Aston Martin V8 Tires
Aston Martin V8 represents the hand-built British grand touring tradition at the end of the 1970s, pairing large-displacement performance with the long, muscular proportions that define the model. The 1979 Aston Martin V8 sits in an era when powerful road cars increasingly relied on lower-profile radial tires, but period appearance and handling character still depended heavily on choosing the right size. Tire selection is not completely straightforward here because one model year carries three different listed sizes rather than a single universal fitment. Anyone selecting tires for an Aston Martin V8 should start by confirming the exact wheel width, the existing tire size, and the intended look and driving character before choosing.
Aston Martin V8 Tire Size Guide
Aston Martin V8 uses 3 distinct tire sizes across the 1979 model year. All three are modern metric radial sizes built for 15-inch wheels, so the main question is not wheel diameter change but which width and profile best match the specific wheel and configuration. Because all three sizes appear in the same year, buyers should treat the year alone as a starting point and then verify the actual wheel and tire combination on the car.
225/70R15 applies to 1979 Aston Martin V8 models using the narrowest of the listed 15-inch tire options. The code indicates a 225 mm section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car is already set up for 225/70R15 or when a more restrained period radial look is the goal, and compare the wheel width on the car against the listed product rim-width ranges.
235/70R15 also fits 1979 Aston Martin V8 models and sits between the other listed sizes in section width. The code indicates a 235 mm section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car carries the mid-width setup, and pay close attention to sidewall style and rim-width compatibility because this size appears in several blackwall, whitewall, and redline variations.
255/60R15 fits 1979 Aston Martin V8 models equipped with the widest listed 15-inch tire option. The code indicates a 255 mm section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only when the car is already set up for the wider, lower-profile combination, since its broader section and shorter sidewall create a different stance than the 70-series sizes.
Because 1979 lists three sizes, buyers should identify the specific wheel and configuration on the car rather than relying on the model year alone.
Aston Martin V8 Tires by Year
The year listing below shows which tire sizes are associated with each Aston Martin V8 year and helps narrow the choices before you compare wheel and sidewall details. In 1979, more than two sizes are listed, so the split should be treated as a configuration or wheel-width difference rather than a year-to-year change. Every listed size uses a 15-inch rim, making the key job to match the exact size already fitted to the car or supported by its wheel setup.
1979 Aston Martin V8
- 225/70R15
- 235/70R15
- 255/60R15
Best Aston Martin V8 Tires for Sale
Available Aston Martin V8 tires span 4 brands and 23 products across 225/70R15, 235/70R15, and 255/60R15. Confirm the exact size on the car and the 15-inch rim diameter before selecting, especially where sidewall style and section width affect the final appearance.
225/70R15 Products
These are the available products for 225/70R15.
235/70R15 Products
These are the available products for 235/70R15.
255/60R15 Products
These are the available products for 255/60R15.
Frequently Asked Questions
These Aston Martin V8 FAQs focus on sorting out the three different 1979 sizes, understanding metric radial sizing, and choosing among the available brands, sidewall styles, and period-style product lines for a late-1970s grand touring car.
Size Basics & Fitment
Aston Martin V8 uses three listed tire sizes for 1979: 225/70R15, 235/70R15, and 255/60R15. All three are radial sizes built for 15-inch rims, but they differ in section width and sidewall profile. The 225 and 235 sizes use a 70-series profile, while the 255 size uses a lower 60-series profile, which changes the tire's visual proportion and stance on the car.
The practical way to choose among them is to start with the size already fitted to the car, then confirm the wheel width against the recommended rim-width ranges for the products in that size. A 1979 Aston Martin V8 should not be assumed to use one universal size simply because the year is the same. Matching the tire to the actual wheel setup will do more for proper appearance and drivability than choosing by year alone.
A 1979 Aston Martin V8 has 225/70R15, 235/70R15, and 255/60R15 listed because more than one wheel-and-tire configuration was in use within that model year. The split is not a rim-diameter change, since all three sizes fit 15-inch wheels. What changes is the section width and, in the case of 255/60R15, the sidewall profile as well.
That means the exact car in your garage matters more than the calendar year. Check the sidewall on the existing tire, measure or confirm the wheel width, and compare the car's visual stance if originality is important. If the car is under restoration, period photos, past service records, and marque-specific references can help determine whether the narrower, mid-width, or widest 15-inch setup is the right direction.
On an Aston Martin V8, 225/70R15 is a metric radial size. The 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it a relatively tall-sidewall 15-inch radial compared with the lower-profile 255/60R15 option also listed for 1979.
