The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco came from the era when compact European coupes blended sharp Giugiaro-era styling with light, responsive road manners. Owners often value these cars for their tidy proportions and engaging feel, which makes correct tire sizing especially important. For this exact model, the primary fitment is a 175/70R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, so the focus is less about sorting through multiple factory sizes and more about choosing the right tire within that fitment. Available choices center on a modern blackwall radial in the Avon CR6ZZ series. That makes wheel-condition checks, appearance goals, and intended road use the key decisions before putting the car back into service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco
The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco uses one primary tire size: 175/70R13, a metric radial built for a 13-inch rim. The covered Gas sub-model uses the same fitment, so the main decision is choosing the right tire within that size and confirming that the car still has the correct wheel setup if it has been modified over the years.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size where 175 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco, this is the core fitment and suits the car's compact handling-oriented character. In this size, the available product is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving the car a purposeful modern roadgoing appearance rather than a vintage bias-ply look. It is the size to evaluate when keeping the car on its intended wheel diameter and maintaining the balanced proportions that matter on an early Scirocco.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco sub-models. The listed configuration uses the same primary size, so the important checks are wheel condition, wheel width, and whether the car still retains its original 13-inch wheel setup.
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1978 Volkswagen Scirocco (Gas)
The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco (Gas) uses the same 175/70R13 radial fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection simple and shifts attention toward choosing the right radial tire, confirming wheel compatibility, and inspecting the car for any later wheel or suspension changes.
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 Volkswagen Scirocco Tires for Sale
Available 175/70R13 choices for the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco focus on radial construction in the Avon CR6ZZ series with a blackwall sidewall. The key comparison points are correct size, 13-inch rim compatibility, and whether the tire suits the car's intended road use and appearance.
These FAQs focus on 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, radial construction, product selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the checks worth making before driving a lightly used collector-era coupe.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco?
The 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco uses a 175/70R13 tire size. This is a metric radial size, and it is the primary fitment for the covered Gas configuration, making tire selection more straightforward than on vehicles that used multiple wheel and tire combinations.
Using the correct size helps preserve the car's intended proportions and keeps the starting point consistent when comparing available tires. A Scirocco that has been changed over the years may have different wheels installed, so it is worth confirming the actual rim diameter and width on the car before purchasing replacement tires.
What size rim does a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco uses a 13-inch rim. The tire size 175/70R13 matches that wheel diameter, so the final number in the size is the first clue that the car is set up around a 13-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on older cars that may have changed hands several times. Checking the wheel width matters too, since the available 175/70R13 product carries its own rim-width range, and that should be compared against the actual wheels on the car before mounting new tires.
Does the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco Gas use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco (Gas) uses the same 175/70R13 radial tire size as the core model fitment. That means there is no separate alternate primary size to sort through for this sub-model within the covered application.
Even with shared fitment, it is still smart to inspect the actual car before ordering tires. Early Sciroccos are often modified with aftermarket wheels or suspension changes, and those changes can affect clearance, wheel-width suitability, and the way a replacement tire choice works on the vehicle in real road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco?
Start with the basics: the correct size is 175/70R13, the construction is radial, and the wheel diameter is 13 inches. From there, the main considerations are whether the tire matches the wheel width on the car, whether its appearance suits the Scirocco's character, and how the car will actually be driven.
A car used for weekend cruising may call for a different emphasis than one seeing more regular road miles, even within the same size. It also helps to look at product details such as tire series, sidewall style, and overall specification so the tire choice fits both the vehicle setup and the owner's expectations.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco tires?
In the available 175/70R13 fitment for the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco, the sidewall style shown is blackwall. That gives the car a clean, understated presentation that suits a late-1970s European sport coupe without trying to imitate an earlier wide-white or muscle-car sidewall treatment.
Sidewall appearance matters more than many owners expect because it changes the visual balance of a compact car with relatively small-diameter wheels. For a restoration-minded buyer, blackwall keeps the look simple and restrained, while still leaving the important technical checks centered on the correct size, wheel compatibility, and overall condition.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco?
The available tire brand in the 175/70R13 fitment for the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco is Avon. The tire series offered in this application is the CR6ZZ, giving buyers a focused option rather than a large spread of brands in the same size.
A narrower brand selection makes the decision less about comparing multiple manufacturers and more about confirming that the actual product suits the car. The useful next steps are checking wheel width, reviewing the tire's construction and sidewall style, and making sure the Scirocco's current wheels and suspension still support the intended fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco?
A period-style approach starts with keeping the correct 175/70R13 size on the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco. Staying with the proper metric radial format helps preserve the car's visual stance and wheel-to-tire balance, which are especially noticeable on a compact coupe with tight proportions.
The available Avon CR6ZZ blackwall fits that approach with a clean, understated presentation. Buyers focused on strict originality should still compare the car against marque references, photos, and restoration documentation, since period-style appearance and exact factory delivery details are not always the same thing on collector Volkswagens.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco is a small, design-conscious car where the wrong diameter or profile can change the overall look quickly. Keeping the proper 175/70R13 fitment helps maintain the right relationship between the tire, wheel opening, and 13-inch wheel.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. A mismatched tire can complicate clearance, alter the car's stance, or create an out-of-place look even if the tire physically mounts. For a restoration-minded result, confirm wheel size and width first, then choose a tire that supports both the car's presentation and intended use.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco even when the correct original-size tire is known. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body modifications can all change how a 175/70R13 tire sits and clears during steering and suspension movement.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacement tires are chosen. A Scirocco that still has its original-style 13-inch setup is simpler to match, while a modified example may need closer attention to wheel dimensions, inner clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension components.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel size and width, and make sure the tires were mounted and inflated properly. It is also worth checking valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire seating on the rim.
The car itself deserves the same attention, especially on a lightly used older vehicle. Look over suspension and steering condition, verify that nothing rubs at full lock, and confirm that the tires clear the bodywork through normal movement. A short test drive followed by another inspection is a sensible final check.
How should 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco be maintained?
175/70R13 tires on a collector 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco should be kept at appropriate pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage cars still need tire attention even when tread looks healthy.
Storage habits matter because collector cars often sit more than they drive. Clean, dry conditions and periodic movement can help reduce flat-spotting and long-term stress, while routine visual checks make it easier to catch aging issues early. Any tire showing condition concerns should be evaluated before the car returns to road use.
