The 1972 Plymouth Satellite sits in the final years of Chrysler’s classic intermediates, a period when family transportation, wagons, and V8-powered personal cars often shared the same basic platform but not the same tire fitment. For this exact model year, tire choice starts with identifying the right sub-model because the Satellite uses four different 14-inch bias-ply sizes: E78-14, F78-14, G78-14, and H78-14. That opens up meaningful decisions in sidewall appearance and tire series, and some sizes also have modern radial equivalents. Whether the goal is a restoration-oriented look or a more road-friendly alternative, wheel size, sub-model, and overall tire profile all need to stay in focus.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1972 Plymouth Satellite
The 1972 Plymouth Satellite uses four primary tire sizes, all built around 14-inch rims and bias-ply construction. The right choice depends first on the exact sub-model, since wagon and engine-based configurations do not all share the same fitment. Once the correct size is confirmed, the next decision is whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or evaluate one of the available radial equivalents for that specific size.
H78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric bias-ply size in which the letter identifies the tire’s size class, the 78 marks its profile family, and the 14 refers to the rim diameter in inches. On the 1972 Plymouth Satellite, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment for a 14-inch wheel, making it especially relevant for buyers who want to keep the car’s period-style tire construction. Available choices in this size center on a Coker Classic Bias Ply tire with a wide whitewall presentation. It is the size to evaluate carefully when matching the needs of the Satellite Wagon and preserving the right overall visual character.
E78-14 follows the same vintage alphanumeric bias-ply sizing system, with the letter indicating a smaller size class than the larger Satellite fitments while still using a 14-inch rim. Its bias-ply construction keeps the traditional look and feel expected on a 1972 Plymouth Satellite configured for this size. Product choice includes Coker Classic wide whitewall options as well as STA blackwall tires in the Traxion and Transport Highway series, giving this size a notably different appearance range. That makes E78-14 important to verify by sub-model before choosing between restoration-oriented whitewall styling and more utilitarian blackwall bias-ply options.
F78-14 is another vintage alphanumeric bias-ply size, with the letter placing it between the smaller E78-14 and larger G78-14 and H78-14 fitments, while the 14 still denotes a 14-inch rim. For the 1972 Plymouth Satellite, it serves as a primary bias-ply size on certain engine-based configurations and keeps the car in a traditional period-style construction. Available choices in this size focus on a Coker Classic Bias Ply tire with a wide whitewall treatment. It is also one of the more flexible sizes to review because radial equivalents are available, including a bias-look radial option for buyers balancing appearance and construction choice.
G78-14 uses the same vintage alphanumeric bias-ply format, with a larger size class than F78-14 and a 14-inch rim designation at the end of the code. On the 1972 Plymouth Satellite, this bias-ply size is tied to the larger engine grouping and gives the buyer several period-style choices within the correct fitment. Available products include BFGoodrich and Coker Classic offerings, with narrow whitewall, dual-white-stripe, and wider whitewall presentations across the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Coker Classic Bias Ply series. That variety makes G78-14 especially useful for buyers who want to fine-tune both the car’s stance and its visual personality.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1972 Plymouth Satellite because tire size changes across the wagon and the different engine groupings. All of the primary fitments use 14-inch bias-ply tires, but choosing the right one starts with matching the tire to the exact Satellite configuration.
1
1972 Plymouth Satellite Wagon
The 1972 Plymouth Satellite Wagon uses the H78-14 bias-ply tire size on a 14-inch rim. That makes selection fairly straightforward once the wagon is confirmed, with the main decision shifting to period-style sidewall appearance and whether a radial equivalent is worth comparing for road use.
The 1972 Plymouth Satellite with 225 and 318 engines uses either E78-14 or F78-14 bias-ply tires, both on 14-inch rims. This is one of the configurations where exact wheel setup should be confirmed first, then the buyer can compare traditional whitewall or blackwall bias-ply choices and any available radial equivalents tied to the confirmed size.
