The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT comes from an era when Saab built compact cars with a distinctly European character, blending light weight, practical packaging, and a driver-focused feel that still appeals to vintage import enthusiasts. Tire choice on this car is more straightforward than on many period vehicles because the primary fitment is a 155R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. That keeps the focus on selecting the right style of radial rather than sorting through multiple original sizes. Available choices range across Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein lines, with blackwall presentations and several classic radial series to suit road use, restoration-minded appearance, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT
The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses one primary tire size: 155R15, a radial tire for a 15-inch rim. The covered fitment stays consistent across the listed sub-model, so the main decision is choosing the right radial within that size based on tire series, intended use, and wheel-width compatibility rather than sorting between multiple factory fitments.
A 155R15 size uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter; in this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not stated and is commonly understood as an 80-series type profile. On the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT, that makes it a natural fitment for a compact European car designed around tall, narrow radial tires. Available options include classic blackwall radials from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across series such as F560 Radial, Michelin X, XAS, XAS-FF, CR6ZZ, Snow Classic, and Sprint Classic. The choice comes down to road use, preferred brand character, and confirming your wheel width matches the tire's approved range.
Fitment is straightforward on the covered 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT sub-model because the same primary tire size carries across the listing. Even with shared sizing, checking the exact sub-model remains worthwhile so the tire choice matches the car's wheels, intended use, and restoration direction.
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1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base
The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base uses the same 155R15 radial fitment found across this application. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing among the available blackwall radial series and confirming wheel width before settling on a road-oriented or restoration-minded option.
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 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT Tires for Sale
Available 155R15 choices for the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein blackwall radials. The product grid is where to compare classic series, approved rim-width ranges, and details such as load capacity or intended use within this single fitment.
These 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT tire FAQs focus on the 155R15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, radial tire selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses a 155R15 tire size. This is a Euro-metric radial format with a 155-millimeter nominal section width and a 15-inch rim diameter, making it a tall, narrow radial size that suits the car's period European fitment style.
Since there is one primary size, the real choice is not between multiple fitments but between the available 155R15 tire options. Check the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wheels have ever been changed, and compare the approved rim-width range of the tire you are considering before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT is built around a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 155R15 tire size, and the available products in this fitment are all intended for 15-inch wheels.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it also helps to confirm wheel width before choosing among available tires. Several 155R15 options are approved for widths in the 4.00 to 5.50 inch range, while some are narrower, which matters if the car has replacement or aftermarket wheels.
Does the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base uses the same 155R15 radial tire size as the covered model fitment. That keeps the size question simple and allows the focus to shift toward choosing the right tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility within that single size.
Even with shared sizing, it is still smart to inspect the actual wheel setup on the car before ordering tires. Vintage Saabs are often maintained over decades, and a wheel change can alter width even when the rim diameter stays at 15 inches, which can affect which 155R15 products are the best match.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R15 tire for a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
Start with the correct size, which is 155R15, then compare the construction and character of the available radial options. For this Saab, choices include classic blackwall tires from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, with different series aimed at traditional road use, vintage performance flavor, or specialty seasonal driving.
Wheel width is one of the most useful comparison points because approved ranges vary slightly between products. It also helps to think about how the car will be used: regular fair-weather drives, restoration display, or mixed seasonal use can all point toward a different tire series even when the size stays the same.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
The 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT has 155R15 tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. That gives buyers a solid spread of classic European-style radial choices rather than a single-brand fitment, with several recognizable series available in the correct size.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the specific tire series, approved rim width, and how you want the car to look and drive. A restoration-minded owner may prefer one type of classic blackwall presentation, while a frequent road user may focus more on the exact series and fitment details within the same size.
What tire series are available for the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
Available 155R15 tire series for the 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT include Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All are radial tires and all use a blackwall sidewall style in this fitment.
Those series give the buyer meaningful variety even though the size itself stays fixed. The practical next step is comparing which series suits the car's intended use, then checking rim-width approval and any load information that matters for your setup rather than assuming every 155R15 option is interchangeable in every detail.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 155R15 radial size, since that preserves the Saab's tall, narrow European tire profile. Within that size, classic blackwall radial lines such as the Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X family, and Vredestein Sprint Classic all support a traditional vintage presentation.
The right choice depends on how exact the restoration goal is and how the car will be driven. When originality details matter at a very high level, compare the tire's overall look with marque-specific historical references, then confirm the wheel width and the tire's approved fitment range before settling on a final option.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 155R15 size plays a major role in the car's stance and period character. On a compact 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT, moving away from the proper tall, narrow radial format can change the visual balance even before any difference in driving feel is considered.
Restoration-minded owners should look beyond size alone and evaluate sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel compatibility. A blackwall radial in the proper fitment keeps the presentation in the right visual territory, while careful wheel-width confirmation helps avoid a tire choice that looks out of place on the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
Yes. Even though the standard fitment is 155R15 on a 15-inch rim, modifications can change what works cleanly on the car. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, or body and fender work can all affect clearance and make one 155R15 tire more suitable than another.
A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement before settling on a tire. It is also wise to confirm the wheel's actual width, since approved rim-width ranges vary among available 155R15 products and can matter just as much as diameter on a vintage Saab.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT on new tires?
Before road use, inspect tire pressure, bead seating, valve condition, lug torque, and visible clearance around the fenders and suspension. On a collector-era Saab, it also makes sense to check steering movement lock to lock and look for any signs that the tire sits too close to a wheel arch or suspension component.
The rest of the car deserves attention too, especially if it has been parked for long periods. Wheel bearings, brakes, alignment condition, and worn suspension parts can affect how new tires behave, so a careful once-over helps the 155R15 fitment work as intended and reduces surprises on the first longer drive.
How should 155R15 tires on a collector 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT be maintained?
Maintain 155R15 tires on a collector 1963 Saab 750 & 850 GT by checking air pressure regularly, inspecting tread and sidewalls for cracking or cuts, and watching for bulges or slow air loss. Cars that see limited mileage still need routine inspections because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition even when tread wear is low.
Storage habits matter on a lightly used vintage Saab. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can reduce long-term flat spotting. Before a longer outing, inspect all four tires closely rather than assuming low annual mileage means they are road-ready.