The 1978 Saab Saab 99 came from an era when Saab’s engineering priorities centered on practical packaging, front-wheel-drive confidence, and a distinctly European approach to road manners. Buyers looking after one today are often balancing authentic late-1970s character with the realities of modern road use. Tire fitment on this model stays in the radial world, with 165R15 and 175/70R15 both appearing across the range on 15-inch rims. That opens up meaningful choice in classic blackwall and whitewall presentations, along with several established radial series. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before deciding how original-looking or road-focused the finished car should feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Saab Saab 99
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. Both fitments are radial tires for 15-inch rims, but Base, EMS, and Turbo configurations do not all use the same setup. The first step is confirming whether the car is a Base, EMS, or Turbo and then checking which wheel and tire combination is actually on the car before choosing among the available radial styles and series.
165R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1978 Saab Saab 99, it suits the model’s original-era European tire sizing approach and remains a distinctly period-appropriate radial format. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs from brands such as Michelin, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, and Vredestein. This size makes sense for owners focused on the Base model, certain EMS configurations, or a more traditional late-1970s presentation.
175/70R15 is a metric radial size that uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch wheel diameter. For the 1978 Saab Saab 99, this is the more modern-style metric format tied to specific configurations rather than the full model range. Product choice here is narrower and stays focused on blackwall radial offerings, including Avon and Vredestein classic performance-oriented series. This size deserves a close look for Turbo fitment and for EMS cars using the alternate setup, especially when preserving the car’s intended wheel-and-tire proportions matters.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1978 Saab Saab 99 because the full range does not share one universal tire size. Base, EMS, and Turbo versions can use different radial setups, so identifying the exact sub-model is the clearest way to narrow the right tire choice before comparing brands, sidewalls, or series.
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1978 Saab Saab 99 Base
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 Base uses the 165R15 radial size. That keeps tire selection centered on classic Euro-metric radial choices, where the main decision becomes blackwall versus whitewall appearance and which radial series best matches the car’s intended look and use.
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 EMS can be found with either 165R15 or 175/70R15 radial tires. That makes wheel and existing tire verification especially important, since the decision is not only about tire style but also about confirming which of the two 15-inch radial fitments belongs on the car.
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 Turbo uses the 175/70R15 radial size. Tire choice here is more focused, with blackwall radial options in classic European-style series, so the emphasis shifts from sidewall styling to selecting the right series and confirming wheel compatibility.
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 Saab Saab 99 Tires for sale
Available 1978 Saab Saab 99 tire choices span 165R15 and 175/70R15 radial sizes, with brands including Michelin, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, American Classic, Vredestein, and Avon. Buyers can compare classic blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments along with several distinct radial series and rim-width specifications.
Common 1978 Saab Saab 99 tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, understanding the difference between 165R15 and 175/70R15, and comparing radial choices by sidewall style, series, wheel fit, and road-use needs.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Saab Saab 99?
A 1978 Saab Saab 99 uses either 165R15 or 175/70R15 tires, both in radial construction on 15-inch rims. The Base model uses 165R15, the Turbo uses 175/70R15, and the EMS can use either size depending on the specific setup on the car.
That means the first job is not choosing a brand but confirming the exact sub-model and the wheel-and-tire combination already installed. An EMS deserves extra attention, since it appears with both fitments. Checking the existing tire size on the car and verifying wheel dimensions helps avoid ordering a tire that matches the model name but not the actual configuration.
What size rim does a 1978 Saab Saab 99 use?
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. Whether the car is fitted with 165R15 or 175/70R15, the wheel diameter stays the same, so the size difference is in the tire itself rather than a change to a different rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on an older European car. Wheel width should still be checked against the tire being considered, and any replacement should be evaluated with the actual wheel on the car. That becomes especially important if the Saab has aftermarket wheels or if an EMS has been changed from one original-size pattern to the other.
Why does the 1978 Saab Saab 99 have more than one tire size?
The 1978 Saab Saab 99 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. Base models use 165R15, Turbo models use 175/70R15, and EMS models appear with either 165R15 or 175/70R15, so the range does not share one universal tire across every configuration.
