The 1967 Buick Riviera stands at the height of Buick personal-luxury styling, with crisp hidden-headlamp design and the long, low presence that made these big coupes such distinctive road cars. Tire choice on this model is not one-size-fits-all, because the Riviera uses two different 15-inch bias-ply fitments depending on sub-model. The Base model uses 8.45-15, while the Gran Sport uses H70-15, so identifying the exact version of the car comes first. That also shapes the decision between traditional bias-ply presentation and, for H70-15 applications, several modern radial-equivalent paths. For restoration-minded owners and drivers alike, wheel setup, appearance, and construction choice should all be confirmed before ordering.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1967 Buick Riviera
The 1967 Buick Riviera uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the sub-model rather than a change in rim diameter. Both fitments are bias-ply tires for 15-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base Riviera or a Gran Sport. After that, the real decision becomes selecting the right period-style tire presentation within the correct size and, where available, deciding whether a radial equivalent is worth considering.
An 8.45-15 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where 8.45 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1967 Buick Riviera, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits buyers looking to maintain the original-era sizing approach and driving character of the car's Base configuration. Its appeal is less about choosing among modern sizing conventions and more about keeping the right visual proportion for a full-size personal luxury coupe. Before selecting it, confirm that the car still retains the wheel setup intended for this fitment.
H70-15 uses the vintage alphanumeric bias-ply system, where the letter identifies the tire's size class, the 70 marks its profile family, and 15 is the wheel diameter. For the 1967 Buick Riviera, this bias-ply fitment applies to the Gran Sport and opens up more choice for buyers who want either a traditional tire or a radial-equivalent path in the same general fitment range. That makes it especially relevant for owners balancing period-style appearance against road-use preferences. The right choice starts with confirming the car is actually the Gran Sport and still uses the correct 15-inch wheel arrangement.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1967 Buick Riviera because the covered versions do not share the same primary tire size. Both use 15-inch bias-ply tires, but choosing correctly starts with confirming whether the car is a Base Riviera or a Gran Sport.
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1967 Buick Riviera Base
The 1967 Buick Riviera Base uses the 8.45-15 bias-ply tire size. That makes the selection process centered on keeping the proper vintage sizing format and confirming the car still has the wheel setup intended for this traditional fitment.
The 1967 Buick Riviera Gran Sport uses the H70-15 bias-ply tire size. This fitment gives the owner a choice between a traditional bias-ply presentation and several radial-equivalent alternatives that should be checked carefully against wheel width and overall vehicle setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1967 Buick Riviera
For the original H70-15 tire size, four radial-equivalent options are available. These include 215R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P225/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P235/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 760R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. The choices differ mainly by sizing convention and profile style, with the bias-look radial aimed at a more traditional presentation. A 6-8 inch rim width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel compatibility, vehicle dimensions, and clearance should all be checked before changing construction.
Modern Radial Equivalents
215R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (H70-15)
P225/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (H70-15)
P235/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (H70-15)
760R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (H70-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (6-8 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on the exact tire-size split between the 1967 Buick Riviera Base and Gran Sport, along with wheel fitment, bias-ply versus radial considerations, restoration appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1967 Buick Riviera?
A 1967 Buick Riviera uses one of two primary tire sizes, depending on sub-model. The Base model uses 8.45-15, while the Gran Sport uses H70-15. Both are 15-inch bias-ply fitments, but they are not the same size code and should not be treated as interchangeable without further verification.
The most important step is identifying the car correctly before selecting a tire. A Riviera that has been modified over the years may also have different wheels than it left the factory with, so check the actual wheel diameter and general wheel setup on the car before choosing between the two sizes.
What size rim does a 1967 Buick Riviera use?
The 1967 Buick Riviera uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 8.45-15 fitment used on the Base model and the H70-15 fitment used on the Gran Sport, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire sizing system changes by sub-model.
Keeping the rim diameter straight is only part of the fitment check. A 15-inch wheel can still vary in width or have been replaced with an aftermarket wheel, so confirm the actual wheel on the car before selecting a tire, especially if considering a radial alternative for the H70-15 application.
Why does the 1967 Buick Riviera have more than one tire size?
The 1967 Buick Riviera has more than one tire size because fitment differs by sub-model. The Base model uses 8.45-15, while the Gran Sport uses H70-15. Both are period bias-ply sizes for 15-inch wheels, but they represent different sizing conventions tied to different versions of the Riviera.
That means tire shopping should begin with the exact model designation rather than with the year and make alone. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the decision becomes much simpler: stay with the proper bias-ply fitment for the car or, in the case of H70-15, evaluate one of the available radial-equivalent options carefully.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is H70-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1967 Buick Riviera?
On the 1967 Buick Riviera, H70-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size used on the Gran Sport. It is not a radial primary fitment. The letter-and-number format belongs to the vintage alphanumeric bias-ply sizing system commonly seen on American cars of the period.
That matters because a bias-ply tire preserves the original-era sizing language and traditional appearance of the Gran Sport fitment. Owners considering a radial alternative should treat that as a separate decision, then check wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming every radial in the same general range will behave the same way.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to H70-15?
