My first post to this forum(after following new member rules).
I need some help to find new original tires for my 1982 GSL. Spent the summer getting it back on the road after many years in storage. One of the next items on my list is to replace tires. I have Goodyear Eagle GT on now, but want restore the car to original tires. I have checked many sites including tire rack and most recently Coker. Any suggestions?

 

If I understand correctly you want to find out what brand tires the car came with originally? Generally speaking, the same type of new cars can come with tires from different manufacturers as the manufacturer may buy from one source and then at some point in the production switch to a different supplier. So, there may or may not be just one answer.

A lot, maybe all?, 2nd gen cars came with Bridgestone Potenzas and that tire I think was around at that time so that is a possibility. If it is still in production today.

You could look on Ebay, there are people that have for sale original new car brochures, owners manuals, etc. Often the tire info is in a small separate brochure. Maybe someone on ebay has a full set of new car documentation for your FB. That's the best I can come up with to try.

 

.. let me get this straight...your trying to buy a tire that doesn't exist anymore in a size that is impossible to find in a new tire.

good luck to you sir. i was naive once and thought it was possible unless you just want to spend more than what your car is worth in some vintage tires i wouldn't suggest this. and IF you find some they would probably be rotten to pieces.

been there.. done that.. GL BTW mies also has good eagle GT's on it. maybe they were stock.. idk

 

Thanks for the suggestions I will continue my search. I believe that there must be someone who has faced the same dilemma in trying to restore their vehicle. As with most restorations, the devil in in the details. I will continue to look for all options to find replacement tires for my car. It is certainly worth the effort.

 

i wonder if you check some original pictures from the manufacturer, there might be some close ups and you might be able to read off the tire.

 

last i heard of this was that Bridgestone no longer makes them.

 

Maybe not... I was basing my belief only the fact that they came on some of the 350Zs.

 

To many years since I bought my 81 new. It was an 'S' model, which came with steel wheels. Some other members here will know for sure, but I think mine would have been something like 195s. Your GSL would probably have been something like 205s. IIRC both would have been Bridgestone.
Have you checked the owner's manuals? Otherwise you might write MAZDA for archival info.

I'm actually glad to see someone taking restoration of these cars seriously. In most States they now qualify as an "antique" and IMO deserve that kind of attention. Hopefully before I'm too old to get in and out of my FD, Japanese sports cars will attain the collectibility that the Euro cars have enjoyed so long. It will be a long shot, but good luck to the OP...really.

 

According to my dealer / factory brochure for '82 the "standard"/OEM tires are as follows;
S Model: 165HR13 Blackwall steel radials
GS: 185/70HR13 Blackwall steel radials (also optional for S models)
GSL: 185/70HR13 raised white letter (Bridgestones)

 

^ this.

and like i said, i don't think Bridgestone makes them any more.

 

Thanks Everyone for the information, looking into your suggestions on replacement tires.