Pontiac Tempest Tires

Pontiac Tempest uses 13 sizes across the 1961 to 1970 production run: 6.50-15, 600-15, and 670-15 for 1961-1963; 6.50-14, 700-14, and 750-14 for 1964; 695-14, 735-14, and 775-14 for 1965-1966; 775-14 and F78-14 for 1967; 775-14, F78-14, 825-14, G78-14, and G77-14 for 1968; 775-14, F78-14, 825-14, and G78-14 for 1969; and G78-14 for 1970. The early sizes fit 15-inch rims, while all later sizes fit 14-inch rims.

The practical step is to match three things before choosing: model year, the size already on the car or listed in factory paperwork, and the actual wheel diameter. Some years carry several valid sizes at the same time, so year alone is not enough to identify the correct tire for every Pontiac Tempest.

On a Pontiac Tempest, 670-15 is an older numeric bias-ply size used from 1961 through 1963. The 670 portion represents a nominal 6.70-inch section width, while the 15 identifies the rim diameter in inches. That makes it part of the early Tempest 15-inch wheel group alongside 600-15 and 6.50-15.

Modern buyers often read this format as if it were a direct modern radial equivalent, but it is really an older bias-ply sizing system. If your Pontiac Tempest calls for 670-15, stay focused on period-correct bias-ply dimensions, verify the wheel is still 15 inches, and compare the available rim-width range before making a final choice.

A 1968 Pontiac Tempest can use five listed sizes: 775-14, F78-14, 825-14, G78-14, and G77-14. All of them share the same 14-inch rim diameter, so the split is not caused by a wheel-size change. It reflects different configurations within the 1968 Tempest line and the overlap between older numeric bias-ply sizing and later alphanumeric bias-ply sizing.

That means a 1968 Pontiac Tempest owner needs more than the year to choose correctly. Check the original tire placard, build paperwork, surviving old tires, or a trusted marque reference so you can identify the exact configuration before selecting between the narrower and wider 14-inch fitments.

Pontiac Tempest uses two rim diameters across this production run. The 1961, 1962, and 1963 cars use 15-inch tire sizes, while the 1964 through 1970 cars use 14-inch tire sizes. That year break is the clearest dividing line in the full Tempest size range.

Wheel swaps are common on older cars, so the safest approach is to measure or read the wheel stamping on the actual Pontiac Tempest before choosing a tire. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the year-specific size list becomes much easier to sort, especially in the multi-size years.

A 1965 Pontiac Tempest can use 695-14, 735-14, or 775-14, all on 14-inch rims. Those three sizes represent different fitments within the same model year rather than a wheel-diameter split. The correct choice depends on the exact configuration of the car and the size originally specified for it.

Start with the tire size shown on original paperwork or any surviving factory-style tire information on the car, then compare that against the wheel diameter and the dimensions of the wheels actually fitted. If the Pontiac Tempest has been restored or modified, verify the current wheels before choosing among the 1965 options.

Pontiac Tempest tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, goldline, blueline, dual white stripe, raised white letter, and raised white letter with blue streak depending on size. The broadest variety appears in mid- and late-1960s 14-inch sizes such as 695-14, 750-14, and 775-14. Earlier 15-inch sizes lean more heavily toward blackwall and whitewall treatments.

Sidewall choice affects the visual character of a Pontiac Tempest as much as the size itself. A stock-oriented restoration usually follows the sidewall style originally specified for the car’s trim and year, while a period performance look may point toward redline, goldline, or lettered sidewalls where those options exist in the correct size.

Pontiac Tempest tire offerings in these sizes come from BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, Avon, and STA. Brand availability depends heavily on the specific size. Some sizes have only one brand represented, while 670-15 and several 14-inch sizes offer a much broader mix.

Brand choice on a Pontiac Tempest usually comes down to balancing period look, sidewall style, and the series you want within the correct year-specific size. Once the correct size is established, comparing the available brands can help you match the car’s intended appearance more closely.

Pontiac Tempest tires in these sizes appear in several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, Super Transport, Blue Streak, and Power Cushion. Most are period-style bias-ply passenger-car series, while Blue Streak emphasizes a performance look and Super Transport is a truck-oriented bias-ply line.

The key is to separate size correctness from series preference. Pick the proper Pontiac Tempest size and rim diameter first, then use the series name to refine the car’s final appearance and intended use, whether that is factory-style presentation, a period street look, or a more specialized vintage performance flavor.

A Pontiac Tempest should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires properly inflated for storage, and if the car will sit for long periods, move it occasionally to avoid prolonged flat spotting. Bias-ply collector tires especially benefit from a stable environment and a car that is not left under full load in one position for months at a time.

