By 1976, the Ford Maverick had settled into its role as a compact domestic car that balanced everyday practicality with just enough personality to keep enthusiasts interested decades later. Survivors today range from simple drivers to carefully preserved late-model examples, and tire choice plays a big part in how the car looks and feels on the road. The 1976 Ford Maverick uses 14-inch radial tire fitments, with size choice varying by body style and engine combination. That leaves room to compare period-style alphanumeric radial sizing across several fitments while keeping the car visually appropriate to its era. The first step is matching the exact sub-model before narrowing down the right tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1976 Ford Maverick
The 1976 Ford Maverick uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and engine combination. All of them are radial fitments on 14-inch rims, so the main task is confirming the specific Maverick configuration first, then deciding which size belongs on that car before comparing tire style and product details.
BR78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size in which the letter designates the tire's size class, the 78 identifies its profile family, and the 14 refers to a 14-inch rim. As a radial fitment, it suits the 1976 Maverick's later-era move away from older bias-ply sizing conventions. This size belongs to selected 2-door cars with the 200 engine, so it should be treated as a configuration-specific fitment rather than a universal Maverick size. It is the right place to start when the car still wears its correct 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is to stay with its intended radial sizing format.
Fit(s): 2 Dr. w/200 Eng., 2 Dr. w/250 & 302 Eng., and 4 Dr. w/200 & 250 Eng.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
CR78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size that uses a lettered size class, a 78-series profile designation, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1976 Ford Maverick, this radial size appears across more than one sub-model, making it one of the more common fitments within the lineup. It bridges several 2-door and 4-door engine combinations, so buyers often encounter it on cars that appear similar but are not identical in specification. Choosing this size starts with verifying the exact sub-model, then confirming the wheels still match the original 14-inch fitment.
Fit(s): 2 Dr. w/250 & 302 Eng., 4 Dr. w/200 & 250 Eng., and 4 Dr. w/302 Eng.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
DR78-14 is another vintage alphanumeric radial, with the letter indicating its size class, the 78 marking the profile family, and the 14 identifying the wheel diameter. It is a 14-inch radial fitment used on several 1976 Maverick configurations, especially where larger-engine or alternate body-style combinations are involved. Because it appears across multiple sub-models, it can look like a catch-all size, but it still needs to be matched to the exact car. This size deserves a closer look when the Maverick's configuration points to the broader 78-series radial profile rather than the lower-profile DR70-14 option.
DR70-14 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size that combines a lettered size class with a 70-series profile and a 14-inch rim diameter. Compared with the 78-series sizes used elsewhere in the 1976 Maverick range, this fitment represents a different profile designation within the same wheel diameter. It is tied to the 4-door Maverick with the 302 engine, so it should not be assumed to apply across the rest of the model line. This is the size to evaluate when that exact sub-model is in view and the car still needs its proper 14-inch radial fitment.
Tire fitment for the 1976 Ford Maverick varies by body style and engine combination, even though every covered setup uses a 14-inch radial tire. Checking the exact sub-model matters because several Mavericks share one size while others move to a different alphanumeric radial fitment.
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1976 Ford Maverick 2 Dr. w/200 Eng.
The 1976 Ford Maverick 2 Dr. w/200 Eng. uses BR78-14 or CR78-14 radial sizing on a 14-inch wheel. Tire selection here starts with confirming which of those two fitments belongs on the car before comparing period-style radial choices and overall presentation.
The 1976 Ford Maverick 2 Dr. w/250 & 302 Eng. uses CR78-14 or DR78-14 radial fitments. That makes sub-model and wheel verification important, especially on cars that may have seen wheel changes or other updates over the years.
The 1976 Ford Maverick 4 Dr. w/200 & 250 Eng. uses CR78-14 or DR78-14 radial sizing. Buyers looking at this sub-model should confirm the exact tire size first, then focus on choosing the right radial option for appearance and normal road use.
The 1976 Ford Maverick 4 Dr. w/302 Eng. uses DR70-14 or DR78-14 radial tires. Because those two fitments differ within the same 14-inch wheel diameter, this sub-model deserves a careful size check before any replacement decision is made.
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
Owners usually need to sort out the right alphanumeric radial size first, then confirm how that choice relates to the exact Maverick sub-model, 14-inch wheel fitment, appearance goals, and basic road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1976 Ford Maverick?
The 1976 Ford Maverick uses one of four radial tire sizes: BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, or DR70-14. The correct size depends on the exact body style and engine combination, so there is not one universal tire size that covers every Maverick in the 1976 model year.
A replacement decision should start with the exact sub-model, not just the year and make. Two-door and four-door cars do not all share the same fitment, and some sub-models allow more than one size, so the existing wheel setup and the car's current configuration should be checked before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1976 Ford Maverick use?
The covered tire fitments for the 1976 Ford Maverick use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies across BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, and DR70-14, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizes vary by sub-model.
