1978 Plymouth Volare Tires

A 1978 Plymouth Volare can use D78-14, DR78-14, E78-14, ER78-14, F78-14, or FR78-14, depending on the exact sub-model. The covered coupe w/360 Eng., w/225 Eng., and w/318 Eng. applications use the D-size family, the sedan w/360 Eng. uses the E-size family, and the wagon uses the F-size family, each with both bias-ply and radial versions.

The important next step is identifying the exact body style or engine-specific application before choosing a tire. Even though every covered Volare here uses a 14-inch rim diameter, the size family still changes across the lineup, so selecting by year and model alone is not enough when the car has multiple fitment paths.

The covered 1978 Plymouth Volare tire fitments on this page all use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies across the D78-14 and DR78-14 pair, the E78-14 and ER78-14 pair, and the F78-14 and FR78-14 pair, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire size family changes by sub-model.

A shared 14-inch diameter does not mean every Volare here uses the same tire width or profile family. Wheel width still matters, and any car that has had replacement wheels fitted over the years should be measured directly before ordering, especially when moving between bias-ply sizing and radial or radial-equivalent alternatives.

The 1978 Plymouth Volare has more than one tire size because the covered applications include different body styles and engine-based configurations. The lineup spans D-, E-, and F-family fitments, and each of those appears in both bias-ply and radial form, so the variation is tied to configuration rather than to one universal tire size for every Volare.

That matters because a wagon should not be treated the same way as the sedan or the D-size engine-based applications. Matching the correct size family first keeps the buyer from comparing the wrong products, and it also makes later decisions about sidewall style, construction type, and radial equivalents much more straightforward.

E78-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1978 Plymouth Volare. Its radial-format companion in the same application is ER78-14, which uses the same 14-inch rim diameter but a different construction. On this page, that pairing belongs to the 1978 Plymouth Volare Sedan w/360 Eng. configuration rather than to every Volare body style.

The practical choice is whether to keep the sedan in a traditional bias-ply format or move to the primary radial size used with that same application. Construction changes can affect how the car feels and presents visually, so the wheel setup, suspension condition, and intended driving style should be reviewed before making the change.

Radial equivalents for E78-14 are 185R14, P195/75R14, and P205/70R14. Radial equivalents for F78-14 are 195R14, P205/75R14, P215/70R14, and 750R14, with 750R14 serving as the bias-look radial option. Both E78-14 and F78-14 also carry a recommended rim-width range of 4-6 inches when those equivalent sizes are being evaluated.

Those alternatives represent different sizing conventions rather than one automatic replacement path. The buyer should compare the selected equivalent against actual wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and available clearance on the car, especially when the Volare has seen wheel changes, suspension work, or other modifications over time.

A 1978 Plymouth Volare can fall on either side of that decision because the covered fitments include both bias-ply and radial primary sizes. D78-14, E78-14, and F78-14 are bias-ply sizes, while DR78-14, ER78-14, and FR78-14 are radial primary sizes tied to specific Volare configurations using the same 14-inch rim diameter.

Bias-ply tires make sense when traditional construction and period-style presentation are part of the goal, while radial choices may better suit owners focused on a radial setup within the proper size family. The key is to start with the correct sub-model fitment, then confirm the wheels and the vehicle’s actual setup before changing construction.

Start with the exact fitment family for the car: D-size for the covered coupe w/360 Eng., w/225 Eng., and w/318 Eng. applications, E-size for the sedan w/360 Eng., or F-size for the wagon. After that, compare whether the intended tire is bias-ply or radial, whether the sidewall style suits the car’s look, and whether the product’s wheel requirements match the setup on the vehicle.

Selection becomes easier once the correct size family is locked in. A restoration-oriented wagon owner may focus on the F78-14 bias-ply route, while a sedan owner may compare E78-14 product character or radial-equivalent options, but either way the wheel dimensions and the car’s real-world use should guide the final choice.

The available sidewall styles shown for 1978 Plymouth Volare fitments are wide whitewall and blackwall. E78-14 includes both styles through Coker Classic and STA offerings, while the F78-14 product shown here uses a wide whitewall presentation. That gives buyers a visible appearance choice within correct-size bias-ply offerings for some Volare applications.

Sidewall style affects the car’s visual character more than its basic fitment, so it should be chosen after confirming the correct size family and construction. A wide whitewall usually supports a more traditional late-1970s look, while blackwall can create a plainer or more utilitarian presentation depending on the tire series selected.

Coker Classic and STA both offer applicable tires within the 1978 Plymouth Volare product mix shown here. Coker Classic appears in E78-14 and F78-14 wide whitewall bias-ply form, while STA appears in E78-14 blackwall bias-ply form through the Traxion and Transport Highway series. Those choices give the Volare buyer both brand and style variation within supported sizes.

Brand should be weighed alongside the more practical factors of correct size, construction type, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility. It is more useful to compare how each tire matches the specific sedan or wagon application and the vehicle’s intended appearance than to treat brand name alone as the deciding factor.

A period-style 1978 Plymouth Volare usually starts with the correct primary size family in bias-ply form: D78-14, E78-14, or F78-14 depending on the exact application. That keeps the car in a traditional late-1970s construction format, and on the sizes with visible product choices, the available series and sidewall styles help shape the overall presentation without moving away from the proper size family.

Appearance decisions should follow fitment, not replace it. Once the right size is confirmed, buyers can weigh whether a wide whitewall or blackwall better matches the car’s intended finish, and owners pursuing exact originality should compare their choice with marque references or vehicle-specific historical documentation before settling on details.

Tire construction changes more than the internal build of the tire; it also changes how a restored 1978 Plymouth Volare reads visually. A bias-ply size such as E78-14 or F78-14 keeps the car in a more traditional size format, while a radial-format size such as ER78-14 or FR78-14 gives the same application a different construction path on the same 14-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction matters most on cars where the owner wants a strong period-style presentation. A bias-look radial, where available in the F78-14 family, can also enter the conversation, but restoration-minded buyers should still compare stance, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility before deciding which look best suits the finished car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Plymouth Volare even when the tire size itself is correct for the original application. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, springs, or suspension parts can alter how a D78-14, E78-14, or F78-14 family tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains during steering and suspension movement.

That is especially important when evaluating radial equivalents or replacing long-removed original wheels. A Volare that has aftermarket wheels or stance changes should be checked directly for rim dimensions and body clearance before any tire is chosen, because matching the catalog size family alone does not account for later changes to the vehicle.

Before driving a 1978 Plymouth Volare on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm inflation is set appropriately for the chosen tire. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the car is not being asked to carry new tires with worn parts affecting tracking or clearance.

A short, careful road test should follow the initial installation. During that first drive, pay attention to rubbing, pull, vibration, or unusual steering feel, then recheck air pressure and overall tire appearance once the car returns, especially if it has been stored for long periods or recently brought back into regular road use.

1978 Plymouth Volare tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic review of tread and sidewall condition. Collector and low-use cars deserve extra attention because age-related cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss can develop even when the tread still looks serviceable. Clean storage conditions also help protect tires between drives.

Good maintenance starts before a problem appears. Looking over the tires before each outing, keeping the car away from prolonged heat and ozone sources during storage, and checking for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear can help catch issues early, whether the Volare is running bias-ply tires, primary radials, or radial-equivalent alternatives.