1972 Saab 97 Tires

The 1972 Saab 97 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R15 in radial construction and 560-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for 15-inch rims, so the car’s tire choice is tied more to construction and setup than to a change in wheel diameter.

The practical step is to confirm which type of tire the car has now and whether the wheels are suited to that size and construction. A Saab 97 kept in a period-style bias-ply layout may stay with 560-15, while a car already running a radial setup may be better matched to 155R15.

The primary tire sizes for the 1972 Saab 97 both use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 155R15 radial size and the 560-15 bias-ply size, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the sizing systems and construction types differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking wheel width before choosing a tire. That matters most if the car has replacement wheels, older restored wheels, or a planned switch between bias-ply and radial construction, since those changes can affect compatibility and clearance.

On a 1972 Saab 97, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 represents a nominal 5.60-inch section-width class, written without the decimal, and the 15 identifies the rim diameter in inches.

This older sizing format is useful to understand because it signals a traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial. If the car wears 560-15 tires, the owner should choose among the available bias-ply styles and brands carefully, or compare that size with its radial equivalents only after checking wheel width and overall fitment.

For the 1972 Saab 97, 560-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system and represents the traditional construction option offered alongside the 155R15 radial fitment on the same 15-inch rim diameter.

That matters because construction changes the character of the tire choice, not just the way the size is written. An owner keeping a period-style presentation may want to stay with 560-15 bias-ply tires, while anyone considering a radial alternative should confirm wheel width, clearance, and the car’s current setup before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 560-15 include 155R15 as an 80-series metric radial and 560R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Those two options give the 1972 Saab 97 owner a choice between a conventional metric radial format and a radial designed to retain a more traditional visual presentation.

Each equivalent should be treated as an alternative to evaluate, not as an automatic interchange. The useful starting point is the recommended 4- to 5-inch rim-width range for the equivalent path, followed by checking wheel compatibility, overall dimensions, and clearance at the front suspension and body before changing from bias-ply to radial.

That depends on what matters most for the 1972 Saab 97. The car can be equipped with a 560-15 bias-ply tire for a more traditional presentation, or with a 155R15 radial if the car is already set up around the radial size and construction.

Bias-ply and radial tires serve different goals, so the decision should follow the car’s current wheel setup, intended driving use, and restoration direction. A period-style car may lean toward 560-15, while a road-driven example may point toward radial options, but either path still needs a careful check of rim width and clearances.

Start with the correct primary size and construction for the car: 155R15 for radial or 560-15 for bias-ply, both on 15-inch rims. From there, compare the tire’s intended role, its rim-width specification, brand, and the visual style that best matches how the Saab 97 will be used and presented.

A restoration-oriented car may call for a traditional bias-ply look, while a road-driven example may lead toward one of the available blackwall radials. It also helps to compare series differences within the correct size, since the product range includes touring-style radials, classic bias-ply offerings, and a front-runner bias-ply option.

Sidewall choice depends on the size and construction selected for the 1972 Saab 97. The 155R15 radial options are offered in blackwall form, while the 560-15 bias-ply range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles.

That makes sidewall style one of the clearest appearance decisions on this car. A blackwall tire keeps the look restrained and European in character, while narrow or wide whitewalls shift the visual emphasis toward a more stylized vintage presentation, so the best choice depends on the car’s finish, trim, and restoration direction.

The 1972 Saab 97 has tire choices from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Brand availability depends on size and construction, with the radial 155R15 range centered on Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, and the 560-15 bias-ply range including Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

The useful way to compare them is by size, series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than by brand name alone. Once the correct construction path is confirmed, the owner can narrow the search by whether the car needs a blackwall radial, a whitewall bias-ply look, or a more specialized bias-ply application.

For a period-style 1972 Saab 97, the first choice is between the traditional 560-15 bias-ply fitment and the 155R15 radial fitment that also belongs to the car’s tire story. The better option depends on whether the goal is an earlier-looking bias-ply presentation or a radial setup that still feels appropriate to the era.

Appearance should be weighed alongside the actual wheel and tire configuration on the car today. When originality matters at a high level, it is worth checking marque references and restoration documentation, but for many owners the practical target is a size and construction that look right on the car and suit how it will be driven.

On a restored 1972 Saab 97, construction affects both stance and visual character. A 560-15 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 155R15 radial looks more in line with later European radial fitment and is offered here in blackwall form.

The difference becomes more noticeable when sidewall styling enters the picture. Bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments, so the construction decision also guides the car toward either a restrained roadgoing appearance or a more overtly classic look, depending on the restoration’s intent.

Yes. On a 1972 Saab 97, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all affect how a 155R15 or 560-15 tire fits. Even with the correct 15-inch rim diameter, wheel and chassis changes can alter clearance and compatibility.

That is why a modified car should be checked more carefully than an unaltered one. The important points are wheel width, the tire’s physical space at the fender and steering components, and whether the car has been changed in ways that make the original tire path less straightforward than it would be on a stock setup.

Before driving a 1972 Saab 97 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the car’s intended setup, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also smart to check for any immediate rubbing at full steering lock and normal suspension movement.

A broader pre-drive inspection should include tread and sidewall condition on any remaining older tires, valve stems, and signs of air loss if the car has been sitting. Since collector cars are often used intermittently, a short test drive followed by another clearance and pressure check is a sensible final step.

Collector-car tires on a 1972 Saab 97 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 155R15 radials or 560-15 bias-ply tires, it is important to watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and gradual air loss between drives.

Low-use cars can age tires out before they wear them out, so maintenance is as much about condition as mileage. Keeping the Saab away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and any sign of deterioration should be evaluated before the car is taken on normal road use or a longer trip.