C4 Tire availability

[Art B.]

I need new tires for my '86 Coupe. I prefer keeping it stock with the 16 inch wheels it came with. I am having difficulty finding replacements (255/50 R16). None of the tire companies seem to stock it anymore. I can't believe I'm the only C4 owner having this problem. When it comes to judging, is NCRS ready to accept different sizes or wheels without point deductions? What shall I do?

[Jeff P.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

I have the same question regarding NCRS top-flight judging.......it doesn't seem "fair" that we can not possibly score a "100%" based on the fact that the OEM brand of tires for certain yrs and models literally does no longer exsist....I personally ended up putting Kumro ecsta on my car..( one of the few mfgrs that still make correct size replacements).....at least i have the stock size forgoing the manufacturer.For safety sake I would not even entertain "used" tires off e-bay or anywhere else...even if tread life may be acceptable ....what about dry-rot?

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

it doesn't seem "fair" that we can not possibly score a "100%" based on the fact that the OEM brand of tires for certain yrs and models literally does no longer exist?

I've yet to see a 100% car, and if anyone is close it's not tires keeping them from that score.
Many members have 2 sets of tires and wheels. One is for judgment day ( ) and one is for the street. Odds are that if you drive your car to a judging event the driving points will probably get close to offsetting the points lost for the tires.

I would not be surprised if the score sheets get tweaked to allow you points for the correct size even if it's not the correct brand. That would seem like a fair compromise for now, and allow you to keep condition points.
I'd contact your Team Leader and lobby for that as an option.

Patrick

[Don G.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

The judging standard often comes into question inferring that the standard should be adjusted based on parts availability. The NCRS philosophy is to maintain the judging standard but, recognizing there are no perfect cars, sets the Top Flight standard at 94% (97% for Mark of Excellence Award). So far, this standard appears to provide allowance for deductions that are unavoidable if the owner adequately prepares the car in those areas that are attainable.

[Terry M.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

I have the same question regarding NCRS top-flight judging.......it doesn't seem "fair" that we can not possibly score a "100%" based on the fact that the OEM brand of tires for certain yrs and models literally does no longer exsist....I personally ended up putting Kumro ecsta on my car..( one of the few mfgrs that still make correct size replacements).....at least i have the stock size forgoing the manufacturer.For safety sake I would not even entertain "used" tires off e-bay or anywhere else...even if tread life may be acceptable ....what about dry-rot?

Jeff the guys who own later C3 Corvettes that came with radial tires have been without a suitable tire for judging for almost a decade. Only within the last year has a reproduction radial become available for their application. Don't misunderstand me I am not saying that reproduction is a 100% tire, although it may be. I don't have sufficient knowledge of the details of that class to pass that judgement. This happened in spite of the reproduction tire manufacturers telling those owners for many years that they "would NEVER make a reproduction radial tire." There experience would indicate all you have to do to get a good reproduction tire for your Corvette is keep the car long enough -- oh, and you have to live long enough too.

What is it they say: "Live long and prosper."

[Jeff P.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

I've yet to see a 100% car, and if anyone is close it's not tires keeping them from that score.
Many members have 2 sets of tires and wheels. One is for judgment day ( ) and one is for the street. Odds are that if you drive your car to a judging event the driving points will probably get close to offsetting the points lost for the tires.

I would not be surprised if the score sheets get tweaked to allow you points for the correct size even if it's not the correct brand. That would seem like a fair compromise for now, and allow you to keep condition points.
I'd contact your Team Leader and lobby for that as an option.

Patrick

no I never have seen a 100 pt car either but the point i was trying to illustrate was that these cars START at less than perfect because of this problem......I wasn't implying mine was a 100 pt car just that it was "impossible" given the exsisting rules to achieve this

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

no I never have seen a 100 pt car either but the point i was trying to illustrate was that these cars START at less than perfect because of this problem......I wasn't implying mine was a 100 pt car just that it was "impossible" given the exsisting rules to achieve this

Again, it's still not impossible with the current rules. It may not be possible with the current rules and new tires, but it is definitely possible with the current rules.

And yes, I'm one of those with an original low mile set of 1972 tires in my garage that I use for judging.

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

I need new tires for my '86 Coupe. I prefer keeping it stock with the 16 inch wheels it came with. I am having difficulty finding replacements (255/50 R16). None of the tire companies seem to stock it anymore. I can't believe I'm the only C4 owner having this problem. When it comes to judging, is NCRS ready to accept different sizes or wheels without point deductions? What shall I do?

Art------


Tire availability for older model Corvettes (and other cars, as well) has always been a problem. When demand for a certain size drops below a certain level, the major manufacturers discontinue the size. This problem has only exacerbated as the range of tire sizes has virtually exploded over the last 30 years, or so, and the trend toward larger-and-larger wheel sizes has progressed.

Falken still manufactures a tire in your 255-50-16 tire size and with a "Z" speed rating. It's a decent tire and it's fairly economical, too. You may also be able to find a B. F. Goodrich g-Force Sport in your size. I think it's been discontinued but there should be some still "around".

Other than the above, about your only option is to find another 16" tire size that will give you about the same OD and section width as the 255-50-16.

[Walter G.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

I'm original owner of my '84 with the "one year recessed letter" Gatorbacks. I bought one of the last remaining sets from Goodyear in the late eighties and have them on a second set of wheels for shows. When my car was to be a participant in the NCM/GM Motorama II in 2008 I didn't want to drive the 3,000+ miles on my 20 year old original tires, which I had as well. The closest I could find at the time, through Discount Tire, was BF Goodrich TA's. They were the correct size-not sure if still available. It did surprise me that Goodyear, the OEM supplier for the '84-'88 16" wheel size tires, did not even make a replacement-even if sidewall appearance, etc. would be different. There were a LOT of these cars built and I doubt all current owners have changed to 17+ size wheels. I share your frustration.

[Patrick N.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

Art, same problem with my 88- if they are for judging only, you may try calling Contemporary Corvette- they have tons of C4's and may have a car with a set they can pull? May be worth a try.

[Art B.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

Joe: I have never met you personally but you have helped me with good information in the past regarding my two C1s. Yes, Falken had the tires I needed for the '86 and they are shipping them out from Ohio today. I am sure there are other early C4 owners who will be delighted that they can still get these tires.
Thanks much

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Tire availability

Joe: I have never met you personally but you have helped me with good information in the past regarding my two C1s. Yes, Falken had the tires I needed for the '86 and they are shipping them out from Ohio today. I am sure there are other early C4 owners who will be delighted that they can still get these tires.
Thanks much

Art------


I've never personally used Falken tires but I would not be at all hesitant to do so. Falken is a brand "on the rise", and I've heard some good reports regarding their tires. Beyond that, they are an excellent value especially, in this case, for a "Z" rated tire. For street use, I think you will be happy with them.