The 1978 Porsche 911 sits at an important point in the 911 story, blending the familiar narrow-body shape with the durability and everyday usability that made the SC such a lasting enthusiast favorite. Owners often value these cars as much for balanced road manners as for their unmistakable rear-engine character. Tire fitment follows that purposeful theme, using staggered radial sizing with 185/70R15 in front and 215/60R15 in the rear on 15-inch wheels. That opens the door to different brand, series, and sidewall presentations, from blackwall sport-oriented choices to whitewall, redline, and raised white letter alternatives. The key is matching the correct front and rear sizes to the car’s actual wheel setup and intended appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Porsche 911
The 1978 Porsche 911 uses two primary tire sizes, and choosing correctly starts with identifying whether you are selecting a front or rear tire. Both fitments are radial and both mount on 15-inch wheels, but the front and rear sizes are different, so the first step is confirming position and wheel setup before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
185/70R15 is a metric radial size in which 185 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1978 Porsche 911, this size is used at the front, where preserving the correct front fitment matters to the car’s intended staggered setup. Available choices include blackwall options from Michelin, Dunlop, and Avon, along with a wide whitewall BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. This size is the one to evaluate when restoring the front tire position or refining the car’s front-end appearance and road use character.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1978 Porsche 911, this size is used at the rear, giving the car its wider rear fitment compared with the front. Product choice is broader here, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options across series from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. This is the size to confirm carefully when matching the rear wheel width, preserving the staggered look, or choosing a more traditional or more sporting sidewall presentation.
Sub-model fitment on the 1978 Porsche 911 is position-specific rather than interchangeable. Checking whether you are working with the SC front or SC rear matters because each uses a different radial tire size on the same 15-inch rim diameter.
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1978 Porsche 911 SC Front
The 1978 Porsche 911 SC Front uses the narrower of the two primary radial fitments for this car. That makes front tire selection less about choosing between sizes and more about selecting the right brand, series, and sidewall presentation for the wheel and overall setup.
The 1978 Porsche 911 SC Rear uses the wider rear radial size that completes the car’s staggered fitment. Rear tire selection should focus on keeping the correct rear size while comparing sidewall styles, series, and wheel-width compatibility before installation.
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 Porsche 911 Tires for Sale
Available 1978 Porsche 911 tire choices span Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Vredestein, with both front and rear radial options in several series. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, along with differing rim-width ranges and load specifications.
Common 1978 Porsche 911 tire questions usually center on the staggered front and rear sizes, 15-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, sidewall style choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era 911 back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Porsche 911?
The 1978 Porsche 911 uses two primary tire sizes rather than one all-around fitment. The front uses 185/70R15 and the rear uses 215/60R15, and both are radial tires designed for 15-inch wheels.
That means tire selection starts with the axle position, not just the year and model. A front tire should be matched to the 185/70R15 size and a rear tire to the 215/60R15 size, while also checking the actual wheel width on the car in case it has been changed over time.
What size rim does a 1978 Porsche 911 use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1978 Porsche 911 use a 15-inch rim diameter. The 185/70R15 front tire and the 215/60R15 rear tire are both built for 15-inch wheels, even though their section widths and aspect ratios differ.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it is still important to confirm wheel width before choosing a tire. Several available products also carry their own recommended rim-width ranges, which matters on a 911 where front and rear wheel widths may not match and may have been altered during restoration or modification.
Why does the 1978 Porsche 911 have more than one tire size?
The 1978 Porsche 911 uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered setup, with 185/70R15 at the front and 215/60R15 at the rear. The front and rear positions are meant to use different widths rather than a single uniform size.
For the buyer, that changes the decision from simply finding a tire that fits a 15-inch wheel to maintaining the correct front-to-rear relationship. Before changing anything, check which wheels are on the car now, confirm the tire position, and compare the chosen tire’s wheel compatibility with the actual front and rear wheel widths.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1978 Porsche 911 tire?
Start with the correct position-specific size, since the 1978 Porsche 911 uses 185/70R15 in front and 215/60R15 in the rear. From there, compare radial construction details, rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and whether the tire’s series and sidewall treatment suit the way the car is used.
Some owners want a restrained blackwall sport-touring look, while others prefer a more distinctive visual statement such as redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter. The best choice depends on the wheel setup actually on the car, the intended appearance, and whether the car will see regular road use or occasional collector driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Porsche 911 tires?
1978 Porsche 911 tire options include several sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwall appears in both front and rear fitments, while the rear 215/60R15 size is also available with wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styling, and the front 185/70R15 size includes a wide whitewall option.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct size and wheel compatibility are established. A blackwall usually preserves a more understated presentation, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter designs create a more customized or period-flavored look that can noticeably change how a late-1970s 911 presents on the road.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Porsche 911?
Tires for the 1978 Porsche 911 are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Vredestein across the two primary sizes. Brand availability depends on whether you are shopping for the 185/70R15 front size or the 215/60R15 rear size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability rather than by name alone. A buyer comparing front and rear tires may also find that the preferred appearance or series is stronger in one size than the other, so it helps to evaluate the car as a complete staggered set.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Porsche 911?
A period-style approach for a 1978 Porsche 911 usually begins with keeping the original size relationship intact: 185/70R15 in front and 215/60R15 in the rear. Within those sizes, blackwall radial tires often suit the car’s late-1970s sporting character, though other visual treatments are also available.
The right choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained restoration-oriented look or a more individualized presentation. When exact originality matters, tire appearance should be compared with vehicle-specific historical references, marque-club guidance, and photos of cars prepared in the same style, since not every available sidewall treatment reflects the same visual intent.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Porsche 911?
On a 1978 Porsche 911, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires in both front and rear sizes. That keeps the appearance discussion focused less on bias-ply versus radial shape and more on the tread and sidewall presentation offered within those radial sizes.
Visual character can still change significantly depending on whether the car wears blackwalls, whitewalls, redlines, or raised white letters. A restoration-minded owner should also remember that wheel width and stance affect the final look, so checking the actual wheel setup is just as important as picking the right tire series or sidewall treatment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Porsche 911?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Porsche 911 even when the tire sizes themselves are correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension lowering, alignment changes, or body modifications can all influence how 185/70R15 front and 215/60R15 rear tires sit in the car.
A modified car should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and rear fitment before new tires are installed. On a staggered 911, that matters at both ends of the car because the front and rear sizes are different, and a change that works well at one axle does not automatically suit the other.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Porsche 911 on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Porsche 911 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the front and rear sizes are mounted in the correct positions, and set tire pressures appropriately for the chosen tires and vehicle setup. The suspension, alignment condition, and valve stems also deserve a close look.
Collector-era cars often spend long periods parked, so it is wise to look for related issues such as cracked old tires, flat spotting, air loss, or worn steering and suspension parts that may only become obvious once the car returns to the road. A careful first drive should include listening and feeling for rubbing, pull, or vibration.
How should 1978 Porsche 911 tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1978 Porsche 911 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic inspections for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, and routine confirmation that front and rear tires remain in their proper positions. Low-use collector cars also benefit from close attention to age and storage conditions.
Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tires that are not driven often. It also helps to inspect the wheels and suspension during service intervals, since unusual wear on a staggered 911 setup can point to alignment issues or wheel changes that deserve correction before longer road use.
