Ford Mustang II Tires

Ford Mustang II uses six listed tire sizes for 1979: B78-13, C78-13, C78-14, 190/65R390, CR78-14, and BR78-14. The B78-13 and C78-13 sizes fit 13-inch wheels, the C78-14, CR78-14, and BR78-14 sizes fit 14-inch wheels, and the 190/65R390 size fits a 390mm TRX wheel. That means the correct tire depends first on the wheel diameter and then on whether the car uses bias-ply, standard radial, or TRX equipment.

A Ford Mustang II owner should start by reading the size on the current tire and confirming the wheel itself before choosing a replacement. Cars that have been restored, modified, or converted over time may no longer carry their original wheel type, so the year alone is not enough to identify the proper tire.

A 1979 Ford Mustang II has 6 tire sizes listed because that single model year spans several different wheel and tire configurations. The split includes 13-inch sizes, 14-inch sizes, and a separate 390mm Michelin TRX fitment, along with both bias-ply and radial-style sizing formats. Those differences reflect distinct equipment packages rather than one universal size for every 1979 car.

The practical step is to identify the exact wheel diameter on your Ford Mustang II first, then determine whether the car is set up for an inch-based bias-ply or radial tire, or for the metric TRX system. Once that is confirmed, the year listing becomes much easier to use and the incorrect wheel-size combinations can be ruled out immediately.

Ford Mustang II uses more than one rim diameter in the listed fitments. The 1979 range includes 13-inch wheels with B78-13 and C78-13 sizes, 14-inch wheels with C78-14, CR78-14, and BR78-14 sizes, and a 390mm wheel with the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX fitment. The TRX wheel is metric and does not interchange with standard 13-inch or 14-inch tires.

Checking the wheel diameter is the most important fitment step on a Ford Mustang II because a tire can look generally similar in profile yet be completely wrong for the rim. Measure the wheel or confirm the stamping on the wheel itself if there is any doubt, especially on cars that have changed hands or seen restoration work.

Ford Mustang II fitments that use alphanumeric bias-ply sizes such as B78-13 and C78-13 are tube-type applications in this fitment set, and those sizes require inner tubes. The listed 190/65R390 Michelin TRX radial is marked TL, meaning tubeless. Radial inch-based sizes like CR78-14 and BR78-14 are separate from the bias-ply sizes and should be matched to the wheel and intended tire construction.

A Ford Mustang II owner should avoid assuming that every listed size is tubeless just because the car is from the late 1970s. Tube use follows the tire construction and wheel combination, so keeping bias-ply tube-type fitments and modernized radial fitments clearly separated helps prevent mounting errors.

Ford Mustang II appears with both bias-ply and radial-type fitments in the listed size range. Bias-ply choices are represented by B78-13, C78-13, and C78-14, while radial choices are represented by BR78-14, CR78-14, and the metric 190/65R390 TRX size. That means the right answer depends on the wheel fitted to the car and whether the goal is period appearance, original-style driving character, or retention of the TRX system.

Owners restoring a Ford Mustang II to a period-correct presentation often stay with the construction type that matches the car’s intended configuration, while drivers who already have radial-specific wheels often prefer to keep the car on radials. The important point is to select the tire that matches the actual rim and not to treat all six listed sizes as interchangeable.

Ford Mustang II can feel different on radial tires than on bias-ply tires because the two constructions flex and track differently. The listed radial options for Ford Mustang II include BR78-14, CR78-14, and the 190/65R390 TRX, while the listed bias-ply options are B78-13, C78-13, and C78-14. A car set up around one construction may show a noticeably different steering feel and road response when switched to the other.

That does not mean one construction is automatically right for every Ford Mustang II. It means the owner should think about how the car is used—show presentation, originality, or occasional driving—and make sure the selected tire matches the wheel, the suspension setup, and the character they want to preserve.

