The 1976 Mazda 808 came from a period when compact Japanese cars were gaining a strong foothold in the U.S. by pairing tidy dimensions, light weight, and practical everyday usability. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice has a noticeable effect on both appearance and driving character because this model uses either a 155R13 radial or a 6.15-13 bias-ply tire on a 13-inch rim. That opens the door to a more traditional vintage presentation or a more modern radial-style setup. For a road-going survivor or a restoration-minded car, the right decision starts with matching the tire construction and look to the way the car will actually be used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1976 Mazda 808
The 1976 Mazda 808 uses two primary tire sizes, both on 13-inch rims: a 155R13 radial and a 6.15-13 bias-ply. Because the covered sedan, coupe, and wagon sub-models all use these same sizes, the real choice is not identifying a unique trim fitment but deciding whether to stay with a period-style bias-ply presentation or choose the radial format and compare the available tire options within that setup.
Fit(s): Sedan & Coupe, Sedan & Coupe w/aluminum wheels, Wagon, and Wagon w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1976 Mazda 808, this size represents the radial fitment path and suits owners who want to keep the car on a 13-inch wheel while using a more modern tire format. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. It is the size to evaluate when road use, radial construction, and brand-specific vintage touring character matter most.
Fit(s): Sedan & Coupe, Sedan & Coupe w/aluminum wheels, Wagon, and Wagon w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
6.15-13 is a numeric bias-ply size where 6.15 represents the nominal section width in inches and 13 identifies the wheel diameter. For a 1976 Mazda 808, this size is the traditional bias-ply option and will appeal to owners who want a more vintage tire construction and overall presentation on the correct rim diameter. Bias-ply sizing also reflects the period way many compact cars were equipped and serviced. It is the size to consider when restoration character and original-style tire construction are more important than moving to a radial format.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1976 Mazda 808 sub-models because each one uses the same two tire sizes on 13-inch rims. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the wheel setup, especially on versions noted with aluminum wheels, but the main decision remains bias-ply versus radial construction.
1
1976 Mazda 808 Sedan & Coupe
The 1976 Mazda 808 Sedan & Coupe uses the same 155R13 radial and 6.15-13 bias-ply tire sizes found across the broader model range. That gives owners a clear choice between a radial road-use setup and a more traditional bias-ply presentation without changing the basic 13-inch rim diameter.
The 1976 Mazda 808 Sedan & Coupe w/aluminum wheels uses the same 155R13 radial and 6.15-13 bias-ply sizes as other covered versions. Tire selection should focus on the intended construction and on confirming that the wheel width and overall wheel condition suit the tire being considered.
The 1976 Mazda 808 Wagon shares the same two primary tire sizes, 155R13 radial and 6.15-13 bias-ply, on a 13-inch rim. For wagon owners, the practical choice is whether to keep a period-style bias-ply look or move toward radial construction while staying within the proper fitment range.
The 1976 Mazda 808 Wagon w/aluminum wheels follows the same tire-size pattern as the rest of the 808 lineup, using 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply tires. The important next step is matching the tire choice to the actual wheel dimensions and the vehicle's restoration or driving goals.
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 1976 Mazda 808 Tires for Sale
Available 155R13 options center on radial blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop. Buyers can compare vintage-style series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet, along with rim-width compatibility and other specification details that matter on a 13-inch Mazda 808 wheel setup.
Common questions for the 1976 Mazda 808 usually come down to tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose a tire that suits either a restoration-oriented look or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1976 Mazda 808?
The 1976 Mazda 808 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R13 in radial construction and 6.15-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the covered sedan, coupe, and wagon versions, including models noted with aluminum wheels, and both use a 13-inch rim diameter.
That means the main decision is usually construction type rather than chasing a unique size for one body style. Before choosing, confirm the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years, and make sure the tire selected matches the rim diameter, wheel width, and the look or driving character you want from the car.
What size rim does a 1976 Mazda 808 use?
The 1976 Mazda 808 uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, whether the car is fitted with the 155R13 radial or the 6.15-13 bias-ply. That shared rim diameter keeps the fitment picture fairly simple across the covered 808 sedan, coupe, and wagon sub-models.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment check, though. A 13-inch wheel still needs suitable width and sound condition for the tire you plan to use, and that matters even more on cars that may have replacement wheels or aftermarket aluminum rims. Verifying the actual wheel before mounting tires helps avoid clearance and compatibility surprises.
