The 1978 Buick Regal arrived during a period when personal luxury coupes and wagons blended comfort, style, and everyday drivability in a very distinct late-1970s American way. For many owners today, the Regal is as much about stance and presentation as it is about preserving the car’s road manners. Tire fitment centers on three 14-inch radial sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 205/75R14, with the exact choice depending on the sub-model. Available options range from blackwall, redline, and raised white letter styles to narrow and wide whitewalls across several classic tire series. The key is matching the correct size first, then choosing the look and construction details that suit restoration goals and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Buick Regal
The 1978 Buick Regal uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All three are radial sizes for 14-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base, Sport Coupe, or Sport Wagon. Once that is settled, the real decision becomes sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the overall look you want the car to carry.
195/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1978 Buick Regal, this size gives a distinctly late-1970s passenger-car fitment with modern radial construction as the primary format. Available choices include Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations across series such as Star Series, Coker Classic Radial, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and UN106. This size is worth considering when the car uses the Base-model fitment and appearance matters as much as basic size compatibility.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size where 205 represents nominal section width in millimeters, 70 indicates the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 1978 Buick Regal, it is one of the Base-model radial fitments and keeps the selection focused on 14-inch wheel compatibility. Product choices include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with sidewall treatments such as narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, raised white letter, and blackwall in series like Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, and Michelin XWX. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is matching the correct Base fitment while choosing a more specific period-style visual character.
205/75R14 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1978 Buick Regal, this is the primary fitment for the Sport Coupe and Sport Wagon, making it especially important for those sub-models. It has the broadest product assortment, including American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and Travelstar, with narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline options across series such as American Classic Radial, Star Series, Silvertown Radial, Tornel Classic, and UN106. This size offers the most room to tailor the car’s appearance while staying within the correct primary fitment family.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1978 Buick Regal because the covered versions do not all use the same tire size. The Base model has two 14-inch radial fitments, while the Sport Coupe and Sport Wagon share a different 14-inch radial size, so identifying the exact Regal configuration comes first.
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1978 Buick Regal Base
The 1978 Buick Regal Base uses either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14, both in radial construction on 14-inch wheels. That makes size confirmation especially important before choosing between whitewall, redline, raised white letter, or blackwall product options.
The 1978 Buick Regal Sport Coupe uses 205/75R14 radial tires on a 14-inch rim. Tire selection then becomes less about multiple primary sizes and more about choosing the sidewall treatment, brand, and series that suit the car’s intended look and use.
The 1978 Buick Regal Sport Wagon also uses the 205/75R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. That shared fitment makes product choice the main decision, especially for owners comparing narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline styles for a wagon with collector appeal.
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 1978 Buick Regal Tires for Sale
Available 14-inch Regal tires span Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Maxxis, American Classic, Tornel, Travelstar, and more, with choices that include blackwall, redline, raised white letter, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several radial series.
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Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
Common 1978 Buick Regal tire questions usually come down to the correct size by sub-model, 14-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall styles, and how to choose among the radial options for restoration-minded driving or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Buick Regal?
The 1978 Buick Regal uses three primary radial tire sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 205/75R14. The Base model uses 195/75R14 or 205/70R14, while the Sport Coupe and Sport Wagon use 205/75R14. All of these fitments are built around a 14-inch wheel diameter.
The most important step is matching the tire size to the exact Regal sub-model before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A Base car should not be assumed to use the same size as a Sport Coupe or Sport Wagon, and a car with replacement wheels should have its actual wheel diameter and width checked before any tire is selected.
What size rim does a 1978 Buick Regal use?
The 1978 Buick Regal tire sizes covered here all use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 205/75R14, so the common wheel-diameter point across the Regal range is 14 inches even though the tire sizes vary by sub-model.
Rim diameter should still be verified on the car itself, especially if the Regal has been modified over the years. Diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width also matters when comparing available tires, particularly since product options in these sizes can call for slightly different approved rim-width ranges.
Why does the 1978 Buick Regal have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size applies because the 1978 Buick Regal range includes different sub-model fitments. The Base model uses either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14, while the Sport Coupe and Sport Wagon use 205/75R14. All are radial 14-inch sizes, but they are not shared evenly across every Regal version.