The 1972 Plymouth Satellite with 400 and 440 engines uses either F78-14 or G78-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch rims. After confirming which of those two sizes is actually on the car, the buyer can compare the available sidewall treatments and decide whether to stay with bias-ply construction or consider the radial alternatives attached to that size.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite
Each primary tire size for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite has three or four radial-equivalent choices to consider. H78-14 corresponds to 215R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P225/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P235/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial, with a 5-7 inch recommended rim-width range. E78-14 maps to 185R14, P195/75R14, and P205/70R14 on a 4-6 inch range, while F78-14 adds a 750R14 bias-look radial and G78-14 adds an 800R14 bias-look radial. These alternatives follow different sizing conventions, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be checked before changing construction.
Modern Radial Equivalents
215R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (H78-14)
P225/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (H78-14)
P235/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (H78-14)
185R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (E78-14)
P195/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (E78-14)
P205/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (E78-14)
195R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (F78-14)
P205/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (F78-14)
P215/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (F78-14)
750R14
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (F78-14)
205R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (G78-14)
P215/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (G78-14)
P225/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (G78-14)
800R14
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (G78-14)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 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.
Best 1972 Plymouth Satellite Tires for Sale
Available 1972 Plymouth Satellite tires span Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, and STA offerings across several 14-inch bias-ply sizes. Depending on the size, the product grid includes wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, dual-white-stripe, and blackwall styles in the Coker Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Traxion, and Transport Highway series.
Common 1972 Plymouth Satellite tire questions usually come down to the right sub-model size, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial alternatives, and choosing the right sidewall style for the way the car is driven and presented.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
A 1972 Plymouth Satellite can use H78-14, E78-14, F78-14, or G78-14, depending on the exact sub-model. All four are vintage alphanumeric bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims, but they are not universal across every Satellite configuration.
The first step is confirming whether the car is a Satellite Wagon, a 225 or 318 engine car, or a 400 or 440 engine car. Some engine groupings use more than one primary size, so the actual wheel and tire setup on the car should be checked before choosing a replacement or comparing radial equivalents.
What size rim does a 1972 Plymouth Satellite use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies across H78-14, E78-14, F78-14, and G78-14, even though the tire sizes themselves vary by sub-model and configuration.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially if the car has been changed from its original wheel setup over the years. Measuring the actual wheel on the car and comparing its width to the tire being considered is a smart step before selecting a new bias-ply tire or moving to a radial equivalent.
Why does the 1972 Plymouth Satellite have more than one tire size?
The 1972 Plymouth Satellite has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The wagon uses H78-14, the 225 and 318 engine group uses E78-14 or F78-14, and the 400 and 440 engine group uses F78-14 or G78-14.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the exact version of the car rather than assuming every Satellite uses the same size. On cars that could use one of two sizes within the same engine grouping, the safest approach is to verify the wheel and current tire dimensions before selecting a period-style bias-ply tire or a radial alternative.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is H78-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
H78-14 is a bias-ply primary tire size for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite. It uses the vintage alphanumeric sizing system and belongs to the same traditional bias-ply family as the Satellite’s other primary fitments in E78-14, F78-14, and G78-14.
That matters because staying with bias-ply construction preserves the vehicle’s original-style tire format and appearance more closely than a modern radial conversion. A radial equivalent can still be considered, but the wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance around the wagon or any modified suspension setup should be checked before changing construction.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to F78-14?
Radial equivalents for F78-14 include 195R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 750R14 as a bias-look radial. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 4 to 6 inches.
Those choices give a buyer several ways to compare sizing format and tire appearance while staying close to the original F78-14 fitment concept. Each one should still be evaluated against the actual wheel width on the car, along with steering and fender clearance, before making the switch from a bias-ply tire.
Can I use a bias-look radial on a 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
A bias-look radial can be considered on certain 1972 Plymouth Satellite fitments. F78-14 has a 750R14 bias-look radial equivalent, and G78-14 has an 800R14 bias-look radial equivalent, while H78-14 and E78-14 do not have a bias-look radial equivalent in the available mappings.
