could have had the same QLC RPO.
Whether or not the tread is 100% identical from 86-91+, couldn't tell you. You would think not as technology changed and the rating did as well.
Tires always change throughout the years ever so slightly, but they are still Gatorbacks with the same directional type pattern.

I don't get on nor-cal often for obvious reasons, but I like to read about all sorts of cars.
You know, keep up with the competition, haha.

Mr. TurboTA

They are still called Gaterbacks.
Only the "V" changed to "Z" for the 1989 year and up.

Hope this helps,

George

Midwest Muscle

I appreciate the info! I probably won't bother because of this whole 'honesty' thing. I would have to tell any other buyers/collectors that although the tires are correct for the TTA, they are not the actual ones that came on the vehicle.

I wouldn't want to represent them as original if in fact they aren't. It just kills be to add an "except tires" disclaimer to my originality statement! All the owner had to do was move the car now and then, but there was a period of a couple of years he just didn't do it. Dork!

Mike M

FrankieRider2

As mentioned above, the tires were the same except for the speed rating of the tread.

The 1987-1988 Goodyear Eagle VR50 was coded as QDZ, while the 1989-1992 Eagle ZR50 was coded QLC. So you'd need tires from a 1989 or newer model to be technically correct.

TTA 1387

If I remember right, the TTA was the first to get the Z rated tires. All before that were V rated.

DoWork2day

I have a set of ZR 50 with 15,000 miles off an 87 Iroc show car.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

Why would you want to have a tire that is so old on your car, they do dry out, crack, and become unsafe. The company I work for says a tire that is over 8 years old is considered no good. when I bought my car It had 10 year old tires I drove it home and looked at the dot checked the condition,they were so bad I refused to drive it again till I got new tires

DoWork2day

NOTICE, less than 10,000 miles not 15K and they're from 1997 NOT 1987. They were the second set of tires he bought with the car....... As for why I bought them, I wasn't thinking about how old they are. They are best on a show car or restoration project, you can't find these. I made a huge mistake not listening to the seller of these tires. I called him today to see if he would buy them back, and he told me AGAIN that the tires are from 1997. I often don't listen well. Anyways, the date is on the tires he told me he had no reason to hide anything..... I just want around $300 negotiable; for the tires. I would sell the GTA rims with them for $700. Let me know, it's a great looking combo, but my car needs REAL TRACTION which probably no street tire will do for me.