Chrysler LeBaron Tires

Chrysler LeBaron uses eight tire sizes across the 1978 to 1995 production run: FR78-15 for 1978 to 1979 on 15-inch rims, 195/75R15 and 205/75R15 for 1980 to 1981 on 15-inch rims, 185/70R14 for 1982 to 1988 on 14-inch rims, 195/70R14 for 1985 to 1994 on 14-inch rims, 185/75R14 for 1986 to 1987 on 14-inch rims, 205/60R15 for 1986 to 1995 on 15-inch rims, and 205/55R16 for 1989 to 1994 on 16-inch rims.

That range shows why the model name alone is not enough to choose tires for a Chrysler LeBaron. Start with the model year, then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car, because several years overlap between 14-inch and 15-inch fitments and later years can also add a 16-inch option.

FR78-15 is an older alphanumeric radial tire size used on 1978 and 1979 Chrysler LeBaron models. The F identifies the width and load class, the R indicates radial construction, the 78 is the aspect series, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. It is an earlier sizing convention that predates the metric format used on later LeBaron models.

Owners restoring an early Chrysler LeBaron should recognize that FR78-15 is not interchangeable by name with later metric sizes without careful dimensional comparison. The safest approach is to confirm the car still has its correct 15-inch wheels and then match the replacement tire to the original size format rather than choosing by appearance alone.

A 1986 Chrysler LeBaron can use 185/70R14, 195/70R14, 185/75R14, or 205/60R15, which means more than one wheel and tire package was offered within the same model year. The split includes both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters, not simply slight differences in section width. That makes 1986 one of the years where configuration matters just as much as the calendar year.

The practical takeaway is to inspect the wheel itself before choosing a tire. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, compare the tire already on the car, the wheel width if known, and any original vehicle paperwork so you can separate a factory-correct fitment from a later wheel swap.

Chrysler LeBaron uses 15-inch rims in 1978 through 1981, shifts to 14-inch fitments beginning in 1982, returns to 15-inch applications alongside 14-inch sizes from 1986 onward, and adds 16-inch fitments from 1989 through 1994. Across the full production span covered here, the three rim diameters are 14, 15, and 16 inches. Several later years overlap across more than one diameter.

That overlap makes the wheel itself the final authority. A buyer working from registration, title, or model name alone can easily end up in the wrong diameter, so the best first check is the stamp on the wheel or the full size molded into the existing tire sidewall.

A 1990 Chrysler LeBaron can use 195/70R14, 205/60R15, or 205/55R16, so the correct tire depends on the specific wheel package on the car. All three sizes are radial, but they fit different rim diameters and represent different overall fitment profiles. The size molded on the current tire and the wheel diameter are the quickest checks.

If the car has changed hands several times, do not assume the current wheels are original. Compare the existing size with period paperwork, service history, or marque references so you can decide whether you are preserving the car as equipped today or returning it to an earlier factory-style configuration.

Chrysler LeBaron tires in the listed sizes are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, goldline, and RWL sidewall styles. The availability depends on the specific size, with the earlier 15-inch and whitewall-oriented metric sizes showing the widest range of visual choices. Later 14-inch and 16-inch fitments lean more heavily toward blackwall, with some whitewall options still present in selected sizes.

The right sidewall style depends on how the Chrysler LeBaron is being presented. A formal or luxury-oriented restoration often looks most natural with a whitewall treatment, while later sportier configurations tend to suit blackwall or RWL styling better, especially on lower-profile 15-inch and 16-inch applications.

The available Chrysler LeBaron tire brands are Coker Classic, American Classic, BFGoodrich, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand coverage varies by size, so some Chrysler LeBaron fitments have many choices while others are represented by only one or two products. The broadest selection appears in several of the 15-inch metric sizes.

Brand choice usually comes down to the balance between appearance and driving style. Owners focused on a period American whitewall look may gravitate toward the classic-style lines, while those keeping a later Chrysler LeBaron on the road with more modern road manners may prioritize the blackwall or performance-oriented radial offerings.

Chrysler LeBaron tires are offered in a wide mix of series, including Star Series, American Classic Radial, Silvertown Radial, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, UN106, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, Michelin Primacy 3, Radial T/A, g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and Michelin SX MXX3 N2. Some emphasize period-correct whitewall appearance, while others are blackwall sport or touring radials aimed at later fitments. The differences are mainly visual style, intended driving character, and the size ranges they cover.

That means the right series for a Chrysler LeBaron depends on what version of the car you own and how you use it. An early whitewall-equipped car calls for a different look than a later LeBaron with a 16-inch performance fitment, even if both are using radial construction.

A Chrysler LeBaron should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and long exposure to heat. Keep the tires inflated to an appropriate operating pressure for the size fitted, and if the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally so one section of the tread does not carry the load continuously. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that can dry the rubber.

