The 1978 Porsche 924 arrived as a distinctive front-engine, rear-transaxle sports car that gave Porsche buyers a lighter, more accessible take on the brand’s road manners. Its balance, clean wedge-era shape, and European touring character make tire choice especially important, because the car responds noticeably to size and profile changes. The 1978 Porsche 924 uses radial tires in two 14-inch fitments: 165R14 and 185/70R14. That opens the door to different period-style driving impressions, with blackwall touring and sport-oriented options, plus a wide whitewall choice in 185/70R14. The key is confirming the exact wheel setup and choosing a tire that suits restoration priorities, road use, and overall presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Porsche 924
The 1978 Porsche 924 uses two radial tire sizes, and both fitments share the same 14-inch rim diameter. Because both listed sub-models use the same size options, the real decision is not trim-specific fitment but which wheel setup is on the car and whether a 165R14 Euro-metric radial or a 185/70R14 metric radial better matches the intended look and driving character.
A 165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 165-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, and it is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1978 Porsche 924, this size supports a traditional narrow-tire presentation and is available in blackwall form from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein through series such as Cinturato CA67, XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when preserving an earlier European sports-car look matters as much as rim compatibility and road use.
A 185/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim diameter. That makes it a more modern expressed size than 165R14, while still remaining within the 924’s 14-inch radial fitment range. For this Porsche, the size is offered across several blackwall choices from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial wide whitewall option. It is a useful fitment to compare when the car’s wheel setup, desired stance, and the balance between period feel and available product variety all matter.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1978 Porsche 924 sub-models, because both use the same two radial size options on 14-inch rims. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the wheel setup already on the car before choosing between the narrower Euro-metric fitment and the wider metric alternative.
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1978 Porsche 924 Base
The 1978 Porsche 924 Base uses the same two radial fitments found across this model range, so the focus is on confirming which wheel and tire size the car currently carries. That makes tire selection more about preserving the intended look and response than sorting through trim-specific size differences.
The 1978 Porsche 924 Base w/aluminum wheels also uses the same pair of radial size options, keeping fitment consistent with the standard Base model. Tire choice comes down to the actual mounted wheel setup and whether the goal is a more traditional 165R14 presentation or the broader 185/70R14 fitment.
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 924 Tires for Sale
Available 1978 Porsche 924 tire choices center on 165R14 and 185/70R14 radial fitments, with brands including Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Avon, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. The main differences in the product grid are tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall styling, and rim-width compatibility within each size.
Common 1978 Porsche 924 tire questions usually come down to choosing between 165R14 and 185/70R14, confirming 14-inch rim fitment, and comparing available radial tire styles, brands, and series for restoration-minded or road-use-focused setups.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Porsche 924?
The 1978 Porsche 924 uses two radial tire sizes: 165R14 and 185/70R14. Both are 14-inch fitments, and both are used on the covered 924 configurations, including the Base model and the Base w/aluminum wheels version.
The important next step is confirming which size is actually on the car now, especially if the wheels have been changed over time. Since both sizes are legitimate 14-inch options, the real choice is matching the tire to the existing wheel width, the car’s appearance goals, and the driving feel you want from the finished setup.
What size rim does a 1978 Porsche 924 use?
The listed tire fitments for a 1978 Porsche 924 both use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to 165R14 and 185/70R14, so either tire size belongs on a 14-inch wheel rather than a larger or smaller rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint, though. Wheel width also matters, and product specifications within these sizes show different acceptable rim-width ranges depending on the tire. A 14-inch wheel that is too narrow or too wide for the selected tire can change how the tire sits and behaves, so it is worth confirming the actual wheel dimensions before ordering.
Do all 1978 Porsche 924 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1978 Porsche 924 sub-models share the same two radial tire size options: 165R14 and 185/70R14. That includes the standard Base model and the Base w/aluminum wheels version, so there is no separate tire size split between those two listings.