This type of radial is useful for buyers who want a more traditional visual presentation than a modern P-metric tire usually provides. It is still a radial conversion rather than a bias-ply tire, so wheel compatibility, tire dimensions, and body or suspension clearance should be reviewed before treating it as a workable alternative.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1972 Plymouth Satellite tire?
Start with the exact sub-model and confirmed tire size, because a 1972 Plymouth Satellite may use H78-14, E78-14, F78-14, or G78-14. After that, the key decisions are construction, sidewall appearance, and whether the tire will be used for restoration-oriented presentation or regular road driving.
A buyer comparing options should look at the correct rim diameter, the rim-width guidance attached to the tire, and the visual character of the sidewall. Wider whitewalls, narrow whitewalls, dual-white-stripe designs, and blackwalls create very different looks, even when they all fall within the proper vintage-size family for the Satellite.
What sidewall styles are available for 1972 Plymouth Satellite tires?
Sidewall choices for 1972 Plymouth Satellite tires include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, dual-white-stripe, and blackwall styles, depending on the size. G78-14 has the broadest appearance range, while E78-14 includes both wide whitewall and blackwall options.
The right sidewall comes down to how the car is being presented rather than size alone. A wagon, a restored street car, and a more utilitarian build can all lean in different directions, so it helps to confirm the exact tire size first and then compare the available sidewall treatments within that size rather than across unrelated fitments.
What brands offer tires for the 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
1972 Plymouth Satellite tire options include Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, and STA, depending on the size being used. Coker Classic appears across several of the Satellite’s primary bias-ply sizes, BFGoodrich is present in G78-14, and STA appears in E78-14.
Brand choice is most useful after the correct size is confirmed, since not every brand is available in every Satellite fitment. From there, compare the tire series and sidewall presentation within that size, because a blackwall STA tire and a wide-whitewall Coker Classic can suit very different restoration or driving goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
A period-style 1972 Plymouth Satellite usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the specific sub-model: H78-14, E78-14, F78-14, or G78-14. Keeping the original-style sizing format and bias-ply construction generally preserves the car’s traditional visual character better than moving straight to a modern radial format.
After the proper size is confirmed, the appearance decision shifts to the available sidewall style in that size. Buyers focused on exact originality should compare any whitewall or stripe treatment against marque literature, surviving examples, or restoration references, since a period-style tire is not automatically the same thing as a factory-delivered one.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
Tire construction changes both the visual impression and the stance of a restored 1972 Plymouth Satellite. The primary fitments are bias-ply tires, and that construction supports the vintage alphanumeric sizing format that looks at home on an early-1970s intermediate Plymouth.
A radial equivalent can be a practical alternative, but it often changes the overall presentation simply because the sizing convention and sidewall character are different. Buyers restoring for show-oriented appearance often start by preserving the correct primary size and then choose the sidewall treatment that best matches the Satellite’s intended era-specific look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1972 Plymouth Satellite?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1972 Plymouth Satellite, even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, ride-height changes, suspension work, and body alterations can all change how an H78-14, E78-14, F78-14, or G78-14 tire sits on the car.
That is especially important when considering a radial equivalent, since the tire may follow a different sizing convention than the original bias-ply fitment. Measuring the actual wheel, checking steering travel, and inspecting fender and suspension clearance helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the Satellite on paper but not on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1972 Plymouth Satellite on new tires?
Before driving a 1972 Plymouth Satellite on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper mounting, and look over suspension and steering components that could affect clearance. It also helps to verify inflation pressure, lug torque, and that the tires have even seating all the way around the rim.
A collector car can sit for long periods, so the first road test should be approached carefully even when the tires are new. Watch for rubbing during turns, recheck air pressure after the initial drive, and inspect for any contact marks that suggest the tire size, wheel width, or suspension setup needs a closer review.
How should 1972 Plymouth Satellite tires be maintained?
1972 Plymouth Satellite tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is running a bias-ply tire or a radial equivalent, owners should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on vehicles that are driven only occasionally.
Long-term care matters as much as mileage on a collector-era Plymouth. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and periodic inspection remains important even when tread wear is minimal, since age and storage conditions can affect tire safety before the tread is ever worn out.
