1970 Saab 95 & 96 Tires

The 1970 Saab 95 & 96 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R15 in radial construction and 560-15 in bias-ply construction. Both are 15-inch fitments, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire format and construction style chosen for the car.

That means the first decision is whether the Saab is being kept in a traditional bias-ply setup or run on radial tires. Once that is settled, compare the actual wheel width on the car, the intended appearance, and how the vehicle will be driven before selecting a tire within either size.

The 1970 Saab 95 & 96 uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 155R15 and 560-15. Even though the sizes look very different on paper, each one is built around the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking wheel width before choosing among available tires. That matters even more if the car has replacement wheels, since radial and bias-ply options in these sizes can call for slightly different rim-width ranges.

560-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 560 designates the tire’s nominal section-width class in the older sizing system, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches, making it the traditional bias-ply fitment used on the 1970 Saab 95 & 96.

For a buyer, that size points toward a more vintage tire character and appearance than a metric radial. It also opens up choices in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, so the next step is deciding whether period-style presentation or radial road manners matters more for the car.

560-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1970 Saab 95 & 96. It is the older numeric format associated with traditional construction, while 155R15 is the radial-format alternative used on the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because bias-ply and radial tires give the car a different look and can suit different ownership goals. A bias-ply setup is often chosen for a more traditional presentation, while any move to a radial alternative should include a check of wheel width, overall clearance, and the car’s current setup.

Radial equivalents for 560-15 include 155R15 as the 80-series metric radial option and 560R15 as the bias-look radial alternative. Those are the radial sizes associated with the original 560-15 bias-ply fitment on the 1970 Saab 95 & 96.

The practical difference is that 155R15 uses a standard Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 is intended to preserve more of a traditional tire appearance. A 4 to 5 inch rim-width range is relevant to these equivalents, and wheel width plus body and steering clearance should be confirmed before making the change.

That choice depends on what matters most for your 1970 Saab 95 & 96. The 560-15 bias-ply size supports a more traditional presentation, while the 155R15 radial follows a classic Euro-metric radial format that many owners consider when the car is driven regularly.

Bias-ply often suits a restoration-oriented approach, especially when sidewall style is part of the overall look. Radial choices open up a broader range of brands and tire series, but the decision should still be tied to the wheels on the car, the way the Saab will be used, and whether preserving vintage appearance is a priority.

Start with the correct primary size and construction for the way the car is set up: 155R15 if it is on radial tires, or 560-15 if it is staying with bias-ply construction. Both are 15-inch fitments, but they lead to very different product groups and visual results.

From there, compare brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility rather than choosing by size alone. A Saab aimed at regular road use may be approached differently than one being restored for a period-style presentation, so the best choice is the one that matches both the car and its intended use.

Sidewall choices for the 1970 Saab 95 & 96 depend on which size you select. The 155R15 radial offerings are blackwall, while the 560-15 bias-ply size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That makes sidewall style one of the biggest appearance decisions on this car. A blackwall usually gives the cleanest understated look, while whitewall options push the tire toward a stronger vintage presentation, so it helps to choose the sidewall that fits the car’s restoration direction and overall character.

Tires for the 1970 Saab 95 & 96 are available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. The brand mix varies by size, with most radial choices centered around 155R15 and most bias-ply choices centered around 560-15.

Brand is only one part of the decision, so compare each option alongside construction, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability. That approach is especially useful on a car like the Saab 95 & 96, where the buyer may be balancing road use, traditional appearance, and fitment on narrow 15-inch wheels.

For a period-style 1970 Saab 95 & 96, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the older tire format used on the car. That size also offers more vintage-looking sidewall choices than the radial alternatives, including blackwall and whitewall treatments.

A restoration-oriented choice should consider the overall look you want rather than size alone. If exact historical presentation matters down to brand or sidewall detail, it is worth checking marque references or period photographs, while using the 560-15 format as the foundation for a more traditional appearance.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1970 Saab 95 & 96 more than many buyers expect. A 560-15 bias-ply gives the car a distinctly vintage presentation, while a 155R15 radial reads as more modern in both sizing format and overall look, even though both use 15-inch rims.

That is why construction choice often comes before brand choice on a restoration-oriented Saab. Owners trying to preserve an older visual balance often stay with bias-ply or consider a bias-look radial, while owners focused more on regular road use may lean toward a conventional metric radial instead.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1970 Saab 95 & 96 even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body alterations can all influence how a 155R15 or 560-15 sits in the car.

That is why the actual wheel and vehicle setup should be checked before choosing a tire, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial construction. Clearance at the fender, steering range, and suspension travel all matter more once a car has moved away from its original wheel and chassis configuration.

Before driving a 1970 Saab 95 & 96 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then verify that the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It also makes sense to check for rubbing at full steering lock and to confirm that suspension and steering components are in good order.

A collector car can hide problems that only show up once it is back on the road. Looking for uneven wear, air loss, sidewall damage, and any signs of interference during the first miles helps catch fitment or mechanical issues early, before they become a larger problem.

Tires on a collector 1970 Saab 95 & 96 should be kept at the proper pressure for the tire in use and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss. Cars that are driven infrequently deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can affect tires even when tread looks good.

Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a vintage Saab. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and a careful walk-around before each drive is a smart habit whether the car is running bias-ply tires or a classic radial setup.