The 1979 American Motors Pacer stands apart from its era with its expansive glass, compact footprint, and unmistakably AMC approach to small-car packaging. By the final years of production, the Pacer had settled into a practical, distinctly late-1970s role that today appeals to collectors who appreciate unusual design and honest originality. The 1979 American Motors Pacer uses a 195/75R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim, so the focus is less about sorting through multiple factory sizes and more about choosing the right look within that fitment. Available options include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles across several radial series. That makes appearance, road-use expectations, and wheel compatibility the key checks before making a final choice.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 American Motors Pacer
The 1979 American Motors Pacer uses one primary tire size: 195/75R14, a radial tire for a 14-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered Hatchback 6 Cyl. and Wagon 8 Cyl. sub-models, so the main decision becomes which radial tire best suits the car's appearance and intended use, especially when comparing whitewall treatments, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
The size 195/75R14 identifies a metric radial tire with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series profile, and a fitment for a 14-inch rim. Radial construction is the primary fitment for the 1979 American Motors Pacer, giving this page a more modern sizing format than many earlier collector vehicles. In this size, available choices include Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall presentations across several tire series. For most Pacer owners, the real choice is matching the car's look and wheel setup to the right version of this size rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 American Motors Pacer sub-models because both use the same 195/75R14 radial size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car has retained its proper 14-inch wheel setup before selecting among the available whitewall and tire-series options.
1
1979 American Motors Pacer Hatchback 6 Cyl.
The 1979 American Motors Pacer Hatchback 6 Cyl. uses the 195/75R14 radial tire size. That keeps selection centered on choosing the right sidewall style and product series while still confirming that the car's wheels remain true to the original 14-inch fitment.
The 1979 American Motors Pacer Wagon 8 Cyl. also uses the 195/75R14 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the main decision is whether a wide whitewall or narrower whitewall presentation better suits the vehicle, along with checking wheel 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 1979 American Motors Pacer Tires for Sale
Available 195/75R14 choices span Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar radials, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles across several tire series. Comparing sidewall appearance, load specifications, and rim-width compatibility is the most useful way to sort the product grid.
Showing 5 of 5
Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
Common 1979 American Motors Pacer tire questions usually come down to the 195/75R14 size, 14-inch rim fitment, whitewall style choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era AMC back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 American Motors Pacer?
The 1979 American Motors Pacer uses a 195/75R14 radial tire. That size applies to the covered Hatchback 6 Cyl. and Wagon 8 Cyl. versions, making fitment more straightforward than on vehicles that changed size by trim or package.
The next step is confirming that the car still has the proper 14-inch wheel setup, especially if it has been modified over the years. Once the size is confirmed, the main choices shift to sidewall appearance, tire series, brand preference, and whether the wheel width matches the tire's intended range.
What size rim does a 1979 American Motors Pacer use?
The 1979 American Motors Pacer uses a 14-inch rim with its 195/75R14 tire size. That rim diameter is consistent across the covered sub-models, so the primary wheel question is not diameter variation but whether the car still retains the proper 14-inch wheels.
Diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector vehicle. It is also worth checking actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, particularly if the Pacer has had replacement wheels installed at some point or has spent long periods off the road.
Do all 1979 American Motors Pacer sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1979 American Motors Pacer sub-models share the same 195/75R14 radial tire size. Both the Hatchback 6 Cyl. and the Wagon 8 Cyl. use that fitment, so there is no split in primary tire size between those versions.
That consistency makes shopping easier, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. Older vehicles are often changed with aftermarket wheels or previous tire substitutions, so matching the tire to the wheel on the vehicle remains just as important as knowing the original size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/75R14 tire for a 1979 American Motors Pacer?
Start with the correct 195/75R14 size and verify that the tire is intended for a 14-inch rim. From there, the biggest differences are sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width specification, and product details such as load capacity and overall tire weight.
A Pacer being preserved with a strong period look may call for a different whitewall presentation than one driven more casually for local events. Looking closely at wheel width, the car's current stance, and how much originality matters will usually narrow the field faster than focusing on brand alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 American Motors Pacer tires?
The available 195/75R14 tires for the 1979 American Motors Pacer include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles. Wide whitewall options appear in Coker Classic lines, while narrow whitewall choices are available from Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar.
That gives the car noticeably different visual personalities without changing the basic tire size. A broader whitewall tends to create a more traditional late-1970s presentation, while a narrower whitewall can feel more restrained, so the right choice depends on the look of the car and the finish of its wheels and trim.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 American Motors Pacer?
Tires in the 1979 American Motors Pacer's 195/75R14 size are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Those options are all radial tires, but they differ in series, sidewall treatment, and certain product specifications that can matter once size and rim compatibility are confirmed.
Choosing among them usually comes down to how closely the tire's appearance matches the car and whether the wheel setup falls within the tire's stated fitment range. Comparing whitewall style, rim-width details, and load figures is more useful than trying to treat one brand as a universal answer for every Pacer.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 American Motors Pacer?
A period-style 1979 American Motors Pacer starts with the correct 195/75R14 radial size and then turns on visual presentation. In this fitment, the strongest appearance split is between wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options rather than between multiple original-style size formats.
The best choice depends on how the car is being restored and which look suits its trim, paint, and wheel covers. Owners chasing exact historical authenticity should compare the tire's sidewall style against marque references, period photography, or original vehicle documentation before settling on one presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 American Motors Pacer restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 195/75R14 size shapes both the stance and the visual balance of a restored 1979 American Motors Pacer. Even when several products are available in that size, staying with the proper fitment keeps the car closer to its intended proportions.
Appearance is only part of the restoration picture. Using the correct size also helps avoid unnecessary fitment issues that can come from chasing a different diameter or profile, so restoration-minded owners should verify wheel size, check wheel width, and choose a sidewall treatment that supports the character of the build.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 American Motors Pacer?
Yes. Even though the 1979 American Motors Pacer uses a 195/75R14 tire on a 14-inch rim, modifications can change how that fitment works in practice. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can all affect clearance and the suitability of a given tire choice.
A modified Pacer should be checked at the wheel, not just on paper. Looking at actual rim dimensions, steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender space before mounting new tires helps prevent rubbing or mismatch, especially on a vehicle that may have passed through several owners over the years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 American Motors Pacer on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 American Motors Pacer on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the rims are the correct 14-inch size, and make sure the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for their application. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel condition also deserve attention.
A collector-era car should also be checked for alignment issues, worn suspension parts, and any sign of interference at full steering lock or during compression. A short, careful road test after installation is a sensible way to confirm that the new 195/75R14 tires behave as expected on the actual vehicle.
How should 195/75R14 tires on a collector 1979 American Motors Pacer be maintained?
195/75R14 tires on a collector 1979 American Motors Pacer should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic evaluation for age-related cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear. Low-mileage collector cars can still develop tire issues simply from time, storage conditions, and long periods of inactivity.
Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both rubber condition and sidewall appearance. Occasional movement, clean storage surfaces, and routine checks for slow air loss are especially worthwhile on a Pacer that is driven infrequently but expected to be road-ready.
