The 1973 Saab 99 came from a period when Saab’s engineering identity was firmly tied to practical innovation, front-wheel-drive confidence, and a distinctly European approach to everyday performance. Whether the car is a Base model or an EMS, tire choice matters because this chassis responds best when size, profile, and wheel fitment are kept in proper proportion. The 1973 Saab 99 uses radial tires, with 165R15 as the core fitment and 175/70R15 also applying to certain EMS cars. Available choices range from blackwall and whitewall 165R15 options to sportier blackwall 175/70R15 selections. The right pick depends on the exact sub-model, the look being pursued, and the wheel setup on the car today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Saab 99
The 1973 Saab 99 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is identifying the exact sub-model. Both sizes are radial and both use a 15-inch rim, but fitment is not the same across the full model range. Once the correct size is confirmed, the decision shifts to tire profile, sidewall style, brand, and the kind of road use or appearance the car is being built around.
165R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On this Saab, it represents the traditional 80-series style radial fitment and suits buyers who want to stay close to the car’s original-era sizing character. This size is available across a broad mix of brands and series, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations. It is the key size for buyers focused on authentic proportions, restoration-minded appearance, or broader product choice within the 15-inch fitment.
175/70R15 is a metric radial size that spells out more of the tire’s sizing information, with 175 as section width in millimeters, 70 as the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 15 for rim diameter. On the 1973 Saab 99, this size applies to certain EMS configurations rather than the full model line. Available products in this size center on blackwall performance-oriented classic radials from Avon and Vredestein. It is the size to evaluate when the car is specifically equipped for it and the goal is a lower-profile 15-inch radial choice within correct EMS fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1973 Saab 99 because tire sizing is not identical across the range. The Base model stays straightforward, while the EMS requires a closer look since more than one radial size can apply depending on the wheel and tire setup being used.
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1973 Saab 99 Base
The 1973 Saab 99 Base uses the 165R15 radial size, keeping tire selection relatively simple within the 15-inch fitment. The real choice becomes brand, sidewall appearance, and whether the car is being kept visually traditional or prepared for regular road use with a blackwall touring-style radial.
The 1973 Saab 99 EMS can use either 165R15 or 175/70R15, so confirming the wheel and current setup is important before choosing tires. That gives the EMS owner a decision between a taller traditional Euro-metric radial look and a lower-profile metric radial presentation, both on 15-inch rims.
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 1973 Saab 99 Tires for Sale
Available 1973 Saab 99 tire choices span 165R15 and 175/70R15 radials from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Vredestein, and Avon. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, along with series such as Michelin XZX, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, Snow Classic, and CR6ZZ.
Common 1973 Saab 99 tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, choosing between 165R15 and 175/70R15 where applicable, and sorting through radial style, sidewall, wheel-fitment, and road-use considerations.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Saab 99?
The 1973 Saab 99 uses two radial tire sizes: 165R15 and 175/70R15. The Base model uses 165R15, while the EMS can use 165R15 or 175/70R15, so the exact fitment depends on which sub-model is being matched.
That means the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base or EMS, then checking the wheels actually on the car. Both sizes use 15-inch rims, but the tire profile and overall look differ. A car that has been changed over the years may no longer wear its original-style wheels, so wheel width and clearance still deserve a quick check before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1973 Saab 99 use?
Both tire sizes associated with the 1973 Saab 99 use a 15-inch rim. That applies to the 165R15 fitment and to the 175/70R15 fitment used on certain EMS applications, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire sizes differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage Saab that may have had wheels changed over time. The next things to confirm are rim width and the actual tire size intended for the sub-model. Staying with a 15-inch wheel does not automatically mean every 15-inch radial choice will suit the car’s proportions, clearance, or intended appearance equally well.
Do all 1973 Saab 99 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1973 Saab 99 Base uses 165R15, while the 1973 Saab 99 EMS can use either 165R15 or 175/70R15. The model line stays within radial construction and 15-inch rims, but the exact tire size is not completely uniform across both sub-models.
That distinction matters because a buyer looking at the EMS has a broader range of possible setups to verify. Tire selection should start with the badge on the car, then move to the actual wheel and tire combination currently installed. On a restored or modified Saab, checking the sidewall on the existing tire and measuring wheel width can prevent ordering a size that suits another version of the 99 instead.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R15 tire for a 1973 Saab 99?
