Ford 500/Squire/GT Tires

The Ford 500/Squire/GT fitment shown here is HR78-14 for 1979. That is a period alphanumeric radial size, and the 14 at the end of the code indicates a 14-inch wheel diameter. No additional size is listed within this model group and year range.

That makes selection more straightforward than on many older applications, but originality still matters on a collector car. Check the sidewall of the existing tire, inspect the wheel itself, and confirm the car has not been changed to a different wheel size during its life before choosing a replacement.

HR78-14 is an alphanumeric radial tire size used widely in the late 1970s. The H identifies the tire's general size class, the R means radial construction, 78 refers to the period aspect-series convention, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On a Ford 500/Squire/GT, that code points to a 14-inch wheel application.

Modern buyers often compare this kind of size to later metric radials, but the safest approach is to start with the original-style designation used on the car. If you are restoring a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT, keeping the correct alphanumeric size helps preserve proper stance, appearance, and intended wheel compatibility.

The Ford 500/Squire/GT application listed here uses a 14-inch rim diameter. That measurement comes directly from the final number in the HR78-14 size code, which is the wheel diameter. No alternate rim diameter appears within this year and model group.

Even with a single listed rim size, it is still worth measuring or reading the wheel stamp on the actual car. Collector cars are often updated over time, and a wheel swap can leave the current tire size out of step with the original application even when the body and trim remain correct.

A 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT uses HR78-14 in the fitment covered here. Because only one size is associated with this year, the main task is confirming that the car still has its original wheel diameter and has not been altered to another setup. The wheel should be 14 inches in diameter to match the tire code.

Start by checking the current tire sidewall, then compare that with the wheel stamp or direct measurement of the wheel. If the car has been restored, modified, or handed down through several owners, verify the wheel and tire combination against the car itself rather than assuming the currently fitted tires are correct.

Made-to-order means a tire is produced as a specialty item rather than treated as a routine high-volume replacement. For a collector application like Ford 500/Squire/GT, that usually reflects the narrower demand for period-correct sizes and construction styles compared with modern passenger car tires.

The practical takeaway is that specialty collector tires should be chosen carefully, with attention to size code, wheel diameter, and the look you want on the finished car. When restoring or maintaining a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT, it is wise to settle the fitment details first so the tire chosen matches both the wheel and the character of the car.

Ford 500/Squire/GT uses a late-1970s alphanumeric radial size, so the main distinction to watch is whether a replacement stays faithful to that period radial format. In collector tire terms, series differences often affect sidewall appearance, tread style, and how closely the tire resembles what a late-classic American car would have worn when new.

For a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT, the smartest comparison is not only overall diameter but also visual character and intended use. A more authentic-looking period radial may suit restoration goals, while a general replacement-minded choice may appeal more to a driver-focused car that still retains the correct HR78-14 size.

A Ford 500/Squire/GT should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from ozone sources such as electric motors, welders, and running compressors. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and avoid leaving the car on damp concrete for long periods without some form of barrier or tire cradle.

Long-term collector storage is easier on the tires if the car is moved occasionally to prevent flat spotting and to keep the sidewalls from carrying one constant load position. If the car will sit for an extended season, inspect the tires before and after storage rather than assuming low mileage means low wear.

Tires on a Ford 500/Squire/GT should be inspected before regular driving and again after periods of storage. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, punctures, impact damage, and any sign that the tire has been run underinflated. A collector car that sits often can age out its tires long before the tread is used up.

Make inspection part of your routine each time the car comes out for the season or before a highway trip. If the car feels different on the road, develops a vibration, or pulls to one side, stop and inspect the tires and wheels immediately rather than driving through the problem.

Tires on a Ford 500/Squire/GT should be replaced when age-related deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Cracking, hardening, bulges, separations, repeated air loss, or visible structural damage are all reasons to retire a tire. Collector-car tires often age by time and storage conditions more than by mileage.

That matters especially on a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT that may only be driven occasionally, because low use can hide aging until the car is back on the road. If there is any doubt about an older tire's condition, have it evaluated by a tire professional familiar with vintage and collector vehicles before further driving.

The fitment covered here for Ford 500/Squire/GT is HR78-14 in 1979. That places the car in the late-classic period when alphanumeric radial sizing was common on American passenger cars. No alternate size appears within this specific model group and year.

For restoration work, that makes HR78-14 the key size reference, but originality still depends on the exact car and how closely you want to match factory-era appearance. Owners pursuing high-level authenticity should compare the current wheel and tire setup with original vehicle literature, surviving factory labels, or marque-club guidance.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation and perceived correctness of a Ford 500/Squire/GT. Judges and knowledgeable buyers often notice whether the tire size, overall profile, and sidewall look match the period of the car. A visibly incorrect wheel-and-tire combination can distract from an otherwise accurate restoration.

Even for a driver-quality car, staying with the proper-size format helps preserve the stance and visual balance that belong on a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT. If the car will be shown, consult marque-specific references and compare with unrestored examples so the final tire choice supports both authenticity and value.

The correct sidewall style for a Ford 500/Squire/GT restoration depends on the exact presentation you want and the era cues of the car. A late-1970s full-size Ford generally looks most at home with a sidewall treatment that matches period American radial practice rather than a much earlier prewar appearance.

The best approach is to match the sidewall style to original photographs, factory literature, and the trim level of your own 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT. A car restored for authenticity should have a tire whose sidewall design supports the era, while a driver restoration may accept a slightly more modern visual treatment if the size remains correct.

A properly sized, properly installed tire in the correct HR78-14 fitment can be suitable for driving a Ford 500/Squire/GT on public roads when the rest of the car is equally roadworthy. Tire safety depends on age, condition, inflation, wheel integrity, alignment, and the overall mechanical state of the vehicle, not just the size code on the sidewall.

Before regular road use, make sure the braking system, suspension, steering, and wheels are in good condition and that all four tires match in type and condition. A 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT is fully capable of modern traffic participation only when maintained as a complete system rather than treated as a tire-only question.

Before driving a Ford 500/Squire/GT, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, lug nut security, and any sign of flat spotting or cracking from storage. Also inspect the valve stems and look for evidence of rubbing, uneven wear, or slow air loss. The car should roll smoothly and steer without unusual pull or vibration.

That quick pre-drive inspection is especially important on a collector car that may sit for extended periods between outings. A few minutes in the garage can catch age-related tire problems before they become road problems, and it gives you a chance to confirm that the 14-inch wheel and tire setup remains consistent on all four corners.

A Ford 500/Squire/GT on correctly sized period-style tires should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition of the tires, the age of the vehicle, and the overall mechanical health of the car. Even when the fitment is right, an older collector car deserves more caution than a modern daily driver, especially after long storage or infrequent use.

The sensible approach is to increase speed gradually, watch for vibration or heat buildup, and avoid asking sustained high-speed performance from an unverified vintage setup. If the tires are older, the car has unknown history, or the steering and suspension have not been recently inspected, keep road speeds conservative until the entire package is sorted.