Radial equivalents for H70-15 include 215R15, P225/75R15, P235/70R15, and 760R15. Those choices cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent that keeps a more traditional visual character than a typical modern radial.
These alternatives give the Gran Sport owner more than one path, but they are still alternatives rather than automatic replacements. Rim width, wheel design, suspension condition, and available clearance should all be checked before conversion, especially when moving between older alphanumeric sizing and metric or P-metric radial formats.
What should I check before converting my 1967 Buick Riviera from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the Riviera's exact sub-model, because only the H70-15 Gran Sport fitment has stated radial equivalents. Then verify that the car still uses the correct 15-inch wheel setup and compare the intended radial size with the wheel's width and the space available around the tire.
A construction change can also alter the car's visual stance and road feel, which matters on a large collector coupe like the Riviera. Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the overall condition of the wheels should all be inspected before making the switch from a traditional bias-ply tire to a radial alternative.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1967 Buick Riviera?
The first consideration is the exact sub-model. A 1967 Buick Riviera Base uses 8.45-15, while a 1967 Buick Riviera Gran Sport uses H70-15, and both are bias-ply fitments on 15-inch wheels. Choosing the wrong size code is a bigger issue here than picking among cosmetic or construction preferences.
Once the size is confirmed, think about how the car will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented owner may want to stay close to the original-era bias-ply look, while a Gran Sport owner may also consider radial-equivalent choices. Wheel condition, wheel width, and any past modifications deserve a close look before the final selection.
How do I choose between the available H70-15 tires for a 1967 Buick Riviera?
Choosing among H70-15 tires starts with deciding whether the Gran Sport should keep its traditional bias-ply construction or move toward a radial-equivalent alternative. That decision affects not only the tire's sizing format, but also the car's visual presentation and how closely the tire reflects the period style associated with this Riviera fitment.
After construction is settled, compare the wheel setup on the car and think about intended use. A show-focused car may call for a more traditional look, while a regularly driven car may lead the owner to evaluate the available radial-equivalent paths. The wheel itself should be checked before assuming every option suits the same setup.
What tire series are available for the 1967 Buick Riviera?
There is no named tire-series assortment attached here for the 1967 Buick Riviera, so the more useful way to shop this car is by the correct size and construction. The key split is between the Base model's 8.45-15 bias-ply fitment and the Gran Sport's H70-15 bias-ply fitment, with radial equivalents available only for H70-15.
That means tire selection should stay focused on the fitment path rather than on a series name alone. Confirm the sub-model first, then look at whether the goal is restoration-style appearance, traditional bias-ply construction, or a carefully checked radial alternative for the Gran Sport's H70-15 application.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1967 Buick Riviera?
A period-style 1967 Buick Riviera starts with the correct original-era size format for the car's sub-model. The Base model uses 8.45-15 and the Gran Sport uses H70-15, and both are bias-ply fitments that suit the Riviera's late-1960s character far more naturally than treating every version of the car as the same tire application.
That does not automatically make every tire sold in those sizes the right visual match for every restoration goal. Owners chasing a highly accurate result should confirm details through marque-specific references and the car's own history, while owners seeking a strong period-style presentation can begin with the correct size and construction.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1967 Buick Riviera restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1967 Buick Riviera restoration because the car uses different primary sizes by sub-model. A Base Riviera on 8.45-15 presents differently than a Gran Sport on H70-15, even though both are 15-inch bias-ply arrangements tied to the Riviera's original-era tire language.
Getting the size right helps preserve the car's proper visual balance and avoids mixing fitments across versions of the Riviera. It also keeps the restoration process grounded in the actual configuration of the car, which is especially important before making any move toward radial alternatives on an H70-15 Gran Sport application.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1967 Buick Riviera?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1967 Buick Riviera even when the intended tire size is correct for the original sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how an 8.45-15 or H70-15 tire sits and clears the car.
That is especially important if the Riviera is being returned to stock appearance after years of changes or if a Gran Sport is being converted to a radial equivalent. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance on the actual car before making a final tire choice.
What should I inspect before driving a 1967 Buick Riviera on new tires?
Before driving a 1967 Buick Riviera on new tires, inspect the wheels, confirm the correct tire size for the sub-model, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, steering looseness, and any signs that the car has limited clearance at the fenders or under hard turns.
A collector car that has spent long periods parked deserves extra attention before road use. Look over the rest of the chassis for leaks, worn bushings, and brake issues, then recheck tire pressure after the first short drive. A new tire performs best when the surrounding wheel and suspension hardware are in sound condition.
How should tires on a collector 1967 Buick Riviera be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1967 Buick Riviera should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread looks good, age-related cracking, bulges, flat spotting, or slow air loss can develop on cars that are driven only occasionally, whether they use 8.45-15 bias-ply tires or H70-15-based fitments.
The car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors and compressors. Moving the Riviera periodically can help reduce flat spotting, and any sign of unusual wear should lead to a closer inspection of alignment, suspension condition, and wheel condition before longer road use.