96 Tires

[Bruce B.]

I recently purchased a 96 Collectors Edition AT and the tires need to be replace. I am interested in having it NCRS certified so I want ensure the tires are correct for certification. I have order a manual but have not received it yet and the tires are scheduled to be replace next week. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me which replacement tires will meet NCRS requirements.

[Mark E.]

Re: 96 Tires

Goodyear Eagle GSC, P255/45ZR-17 (front), P285/40ZR-17 (rear) tires haven't been available for a long while.

If the car's original tires look ok and hold air, they will score the best since they have the proper CDCIF. They may take a deduction for condition. Alternatively, find a used or NOS set of GS-Cs that will hold the car up. They may take deductions for date and condition. Either way, it's not safe to drive on them other than getting on/off the trailer. If the judges feel the tires look unsafe (bald, cracking, tread separation,...) that may earn a full deduction. But don't confuse looking safe with being safe- any 25 year old tire isn't safe, regardless how it looks.

I don't have the JG in front of me, but the best scoring new tire is a replacement of the same size and brand. This will minimize the configuration deduction. Full deduction for date, but possibly no deductions for completeness, installation, finish. You can minimize configuration and installation deductions by reusing original weights and valve stems/caps. (For safety, consider new stems with original caps.)

[Bruce B.]

Re: 96 Tires

Thank you very much. That is very helpful.

[Joe L.]

Re: 96 Tires

I recently purchased a 96 Collectors Edition AT and the tires need to be replace. I am interested in having it NCRS certified so I want ensure the tires are correct for certification. I have order a manual but have not received it yet and the tires are scheduled to be replace next week. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me which replacement tires will meet NCRS requirements.

Bruce------


There are currently NO Goodyear tires being manufactured in either of the 2 tire sizes used for your car. So, unless you can find NOS, you're out-of-luck for ANY Goodyear tire, let alone original GS-C. At some point, perhaps Kelsey Tire will offer Goodyear reproductions of the GS-C but not now. I don't recommend NOS or used for tires because the tires will be old.

What you can do is this: First, obtain a set of reconditioned original wheels. Next, buy and have installed a car set of tires for these wheels. The only manufacturer I am aware of that manufactures both of the 2 different sizes you need is Continental. Finally, remove the original tires and wheels from your car, store them for possible use in judged events, and install the new wheels and tires for driving. This is exactly what I did for my 1992 (although it's highly unlikely I'll ever have the car judged). At the time, I was able to at least obtain Goodyear tires albeit not GS-C's.

[James G.]

Re: 96 Tires

I had a similar question for my 96 POLO GREEN Convertible. The car came with High-Speed Steel Belted Radial Eagle 40ZR (Goodyear) Unidirectional Asymmetrical originallyTire size (front/rear)
P255/45ZR-17/
P285/40ZR-17

A NOS set was found and installed in 2005 at 17,500 miles.

Goodyear doesn't make them, only one size now . Michelin Pilot [quoted the set $1450] and Continental Extreme Contact Sport have correct sizes.

I went with Continental from Discount Tire [$1000 set installed with tax and labor]. My car has 31590 miles and is nice, but only a zero mile 96 should wear original tires. They went out of production in 1999. If I have the car judged, I will take the brand deduction. I hear it is not that bad. The size is correct as original.

Safety is most important, The ride is 100% better than the old original tires

[Joe L.]

Re: 96 Tires

I had a similar question for my 96 POLO GREEN Convertible. The car came with High-Speed Steel Belted Radial Eagle 40ZR (Goodyear) Unidirectional Asymmetrical originallyTire size (front/rear)
P255/45ZR-17/
P285/40ZR-17

A NOS set was found and installed in 2005 at 17,500 miles.

Goodyear doesn't make them, only one size now . Michelin Pilot [quoted the set $1450] and Continental Extreme Contact Sport have correct sizes.

I went with Continental from Discount Tire [$1000 set installed with tax and labor]. My car has 31590 miles and is nice, but only a zero mile 96 should wear original tires. They went out of production in 1999. If I have the car judged, I will take the brand deduction. I hear it is not that bad. The size is correct as original.

Safety is most important, The ride is 100% better than the old original tires

Jim------


Neither Goodyear nor Michelin make any model tire for either of the 2 tire sizes required for most 1993-96 Corvettes. Of course, there might be some in dealer or local warehouse stock but they are not being currently manufactured.

[David H.]

Re: 96 Tires

I recently purchased a 96 Collectors Edition AT and the tires need to be replace. I am interested in having it NCRS certified so I want ensure the tires are correct for certification. I have order a manual but have not received it yet and the tires are scheduled to be replace next week. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me which replacement tires will meet NCRS requirements.

Bruce

Tires are evaluated using judging criteria in Standard Deduction Guideline #3 (Section 4) of the Judging Resource Manual. Below is a link to Sections 3 & 4. Using SDG #3 you can evaluate percentage deductions (point loss) of your options re tire choice. At least 10% of Originality points must remain in order to judge Condition. (For your 1996, tires have 30 Originality and 30 Condition points assigned for judging.)

Dave

http://ncrsnm.com/pdf/NCRS_2010_%20Std%20Ded_Sections3-4.pdf

[Don H.]

Re: 96 Tires

whatever else you do, don't leave your old tires with the tire shop. Bring them home and keep them if they are original. Someone else will want them for judging their car, even if you don't