Porsche 930 Tires

Porsche 930 models from 1977 through 1979 use two tire sizes: 205/55R16 and 225/50R16. Both are radial tires built for 16-inch rims, and both sizes appear across all three years in this range. The 205/55R16 size is offered on 16-inch rims with recommended rim widths from 5.5 to 7.5 inches, while the 225/50R16 size is offered on 16-inch rims with recommended rim widths from 6.0 to 8.0 inches.

The practical point is that Porsche 930 fitment here is staggered, so the car uses both sizes rather than one uniform size at all four corners. Check the wheel position, verify the wheel width, and make sure the car still has the intended 16-inch wheels before selecting replacements. That approach preserves the tire-to-wheel relationship these cars were designed around.

On a Porsche 930, 205/55R16 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 55 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 55 percent of the section width, the R indicates radial construction, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Products in this size are built for 16-inch rims and fit wheel widths from 5.5 to 7.5 inches.

That decoding matters because it tells you more than overall width. It also helps confirm whether the wheel on the car is appropriate for the tire and whether you are matching the correct position in a staggered setup. If a Porsche 930 already wears nonstandard wheels, compare both tire size and wheel width before deciding that 205/55R16 is still the correct choice.

A 1977 Porsche 930 has 2 tire sizes listed because the car uses a staggered fitment rather than a same-size arrangement front to rear. The two sizes are 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, and that same two-size pattern continues through 1978 and 1979. Both sizes share the same 16-inch rim diameter, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change but a position-specific setup.

That means a buyer should not choose by model year alone. The first step is to confirm which axle you are replacing, then compare the wheel width on the car to the width range intended for that tire size. Keeping the proper front-to-rear relationship is especially important on a Porsche 930 because these cars respond noticeably to changes in tire width balance.

A 1979 Porsche 930 uses both 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, so confirming the correct axle size starts with identifying the wheel position and checking the wheel width. The 205/55R16 products are intended for 5.5 to 7.5 inch rims, while the 225/50R16 products are intended for 6.0 to 8.0 inch rims. Both sizes are 16-inch radial tires and both are valid for the 1979 model year.

Use the existing tire and wheel measurements together rather than relying on one number in isolation. If the car has been modified, compare the mounted wheel width and the current tire size to the available ranges before replacing a pair. That extra check helps avoid forcing a narrow tire onto a wide wheel or disrupting the intended staggered balance of the Porsche 930.

A 1978 Porsche 930 uses both 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, so the correct tire size depends on which end of the car you are fitting. Both sizes are built for 16-inch rims, but they do not share the same wheel-width range: 205/55R16 suits 5.5 to 7.5 inch rims, while 225/50R16 suits 6.0 to 8.0 inch rims. That makes wheel position and wheel width the key checks for 1978 fitment.

Start by reading the existing tire size on the car, then verify the wheel width before ordering a replacement. If the car has aftermarket wheels, do not assume the original stagger remains unchanged. A careful front-versus-rear check is the best way to keep the Porsche 930 balanced properly and avoid mismatching tires to the wheels already on the car.

Porsche 930 tires in these sizes are available primarily as blackwall radials, with an additional wide whitewall option in 205/55R16. The blackwall offerings appear from BFGoodrich and Michelin in both listed sizes, while the wide whitewall option appears in the American Classic radial line for the 205/55R16 size. That means sidewall appearance varies by both brand and size.

For a period-correct late-1970s performance look, blackwall is the traditional visual choice for a Porsche 930. The wide whitewall option is better suited to a custom presentation and should be selected intentionally rather than as a default replacement. Buyers trying to preserve the car's original visual character should match sidewall style as carefully as they match size.

Three brands appear in the available Porsche 930 tire selection: BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. BFGoodrich covers both listed sizes with g-Force performance options, Michelin appears in both sizes as well, and American Classic appears in 205/55R16. That gives buyers a mix of modern performance-oriented blackwall choices and one custom-style whitewall alternative.

Brand choice should follow the goal of the car. A driver-focused Porsche 930 may lean toward the performance-oriented radial offerings, while a custom build may prioritize the visual effect of the whitewall option. Once the intended look and use are clear, match the brand choice to the correct front or rear size and to the wheel width already on the car.

Porsche 930 tires here appear in several distinct radial series, including BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2, BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, Michelin SX MXX3 N2, Michelin Pilot Sport, and American Classic Radial. All are radial tires, but they differ in brand family, intended character, and sidewall presentation. The American Classic Radial stands out visually because it is the only wide whitewall offering in the listed sizes.

Choosing among series is less about basic fit than about how the car will be used and presented. Some owners will prioritize a performance-style blackwall look, while others may be searching for a specialty appearance on a custom build. Once the desired style is settled, narrow the choice by selecting the correct axle size and confirming the wheel width range for that specific series.

A Porsche 930 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and chemicals that can accelerate rubber aging. Inflate the tires to the vehicle maker's storage recommendation or to a sensible maintenance pressure that prevents flat spotting during long stationary periods. Clean, dry wheels and tires before storage so dirt and brake residue do not remain trapped against the rubber.