Knowing the wheel is 14 inches helps narrow the search, but it does not settle the fitment by itself. The exact tire size still needs to match the Maverick's body style and engine combination, and any car with replacement wheels should also have its actual wheel width and tire clearance checked before mounting new tires.
Why does the 1976 Ford Maverick have more than one tire size?
The 1976 Ford Maverick has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes with sub-model and engine combination. Some versions use BR78-14 or CR78-14, others use CR78-14 or DR78-14, and the 4 Dr. w/302 Eng. can use DR70-14 or DR78-14.
That means the first step is identifying the exact Maverick configuration rather than choosing by appearance alone. Cars that have changed hands over the years may no longer wear their expected wheel-and-tire setup, so comparing the sub-model, the current tires, and the 14-inch wheel size is a smart way to avoid ordering the wrong fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, or DR70-14 tire for a 1976 Ford Maverick?
The most important factor is matching the tire size to the exact 1976 Ford Maverick sub-model. All four fitments are radial sizes for 14-inch rims, but the correct choice still depends on the car's body style and engine combination rather than on the wheel diameter alone.
Once the size is confirmed, compare the tire's overall presentation with the kind of Maverick being built or driven. Some owners want a clean late-1970s look, while others are focused on dependable road use, so it makes sense to verify wheel condition, check the actual setup on modified cars, and choose within the proper size rather than substituting casually.
How do I choose between the available 1976 Ford Maverick tire sizes if my car seems to match more than one fitment?
More than one tire size can appear within the same general Maverick body style, so the right choice comes down to the exact engine pairing and the wheel-and-tire setup currently on the car. BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, and DR70-14 each belong to specific 1976 Maverick configurations.
A car that has been changed over time may wear a different size than it left the factory with, especially after wheel swaps or suspension work. Comparing the sub-model, the current tire markings, and the actual 14-inch wheels on the car will usually clarify whether the Maverick should stay with its present fitment or return to another correct size.
How do I choose between the available alphanumeric radial tires for a 1976 Ford Maverick?
Choosing among alphanumeric radial tires for a 1976 Ford Maverick starts with understanding that the letter-and-number code is the fitment, not just a style label. BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, and DR70-14 represent different radial sizes, and each one belongs to certain Maverick configurations.
After confirming the correct code, the real decision is whether the tire suits the car's intended use and appearance. A largely stock Maverick usually benefits from staying within its proper alphanumeric radial size, while any car with altered wheels, stance, or body clearance should be checked carefully so the chosen tire matches the actual setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1976 Ford Maverick?
A period-style 1976 Ford Maverick should begin with the correct alphanumeric radial size for the exact sub-model: BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, or DR70-14. Staying within the proper late-1970s radial sizing format helps preserve the car's visual character better than jumping immediately to an unrelated modern-size substitute.
Appearance decisions still need to follow fitment discipline. A restoration-oriented buyer should first match the exact Maverick configuration, then compare the tire's overall look against the goal for the car, whether that is a clean driver-quality presentation or a more historically researched restoration guided by marque references and surviving original examples.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1976 Ford Maverick restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because the 1976 Ford Maverick did not use a single one-size-fits-all tire across the model line. Using the proper BR78-14, CR78-14, DR78-14, or DR70-14 fitment for the exact sub-model keeps the car closer to the proportions and stance associated with its original configuration.
Restoration-minded owners usually notice that tires influence the look of the wheel openings as much as the wheels themselves. Even when the car is built as a driver instead of a judged restoration, matching the right alphanumeric radial size to the correct sub-model helps maintain a more believable late-1970s Maverick appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1976 Ford Maverick?
Yes. A 1976 Ford Maverick may have the correct original-style tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension changes, or body modifications can change what actually clears the car. That matters even when the tire still uses the proper 14-inch rim diameter.
An owner should treat the published Maverick fitment as the starting point, then verify the real-world setup on the car in front of them. Wheel width, wheel position, steering clearance, and fender space all deserve a close look before replacing tires on any Maverick that no longer sits on its stock-style wheel and suspension combination.
What should I inspect before driving a 1976 Ford Maverick on new tires?
Before driving a 1976 Ford Maverick on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also helps to check suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn mechanical parts.
A short, careful test drive is a smart next step after installation. Pay attention to rubbing, unusual vibration, pulling, or inconsistent steering feel, especially on a collector car that may have spent long periods parked, because fresh tires will perform best when the rest of the Maverick's wheel and chassis setup is in sound condition.
How should tires on a collector 1976 Ford Maverick be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1976 Ford Maverick should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and occasional movement of the car so the tires are not left supporting weight in one position for long periods. Sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss all deserve prompt attention.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a low-use Maverick. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and any Maverick that has sat for an extended time should have its tires inspected closely before returning to normal road use or attempting a longer drive.