Collector cars last longer on their tires when storage conditions are stable and the vehicle is not left bearing weight in one position for months at a time. If the Chrysler LeBaron is a seasonal driver, a routine of inflation checks and periodic rolling can do a great deal to reduce flat spotting and cosmetic aging.

Tires on a Chrysler LeBaron should be inspected before road use and at regular intervals even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, impact damage, aging around the bead area, and any pressure loss that repeats. On a collector or low-mileage car, elapsed time can matter as much as mileage.

A practical routine is to inspect the Chrysler LeBaron every month during driving season and again before any longer trip or event. If the car has been parked for extended periods, the inspection should also include a check for flat spotting, changes in ride height, and any evidence that old wheels or valve stems are contributing to slow leakage.

Tires on a Chrysler LeBaron should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, vibration, or structural deterioration appear, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector cars often wear their tires out by time rather than by mileage, and a low-mileage sidewall can still be an old sidewall. Tread appearance alone is not a reliable measure of remaining service life.

The sensible approach is to treat calendar age and condition as seriously as tread wear. If a Chrysler LeBaron carries older specialty tires, especially after long storage, have them evaluated during routine service so replacement happens before the first highway run rather than after a problem develops.

Original Chrysler LeBaron fitment depends on the year and wheel package. The covered range includes an early alphanumeric radial size, FR78-15, followed by metric radial sizes such as 195/75R15 and 205/75R15, then later 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch metric radials. Whitewall and blackwall options both appear in the available replacements, reflecting the broad styling range of the LeBaron over its production span.

Because the Chrysler LeBaron changed so much over time, originality should be confirmed against factory literature, surviving examples, and marque references for the specific year and body style. That is especially important in overlapping years where multiple wheel diameters were used within the same model year.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Chrysler LeBaron is judged, and in some cases how it is valued, because tire diameter, profile, sidewall style, and overall stance are highly visible. A period-appropriate whitewall on one version of the Chrysler LeBaron can look just as correct as a later blackwall or RWL fitment on another, but the combination needs to match the era and configuration of the car.

Owners pursuing authenticity should think beyond basic rim diameter and pay attention to the visual character of the tire as well. Marque clubs, original brochures, and well-preserved reference cars are the best guides when trying to decide whether a particular Chrysler LeBaron should wear a whitewall, blackwall, or sport-oriented sidewall treatment.

The correct sidewall style for a Chrysler LeBaron restoration depends on the year and presentation of the car. Available choices include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, redline, goldline, and RWL, but not every style is offered in every size. Earlier and more formal Chrysler LeBaron applications often suit whitewall treatments, while later low-profile and performance-oriented fitments more naturally align with blackwall or RWL appearances.

Visual authenticity comes from matching the tire to the car’s era rather than choosing the most decorative option available. If the goal is judged restoration, compare wheel diameter, body style, trim level, and original promotional material so the sidewall style supports the character Chrysler intended for that specific LeBaron.

A Chrysler LeBaron can be driven on public roads when the tires fitted are the correct size for the wheel, are in sound condition, and are appropriate for the way the car is being used. The available Chrysler LeBaron offerings here are all radial tires, but they span everything from classic-style whitewalls to later blackwall and performance-oriented fitments. Safety depends on condition and fitment, not simply on whether the tire is new-looking.

Before regular road use, make sure the Chrysler LeBaron has matched tire sizes across the same axle, stable pressures, and no age-related defects. Cars that have sat for long periods should also be checked for brake drag, alignment issues, and wheel damage, since those problems can quickly spoil even a correctly chosen tire.

Before driving a Chrysler LeBaron, check cold tire pressures, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel security, valve stem condition, and whether all four tires match the intended fitment for the car. On years with multiple possible sizes, confirm that the tires correspond to the wheel diameter actually installed. Uneven wear or a pull under braking can point to chassis issues rather than a tire problem alone.

That quick inspection is especially important on a Chrysler LeBaron that sees occasional use. A few minutes spent checking tires and wheels before a drive can catch age cracking, low pressure, or a mixed-size setup that might otherwise go unnoticed until the car is at speed.

The appropriate speed for a Chrysler LeBaron depends on the exact tire fitted, the tire’s age and condition, and whether the car is using an earlier touring-style radial or a later performance-oriented fitment. A well-maintained Chrysler LeBaron on properly sized modern radials in good condition can be used more confidently than one riding on older or long-stored specialty tires. Speed should always be kept within the tire’s capability and the car’s mechanical condition.

For practical use, bring the Chrysler LeBaron up to speed gradually and pay attention to vibration, wandering, or heat buildup after storage. If the car has recently returned to the road after years of inactivity, treat the first drives as evaluation runs rather than immediate high-speed travel.