Ford Granada Tires

Ford Granada uses seven sizes across the 1975-1982 production span: DR78-14, ER78-14, and FR78-14 from 1975 through 1980; DR70-14 for 1977; 175/75R14 and 185/75R14 for 1981 and 1982; and 190/65R390 for 1981 and 1982. All of the alphanumeric and metric-inch sizes fit 14-inch wheels, while 190/65R390 fits a 390mm metric TRX wheel.

That range means a Ford Granada cannot be matched by model name alone. The correct approach is to start with the car’s year, then verify the actual wheel diameter on the car, and finally match the tire size to the original configuration because some years carry several possible sizes.

DR78-14 is an alphanumeric radial size used on Ford Granada from 1975 through 1980. The D identifies the tire’s relative width and load class, the R means radial construction, 78 is the aspect-series designation, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. It belongs to the same sizing family as ER78-14 and FR78-14, with each step reflecting a different nominal section width class.

Modern buyers often mistake these older alphanumeric sizes for interchangeable labels, but they are not. If a Ford Granada currently wears one of these sizes, compare it carefully with the vehicle placard, original paperwork, or an established Granada reference before replacing the set so the tire’s width and profile stay in line with the car’s intended fitment.

The 1977 Ford Granada has four listed sizes because that year includes DR70-14, DR78-14, ER78-14, and FR78-14. All four are 14-inch radial sizes, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change. The difference is a fitment variation within the same basic wheel diameter, likely tied to configuration, equipment level, or tire profile rather than a simple year break.

A 1977 Ford Granada owner should not choose only by production year. Confirm the exact tire placard, surviving original tires, wheel width, and the car’s specific trim or option package before replacing anything, because the lower-profile DR70-14 and the taller 78-series sizes can change both stance and overall driving character.

Ford Granada uses two rim standards across these years: conventional 14-inch wheels and a later 390mm metric TRX wheel. Every listed size from 1975 through 1980 is for a 14-inch rim, and the 1981-1982 cars continue with 14-inch options in 175/75R14 and 185/75R14. The 190/65R390 size used in 1981 and 1982 is different and fits only a 390mm wheel.

That distinction matters because a 390mm TRX tire will not fit a 14-inch wheel, and a 14-inch tire will not fit a 390mm TRX wheel. Before choosing tires for any 1981 or 1982 Ford Granada, inspect the wheel markings or measure the wheel standard directly so the tire and rim match exactly.

A 1981 Ford Granada can use 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or 190/65R390 depending on how the car was equipped. The first two sizes fit conventional 14-inch wheels, while 190/65R390 fits the metric TRX wheel system. That makes wheel identification the first and most important step before comparing sidewall markings or placard information.

Once the wheel standard is confirmed, match the exact size already specified for the car rather than choosing by appearance alone. If the car still has original-style wheels, checking the wheel stamping, the old tire sidewall, and any surviving factory labeling together is the safest way to avoid ordering the wrong rim standard.

The available Ford Granada products in these later sizes include both narrow whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles. The 175/75R14 and 185/75R14 products are narrow whitewall radials, while the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX-B is listed as a blackwall. Those sidewall choices reflect the appearance differences buyers often want to preserve on late 1970s and early 1980s cars.

For a restoration-minded Ford Granada, sidewall style should match the character of the specific car as closely as size and wheel diameter do. A formal sedan may look right with a restrained narrow whitewall, while a TRX-equipped car should retain the sidewall style associated with that metric radial setup.

The available Ford Granada products shown here come from Travelstar, Tornel, Maxxis, and Michelin. Travelstar offers both 175/75R14 and 185/75R14 options, Tornel and Maxxis appear in 185/75R14, and Michelin covers the 190/65R390 TRX application. Each brand is tied to a specific size range rather than covering every Granada fitment.

Brand choice on a Ford Granada usually follows the size and wheel system first, then the desired appearance. Once the correct size is established, compare sidewall style, series type, and wheel compatibility so the finished result matches both the car’s equipment and the owner’s restoration goals.

Ford Granada products here span four tire series: UN106, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Michelin TRX-B. UN106, Tornel Classic, and Classic Whitewall MA-1 are conventional radial offerings for 14-inch applications, while Michelin TRX-B is the metric radial series used with the 390mm TRX wheel system. The most important difference is not cosmetic but wheel compatibility.

A Ford Granada owner with standard 14-inch wheels should stay within the conventional 14-inch radial choices, then decide among the available whitewall presentations. A TRX-equipped Granada needs the dedicated TRX series because the wheel standard itself is different from the inch-based setup.