Good storage matters because many Pontiac Tempest tires are chosen as much for period appearance as for mileage. Protecting them from light, heat, and long static loading helps preserve both their shape and their sidewall finish, whether the car wears blackwalls, whitewalls, redlines, or specialty stripe treatments.

Tires on a Pontiac Tempest should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly several times a year, especially if the car is used only seasonally. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, punctures, uneven wear, and any loss of air pressure. Bias-ply collector tires can age out long before they wear out, so visual checks are an important part of routine ownership.

A practical inspection also includes checking wheel condition, valve stems, and overall balance and alignment symptoms. If the Pontiac Tempest has been sitting, roll it forward and inspect the full circumference of each tire rather than only the area visible at first glance.

Pontiac Tempest tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, repeated air loss, or signs of internal deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector cars often cover low mileage, so tread depth alone is a poor guide. Tires that have spent years carrying the car in storage can degrade structurally while still appearing presentable from a few feet away.

The right approach is to treat replacement as a condition-and-age decision, not just a wear decision. Any Pontiac Tempest that still carries very old tires should be evaluated carefully before road use, because showable appearance and serviceable condition are not always the same thing on vintage rubber.

Pontiac Tempest originally used several different size groups across its 1961 to 1970 run, beginning with numeric 15-inch bias-ply sizes, moving to numeric 14-inch bias-ply sizes, and later adding alphanumeric 14-inch bias-ply sizes. The available series on this page include multiple period-style lines such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, and others. That means there is not one single original tire answer for every Tempest.

For restoration work, the goal is to match the exact year and configuration of the Pontiac Tempest rather than choosing by model name alone. Original sales literature, build records, surviving unrestored cars, and marque-club references are the best way to settle which size and sidewall treatment belong on a specific car.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Pontiac Tempest is judged and how seriously a restoration is taken. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the car presents as faithful to its year and configuration. A car wearing the right-looking tire in the wrong size can still appear noticeably off to experienced judges and marque enthusiasts.

That matters most on multi-size Pontiac Tempest years, where several valid options existed but not all belonged on every car. Matching the tire size and sidewall style to the specific model and trim can strengthen authenticity, while club judging standards and period reference materials remain the best benchmark for show-level accuracy.

Pontiac Tempest restoration choices can include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, goldline, blueline, dual white stripe, and lettered styles, depending on size and year group. Early-1960s Tempest applications are strongly represented by blackwall and whitewall options, while mid- and late-1960s 14-inch sizes introduce more sporty sidewall treatments. The correct look depends on the exact year, size, and presentation goal of the car.

A careful restoration starts with the right Pontiac Tempest size, then narrows the field by sidewall style that suits the car’s original character. Stock restorations usually follow original trim-level appearance, while period custom or performance builds often lean toward redlines, goldlines, or other specialty sidewalls where those were available in the proper size.

Properly selected and properly maintained bias-ply tires can be suitable for road use on a Pontiac Tempest when they match the car’s correct size and wheel diameter. The available Tempest products here are overwhelmingly bias-ply, which means they should be approached with the handling expectations of their period rather than like a modern radial-equipped car. Safe road use starts with correct fitment, sound condition, and conservative driving habits.

The biggest risk is assuming any tire that fits the rim is automatically right for the car. A Pontiac Tempest should be driven only after tire condition, inflation, wheel condition, steering, and brakes have all been checked, especially if the car has been stored for a long time or recently returned to service.

Before driving a Pontiac Tempest, check inflation pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign that the tire is rubbing or sitting unevenly. Confirm that all four tires match in size and general construction type, since this range includes several numeric and alphanumeric bias-ply alternatives depending on year. A brief visual check can catch problems that are easy to miss on a collector car that does not get daily use.

It is also wise to consider the entire chassis as part of tire safety. If the Pontiac Tempest wanders, pulls, vibrates, or sits unevenly, inspect alignment, suspension, and brake condition before putting miles on the car, because those issues can shorten tire life and affect road manners quickly.

A Pontiac Tempest on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at moderate speeds that respect the age and design of the car as a whole. Even with fresh reproduction tires, the steering feel, braking distances, and tracking behavior of a bias-ply-equipped 1960s car differ noticeably from a modern vehicle. The appropriate pace is one that keeps the car stable, predictable, and well within the comfort zone of its tires and chassis.

In practice, that means avoiding sustained high-speed cruising until the Pontiac Tempest has been fully sorted and proven on the road. Start with shorter drives, pay attention to heat buildup, vibration, and tracking, and increase speed only as the car demonstrates that its tires, wheels, and mechanical systems are working together properly.