That means the first decision is not which brand to buy, but which sub-model and wheel setup the car actually has. Once the correct size is confirmed, the choice shifts to sidewall appearance, tire series, and rim-width compatibility rather than trying to compare all three sizes as though they belonged to the same Regal configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1978 Buick Regal tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1978 Buick Regal sub-model, since the Base, Sport Coupe, and Sport Wagon do not all share the same fitment. From there, compare whether the tire’s rim-width specification suits the wheel, and decide what sidewall look best matches the car’s intended character.
Available choices include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual redline, raised white letter, and blackwall, depending on size. Brand and series selection also matter because the Regal can be set up for a more formal luxury presentation, a sportier late-1970s look, or a general restoration-minded road setup without changing away from the proper radial fitment family.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Buick Regal tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1978 Buick Regal include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual redline, raised white letter, and blackwall, depending on the tire size. The 205/70R14 options include the broadest visual variety, while 195/75R14 and 205/75R14 also offer several whitewall choices and, in some cases, redline styling.
That range makes sidewall treatment one of the biggest appearance decisions on a Regal. A wide whitewall can emphasize a more formal late-1970s luxury look, while redline or raised white letter options can shift the car toward a sportier presentation. The best choice depends on the exact sub-model, the look of the wheel covers or wheels, and the kind of restoration theme being pursued.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Buick Regal?
1978 Buick Regal tires are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, depending on the size. Those brands appear across the Regal’s three 14-inch radial fitments, with different series and sidewall treatments attached to each size range.
Brand choice should be treated as part of a broader fitment and appearance decision rather than a shortcut to the right tire. Some Regal sizes have only whitewall-focused offerings, while others also include blackwall, redline, dual redline, or raised white letter styles, so comparing the exact size first will usually narrow the field faster than starting with a brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Buick Regal?
A period-style 1978 Buick Regal tire starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, then moves to the sidewall presentation that best suits the car’s intended look. Depending on size, that can include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual redline, raised white letter, or blackwall styling within the proper 14-inch radial fitment family.
The Regal’s late-1970s personality can change noticeably with tire appearance alone, especially between a formal whitewall presentation and a sportier redline or raised white letter look. When absolute originality matters, the safest path is to compare the tire choice against vehicle-specific historical references, trim details, and restoration goals rather than assuming every available sidewall style was used the same way.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Buick Regal?
For the 1978 Buick Regal, the primary fitments are already radial, so construction choice is less about switching from an earlier bias-ply look and more about selecting the right size and sidewall treatment. The visual character of the restored car will be shaped most by whether the tire is blackwall, whitewall, redline, dual redline, or raised white letter.
That makes construction a straightforward part of the decision while appearance becomes the main restoration variable. A Regal aimed at a formal personal-luxury presentation may call for a very different sidewall style than one restored with a sportier emphasis, and either approach still depends on matching the correct 14-inch radial size to the exact sub-model and wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Buick Regal?
Yes. A 1978 Buick Regal may no longer have its original wheel and suspension setup, and changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, springs, or body clearance can all affect tire fitment even when the tire size itself is one of the correct Regal sizes. That is especially important on cars that have been personalized over time.
A modified Regal should have its actual wheel diameter and width checked before a new tire is chosen, along with front steering clearance and rear fender space. The car may still use a correct 14-inch tire size, but altered hardware can change what works comfortably, so the tire decision should be tied to the current physical setup rather than the badge alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Buick Regal on new tires?
Before putting a 1978 Buick Regal back on the road, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the suspension and steering components are in sound shape. Lug hardware, valve stems, and basic alignment condition also deserve attention when fresh tires are going on an older vehicle.
The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even tread seating, and any signs of damage after installation. A short local test drive is a smart way to confirm steering response, clearance, and ride quality before longer use, particularly on a collector car that may have sat for extended periods or changed hands with unknown maintenance history.
How should 1978 Buick Regal tires be maintained?
1978 Buick Regal tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and attention to aging as well as tread wear. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and weather-related deterioration can become just as important as mileage when judging tire condition.
Storage conditions matter, especially for a low-use Regal. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. Routine inspections before road use are worthwhile even when the tires look good at a glance, since an older collector car can go months without enough use to reveal a developing problem.