That variation changes the buying process. A Base owner can focus quickly on 165R15 choices, while a Turbo owner can narrow the search to 175/70R15. An EMS owner needs to confirm which setup the car actually uses before comparing products. Looking at the existing tire sidewall and wheel details is the simplest way to sort out which fitment path applies.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R15 tire for a 1978 Saab Saab 99?
A 165R15 buyer should start with the correct sub-model fitment, then compare radial series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility. This size is offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, with choices from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and Vredestein.
The best choice depends on how the Saab is being presented and driven. A whitewall changes the car’s visual character, while blackwall options keep a more understated European look. It also helps to compare rim-width requirements and load figures where stated, especially if the car has replacement wheels or is being prepared for more than occasional collector use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Saab Saab 99 tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size. In 165R15, the 1978 Saab Saab 99 has blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. In 175/70R15, the available choices stay in blackwall form, making sidewall appearance a much bigger part of the decision for 165R15 cars than for 175/70R15 cars.
That matters most for buyers trying to shape the car’s visual tone. A Base or some EMS cars running 165R15 can lean more traditional or more understated depending on the sidewall. Turbo and 175/70R15 EMS fitments are more straightforward, since the available look stays blackwall. Wheel design, ride height, and overall restoration style should guide the final appearance decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Saab Saab 99?
Brands available for the 1978 Saab Saab 99 include Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Vredestein, and Avon. Most of that variety appears in 165R15, while 175/70R15 stays more limited, with Avon and Vredestein representing the choices in that size.
Brand selection should be treated as part of a larger fitment decision rather than the starting point by itself. The correct size, the intended look of the car, the tire series, and the wheel-width range all matter. Once those basics are settled, comparing the brands within the right size becomes much more useful and avoids chasing a name that may not suit the car’s setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Saab Saab 99?
A period-style 1978 Saab Saab 99 tire choice starts with the correct original-era size for the specific sub-model: 165R15 for the Base, 175/70R15 for the Turbo, and either size for an EMS depending on its setup. Both are radial fitments, so the real visual choice comes from the sizing format, series, and sidewall treatment.
A 165R15 car gives the broadest appearance range because blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are available. A 175/70R15 car stays closer to a blackwall European performance look. Buyers pursuing exact restoration standards should compare any tire choice with marque references or period vehicle documentation before treating a specific sidewall or series as authentic.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1978 Saab Saab 99 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1978 Saab Saab 99 restoration because the car does not use one size across every version. Choosing between 165R15 and 175/70R15 affects not only appearance but also how faithfully the finished car reflects its proper Base, EMS, or Turbo configuration.
A restoration can look subtly off when the tire size or sidewall treatment does not suit the sub-model or wheel setup. This is especially relevant with the EMS, since both sizes appear there. Verifying the sub-model, checking the wheels on the car, and matching the tire’s visual style to the restoration goal usually leads to a more convincing final result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Saab Saab 99?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1978 Saab Saab 99, even when the replacement tire is one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence clearance and how a 165R15 or 175/70R15 tire sits on the car.
A Saab that has been changed from its original setup should be checked at the wheel, not just by model name. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions all deserve attention before mounting new tires. That is especially important on an EMS, where two primary fitments appear, because prior owners may already have changed the car from one combination to another.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Saab Saab 99 on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Saab Saab 99 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the car’s actual setup, and check inflation, valve stems, and mounting quality. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components on a car that may have spent long periods in storage.
The first few miles should be treated as a shake-down rather than a long trip. Listen for rubbing, feel for unusual vibration, and recheck pressure after the tires have settled in. On an older Saab, wheel alignment condition and bushing wear can influence how even a properly sized radial behaves, so the tire should be part of a broader roadworthiness inspection.
How should tires on a collector 1978 Saab Saab 99 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1978 Saab Saab 99 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even a low-mileage car can develop age-related problems, so the sidewalls and tread should be examined for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of slow air loss whether the car runs 165R15 or 175/70R15.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect them before any longer outing, since collector cars often sit for extended periods. A tire that looks acceptable at a glance still deserves a close check before road use.
