The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 comes from an era when Saab’s compact, aerodynamic small cars stood apart from larger mainstream sedans with front-wheel-drive character and distinctly European proportions. For owners today, tire choice is closely tied to whether the car is being kept in a more traditional presentation or prepared for regular road use with a radial setup. This fitment centers on two 15-inch tire sizes: 5.20-15 in bias-ply form and 145R15 in radial form. Available choices include blackwall radial options as well as a wide whitewall radial. The right decision comes down to appearance goals, construction preference, and confirming the wheel setup already on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93
The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 uses two primary 15-inch tire sizes, and the key difference is construction rather than wheel diameter. Both 145R15 radial and 5.20-15 bias-ply fitments apply to the covered configuration, so the real decision is whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply look or choose a radial tire for a more modern road-going setup.
145R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93, this size represents the radial fitment for the car’s 15-inch wheel. Available choices include Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich, with blackwall and wide whitewall presentations depending on the tire series. It is the size to evaluate when road use, radial construction, and period-minded European sizing are part of the goal.
5.20-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.20 indicating the tire’s nominal section width in inches and 15 identifying the rim diameter. For the 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and suits owners who want to stay closer to the car’s earlier tire construction style. Bias-ply construction also affects the car’s overall presentation in a different way than a radial conversion does. This size is worth considering when restoration character and preserving a vintage tire format matter more than moving to a radial alternative.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered sub-model because the same two 15-inch tire sizes apply throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the tire choice stays focused on the correct construction and appearance direction for the car.
1
1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 Base
The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 Base uses both the 145R15 radial fitment and the 5.20-15 bias-ply fitment on 15-inch wheels. That gives the owner a clear choice between a traditional bias-ply approach and a radial setup, along with available sidewall and brand differences within the radial offerings.
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 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 Tires for sale
Available 145R15 options span Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich, with differences in tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility. For this Saab, the product grid is most useful for comparing radial presentation and specification details within the correct 15-inch size.
These FAQs focus on the 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 tire sizes, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial selection, product and sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era Saab back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
A 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R15 in radial construction and 5.20-15 in bias-ply construction. Both are 15-inch fitments, so the main difference is the tire sizing system and construction type rather than wheel diameter.
That means the first choice is not between different rim sizes, but between a radial setup and a traditional bias-ply setup. Before selecting either one, confirm the wheels currently on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or converted from its earlier tire construction at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 use?
The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 145R15 and the bias-ply 5.20-15 are both built for 15-inch wheels, which keeps wheel diameter consistent across the covered fitments.
Even with the same rim diameter, wheel width can still matter when choosing among available radial products. It is also smart to confirm that the wheels on the car are the intended 15-inch wheels and not later replacements, since collector cars sometimes pick up aftermarket or swapped wheels over decades of ownership.
Does the 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 Base uses the same two primary tire sizes covered here: 145R15 in radial construction and 5.20-15 in bias-ply construction. Both fitments are tied to the same 15-inch wheel diameter.
That keeps sub-model fitment simple, but the owner still has to decide which construction best suits the car’s intended use and appearance. A restoration-focused Saab may lean toward the bias-ply format, while a road-driven car may be evaluated around the radial choices available in 145R15.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
Start with the correct size and construction. This Saab uses either a 145R15 radial or a 5.20-15 bias-ply on a 15-inch rim, so the main decision is whether the car should keep a traditional tire format or move to a radial setup for modern road use.
After that, compare the details that affect fitment and presentation, including wheel width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, and tire series. It also helps to think about how the car will be used, whether for display, occasional local driving, or more regular touring, because that often shapes the construction choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 tires?
Available 145R15 radial choices include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall options appear in Firestone and Michelin offerings, while a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is available with a 1.875-inch wide whitewall treatment.
Sidewall style changes the car’s look more than many owners expect, especially on a compact European vehicle where the tire is visually prominent against the body and wheel opening. Choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall usually comes down to restoration taste, period-style appearance, and how traditional or understated the finished car should look.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
The 145R15 radial size for the 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 is available from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Those choices give the owner several distinct tire series in the correct 15-inch radial size rather than a single one-brand path.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is better to compare each tire’s sidewall style, rim-width range where given, and overall presentation on the car. That approach keeps the decision centered on fitment and appearance rather than assuming every product in the size serves the same goal.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
A period-style starting point for a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 is the 5.20-15 bias-ply size, since it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction associated with older small-car fitments. That choice usually appeals most to owners who want the car to retain an earlier visual character.
A 145R15 radial can still suit a restoration-oriented Saab, especially when the goal is a road-driven car with a European radial presentation. If exact originality matters down to brand and sidewall treatment, vehicle-specific historical references and marque expertise are the right next step before settling on a final tire appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
Tire construction changes more than ride and road feel on a restored 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93. A 5.20-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional vintage sizing format, while a 145R15 radial gives it a more familiar later European radial look on the same 15-inch wheel diameter.
Sidewall treatment adds another visual layer, especially with blackwall and wide whitewall radial choices available. On a small-bodied Saab, those details stand out quickly, so the tire should match the overall restoration direction rather than being chosen only by size. A carefully matched appearance usually makes the finished car look more coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93?
Yes. Even though the primary fitments for a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 are straightforward, modifications can change how either 145R15 or 5.20-15 works on the car. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body repairs can all affect clearance and tire-to-fender relationship.
A car that has been changed from stock should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before final tire selection. It is also worth confirming wheel width and actual wheel diameter, since older collector cars are often running hardware that differs from what a buyer expects at first glance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 on new tires?
Before driving a 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel condition, then make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the car’s setup. It also helps to confirm proper inflation and check for any rubbing at the fenders or steering components.
A collector-era Saab should also be examined for suspension wear, loose steering parts, and uneven alignment conditions that can affect how fresh tires behave on the road. A short shakedown drive followed by another clearance and pressure check is a smart way to catch issues before moving on to longer trips.
How should tires on a collector 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1964 Saab Saab 92 & 93 should be checked regularly for inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss. Low-use collector cars often age their tires long before they wear them out, so condition matters just as much as remaining tread.
Storage conditions also make a difference. Keeping the Saab away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. A car that sits for long periods should still have its tires inspected before every meaningful drive, especially if it has not been on the road in several months.