Understanding that code helps you compare the three listed sizes in a meaningful way. The 225/70R15 generally reads as the most conservative of the listed options in width, so it may suit cars where wheel clearance, traditional proportions, or an existing narrower wheel are part of the setup. It is still important to compare the wheel on the car to the acceptable rim-width range for the tire you select.
The listed Aston Martin V8 tire sizes for 1979 all use a 15-inch rim diameter. That includes 225/70R15, 235/70R15, and 255/60R15, with the final number in each size code identifying the wheel diameter. There is no year-to-year wheel diameter change within the listed range for this model page.
Even with a consistent 15-inch wheel diameter, width still matters because the product range spans different recommended rim-width windows. Some 225/70R15 tires are suited to narrower 15-inch wheels than the wider 255/60R15 options, and that can affect sidewall shape as well as clearance. Confirming both diameter and width on the actual wheel is the cleanest way to avoid choosing the wrong tire for the car's setup.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1979 Aston Martin V8 can use 225/70R15, 235/70R15, or 255/60R15, so the correct choice starts with the car itself rather than the model year alone. Read the existing tire size, confirm the wheel diameter is 15 inches, and compare the wheel width to the acceptable rim-width range of the tire you are considering. Those three checks usually separate the correct fitment from a size that only appears close on paper.
Once basic fit is confirmed, the next decision is visual and functional. A narrower 70-series tire gives a different appearance than the wider 255/60R15, and sidewall style can push the look toward blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised-letter presentation. If the car is being restored, compare old photos and service history so the tire supports the period character you want rather than just filling the wheel opening.
Aston Martin V8 tires in the listed sizes are available in several sidewall styles, including Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, Wide Whitewall, Pin-White-Stripe, Redline, RWL, and OWL. Those options vary by size and series, with blackwall and raised white letter treatments appearing across multiple radial lines, while whitewall and redline versions are also available in selected BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings. The sidewall choice changes the personality of the car as much as the tread itself.
For a late-1970s Aston Martin V8, blackwall usually preserves the most understated grand touring look, while raised white letters or outlined white letters create a stronger period performance feel. Whitewall and redline options are more specialized visual choices and may suit a custom presentation better than a factory-style one. Pick the sidewall after the size is confirmed, not before, because not every style appears in every listed size.
The listed Aston Martin V8 tire options come from Goodyear, Cooper, Michelin, Avon, Maxxis, and BFGoodrich. Those brands appear across the three sizes with a mix of period-style performance radials, touring-oriented radials, and specialty collector sidewall treatments. Brand choice therefore involves more than name recognition, because each line brings its own appearance and intended character.
The best way to narrow the field is to decide what matters most on your Aston Martin V8: a more restrained European-style blackwall, a muscle-era raised-letter look, or a whitewall or redline presentation that changes the car's visual emphasis. After that, compare the tire's size, sidewall style, and recommended rim-width range against the wheel on the car. That process usually leads to a more satisfying choice than selecting by brand alone.
Aston Martin V8 tire options include series such as Goodyear Polysteel, Cobra Radial G/T, Michelin XWX, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, Turbosteel 70 CR11B, Michelin XVS, Classic Whitewall MA-1, Customgard Flexten, and Eagle GT. All are radial tires in the listed range, but they differ in period character, sidewall treatment, and overall presentation. Some lean toward raised-letter performance styling, others toward blackwall European touring appearance, and others toward whitewall collector use.
That matters because the right series for an Aston Martin V8 depends on what you want the car to say visually and how closely you want to echo late-1970s road manners. A blackwall Michelin or Avon line gives a very different impression from a Goodyear or BFGoodrich raised-letter tire, even when the size is correct. Once the proper size is settled, choose the series that best matches the car's intended restoration style or driving personality.
Maintenance & Longevity
An Aston Martin V8 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and prolonged contact with petroleum products or solvents. Clean the tires gently, keep them properly inflated for storage, and avoid leaving the car on a damp floor for extended periods. If the car sits for long stretches, moving it occasionally helps prevent flat spotting on radial tires.
Long-term collector storage is often harder on tires than regular moderate use. If the car will be parked for months, consider using tire cradles or slightly increasing movement intervals so the same section of tread is not constantly bearing weight. The goal is to preserve both the carcass and the visible sidewall finish, especially on whitewall, redline, or raised-letter tires where appearance is part of the reason for choosing them.
Tires on an Aston Martin V8 should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly several times خلال the year, even if the car sees limited mileage. Look for cracks, bulges, tread separation, irregular wear, embedded debris, and changes in air pressure. Collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than by tread wear alone.
A careful inspection routine is especially important when the car is driven infrequently and then asked to run at highway speeds after sitting. Check sidewalls inside and out, verify valve stems are sound, and pay attention to any vibration or pull that appears once the car is underway. Small signs of deterioration are easier to address in the garage than after the tire has been heat-cycled on the road.