Do all 1976 Mazda 808 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1976 Mazda 808 sub-models share the same two primary tire sizes: 155R13 radial and 6.15-13 bias-ply. That applies to the Sedan & Coupe, Sedan & Coupe w/aluminum wheels, Wagon, and Wagon w/aluminum wheels, all on the same 13-inch rim diameter.
Because the fitment is shared, sub-model identification matters less than confirming the actual wheel and deciding which construction suits the car. A restoration-minded owner may lean toward the bias-ply format for a more traditional look, while a driver-focused owner may prefer the radial size. Either way, the wheel setup on the individual car still deserves a quick check.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 tire for a 1976 Mazda 808?
Start with the basics: the 155R13 is the radial tire size used on the 1976 Mazda 808, and it should be matched to a proper 13-inch wheel. From there, the decision becomes one of tire character, including brand, series, blackwall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility for the actual rim on the car.
Michelin and Dunlop both offer 155R13 choices for this application, so the comparison is less about size and more about the type of vintage radial you want to run. It is also worth checking load information, overall tire condition on an older wheel, and whether the car is being preserved as a period-style restoration or driven regularly.
What sidewall styles are available for 1976 Mazda 808 tires?
The available 155R13 radial products for the 1976 Mazda 808 use a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the car a clean, understated appearance that suits many compact cars of the era without introducing a more decorative sidewall treatment.
Sidewall choice affects the car's overall presentation even when the size stays the same. If the goal is a tidy road car, blackwall keeps the look simple and authentic to the period feel of many seventies imports. For a more exact restoration direction, compare the tire's overall appearance with period photos, marque references, and the wheels actually on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1976 Mazda 808?
For the 155R13 radial size used on the 1976 Mazda 808, available brands include Michelin and Dunlop. The radial product range includes vintage-style offerings such as Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, both built around the same basic 13-inch fitment.
Brand choice should be treated as part of the overall tire-selection process rather than a shortcut to the answer. Compare the tire series, blackwall appearance, wheel-width range where stated, and the type of use planned for the car. On an older compact like the 808, the right tire is the one that suits the fitment, the wheel, and the owner's restoration goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1976 Mazda 808?
A period-style 1976 Mazda 808 can be approached two ways: the 6.15-13 bias-ply size preserves a more traditional vintage construction, while the 155R13 radial keeps the correct general fitment direction in a more modern radial format. Both use the same 13-inch rim diameter, so the choice is largely about presentation and use.
A restoration focused on era-correct driving feel and visual character may lean toward the bias-ply size, while a car that sees more regular road miles may push the decision toward a radial. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, marque-club guidance, and the actual wheel type fitted to the individual car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1976 Mazda 808?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling; it also changes how a restored 1976 Mazda 808 looks at a glance. A 6.15-13 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 155R13 radial tends to look more modern even when mounted on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.
That visual difference matters on a small seventies import because the tire sidewall and profile are easy to notice. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance often start by deciding whether they want the car to read as period-style first or road-use first. Once that is settled, wheel finish, stance, and blackwall presentation become easier to coordinate.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1976 Mazda 808?
Yes. Even though the 1976 Mazda 808 uses 13-inch tires in either 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply form, modifications can change how well a tire works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body modifications can all influence clearance and overall compatibility.
A car that still wears its original-style wheel setup is easier to match than one that has been updated over time. Check the actual wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and ride height before settling on a tire. That is especially important when switching construction types or reviving a long-stored project.
What should I inspect before driving a 1976 Mazda 808 on new tires?
Before driving a 1976 Mazda 808 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper bead seating surfaces, then confirm the tires match the wheel diameter and intended construction choice. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, alignment condition, and the suspension pieces that affect tracking and clearance.
A compact car that has spent time in storage deserves an especially careful once-over. Check for rubbing at full steering lock, verify inflation is set appropriately for the tires being used, and make sure there are no brake, bearing, or suspension issues that could mask themselves as a tire problem on the first road test.
How should tires on a collector 1976 Mazda 808 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1976 Mazda 808 should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires more through time and storage conditions than through accumulated road miles.
Good maintenance also means checking pressure before drives, keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources, and watching for flat-spotting during long periods of sitting. An occasional inspection of wheel condition and suspension wear helps, too, because older mechanical problems can shorten tire life or create handling issues that feel tire-related.
