1978 Ford Mustang Tires

The 1978 Ford Mustang uses four primary tire sizes: 195/70R13, BR70-13, B78-13, and BR78-13. All of them are built for 13-inch rims, but the correct size depends on the exact Mustang II sub-model. Most applications are radial, while B78-13 is a bias-ply fitment tied to one specific Hardtop configuration.

That means the first step is confirming the exact sub-model before choosing a tire. A 2+2 Cobra, Ghia, Mach I, or Hardtop can lead you to different size codes even within the same model year. Matching the size on the car, checking the wheel diameter, and confirming whether you want to retain the original construction style will narrow the choice quickly.

The tire fitments covered here for the 1978 Ford Mustang all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That is true across 195/70R13, BR70-13, B78-13, and BR78-13. Even though the size codes differ, they share the same wheel diameter, so the main fitment differences come from the tire size format and the sub-model application.

A shared rim diameter does not mean every tire is automatically the right choice for every Mustang II. Width, overall dimensions, and construction still matter, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years. Measuring the actual wheel and comparing it to the intended tire keeps a 13-inch fitment from becoming an avoidable clearance or appearance issue.

The 1978 Ford Mustang has more than one tire size because the Mustang II lineup included several sub-models with different fitment paths. Some versions use modern metric radial sizing such as 195/70R13, others use alphanumeric radial sizes like BR70-13 or BR78-13, and one application includes B78-13 bias-ply sizing.

For a buyer, that means the model name alone is not enough. The exact sub-model determines whether the car should stay with a metric radial, an alphanumeric radial, or a bias-ply-size presentation. Looking at the existing tire code, confirming the wheel setup, and checking whether the car has been modified will help separate original-style fitment from later substitutions.

B78-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1978 Ford Mustang. It appears on the Mustang II 4 Cyl. Hardtop, where it is paired with BR78-13 as a radial alternative within the same general fitment family. The B78-13 size uses vintage alphanumeric bias-ply sizing rather than a modern metric or radial-marked format.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and construction choice. Owners preserving a more traditional late-1970s presentation may want to stay with B78-13, while others may compare it to radial alternatives for road use. Any change should include a check of wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming the construction swap solves itself.

Radial equivalents for B78-13 include 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P185/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. These options give the 1978 Ford Mustang owner several radial sizing formats to compare against the original bias-ply code.

Each of those alternatives should be treated as a comparison point, not as an automatic swap. The equivalent group is associated with a 4-6 inch rim-width range, and the car’s actual wheels, suspension condition, and body clearance should be checked before changing over. The bias-look radial is especially useful when the goal is to retain a more traditional visual character.

Start by confirming which primary size the car uses and whether the current wheel matches the intended radial alternative. On a 1978 Ford Mustang using B78-13, the radial-equivalent choices include 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, but each one belongs to a different sizing convention and should be evaluated carefully.

Practical checks include wheel width, wheel diameter, steering clearance, fender clearance, and the overall condition of suspension and steering components. A car that still wears its original-style wheel setup may respond differently than one with aftermarket wheels or altered ride height. The goal is to make sure the radial choice suits the actual car rather than only the catalog size relationship.

A 195/70R13 tire for a 1978 Ford Mustang should first match the sub-model that uses that size, then the actual wheel width on the car. In current product selection, this size is represented by a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial with radial construction, a narrow whitewall sidewall style, and a 5.00-6.50 inch rim-width range.

After confirming fitment, the real choice becomes appearance and use. A narrow whitewall gives the car a distinctly period-style late-1970s presentation, while the radial construction keeps the tire in the correct general format for the applications that use 195/70R13. Checking the wheel dimensions before purchase helps prevent a visually correct size from being mismatched to the rim.

Within the currently available product selection for the 1978 Ford Mustang, 195/70R13 is offered with a narrow whitewall sidewall treatment. That style appears on the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and suits buyers who want a traditional late-1970s passenger-car appearance rather than a plain blackwall presentation.

Sidewall choice affects the car’s look more than many buyers expect, especially on a Mustang II with stock-style wheel covers or trim. The right visual match depends on how the car is being presented, whether as a restoration-oriented street car or a driver with period flavor. It is worth pairing sidewall style with the correct size and construction instead of treating appearance as a separate decision.

Current product availability for the 1978 Ford Mustang includes BFGoodrich in 195/70R13, specifically through the Silvertown Radial line. That means brand comparison is limited in the active product selection for this exact page, so fitment and tire character matter more than sorting through a long list of competing manufacturers.

When brand choice is narrow, buyers should spend more time on the details that actually affect the outcome: correct size, radial versus bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility. On a collector-era Mustang II, a tire that visually suits the car and properly matches the wheel is usually a more meaningful decision point than brand variety alone.

A period-style tire choice for a 1978 Ford Mustang starts with the exact sub-model and the size that belongs on it. That could mean a metric radial like 195/70R13, an alphanumeric radial such as BR70-13 or BR78-13, or a bias-ply B78-13 on the appropriate Hardtop application. The most authentic-looking choice usually begins with keeping the correct size format.

From there, appearance goals guide the finer details. A narrow whitewall can reinforce a late-1970s passenger-car look, while a bias-ply-size presentation may matter more on a restoration-oriented build. If exact originality is important, compare the car against marque references, original literature, or build-specific documentation so the tire choice supports the vehicle’s intended historical presentation.

Tire construction changes more than ride and road feel on a restored 1978 Ford Mustang; it also changes how the car presents visually. A bias-ply size such as B78-13 carries a different period character than radial-marked sizes like BR78-13, BR70-13, or 195/70R13. Even before the car moves, the sidewall language and overall presentation can shift the restoration’s tone.

That is why construction should be chosen alongside the restoration goal, not after it. Some owners want the traditional look associated with a bias-ply fitment, while others want a radial tire that still feels visually appropriate to the era. Matching the correct size format to the sub-model keeps the finished car from looking subtly out of step with its intended character.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Ford Mustang even when the nominal tire size looks correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork changes can all influence how a 13-inch tire sits and clears. That matters whether the car uses 195/70R13, BR70-13, B78-13, or BR78-13.

A Mustang II that no longer has its original wheel and suspension setup should be measured rather than assumed. Checking the actual rim dimensions, steering lock clearance, and fender space is especially important before trying a radial equivalent for B78-13 or changing between size formats. Small chassis changes can make a historically correct tire choice behave like the wrong practical fitment.

Before driving a 1978 Ford Mustang on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. Make sure the tires are mounted on the correct 13-inch rims, inflated properly for their application, and free from interference at full steering lock and normal ride height.

It also helps to take a careful look at alignment-related wear points and to verify that the car tracks straight once the tires are installed. Collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, so brakes, shocks, bushings, and wheel bearings deserve attention too. A correct tire size only performs as intended when the rest of the chassis is ready for road use.

Tires on a collector 1978 Ford Mustang should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age and storage conditions. Even when tread wear is minimal, a low-use car can develop sidewall cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, or air loss over time. That applies to radial and bias-ply constructions alike.

Good storage habits make a real difference on a car that is not driven often. Keeping the Mustang away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from sitting in one position. Before any longer drive, inspect the tread and sidewalls closely rather than relying on appearance alone.