Ford Mustang II should not be treated casually when mixing bias-ply and radial tire constructions because the listed fitments are already divided by wheel type and sizing system. Bias-ply sizes such as B78-13, C78-13, and C78-14 are separate from radial sizes such as BR78-14, CR78-14, and 190/65R390. Combining constructions on the same car can produce uneven handling behavior, especially if front and rear tires respond differently under load and steering input.

The safest collector-car practice is to keep one construction type on the full set unless a marque specialist has a very specific reason to do otherwise. On a Ford Mustang II, that guidance matters even more because the listed sizes also span different wheel diameters, making casual mixing both a handling issue and a fitment issue.

A 1979 Ford Mustang II owner should confirm three things in order: the wheel diameter, the sizing system, and the intended tire construction. The 1979 fitment range includes 13-inch sizes, 14-inch sizes, and a 390mm TRX radial size, so the year alone does not identify one correct tire. Reading the size stamped on the existing tire and verifying the wheel measurement are the fastest ways to narrow the options correctly.

If the car is a restoration, compare what is on the vehicle with factory literature, old photos, or marque-club references before replacing anything. That helps distinguish an original-style setup from a later wheel swap and prevents choosing a tire that matches the year but not the actual configuration of the Ford Mustang II in your garage.

The currently listed Ford Mustang II product availability includes a Blackwall sidewall style for the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX fitment. No other sidewall styles are listed in the available product selection here. That makes blackwall the visible sidewall choice in the present product range for this model grouping.

For a Ford Mustang II restoration, sidewall appearance should match the wheel package and period presentation of the specific car. If your car carries a TRX setup, a blackwall TRX-style radial is consistent with that late-1970s performance-oriented look, while standard inch-based fitments should be matched carefully to the appearance goal of the restoration.

Michelin is the brand represented in the current Ford Mustang II product availability. The listed product is a Michelin TRX-B in 190/65HR390, which is the metric radial TRX fitment for 390mm wheels. No additional brands appear in the available product set for this model grouping.

Brand choice matters less than confirming the wheel system on the car first, because a Ford Mustang II on TRX wheels needs the correct metric TRX tire rather than a visually similar inch-based substitute. Once the wheel type is confirmed, the brand and series become much easier to evaluate in the right historical and fitment context.

The current Ford Mustang II product availability shows one tire series: Michelin TRX-B. That series is paired with the 190/65HR390 size, radial construction, blackwall styling, and a 390mm rim diameter. Within this model grouping, the TRX-B represents the metric TRX wheel system rather than the standard inch-based 13-inch and 14-inch fitments listed elsewhere for 1979.

For a Ford Mustang II owner, that means the series choice is really a wheel-system decision first. If the car has TRX wheels, the Michelin TRX-B format is the relevant path; if the car has conventional 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, the correct tire must follow those inch-based dimensions instead of the metric TRX format.

A Ford Mustang II should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with clean tires, correct inflation, and as little exposure as possible to sunlight, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Long-term contact with electric motors, welders, heaters, or solvent fumes can accelerate rubber aging even when tread wear is minimal. Collector cars also benefit from being parked on a clean, sealed surface rather than bare concrete or damp ground.

If a Ford Mustang II will sit for extended periods, rolling the car occasionally or supporting it to reduce flat spotting can help preserve tire shape. Owners who maintain more than one wheel set should also label each tire position so any rotation or periodic inspection can be tracked over time.

Tires on a Ford Mustang II should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. A visual and pressure check before each outing is a good habit, and a more thorough inspection several times a year helps catch cracking, sidewall distortion, punctures, uneven wear, and age-related hardening. Low annual mileage does not stop rubber from aging.

A collector Ford Mustang II can spend months appearing fine in the garage while developing issues that only show up under load or at speed. Looking closely at the tread, bead area, and sidewalls before driving is especially important if the car has sat through seasonal temperature swings or if the wheel and tire setup is newly acquired.

Tires on a Ford Mustang II should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, repeated air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. Appearance alone is not enough to judge serviceability, particularly on older specialty tires or cars that spend much of their time parked.

