Anyone who has looked for a performance tire in a size that may have been available when our cars were new, has undoubtedly noticed a smattering of all-seasons, vintage replicas, drag radials and...well, pretty much BFG Radial T/As and Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST. There are a few other stragglers (like Cooper Cobras (?) that are seemingly just ignored as being even less capable.
15+/- years ago, it seems like there were many more choices for performance tires. For example, I remember being so thrilled with my Dunlop GT Qualifier tires (which were a monumental upgrade from the generic 165/70/14(??) that were on the car when I got it). I remember guys running Goodyear Gatorback tires...etc.
Somehow, the BFG Radial T/A is the go-to tire in this class of tire these days and they aren't particularly high-performance tires despite the raised white letters and "Trans Am" implication in the name. Hard compound, squirmy tread blocks, soft sidewalls... By today's standards, their performance would rank somewhere near the average SUV's space saver spare tire. Some say that the M/Ts are a little bit better but undoubtedly, they are very similar. One look at the disappointingly rain-capable tread pattern on these tires tells you what you need to know....these are not serious high performance rubber.
Why did these hang on? Did we end up with the BEST tire of the type? Were others better? Which tires do you remember?
Obviously, the 15" 26" (+/-) outer diameter tire market is small....What are the odds that any company will ever make anything better?
15+/- years ago, it seems like there were many more choices for performance tires. For example, I remember being so thrilled with my Dunlop GT Qualifier tires (which were a monumental upgrade from the generic 165/70/14(??) that were on the car when I got it). I remember guys running Goodyear Gatorback tires...etc.
Somehow, the BFG Radial T/A is the go-to tire in this class of tire these days and they aren't particularly high-performance tires despite the raised white letters and "Trans Am" implication in the name. Hard compound, squirmy tread blocks, soft sidewalls... By today's standards, their performance would rank somewhere near the average SUV's space saver spare tire. Some say that the M/Ts are a little bit better but undoubtedly, they are very similar. One look at the disappointingly rain-capable tread pattern on these tires tells you what you need to know....these are not serious high performance rubber.
Why did these hang on? Did we end up with the BEST tire of the type? Were others better? Which tires do you remember?
Obviously, the 15" 26" (+/-) outer diameter tire market is small....What are the odds that any company will ever make anything better?