Aston Martin V8 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, sidewall damage, impact damage, vibration, or structural deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires can look presentable long after the rubber and internal construction have begun to age out. Tread depth alone is not an adequate measure of serviceability on a low-mileage grand touring car.
The practical rule is to judge the tire as a whole rather than by appearance from a few feet away. If the car has been stored for long periods, has unknown tire age, or develops ride or balance issues, replacement should move to the front of the list. Regular inspection by a knowledgeable vintage-tire professional is a sensible habit, particularly on a powerful car whose performance can quickly expose an aging tire.
Restoration & Authenticity
Aston Martin V8 is listed here with 225/70R15, 235/70R15, and 255/60R15 radial sizes for 1979, along with several radial product series including Michelin, Avon, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Maxxis offerings. That establishes the size and construction landscape for the model year but not one single universal original-equipment tire for every car. Within that range, blackwall touring radials and performance-oriented raised-letter radials both appear.
For restoration work, originality should be settled by the individual car's history rather than by size alone. Surviving delivery photos, old invoices, owner records, and marque-club references are the best way to determine whether your Aston Martin V8 carried a more understated European-style tire or a different period presentation. Once you know the intended look, the available radial series make it easier to recreate that character convincingly.
Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Aston Martin V8 is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Size, sidewall style, and overall proportion all influence whether the car presents as authentically late-1970s or merely fitted with something convenient. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, an overly wide or visually out-of-period tire can alter the car's stance enough to stand out.
That does not mean every owner needs the same tire, but it does mean the choice should match the restoration goal. A concours-minded car benefits from marque-specific research and close attention to photos and historical references, while a touring car may prioritize road manners within the correct size family. The more valuable and original the car, the more important it becomes to treat tire choice as part of the restoration rather than an afterthought.
Aston Martin V8 tires are available here in Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, Wide Whitewall, Pin-White-Stripe, Redline, RWL, and OWL forms, but those styles do not carry equal restoration weight. On a late-1970s British grand tourer, blackwall is typically the most restrained and natural-looking choice, while raised white letter and outlined white letter designs create a more assertive period performance image. Whitewall and redline choices are available but usually shift the presentation away from a conservative factory-style appearance.
The right answer depends on what kind of restoration you are pursuing. If the car is meant to echo showroom character, compare archival photos and any surviving evidence from the individual car before choosing a sidewall style. If the goal is period-custom or period-performance flavor, an RWL or OWL tire may be appropriate, but that is a styling decision as much as a fitment one.
Safety & Road Use
The listed Aston Martin V8 tires are modern radial products in the correct 15-inch size family for this model page, so they are intended for real road use when properly matched to the wheel and maintained in sound condition. Safety depends on choosing the right size, keeping inflation appropriate, and making sure the tire is not aged, damaged, or mismatched to the wheel width. Even a correct-size tire can be a poor road tire if it is mounted on the wrong wheel or has deteriorated with age.
Before regular public-road use, check the whole system rather than the tire alone. Wheel condition, suspension health, alignment, and brake function all shape how safely a powerful grand touring car behaves at speed. The Aston Martin V8 has enough performance that tire quality and correct fitment matter immediately, so the safest approach is to treat tires as one part of a broader roadworthiness check.
Before driving an Aston Martin V8, inspect tire pressures, sidewalls, tread condition, valve stems, and the age and overall condition of the tires. Confirm that all four tires are the intended size, that there is no visible cracking or bulging, and that the wheel nuts and wheels themselves are in proper condition. A short visual walk-around can catch many of the issues that make a collector car feel unstable or unsafe once underway.
After the tire check, pay attention to the first few miles. Any pull, vibration, steering shake, or thump that does not clear as the car rolls may point to flat spotting, imbalance, internal tire issues, or chassis problems. Because 1979 Aston Martin V8 models can appear with more than one listed tire size, it is also wise to confirm that the front and rear setup on the car is intentional rather than the result of mixed replacement history.
Aston Martin V8 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the actual tire fitted, its age, its condition, and the broader mechanical state of the car. The listed product range includes modern radial designs, but no collector car should be driven to its potential simply because the size is correct on paper. Tire age, storage history, alignment, and wheel condition all matter as much as nominal size when deciding how hard to use the car.
The sensible approach is to build speed gradually and judge the car's stability, braking feel, and steering response in real conditions. A fresh, correctly fitted radial in proper condition is very different from an older tire of unknown age, even if both carry the same sidewall markings. With a high-performance 1979 grand tourer, restraint and mechanical sympathy are part of safe operation, especially after periods of storage.