If the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally so the same section of each tire is not carrying the load month after month. Owners who keep a Porsche 930 parked for seasonal use often benefit from checking pressure regularly and using tire cradles or stands where appropriate. Good storage habits preserve ride quality and help keep a correct staggered set from aging unevenly.

Tires on a Porsche 930 should be inspected before regular driving and again after any long storage period. Look for cracking, tread separation, sidewall damage, punctures, uneven wear, and changes in pressure, especially because staggered performance fitments can show different wear patterns front to rear. Inspection should also include confirming that the tire size on each axle still matches the intended 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 arrangement.

A practical routine is to inspect visually every time the car comes out for use and to perform a more thorough check at least seasonally. Include wheel-width and clearance awareness if the car has aftermarket wheels or suspension changes. Catching a mismatch or an aging issue early is especially important on a Porsche 930, where tire condition has a direct effect on steering response and stability.

Tires on a Porsche 930 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, sidewall distress, or irregular wear make them questionable, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector and specialty-use cars often age their tires out before they wear them out because time and environment degrade rubber independently of mileage. Any tire that has been run underinflated, stored poorly, or shows structural concerns deserves prompt evaluation.

The smart approach is to treat age and condition as seriously as tread. If one axle needs replacement, compare the condition and age of the matching tire on the same axle as well, since a Porsche 930 depends on balanced behavior from its staggered setup. Replacing on condition rather than tread alone helps preserve both drivability and confidence on the road.

The available fitment range for the 1977-1979 Porsche 930 centers on 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 radial tires mounted on 16-inch wheels. The products offered today include several modern radial series from BFGoodrich and Michelin, plus an American Classic radial in the smaller listed size. That tells an owner the car belongs in a 16-inch radial fitment family, but it does not reduce originality questions to one brand or one sidewall style.

For restoration work, the best practice is to pair the correct sizes with verification from period literature, surviving original cars, and Porsche marque sources. That is especially helpful when appearance matters as much as dimensions. A Porsche 930 restored for factory character should be judged by proper size, stance, and period-consistent presentation rather than by size alone.

Correct tire fitment can influence both presentation and credibility on a Porsche 930, especially when knowledgeable buyers or judges look for the proper late-1970s stance and front-to-rear proportion. Using the correct 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 size relationship on 16-inch wheels helps preserve the look these cars are known for. Sidewall style also affects authenticity, since blackwall is the more era-consistent visual direction for this model.

A Porsche 930 prepared for concours, marque events, or top-tier resale should have its tire choice checked against the intended standard of restoration. Even when a tire is dimensionally correct, an unusual sidewall treatment can shift the car visually away from a factory-style presentation. Marque clubs and original reference materials remain the best guides when authenticity is part of the goal.

Blackwall is the sidewall style that best aligns with a factory-style Porsche 930 restoration in the 1977-1979 range. The available tire selection includes blackwall offerings in both 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, while a wide whitewall option appears only in 205/55R16. That makes blackwall the straightforward choice for maintaining the late-classic high-performance appearance associated with the Porsche 930.

A restorer should think of sidewall style as part of the car's overall authenticity, not just a cosmetic afterthought. If the goal is originality, keep the staggered sizing and choose a blackwall tire that suits the wheel width and intended use. The wide whitewall option is better treated as a deliberate custom statement than as a restoration default.

The listed Porsche 930 tires are modern radial designs in the correct 16-inch size family for 1977-1979 applications, so they are far more road-oriented than antique or bias-ply collector tires. Safety, however, depends on more than the size stamp. Tire age, storage history, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, and proper matching of the 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 staggered arrangement all affect whether the car is ready for public-road use.

Treat the tire choice as one part of a complete roadworthiness check. A Porsche 930 should be driven only after the tires are inspected for age and condition, pressures are set correctly, and the wheels and suspension are confirmed to be in sound order. A freshly fitted tire cannot compensate for an old wheel problem or an incorrect front-to-rear size combination.

Before driving a Porsche 930, check tire pressures, confirm that 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 are mounted in their proper positions, inspect tread and sidewalls for damage or age cracking, and make sure the 16-inch wheels are in good condition. Review clearance at full steering lock and under suspension movement if the car has nonstandard wheels or suspension changes. Lug torque, valve condition, and visible signs of uneven wear also deserve attention.

Those checks matter because a Porsche 930 is especially sensitive to setup changes and tire condition. A small problem that might feel minor on an ordinary car can become much more noticeable on a high-performance rear-engined platform. A careful pre-drive inspection helps protect both the car and the driver while preserving the handling balance the staggered setup was meant to support.

A Porsche 930 should only be driven at speeds appropriate to the actual tires fitted, their age, their condition, and the overall condition of the car. The available products in these sizes are modern radial tires, but no collector car should be driven to the limit of a sidewall marking without considering alignment, suspension health, brake condition, and how old the tires are in real calendar years. Safe speed is always lower than theoretical capability when condition is uncertain.

For practical use, build speed gradually and pay close attention to steering feel, vibration, and stability. A Porsche 930 that has been sitting, recently restored, or fitted with older tires should be treated conservatively until fully evaluated. Responsible road use starts with condition and setup, not with the car's reputation or the printed speed symbol on the tire.