1978 Plymouth Arrow Tires

The 1978 Plymouth Arrow uses three 13-inch tire sizes: 165R13, 600-13, and 185/70R13. The right one depends on the sub-model, because GS versions are associated with 165R13 and 600-13, while GT versions are associated with 165R13 and 185/70R13.

That means the first step is confirming the exact Arrow trim and checking what wheel and tire setup is already on the car. Even though all of these sizes use a 13-inch rim, they are not the same size format or construction, so the choice should be matched to the sub-model, wheel width, and intended appearance or road use.

The 1978 Plymouth Arrow uses a 13-inch rim diameter across its applicable tire sizes. That 13-inch fitment applies whether the car is using 165R13 radial, 600-13 bias-ply, or 185/70R13 radial tires.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to confirm the actual wheel width before selecting a tire. The available Arrow tires do not all share the same rim-width range, and that matters even more when moving between bias-ply and radial construction or when the car has aluminum or aftermarket wheels.

No. Every covered 1978 Plymouth Arrow sub-model is tied to 165R13, but the second fitment differs by trim. GS models use 600-13 bias-ply alongside 165R13, while GT models use 185/70R13 radial alongside 165R13.

That distinction matters because the Arrow does not have one universal secondary tire choice across the range. A buyer should verify whether the car is a GS or GT, and then compare the existing wheel and tire setup before choosing a replacement, especially if the goal is to preserve a period-style look or stay with a radial-only configuration.

For the 1978 Plymouth Arrow, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It appears on GS-related applications, while the radial choices associated with the Arrow are 165R13 and, on GT models, 185/70R13.

That difference affects both appearance and fitment planning. A 600-13 bias-ply keeps a traditional sizing format and can suit a restoration-oriented presentation, but changing from it to a radial alternative means checking wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming any 13-inch radial will behave the same on the car.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series option, and P175/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series option. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies when evaluating those equivalents.

Each of those sizes gives the buyer a different radial format to compare against the original bias-ply fitment. The equivalent relationship is useful, but the car's actual wheel width, tire clearance, and current stance should still be checked before conversion, especially on a compact vehicle where small changes in section width or profile can matter.

Start by confirming which original size is on the car and whether the Arrow is one of the GS applications associated with 600-13 bias-ply. Then compare the intended radial equivalent, wheel diameter, and wheel width, and make sure the tire still suits the car's clearance and load needs.

Condition and setup deserve just as much attention as size. Check for aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, uneven ride height, or body interference that could affect a radial conversion, and inspect the steering and suspension before road use. A careful conversion is less about finding any 13-inch radial and more about matching the entire wheel-and-tire package.

A 165R13 tire for a 1978 Plymouth Arrow should first match the car's radial fitment and 13-inch wheel setup. In this size, the main distinctions are brand, tire series, and rim-width compatibility, with Michelin and Dunlop options available in blackwall form.

That makes 165R13 less about basic fitment and more about selecting the kind of radial presentation and specification that suits the car. Compare the wheel width on the Arrow to the tire's approved range, then think about whether the goal is a period-European look, a traditional blackwall appearance, or a size that keeps the car close to its narrower radial profile.

1978 Plymouth Arrow tires are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. The available style depends on the tire size, with the 600-13 bias-ply options centered on whitewall treatments and the radial sizes offering blackwall, plus whitewall or redline in certain 185/70R13 options.

Sidewall choice changes the character of the car even when the size stays correct. A whitewall can lean more traditional, a blackwall keeps the look understated, and a redline adds a sportier visual accent, so the best choice depends on whether the Arrow is being presented as a restoration-oriented compact, a driver, or a personalized period-style build.

Tires for the 1978 Plymouth Arrow are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the size, with Michelin and Dunlop present in 165R13, BFGoodrich covering both 600-13 and 185/70R13, and Avon, Michelin, Dunlop, and Vredestein appearing in 185/70R13 radial form.

The practical choice is not just brand name but how that brand appears within the correct size and series. One Arrow owner may want a whitewall bias-ply for GS-style presentation, while another may prefer a blackwall or redline radial for a GT application, so compare brand options only after the correct size and wheel setup are confirmed.

A period-style 1978 Plymouth Arrow tire starts with using the right size for the exact sub-model. For GS applications, 600-13 bias-ply supports a more traditional late-1970s look, while GT applications tied to 185/70R13 or shared 165R13 radial fitments may be better served by a radial that keeps the car in the visual language of the era.

Appearance goals should be balanced with how the car will actually be used. A show-oriented Arrow may justify staying closer to the original construction style, while a road car may call for a radial in the proper format. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and build-specific documentation are worth checking before settling on brand or sidewall style.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1978 Plymouth Arrow even before the car moves. A 600-13 bias-ply gives a more traditional small-car profile and works naturally with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while radial options such as 165R13 and 185/70R13 tend to present the car in a more modern late-1970s road-going manner.

That difference matters most when the restoration goal is cohesive rather than simply functional. The right construction should complement the wheel style, stance, and intended era feel of the car, whether that means a cleaner blackwall radial look or a more classic whitewall presentation. Matching the tire's visual character to the specific GS or GT setup usually produces the best result.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Plymouth Arrow even when the tire size itself is otherwise appropriate. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body alterations can all influence whether 165R13, 600-13, or 185/70R13 works as intended on the car.

A modified Arrow should be checked as an individual vehicle rather than treated as a stock fitment case. Measure the current wheel setup, inspect clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel, and confirm that the tire's size and construction still suit the car's use. Small compact cars can be especially sensitive to wheel and tire changes.

Before driving a 1978 Plymouth Arrow on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size for the sub-model. It is also smart to check inflation, lug hardware, and basic clearance around the fenders and suspension.

The rest of the car deserves attention too, especially on an older compact that may spend long periods parked. Look for worn steering parts, aging shocks, uneven ride height, brake pull, and any sign that old tires masked an alignment issue. A fresh set of tires will work best when the Arrow's chassis condition supports them.

Tires on a collector 1978 Plymouth Arrow should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Watch for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss, since collector cars often age their tires through time and storage as much as through mileage.

Storage conditions have a major effect on tire life. Keeping the Arrow away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both radial and bias-ply tires, and moving the car occasionally can help avoid long-term stress in one spot. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be evaluated before road use, even if tread depth still looks strong.