Gator back tires
#1
Gator back tires
So A friend of mine found what I think is a really good deal I found a original set of gator back tires 245/50/16 which I believe are the correct original tires for the car for $200 good tread sidewalls are mint and no dry rot and two towns over should I pick them up because I’m looking at getting my car back to original what do y’all think?
#2
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Car: 88 Formula 350 and 92 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Gator back tires
Unless it's going to be an all original show car that's barely ever driven, I'd pass on them. Why put the old terrible gatorbacks back on when modern tires are so much better? At the same time, for $200 you could just chuck them in a corner for a few years and might be able to turn a decent profit on them.
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#3
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Gator back tires
If you have the room and money, why not pick them up? As said above, wouldn't drive on them but good for shows for sure.
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: Gator back tires
So A friend of mine found what I think is a really good deal I found a original set of gator back tires 245/50/16 which I believe are the correct original tires for the car for $200 good tread sidewalls are mint and no dry rot and two towns over should I pick them up because I’m looking at getting my car back to original what do y’all think?
#6
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Re: Gator back tires
I agree with the others -- only pick these up if you want to put them on at shows, which would require getting a second set of wheels to mount them on. I wouldn't drive on those tires for longer than a few miles at a time, and that's still taking a risk.
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WildCard600 (08-07-2020)
#7
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Re: Gator back tires
Not sure where the OP is at, but where I am, you wont be able to find anyone willing to mount those tires due to their age. I had an opportunity to buy some a while ago, but decided against it because knew I would not be able to get mounted and would only sit in my basement until eventually tossing them since I could not do anything with them. Neat to have, but not much use for them.
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#8
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Car: 1989 Camaro-1LE
Engine: TPI(s)
Transmission: 5 speed (MM5, MK6)
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.73
Re: Gator back tires
I bought a set just to have an original set of tires to "complete" my car as original. They are on a spare set of rims ... and I doubt I will drive on them. But for the price ... I figured I'd buy them. I think I paid $200ish for the set.
I run a set of Hawks 17x9 repros (two line iroc rims) and they are gorgeous! They fit the wheel opening better and no one realizes they aren't stock. Plus better tire choices ... a 275/40/17 fills it up nice.
When someone buys my car and if they want to put in a collection .. then they have the wheels and OEM tires. That was my thinking.
Mark.
I run a set of Hawks 17x9 repros (two line iroc rims) and they are gorgeous! They fit the wheel opening better and no one realizes they aren't stock. Plus better tire choices ... a 275/40/17 fills it up nice.
When someone buys my car and if they want to put in a collection .. then they have the wheels and OEM tires. That was my thinking.
Mark.
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Re: Gator back tires
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: Gator back tires
As above, prob wouldn't be able to find a tire dealer willing to mess with them.
#11
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Car: 1989 Camaro-1LE
Engine: TPI(s)
Transmission: 5 speed (MM5, MK6)
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.73
Re: Gator back tires
I doubt anyone would know how to read tire codes from 1989 ... I installed my own "old" gatorbacks ... no real issues. They weren't easy to install back in 1989 ... stiff like hockey puck.
I sold a set of "new" gatorbacks I had for decades ... still had stickers on them, stored in my basement. They never saw the light of day. The Sun is what deteriorates tires more than anything else. If you see the small cracking ... then age has set in.
If we use what everyone is saying ... then all these LOW miles cars with original tires should not be driving on the tires, nor should they hold air.
Goodyear tires ... well ... they were good for the first year and then you needed new ones! :-) Usually for traction.
Mark.
I sold a set of "new" gatorbacks I had for decades ... still had stickers on them, stored in my basement. They never saw the light of day. The Sun is what deteriorates tires more than anything else. If you see the small cracking ... then age has set in.
If we use what everyone is saying ... then all these LOW miles cars with original tires should not be driving on the tires, nor should they hold air.
Goodyear tires ... well ... they were good for the first year and then you needed new ones! :-) Usually for traction.
Mark.
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Gator back tires
I picked these up a couple years ago for my 89 formula 350 vert (if I ever paint it). Stupid low miles on the original tires and have never been off the original wheels, still hold air and no cracking. They won't ever be put on for anything more than shows. Now stored in the dark and climate controlled to help prolong my stupidity.
Always ran the ole gatorback tires on my formula until they were disc then went to the GSCs. Liked to look of both and never really had problems with either tires and drove them year around. Could they have been better tire, for sure but I never had issues with them until the tread got thin. I'd go through 6 rear tires a summer. Left lots and lots of goodyear snotty 11s on the pavement back then
Last edited by TTOP350; 08-09-2020 at 04:07 PM.
#13
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
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Re: Gator back tires
I just wish they'd reproduce them. I still think they have the coolest tread pattern EVER.
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Car: 88 T/A, 91 Formula, 94 Firehawk
Engine: 400 Pontiac, 5.0 TPI, 5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4, T5, T56
Axle/Gears: 4.10, 3.42, 3.42
Re: Gator back tires
I picked these up a couple years ago for my 89 formula 350 vert (if I ever paint it). Stupid low miles on the original tires and have never been off the original wheels, still hold air and no cracking. They won't ever be put on for anything more than shows. Now stored in the dark and climate controlled to help prolong my stupidity.
Always ran the ole gatorback tires on my formula until they were disc then went to the GSCs. Liked to look of both and never really had problems with either tires and drove them year around. Could they have been better tire, for sure but I never had issues with them until the tread got thin. I'd go through 6 rear tires a summer. Left lots and lots of goodyear snotty 11s on the pavement back then
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