Even with shared fitment, the car still needs to be matched to the wheel setup that is actually installed. A 924 that has stayed close to its original configuration may still be wearing one of these two sizes, while a modified car may not. Checking the mounted wheel and existing tire size keeps the selection process focused and avoids choosing the wrong profile for the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1978 Porsche 924 tire?
Start with the correct size and wheel setup. The 1978 Porsche 924 uses radial tires in either 165R14 or 185/70R14, so the first decision is confirming which 14-inch fitment belongs on the car you are servicing.
From there, compare the tire’s series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility rather than focusing on size alone. A narrower 165R14 can support a more traditional European sports-car appearance, while 185/70R14 opens up a broader mix of product choices. Intended use matters too, whether the car is being restored for period-style presentation, regular road driving, or occasional event use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Porsche 924 tires?
Most available 1978 Porsche 924 tire options are blackwall radials. That is true across the 165R14 choices from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, and also across several 185/70R14 options from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein.
There is also a wide whitewall choice in 185/70R14 through the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial line. That gives the 924 owner a distinct appearance decision in addition to a size decision. Sidewall style will not change the need to confirm wheel compatibility, but it can dramatically change the car’s visual character, especially on a restoration or a custom presentation build.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Porsche 924?
The 1978 Porsche 924 is served by several brands across its two radial sizes, including Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop. Brand availability varies by size, with 165R14 and 185/70R14 each having their own mix of tire series.
That variety gives the owner room to compare more than just brand names. Tire series, sidewall styling, and wheel-width requirements can matter just as much as the label on the sidewall. It makes sense to narrow the choice by correct size first, then compare the available products in that size based on how the car will be used and how authentic or individualized the finished look should be.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Porsche 924?
For a period-style 1978 Porsche 924, the first step is staying within the proper 14-inch radial fitments: 165R14 or 185/70R14. Among those, 165R14 often aligns with the narrower Euro-metric look many owners associate with late-1970s European sports cars.
The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what wheel setup it wears today. Blackwall options such as Pirelli Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Vredestein Sprint Classic keep the presentation traditional. When exact originality matters, it is smart to compare the car against marque literature, period photos, or club guidance before settling on a specific tire series.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Porsche 924?
On a 1978 Porsche 924, construction is less of a bias-ply-versus-radial issue because the primary fitments are radial. Appearance is influenced more by the tire’s size format, profile, series, and sidewall style than by a change between vintage construction types.
A 165R14 blackwall gives a different visual impression than a 185/70R14, and a wide whitewall in 185/70R14 changes the look again. Those choices affect how the car sits visually and how authentic or personalized the finished restoration appears. Matching the tire to the car’s intended era feel matters just as much as choosing a tire that fits the wheel properly.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Porsche 924?
Yes. A 1978 Porsche 924 may have started with one of its proper 14-inch radial sizes, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations can change what actually clears the car. That matters even when staying within 165R14 or 185/70R14 fitment territory.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and available space at the fenders and steering components. Lowered suspension, non-stock offsets, or replacement wheels can all influence how the tire sits and moves through its travel range. Looking at the car’s current setup before choosing a tire helps prevent a fitment that is correct on paper but wrong for the vehicle in front of you.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Porsche 924 on new tires?
Before putting a 1978 Porsche 924 back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim size, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 165R14 or 185/70R14 fitment for the car. Tire pressure should also be checked before the first drive.
A broader safety check is worthwhile on any older sports car. Look over tread and sidewalls for shipping or mounting damage, verify even seating on the rim, and watch for clearance issues at full steering lock. It also helps to inspect suspension and steering components, because worn parts can affect how a fresh set of tires feels once the car is back in regular use.
How should 165R14 or 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1978 Porsche 924 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1978 Porsche 924 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions. Whether the car wears 165R14 or 185/70R14 radials, low annual mileage does not eliminate the need to monitor condition closely.
A 924 that spends long periods parked can still develop issues such as cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect them before each outing rather than assuming they are fine simply because the tread still looks deep.
