The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT comes from an era when Saab was building compact, unconventional cars with a strong reputation for efficiency, cold-weather practicality, and distinctive European engineering. For owners today, that character matters because the tire choice should support the car’s light, nimble feel rather than overwhelm it with the wrong dimensions. This model uses a 155R15 radial on a 15-inch rim, giving it a straightforward fitment starting point. Available choices stay within that classic Euro-metric size while varying by brand and tire series, including touring-oriented and specialty radial options. The real decision is matching the correct 155R15 fitment to your restoration goals, driving conditions, and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT
The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses one primary tire size: 155R15. It is a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size. That means the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between the available 155R15 tire series, brand character, and how closely you want to stay with a traditional period-style presentation.
A 155R15 size uses a nominal section width of 155 millimeters, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. In this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself and is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT, this keeps the fitment in a classic European radial format rather than a vintage bias-ply system. Available choices include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, all in blackwall form across several radial series. This size makes sense for owners who want to stay with the correct primary fitment while selecting the tire character that best suits touring, seasonal use, or restoration-minded driving.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT sub-models. The shared 155R15 radial size means the sub-model check is mainly about confirming the car still carries the correct 15-inch wheel setup before comparing tire series and product details.
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1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base
The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base uses the same 155R15 radial fitment as the overall model range covered here. Tire selection therefore comes down to choosing the right blackwall radial series for the car’s intended use, wheel width, and desired period-style look.
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 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT Tires for Sale
Available 155R15 choices span Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, with several radial series in a traditional blackwall presentation. The main comparisons in the product grid are tire series, rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the kind of road use each radial design suggests.
Owners of a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT usually want clear answers on 155R15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, available radial choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the wheel and tire checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses a 155R15 tire size. This is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and it keeps the car in the classic Euro-metric sizing format commonly seen on European cars of the period.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheels and a wheel width appropriate for the tire you are considering. Once size is settled, the real comparison is among the available 155R15 radial options, including differences in tire series, brand, and use case rather than a change in primary fitment.
What size rim does a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT use?
The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses a 15-inch rim with its 155R15 tire size. Product options in this size are also built around 15-inch wheel fitment, which keeps the core diameter question straightforward for an unmodified car.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the check, though. Before choosing a tire, verify the actual wheel width on the car and compare it with the rim-width range of the tire series you want. That matters most if the Saab has replacement wheels, older repaired wheels, or any change from its original wheel setup.
Does the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT Base uses the same 155R15 radial tire size as the overall model fitment covered here. That means the Base model does not introduce a separate primary size or a different rim diameter within this page’s scope.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the wheels actually installed on the car before ordering tires. Collector cars sometimes pick up aftermarket wheels or nonstandard replacements over time, and that can affect rim-width compatibility. Once the wheel setup checks out, the choice becomes which 155R15 radial best matches the car’s intended road use and appearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R15 tire for a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
Start with the correct 155R15 size and make sure the tire matches the car’s 15-inch wheel setup. From there, compare the available radial series by brand, rim-width range, and the kind of driving the tire suggests, whether that is general road use, seasonal use, or a more specialized classic performance application.
Appearance also plays a role, even within a single size. On this Saab, the available products stay with a traditional blackwall look, so the visual differences come more from overall tread and tire character than from sidewall treatment. A sensible final check is wheel width, vehicle clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components before committing to a specific tire.
What brands offer tires for the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
The 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT has 155R15 tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several radial series, including Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the type of tire you want rather than treating one name as automatically right. Some owners may prefer a traditional touring-style radial presentation, while others may focus on a specialty series or seasonal use. The better comparison is always size, wheel compatibility, and the tire’s intended character on a light vintage Saab.
What tire series are available for the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
In 155R15, the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT has access to several tire series, including Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All are radial options built around the same basic size and 15-inch rim diameter.
That variety matters because two tires in the same size can still serve different priorities. One series may suit traditional road use, another may lean toward classic sporting character, and another may be oriented to winter driving. Comparing the series descriptions alongside rim-width specifications and any stated load information will usually narrow the field more effectively than brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
A period-style starting point for a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT is the correct 155R15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. Staying within that original-format Euro-metric radial sizing keeps the car visually and proportionally closer to its mid-1960s European character than moving to a more modern-looking alternate size.
From there, the decision is about how the tire presents and how the car will be used. Blackwall radial options suit the understated look many owners want on a Saab of this era, but exact originality standards can vary. If concours-level authenticity matters, compare your choice against marque references, period photos, and other vehicle-specific historical material before making the final call.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size has a strong effect on the stance, wheelwell appearance, and overall visual balance of a small European car like the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT. Using the proper 155R15 format keeps the restoration anchored to the tire dimensions this model was built around.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. A tire that departs too far from the intended wheel setup can create unnecessary clearance or handling concerns, especially on an older car with limited wheelhouse space. Even on a cosmetic restoration, it is worth verifying wheel width, suspension condition, and the actual mounted setup so the finished car looks right and drives with confidence.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT?
Yes. Even though the 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT has a straightforward 155R15 primary fitment, modifications can still change what works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, repaired bodywork, or brake and hub changes can all affect how a tire sits and clears.
A modified Saab should be checked as an actual wheel-and-tire package, not just by the catalog size alone. Verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering range before settling on a tire series. That is especially important on collector cars that may have accumulated changes over decades of ownership and maintenance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT on new tires?
Before putting a 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the 15-inch wheel, and check that the tires are seated and inflated correctly. It is also wise to inspect steering and suspension components for play, wear, or obvious deterioration.
A short local test drive is the best first check after installation. Watch for rubbing during turns, unusual vibration, pulling, or any sign that the tire is contacting the body or suspension. Rechecking pressure after the first few drives is a smart habit on a collector vehicle, especially if it has spent long periods off the road.
How should 155R15 tires on a collector 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT be maintained?
155R15 tires on a collector 1965 Saab 750 & 850 GT should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs of slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently or sits for long stretches.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older collector car. Keeping the Saab away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or avoid leaving it loaded in one position for months at a time, then inspect the tires again before road use.