A Ford Granada stored on its tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Proper inflation matters during storage because underinflated tires can develop flat spotting, while prolonged exposure to heat and light accelerates rubber aging. Clean, dry tires and wheels also help prevent cosmetic and structural deterioration.

If the Ford Granada will sit for an extended period, move the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long static loading. Owners preserving whitewall tires should also use gentle cleaning methods so the sidewalls stay presentable without harsh chemicals that can dry the rubber.

Tires on a Ford Granada should be inspected before regular driving and again during routine maintenance intervals even if the car sees limited use. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, impact damage, air loss, and signs that the tire no longer matches the wheel correctly. Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out.

A practical habit is to inspect the Ford Granada at the start of every driving season and after any long storage period. Cars with TRX wheels deserve especially careful checks because the metric tire-and-wheel pairing is more specialized, so any mismatch or age-related issue needs attention before the car returns to the road.

Ford Granada tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often retain tread because they cover few miles, but rubber condition and casing integrity matter more than remaining depth. Any tire showing visible deterioration or persistent performance issues belongs under close inspection immediately.

Owners should think of a Ford Granada’s tires as age-sensitive components rather than wear-only components. If the car has been in long storage, has unknown tire age, or is returning to road use after years off the road, a careful pre-drive evaluation is the right step before relying on the existing set.

Ford Granada used multiple tire types across its production years rather than one single original fitment. The listed range includes alphanumeric radial sizes such as DR78-14, ER78-14, FR78-14, and DR70-14, followed later by metric radial sizes including 175/75R14, 185/75R14, and 190/65R390. That spread reflects changes in sizing practice and wheel systems during the Granada’s production life.

For restoration work, the right answer for a Ford Granada comes from matching the exact year and configuration, not just the model name. Original paperwork, surviving placards, and marque-specific references are the best guides when choosing among several correct-era sizes for the same general body line.

Correct tire fitment can influence both presentation and authenticity on a Ford Granada, especially when wheel diameter, sidewall style, and tire profile are visibly different from what the car carried in period. A car wearing the wrong width class, the wrong profile, or the wrong wheel standard can look noticeably off even to casual observers. Serious judging standards usually reward fitment that matches the car’s era and configuration.

For an owner concerned with value, the best practice is to align the Ford Granada’s tires with its actual year, trim character, and wheel equipment. Narrow whitewalls, blackwalls, conventional 14-inch tires, and TRX metric fitments each create a different visual result, so authenticity starts with choosing the correct type before focusing on brand.

Ford Granada restoration choices here include narrow whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles. Narrow whitewall options are offered in the 14-inch metric radial sizes, while the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX-B is listed as a blackwall. Both can be appropriate within the Granada range, depending on the wheel system and the appearance the car originally carried.

A careful restoration should treat sidewall style as part of the car’s overall period look, not just a cosmetic afterthought. Matching the Ford Granada’s original wheel type first, then selecting the sidewall style that suits its trim level and era, produces a result that looks intentional and historically coherent.

A properly sized, properly mounted, and well-maintained tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Ford Granada, but safety depends on more than the sidewall size alone. The tire must match the wheel standard exactly, especially on 1981-1982 cars where both 14-inch and 390mm TRX fitments appear. Condition, age, inflation, and overall vehicle mechanical health all matter just as much as nominal size.

Before putting a Ford Granada back into service, treat the tires as one part of a larger roadworthiness check. Wheels, brakes, suspension, alignment, and steering should all be reviewed together so the car is not relying on fresh tires to compensate for unrelated mechanical faults.

Before driving a Ford Granada, check tire inflation, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel compatibility, lug security, and any signs of age-related cracking or separation. On 1981 and 1982 cars, verify whether the car is on conventional 14-inch wheels or the 390mm TRX system, because an incorrect tire-and-wheel pairing is a serious issue. Also look for uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension problems.

A short walk-around before each outing can prevent most avoidable tire problems on a Ford Granada. If the car has been sitting, expand that check to include brake feel, steering response, and a low-speed test drive before normal use so any problem appears early and under controlled conditions.

Appropriate speed for a Ford Granada depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and whether the entire car is mechanically sound. Even when a size is correct, an older collector vehicle should be driven with restraint until the tires, wheels, brakes, and steering have all been evaluated. Age and condition always override appearance when deciding how confidently to use the car on the road.

A sensible approach is to bring a Ford Granada back to regular driving gradually rather than assuming modern-highway behavior from an aging collector setup. Start with moderate local use, monitor ride quality and heat buildup, and increase speed only after the car proves stable, predictable, and free from vibration or handling concerns.