Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Reichert · 02-20-2018

I'm taking possession of a very low mileage 1990 ZR1 this week. The car has basically lived indoors most of it's life, and has the original gatorback tires on it. While they appear pristine with very little tread wear, I don't want to drive the car at highway speeds for an extended period of time on tires that old. Accordingly I intend to replace them right away because I actually want to drive this car on a more or less daily basis.

So my question is, do the original tires have collector value? Should I keep them and stow them away somewhere, or try to sell them?

Thanks in advance .. and of course I'll post more pics of the car to the appropriate forum when I finally get it home.

1990 Corvette ZR-1 front-left wheel and tire

TX '90 ZR1 · 02-20-2018

By all means do not dispose of the original tires. The same goes for any original parts removed.
Store the tires in a DARK (put them in a trash bag) area or notify some of the guys here you have them for sale if you don't want to keep them.
You are wise not to trust tires of this age for use. However, for showing and display purposes they are irreplaceable.

32valvesftw · 02-21-2018

Welcome Texas Member, glad to have you here. Save them don't drive on them.

efnfast · 02-21-2018

When you have the tires changed, make sure the guys are aware of the pressure sensors on bands in the tire. they all say they know, none of them do.
Also, keep the old valve stems, the tire shop will replace them. They are of value for NCRS, just like the tires.
Originality is key to value when these cars finally come of their own

KILLSHOTS · 02-21-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reichert

I'm taking possession of a very low mileage 1990 ZR1 this week. The car has basically lived indoors most of it's life, and has the original gatorback tires on it. While they appear pristine with very little tread wear, I don't want to drive the car at highway speeds for an extended period of time on tires that old. Accordingly I intend to replace them right away because I actually want to drive this car on a more or less daily basis.

So my question is, do the original tires have collector value? Should I keep them and stow them away somewhere, or try to sell them?

Thanks in advance .. and of course I'll post more pics of the car to the appropriate forum when I finally get it home.

1990 Corvette ZR-1 front-left wheel and tire

Your pic appears to be of a Goodyear F1. If I'm seeing this correctly, that is not the original tire and there is no issue, as far as originality is concerned. Good luck with the new car!

Reichert · 02-21-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLSHOTS

Your pic appears to be of a Goodyear F1. If I'm seeing this correctly, that is not the original tire and there is no issue, as far as originality is concerned. Good luck with the new car!

Oh! you are right. They are Eagle F1 Supercar .. so maybe they're fine then? The seller's rep couldn't find the DOT # on the tires. There's not enough detail in the photo for me to read the small lettering.

Ccmano · 02-21-2018

Eagle F1 Supercar by Goodyear is the current generation. Still check for the date codes on the back of the tires. Anything older than 6 years is suspect. What size are the rears? I don’t recall them making a 315/35/17. I could be wrong.

Btw, welcome to the club. Introduce yourself and your car over in the General Postings or Member Rides sections.
H

KILLSHOTS · 02-21-2018

I could be wrong on this again due to the size of the pic, but those do appear to be the older Eagle F1 generation, not the current F1 GS-D3. In that case, they're likely at least 10 years old.

KILLSHOTS · 02-21-2018

This is the one that I suspect is on the car. I know they made 275s and I think they made 315s for a short time, as well.

Reichert · 02-21-2018

Mystery solved! The seller's rep finally found the DOT # (on the inside sidewall), and confirmed that the tires were manufactured in 2001. So I will proceed with replacing them, and make sure they hang on to any OEM pieces like valve stems that still might be in use.

Thanks for all the excellent responses, and for the warm welcomes - I'll definitely do a more formal intro in the appropriate forum this weekend after I take delivery of the car.

02-20-2018	#1
Reichert Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 104	Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? I'm taking possession of a very low mileage 1990 ZR1 this week. The car has basically lived indoors most of it's life, and has the original gatorback tires on it. While they appear pristine with very little tread wear, I don't want to drive the car at highway speeds for an extended period of time on tires that old. Accordingly I intend to replace them right away because I actually want to drive this car on a more or less daily basis. So my question is, do the original tires have collector value? Should I keep them and stow them away somewhere, or try to sell them? Thanks in advance .. and of course I'll post more pics of the car to the appropriate forum when I finally get it home. 1990 Corvette ZR-1 front-left wheel and tire Last edited by Reichert; 02-20-2018 at 11:43 PM.

02-20-2018	#2
TX '90 ZR1 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: TX Posts: 2,077	Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? By all means do not dispose of the original tires. The same goes for any original parts removed. Store the tires in a DARK (put them in a trash bag) area or notify some of the guys here you have them for sale if you don't want to keep them. You are wise not to trust tires of this age for use. However, for showing and display purposes they are irreplaceable. __________________ Kenny 1990 #442

02-21-2018	#3
32valvesftw Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 529	Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? Welcome Texas Member, glad to have you here. Save them don't drive on them.

02-21-2018	#4
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,591	Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? When you have the tires changed, make sure the guys are aware of the pressure sensors on bands in the tire. they all say they know, none of them do. Also, keep the old valve stems, the tire shop will replace them. They are of value for NCRS, just like the tires. Originality is key to value when these cars finally come of their own

02-21-2018	#7
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,843	Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? Eagle F1 Supercar by Goodyear is the current generation. Still check for the date codes on the back of the tires. Anything older than 6 years is suspect. What size are the rears? I don’t recall them making a 315/35/17. I could be wrong. Btw, welcome to the club. Introduce yourself and your car over in the General Postings or Member Rides sections. H Last edited by Ccmano; 02-21-2018 at 10:59 AM.

02-21-2018	#8
KILLSHOTS Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: AZ Posts: 857	Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires? I could be wrong on this again due to the size of the pic, but those do appear to be the older Eagle F1 generation, not the current F1 GS-D3. In that case, they're likely at least 10 years old.