There’s A Mustang Shelby GT500 And C7 Z06 Tire Shortage

The past few weeks have been filled with news regarding the semiconductor chip shortage, supplier issues, and production delays due to a number of factors, specifically pandemic-related issues and harsh winter weather. This will all eventually be resolved but we’ll have to live with the frustration for now. And it appears buyers and existing owners of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 are now directly affected as well.

GM Authority and Ford Authority did a little digging following suspicions of a performance tire shortage. And, sure enough, there is one. The Mustang Shelby GT500 requires a 305/30R20 front tire and 315/30R20 rear tire, which are made by more than one tire manufacturer.

However, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Pirelli P Zero, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R are all currently in limited stock. It’s unknown at the moment whether this shortage will affect production.

As for the C7, well, this shortage actually affects the Z06, Grand Sport, and ZR-1. The regular C7 Stingray’s tire supply appears to remain solid, for now. But the issue is the C7 high-performance versions, all of which utilize 335-25-20 rear rubber. This is not exactly the most common tire size out there, so it’s not completely unexpected manufacturers are more motivated to replenish stocks of more popular tires.

The only rear tire currently available for those niche C7s is the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+. Bridgestone and Continental also normally make them but not at the moment. “The issues are related to our spring shutdowns and higher than expected demand in the fall,” a Continental Tire spokesperson confirmed.

As with all other production and shipping problems these days, this will also eventually be sorted but these owners should at least be made aware of the current shortage. With a good portion of the US now engulfed in Arctic-like freezing temperatures and plenty of snow, chances are Mustang Shelby GT500 and Corvette owners have opted to garage their vehicles for the time being.