Advice on original gatorbacks

[Scott Evil]

I have the original factory installed gatorbacks still inflated and mounted on the stock wheels. 99% of the time these wheels are off the car and stored in the back of my shop. I only put them on the car for shows.

Here is the problem: these tires are like hard plastic and make the car unsafe to drive. They do not leak air and have plenty of tread left. I have another set of wheels and tire I normally keep on the car, so I have zero dependency on the stockers.

My car has about 19,000 miles and is pretty much stock all around. It has won its class or runner-up at MCO's big for the past three years. Maybe the tires help, maybe not.

I believe it is time to retire these tires. My questions are: Do I have a snowball's chance in hell at finding another set of Gatorbacks (i have tried with zero luck)? Should I keep these tires, assuming they have any value?

[90lx86svo]

You have the right idea by not driving on them. Maybe keep them and only use them when showing the car. Any set that you may fine will be very old, well over 10 years old. Even if they have never been used they are not safe to drive on.

[greg_pro50]

I watched an almost new set of Gatorbacks sell on ebay for like $1000.

[Ken Potter]

I also have 2 sets of original Gatorbacks that I use only for shows. If you're showing in a concours correct MCA show they're worth something like 5 points towards the total. There had been some discussion between some MCA members and Coker tires in having the 15" Gatorbacks repo'd. They refused stating lack of demand. That gives our 16" tires about a .5% chance I guess. I wish I had another 2 sets, one for the 4E and the other for the 7B.

[Scott Evil]

I also have 2 sets of original Gatorbacks that I use only for shows. If you're showing in a concours correct MCA show they're worth something like 5 points towards the total. There had been some discussion between some MCA members and Coker tires in having the 15" Gatorbacks repo'd. They refused stating lack of demand. That gives our 16" tires about a .5% chance I guess. I wish I had another 2 sets, one for the 4E and the other for the 7B.

I talked to a Coker Rep at a Great Race stop this past summer and he led me to believe they will make anything. Dang sales people.

[kiwi]

Rubber turns hard with age....U remember the 'new' smell of fresh rubber....well that diminishes with the elasticity....

[BlackSVO]

My 85.5 has a set of Goodyear Gatorbacks as well. They are very hard and with spin very very easily. I may try to get new wheels just so I can keep the tires mounted on the original wheels.

[GT350R]

If you look hard and long enough, you can find anything.
I have found 2 sets of perfect 10 hole rims with perfect VR60 15's as well as a brand new pair or VR60's for my 2200 mile 89 Coupe.

Either way, keep the ones you have. Store then so they dont dry out. I keep mine in the basement.

I always wanted to look into how to protect them further then that. But never got around to it. I was thinking of wiping them down with vasoline and wrapping them in plastic wrap.

[Rob Hughes]

I was thinking of wiping them down with vasoline and wrapping them in plastic wrap.

LOL they'll be slightly less slippery when they dry out and harden..

[yeahloh]

i have the origianl gatorbacks on my 95 on the front .they need replaced not because of ware, but be cause they increase my stoping distance so much.

[coupe]

Maybe a re-tread company could replicate the gatorbacks again. Would be worth a try, as I'd like a set of the 225/60-15's for an lx.