I recently found out that Goodyear is reproducing the 'Polysteel' tire that I think was used on the '78 - '81 (or perhaps '79 - '81) Z28's. I think many '78's came with Uniroyals if I recall correctly. Similar to the biasply muscle car tires of the '60's and early '70's, I think they're made via original molds with modern rubber compounds. They're not cheap, at about $300 per tire.

Does anyone know if they are remaking the Steelgard version? I think this tire type was unique to just the '77 Z28.

For me, having the correct tires on cars just completes that original look. I currently have Goodyear Eagle ST's (yes ST's, from the 80's) and they're beginning to show their age.

Would love if someone has real good detailed tire information on the various brands and types of tires offered for the Z during the late 70's and early 80's, in addition to if they are remaking the Steelgard tires.

Thanks

I highly doubt Goodyear would be making them. I't simply the law of supply and demand. Not a lot of cars used them so it wouldn't be worth it to them to reproduce them. I'm thinking Coker or one of the other tire re-producers would be the ones to do it. But again, limited number of vehicles that would have used them back then. Would be nice. Mine have flat spots and don't make for a very smooth ride...

Are you sure it is safe to be running around on a 30 year old tire?

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to replace tires every 6-8 years or every 30,000-50,000 miles, depending on the tire. (And you rotate them about every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, I believe.) Someone else may have more information on that, but that is the rule of thumb we have always followed amongst my friends and family.

Flat spots are also an indication that the tire needs to be replaced (as in, soon!).

Most of us use BF Goodrich Radial T/As to retain the raised white letters of the stock look. There is a repop Goodyear tire (http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198167), but it is available only in certain sizes. A member here can help you get discounts if they have the size you need.

A lot of classic car enthusiasts do very dangerous things with old tires...

Agreed, I wouldn't take the risk of driving on tires 35+ years old especially with flat spots. Unless it's a very short drive to a local car show etc.

The early Goodyear Steelgards and Polysteel tires were notorious for tread separation back in the day. And that was when they were new.

Given Goodyear will most likely not repop the Steelgard, as it was used for quite possibly only one year on the '77Z28 and the Corvette, and I'd rather not spend the extra money getting their Polysteel version that isn't correct for a '77, looks like I'll go with Goodyear's current Eagle GT II tire. Much cheaper too.

I'd go with the tried and true BF Goodrich Radial T/A, but I prefer the look of the Goodyear lettering. Looks more original.

Well huh. I thought the Eagle GT II didnt have raised letters... apparently some versions do and some dont.

This one (http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=160156) definitely does. I have to admit, I like the way that looks. It's 20 bucks cheaper than the BFG. Hmmm

That's the tire! Looks the closest to the Eagle ST's that I have on te car now, so I'll probably go with them.

I think the Goodyear lettering looks better than the BFG letter.

Pic of my car with the Eagle ST's.

My 1978 Z28 came with Goodyear Steelgard tires and the 1978 Camaro brochure shows the Goodyear Steelgard on the Z28 in the pics in size GR70-15, which I think is the same as 225-70-15. Hope this helps.

Thanks Z28SSRS. I wasn't sure about '78 if they had used them or had the new polysteel tire. Looks like that tire started in '79.

The ploysteels look good, but since they weren't around until '79, I'm not paying the premium price to put them on the wrong year Z28.

One place you can find Goodyear Steelgards is on one of the C3 corvette sites. The 225/70/15 Goodyear Steelgard was used on 73-77 corvettes, including the spare tire. A friend of mine found a set of four for sale that still had the tits on the tread and bought them several years ago from a corvette site for his 77Z.

Great news about the original equipment tires for the 77 Z28. The Goodyear Steelgard white letter tire is now being reproduced!! Here is a link if you want to take a look.

http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/preformancetires4.html

smallhurst, who is a member here, can get these tires for you and most likely for less than any distributor out there. I have purchased several sets of repro Goodyears from Rusty and highly recommend him. I just received a set of SteelGards from him for my '77 Z28. Call Rusty @ (816) 654-3400

For $350 apiece, they can keep them.

They're finally being reproduced !!!:) ...They're $350 EACH !!! :(

My Z's I ordered new showing Good-Year on my 77-78 Z28
http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/77_Lside.jpg

http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/78_Lside.jpg

Uniroyal on my 80 Z28
http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/80_RR.jpg

Contact me for pricing. I cannot publicize the price, but I can tell you that you will not find a cheaper price than mine. My cell is 816-654-3400.

Rusty

Contact me for pricing. I cannot publicize the price, but I can tell you that you will not find a cheaper price than mine. My cell is 816-654-3400.

Rusty


How about a hint? Are they less than $200.00 each?


Because that would be my breaking point.

More than $200. Call me if you want more specifics. Polyglas are more than $200 and they don't go through the testing that the radials do. My number is 816-654-3400.

Just for reference, does anyone know what the cost is currently for a Goodyear Eagle GT II white letter tire?

Somewhat hard to find them on any Goodyear website for some reason, at least for me anyway. To me, these are the closet thing in current production form that look similar to the originals or similar to what came right after the originals which I believe was the Goodyear Eagle ST's.

I currently have the ST's on my '77, been on the car since the original steelgards were replaced back in the late 80's.

I believe that most if not all of the Goodyear GT II production has been discontinued.

Contact me for the best price you will find anywhere on any of the Goodyear reproduction tires.

I looked the other day. I see no RWL passenger tires on the GY site anymore. They appear to be out of the business of RWL/OWL tires.

Uh oh, looks like my next set of tires for the '77 Z28 might just be the newly reproduced steelgards - If in fact GY is no longer producing any rear wheel drive white lettered tires.

I just can't bring myself to put BF Goodrich radial T/A's on the car. Don't get me wrong, those are nice tires, but the tires just need that famillar Goodyear lettering to look like they belong.

I know - coo coo..........

Just for reference, I have three of these tires that I pull off of my 77 Z. There burried in the garage. I just couldnt throw them away. All still hold air and have tread on them. The car had 33,000 miles on it.

http://s1140.beta.photobucket.com/user/nasty77z28/media/c1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=66#/user/nasty77z28/media/c1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=66&_suid=135842562134106526764746385694

My Z's I ordered new showing Good-Year on my 77-78 Z28
http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/77_Lside.jpg

http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/78_Lside.jpg

Uniroyal on my 80 Z28
http://www.nastyz28.com/~copo/images/80_RR.jpg
My 79Z came with the Uniroyals. I still have the tires in my basement with about 28,000 miles on them. I replaced them a few years ago with Goodyear Eagle TG II's so that I could drive safely -I have about 2k miles on them....:bowtie:

I Finally got the Goodyear Steelgards that I bought from smallhurst a few months back on my '77 Z. They ride great ...... I got a great deal and fast shipping. John

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/71zz430/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8814_zpscc6971b9.jpg (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/71zz430/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8814_zpscc6971b9.jpg.html)

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/71zz430/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8139_zpsfe0f4ec5.jpg (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/71zz430/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8139_zpsfe0f4ec5.jpg.html)

Seems I saw pricing for them someplace. Around $270 per tire ? Can anyone confirm or deny ?

Seems I saw pricing for them someplace. Around $270 per tire ? Can anyone confirm or deny ?

Call Rusty (smallhurst) at the phone number listed on post #18. He's a dealer for alot of the reproduction tires. Don't know if price has fluctuated since I bought my SteelGards from him last year but your number seems pretty close. His price most likely is the best you'll find.

Nice, the tires look great, as does the car. Now I know exactly (and I mean exactly) how they'll look on my '77 :-)