A Ford Mustang II owner should treat tire age as a maintenance item and have older tires evaluated by a specialist if there is any question about condition. That is especially wise on unusual fitments such as metric TRX tires, where preserving originality can sometimes tempt owners to keep a tire in service longer than its physical condition justifies.

Ford Mustang II appears here with several period-appropriate fitment paths rather than one single universal original tire listing. The 1979 range includes B78-13, C78-13, C78-14, BR78-14, CR78-14, and 190/65R390, with the available product range specifically showing a Michelin TRX-B for the metric TRX application. That spread indicates the original-style answer depends on the specific wheel and equipment package on the car.

For restoration work, the best approach is to match the Ford Mustang II to its exact wheel type and then verify the intended configuration through factory literature, surviving examples, or marque-club references. A restored car with the right wheel-and-tire relationship usually looks more convincing than one fitted with a similar size that belongs to a different package.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the visual credibility and the judged accuracy of a Ford Mustang II restoration. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car is wearing the right wheel diameter, the correct style of size designation for the era, and a sidewall appearance that matches the equipment level. A TRX-equipped car, for example, presents differently from one on standard inch-based wheels.

For a Ford Mustang II being restored for shows or resale, tire choice should be treated as part of the car’s overall authenticity rather than as an afterthought. Matching the wheel system, construction type, and period appearance to the car’s configuration can help the finished car look properly resolved to buyers, clubs, and event judges.

Michelin TRX-B fitment for the Ford Mustang II is the metric 190/65HR390 radial setup designed for a 390mm wheel, while the standard alphanumeric fitments use conventional inch-based wheel diameters such as 13 and 14 inches. The TRX format uses a metric size code and a dedicated wheel system, whereas sizes like B78-13, C78-14, BR78-14, and CR78-14 belong to the traditional American sizing family. They are different fitment systems, not simple substitutes for one another.

That difference matters greatly in restoration work because a Ford Mustang II should wear the tire type that matches the wheel package actually fitted to the car. Owners preserving a TRX-equipped car usually focus on maintaining that distinct late-1970s specification, while owners of standard-wheel cars should stay within the correct inch-based fitment family.

A Ford Mustang II can be driven on public roads only when the tires fitted to it are the correct size for the wheel, are structurally sound, and are in suitable condition for use. The key issue with this model grouping is that 1979 spans several wheel systems, including 13-inch, 14-inch, and 390mm TRX fitments. A tire that does not match the wheel correctly is not roadworthy regardless of tread appearance.

Before regular road use, a Ford Mustang II owner should confirm wheel diameter, tire age, inflation condition, and any visible signs of cracking or separation. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so a car that feels fine at low speed around the driveway may still need a much closer inspection before real road miles.

Before driving a Ford Mustang II, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether all four tires match the intended wheel setup. On this model, it is also important to confirm that a TRX-equipped car still has 390mm tires on 390mm wheels and that inch-based wheels carry the correct 13-inch or 14-inch sizes. Any vibration, pull, or repeated pressure loss deserves attention before the car goes farther than a short local test.

A careful pre-drive routine helps a Ford Mustang II owner catch age-related problems early, especially on a car that is used occasionally rather than daily. If the car has recently been acquired or returned to service after long storage, include a close look at the spare and any older tire paperwork so the whole set can be evaluated together.

Appropriate speed for a Ford Mustang II on original-style tires depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and the wheel system involved. A sound radial fitment such as the listed 190/65HR390 TRX may support a different driving feel from a period-style bias-ply fitment, but age and condition matter more than appearance alone. Any older collector tire should be treated conservatively until it has been thoroughly inspected.

For practical use, a Ford Mustang II owner should build speed gradually only after confirming that the tires are fresh enough, correctly mounted, and properly inflated for the car’s use. When originality is the priority, conservative road speeds and shorter drives are a sensible way to protect both the car and a hard-to-replace tire setup.