A 165R15 tire choice for a 1973 Saab 99 starts with confirming that 165R15 is the correct fitment for the car, then deciding how the tire should look and behave in use. This size is available in traditional blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms across several classic radial series.
After size is settled, compare rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the role the car plays. A regularly driven Saab may point toward a straightforward blackwall touring-style radial, while a restoration-oriented car may benefit from a whitewall treatment that better matches the desired presentation. Series differences also matter, especially if the buyer wants a European-style look versus a broader vintage aftermarket appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Saab 99 tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size. In 165R15, the 1973 Saab 99 has blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices. In 175/70R15, the available options are blackwall, which keeps the look more restrained and performance-oriented.
That makes sidewall style an important visual decision, especially on a car with period trim or a restoration goal. A whitewall can change the character of the car dramatically even when the size remains correct. Buyers comparing options should keep appearance secondary to fitment, though, because the right sidewall treatment still needs to be paired with the proper tire size and wheel setup for the specific Saab 99 sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Saab 99?
Tires for the 1973 Saab 99 are available from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Vredestein, and Avon. Brand availability depends on size, with the broadest assortment appearing in 165R15 and a more focused blackwall selection in 175/70R15.
The practical choice is not just brand name alone. A buyer should also compare tire series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size. Michelin XZX and XAS, Vredestein Sprint Classic and Snow Classic, Firestone F560, and Avon CR6ZZ each speak to a different type of period feel or driving use, so the strongest match usually comes from balancing fitment, appearance, and intended use rather than chasing one label.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Saab 99?
For a period-style 1973 Saab 99, the starting point is the correct original-era sizing approach for the exact sub-model. The Base centers on 165R15, while the EMS may use 165R15 or 175/70R15. Within those sizes, a traditional Euro-metric radial presentation often keeps the car’s proportions closest to its early-1970s character.
Appearance then comes down to the kind of finish that suits the car’s restoration direction. A blackwall usually preserves a clean European look, while whitewall choices in 165R15 create a more stylized presentation. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque-specific references or historical documentation, since correct size and period feel do not automatically prove that a particular sidewall treatment matches the car as delivered.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Saab 99?
On a restored 1973 Saab 99, construction is less of a visual dividing line than it would be on an earlier car because the primary fitments here are already radial. The bigger appearance difference comes from size format and sidewall style, especially when comparing a traditional 165R15 look with a lower-profile 175/70R15 setup on an EMS.
That means a restoration-minded buyer should think about stance, sidewall height, and whether the car should read as understated, touring-oriented, or slightly more sporting. Whitewall choices in 165R15 can shift the visual character significantly, while blackwall options maintain a more restrained presentation. Tire selection shapes how the car sits and looks from every angle, so appearance should be considered alongside the correct sub-model fitment rather than after it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Saab 99?
Yes. Even though the 1973 Saab 99 uses 15-inch radial fitments, modifications can change what works comfortably on the car. Aftermarket wheels, non-stock wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can affect how a 165R15 or 175/70R15 tire sits and clears under steering and compression.
A Saab that has been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or altered over decades of ownership deserves a physical check before new tires are chosen. Confirm the wheel width, inspect inside and outer clearances, and compare the tire size currently on the car with the intended replacement. That is especially important on an EMS, where more than one correct tire size may already be in play before any modification is considered.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Saab 99 on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Saab 99 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm the tires are mounted in the correct size, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also smart to check for rubbing at full steering lock and look over the suspension and steering components.
A fresh set of tires can highlight problems that older rubber was masking, especially on a collector car that has seen irregular use. Uneven ride height, tired bushings, loose steering parts, or dragging brakes can all affect how the car feels on the road. A short, careful shakedown drive followed by a second visual inspection helps catch clearance or handling issues before the Saab is taken on a longer trip.
How should tires on a collector 1973 Saab 99 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1973 Saab 99 should be checked regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions as much as by mileage, so outward appearance alone does not tell the full story.
Good storage habits help preserve the tires between drives. Keep the Saab away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as running electric motors or compressors. Rolling the car periodically and maintaining proper inflation can also help prevent flat spotting during longer periods of storage. Before any highway trip, a close inspection is worthwhile, especially if the tires have spent much of their life on a seldom-driven car.
