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.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4617/...d80d9c5c_m.jpg1990 Corvette ZR-1 front-left wheel and tire
https://flic.kr/p/23bbct6

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.

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.

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

Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires?
 

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!

Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires?
 

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.

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
:cheers:

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.

Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires?
 

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/pr.../gdyhf3.xl.jpg


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.

Re: Purchasing low mileage '90 zr1, should I keep the tires?
 

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.