Last month, High Performance Pontiac brought you our 2012 Wheel Guide, which introduced some of the best aftermarket custom and factory-style reproduction wheels you can bolt up to your classic or late-model Pontiac. This month, we bring you our choice of tires to consider when getting ready to shod those wheels or replace the existing rubber on your Pontiac.
Whether your goal is to give your vintage Pontiac a modern ride with a retro look, go 100-percent retro for a stock appearance, or take advantage of the latest in tire technology for touring comfort or race results with your classic or late-model Pontiac, you’ll find plenty of tires here to choose from.
Tire Name: BFGood-rich Silvertown Radial
Description: These tires give your musclecar the classic look, but provide improved handling capabilities and a smoother ride. According to the company, “You won’t find a more authentic redline radial tire on the market.”
Features: The redline is built into the tire’s original mold, making it a true redline tire from day one of manufacturing; an all-season tread design is great for wet or dry performance.
Fitments: Sizes range from 205/70R14 to 215/65R16
Prices: $209 to $290 (each)
Tire Name: Firestone Wide Oval
Description: The Firestone Wide Oval is built in refurbished, original molds. It’s designed to grip better, corner easier, run cooler, and stop quicker than competing bias-ply tires of its era. According to the company, “This is the most authentic musclecar tire on the market.”
Features: Bias-ply construction with poly/fiberglass-ply cord; Sup-R-Belt tread pattern; available with pinstripe whitewall, raised white letters, or redline.
Fitments: Sizes range from D70-14 to G70-15
Prices: $205 to $325 (each) (Note: Bias-ply tires are exempt from Uniform Tire Quality Guide ratings.)
| UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GUIDE |
| Speed/Tire Type |
Treadwear |
Traction |
Temp. |
| S-rated/radial |
540 |
B |
B |
Tire Name: Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Description: The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 with ActiveBraking Technology incorporates race-derived advancements for precise handling on both dry and wet roads.
Features: A new tread compound with motorsport resins provides superior grip levels, leading to enhanced dry handling and dry braking performance; a lightweight, racing-derived construction reduces the vehicle’s unsprung mass to enhance steering precision and handling; and a crossed-plies carcass structure contributes to torsional stiffness for steering precision, handling, and braking on dry road surfaces.
Fitments: Sizes range from 225/45R17 to 285/35ZR19
Prices: Approximately $144 to $283 (each)
| UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GUIDE |
| Speed/Tire Type |
Treadwear |
Traction |
Temp. |
| Y-rated/radial |
300 |
AA |
A |
Tire Name: Grand Prix Performance G/T
Description: The Grand Prix Performance G/T is designed for value-oriented hobbyists who desire a stylized white-letter appearance combined with good all-season performance capabilities
Features: Stylized outline white letters; long even treadwear; all-season traction capability, M&S rated; smooth quiet ride; responsive handling
Fitments: Sizes range from 215/70R14 to 295/50R15
Prices: Approximately $99 to $170 (each)
| UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GUIDE |
| Speed/Tire Type |
Treadwear |
Traction |
Temp. |
| S- and T-rated/radial |
440 |
A |
B |
Tire Name: Sumitomo HTR ZIII
Description: The HTRZ III is designed for late-model musclecars and offers performance across a range of conditions.
Features: Excellent summer performance with outstanding dry grip and handling; responsive cornering and straight-line stability; high-speed handling ability with traction on dry and wet roads; covered by Sumitomo’s “Life of the Original Tread” warranty.
Note: According to the manufacturer, the HTRZIII should not be driven through snow or ice, or when temperatures are below freezing.
Fitments: Sizes range from 235/55R17 to 295/25ZR22
Prices: Approximately $100 to $250 (each)
| UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GUIDE |
| Speed/Tire Type |
Treadwear |
Traction |
Temp. |
| Y-rated/radial |
300 |
A |
A |
Tire Name: Eldorado Legend GT
Description: An all-season tire that delivers superior handling on wet or dry pavement with the look and feel of a high-performance tire.
Features: Contemporary raised-white letters with stylized black lettering on the reverse side; performance all-season tread design; bold tread elements for improved cornering and handling.
Fitments: Sizes range from 215/70R14 to 295/50R15
Prices: Approximately $90 to $150 (each)
| UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GUIDE |
| Speed/Tire Type |
Treadwear |
Traction |
Temp. |
| S- and T-rated/radial |
440 |
A |
B |