The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 comes from an era when Saab’s compact two-stroke cars stood apart for their aircraft-influenced thinking, light weight, and practical road manners in difficult climates. That distinctive character makes tire choice especially important, because the look and feel of the car are closely tied to its narrow 15-inch fitment. This model uses either a 5.20-15 bias-ply tire or a 145R15 radial, giving owners a meaningful choice between traditional construction and a later radial-style alternative. Available options include blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich radial offerings. The right selection depends on whether the priority is period-style appearance, road-use manners, or staying close to the car’s original-era character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Saab 92 & 93
The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 15-inch rim. The main distinction is construction: 5.20-15 is a bias-ply fitment, while 145R15 is a radial fitment. Before choosing, confirm whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply setup or has been equipped for radial-style replacement, then compare the available tire styles that suit the car’s appearance and intended use.
5.20-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.20 referring to the nominal section width in inches and 15 indicating the rim diameter. That format is characteristic of small-displacement European cars from the period and suits the traditional tire profile associated with the 1962 Saab 92 & 93. As a bias-ply fitment, it is the more restoration-oriented construction choice for owners who want the car to retain an earlier driving character and tire appearance. This size deserves a close look when the goal is period-style fitment, especially on a car that still uses stock-style wheels and has not been converted around a radial preference.
Fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model shares the same two tire-size choices on a 15-inch rim. The important decision is not identifying a different trim size, but choosing between the traditional bias-ply fitment and the radial alternative that best suits the car’s use and presentation.
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1962 Saab 92 & 93 Base
The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 Base uses the same 15-inch fitment pattern, with both 145R15 radial and 5.20-15 bias-ply options associated with the car. That gives the owner room to choose between a more traditional period-style setup and a radial tire selection shaped by available sidewall treatments and brand preferences.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1962 Saab 92 & 93 Tires for sale
Available 145R15 choices for the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 include Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich radial offerings. The product grid highlights differences in tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility across these narrow 15-inch options.
Owners researching 1962 Saab 92 & 93 tires usually need clarity on the two size formats, the difference between bias-ply and radial choices, period-style appearance, and the wheel and condition checks worth making before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 uses two tire sizes: 5.20-15 in a bias-ply construction and 145R15 in a radial construction. Both sizes are tied to a 15-inch rim, so the key difference is not wheel diameter but the type of tire and sizing system being used on the car.
That means the first step is confirming whether the Saab is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or set up around a radial tire. On an unrestored or modified car, it also helps to verify the actual wheel width and inspect fender and steering clearance before settling on one construction over the other.
What size rim does a 1962 Saab 92 & 93 use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Whether the car is running the 5.20-15 bias-ply size or the 145R15 radial size, the wheel diameter remains the same, which keeps the fitment conversation centered on construction and tire style.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a small vintage Saab with narrow tires. Checking the actual wheel width matters too, since available 145R15 radial products have specific rim-width ranges, and any wheel changes over the years can affect how comfortably a tire seats and clears.
Does the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 Base shares the same tire-size choices as the model core, with 145R15 available as a radial fitment and 5.20-15 available as a bias-ply fitment. There is no separate alternate sub-model size to sort out within the covered Base configuration.
That simplifies the search, but the real choice still depends on the car’s current wheel setup and the kind of driving or presentation the owner wants. A period-style restoration may lean toward the bias-ply size, while a road-use-focused car may be evaluated around the radial size and the available blackwall or whitewall options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is being kept. The 1962 Saab 92 & 93 uses either 5.20-15 bias-ply or 145R15 radial tires, both on a 15-inch rim, so the main decision is whether the goal is a traditional vintage setup or a radial-style alternative.
After that, compare the details that affect fit and appearance, including wheel width, sidewall style, tire series, and brand. A narrow vintage Saab can be sensitive to wheel changes, so it is wise to confirm the actual wheel dimensions and think about whether the car is being judged for appearance, driven regularly, or used more casually.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Saab 92 & 93 tires?
The available 145R15 radial choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall options appear in Firestone and Michelin radial offerings, while a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is available with a 1.875-inch wide whitewall for a more decorative vintage presentation.
Sidewall style can change the entire visual balance of a compact early-1960s Saab, even when the tire size stays the same. A blackwall generally keeps the look understated and practical, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more stylized restoration-oriented appearance, so the right choice depends on how authentic or personalized the finished car should feel.
What brands offer tires for the 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
In the 145R15 radial size, the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 has choices from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Those options appear across distinct tire series, including the Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin XZX, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, giving the owner several ways to approach appearance and fitment within the same basic size.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the rest of the specification rather than treated as the whole answer. On a car like this Saab, the more useful comparisons are sidewall style, construction, rim-width suitability, and the overall look you want the tire to give the car once mounted on its 15-inch wheels.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
For a period-style presentation, the 5.20-15 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it reflects the vintage numeric sizing and bias-ply construction associated with cars of this era. It gives the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 a more traditional tire profile and supports an earlier-style driving and visual character.
A restoration-oriented choice does not always mean every owner wants the same result, especially on a collector Saab that may be driven more than shown. If exact originality matters, the smartest next step is checking marque-specific historical references and the car’s own restoration goals before deciding between a strictly vintage presentation and a radial-based compromise.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1962 Saab 92 & 93; it also changes the visual character of the car. A 5.20-15 bias-ply setup tends to reinforce a more traditional early-1960s presentation, while a 145R15 radial introduces a later-style sizing format and a different overall impression.
Sidewall treatment also matters, since blackwall and wide whitewall radial choices can make the same car look notably more restrained or more stylized. Matching the tire to the restoration theme is usually more important than chasing any single universal answer, particularly on a small European collector car where tire proportions are easy to notice.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Saab 92 & 93?
Yes. Even though the 1962 Saab 92 & 93 uses narrow 15-inch tire sizes, modifications can still affect fitment. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs can all influence how a 5.20-15 bias-ply or 145R15 radial tire sits and clears during normal driving.
A careful check should include the actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance at full lock, and space around the fenders and suspension. Small vintage cars do not leave much room for assumption, so any Saab that has been changed from stock condition deserves a close inspection before moving from one tire construction or brand specification to another.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Saab 92 & 93 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the tires themselves for proper seating and inflation. On a 1962 Saab 92 & 93, it is also smart to check for rubbing at the inner fenders and steering components, since both 5.20-15 bias-ply and 145R15 radial tires are narrow but still sensitive to wheel setup.
The rest of the car matters as much as the tires on a lightly used collector vehicle. Look over suspension wear, wheel-bearing condition, brake function, and any signs of uneven ride height, then take a short local drive and recheck pressure and clearances before trusting the Saab on a longer outing.
How should tires on a collector 1962 Saab 92 & 93 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1962 Saab 92 & 93 should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and any change in how the car tracks or steers. Low annual mileage does not stop a tire from aging, so time and storage conditions matter just as much as miles on the road.
Pressure should be monitored consistently, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. It also helps to inspect the tires before every drive rather than waiting for a service interval, since collector Saabs often sit long enough for age-related issues to appear before tread wear becomes obvious.
