The 1979 Buick Riviera arrived during a period when American personal luxury coupes leaned heavily on dramatic styling, comfort, and a strong road presence. That makes tire choice especially important, because the right size and sidewall treatment do more than support the car mechanically; they shape how the Riviera sits and presents itself. This model uses either 205/75R15 radial sizing or GR70-15 alphanumeric radial sizing, depending on sub-model. Available choices range from traditional whitewall treatments to redline, goldline, raised white letter, and pin-white-stripe designs. The key is matching the exact Riviera sub-model first, then choosing the tire style and construction presentation that best suits the car's intended look and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Buick Riviera
The 1979 Buick Riviera uses two different primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model. Both sizes are radial and fit a 15-inch rim, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Riviera Luxury or Riviera Sporty. Once that is settled, the decision becomes more about selecting the right sidewall style, tire series, and overall look for the car.
205/75R15 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies the section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1979 Buick Riviera, this size delivers a more familiar modern metric format while staying on the correct 15-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with sidewall options such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and goldline. This size suits buyers who want a broad mix of radial products and appearance choices within a traditional Riviera presentation.
GR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size in which the letter code identifies the size class, the 70 indicates the profile family, and the 15 calls out the rim diameter. For the 1979 Buick Riviera, this format carries a distinctly late-1970s look and is tied to a specific sub-model rather than the whole Riviera line. Available products center on Goodyear bias-look radial offerings with sidewall treatments such as pin-white-stripe and raised white letter across series like GM Custom Tread, Steelgard, and Custom Wide Tread. This size is worth choosing when preserving the era-specific character of the car is part of the goal.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1979 Buick Riviera because the covered versions do not share the same primary tire size. Both use 15-inch radial fitment, but identifying whether the car is a Luxury or Sporty model is the first step before comparing sidewall and series options.
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1979 Buick Riviera Luxury
The 1979 Buick Riviera Luxury uses the 205/75R15 radial size. That opens the door to a wide range of whitewall, redline, and goldline choices, making this sub-model especially suited to buyers balancing road manners with a restoration-oriented or period-style appearance.
The 1979 Buick Riviera Sporty uses the GR70-15 radial size in an alphanumeric format that feels very much in keeping with the era. Tire selection here is more focused, with Goodyear bias-look radial options that emphasize traditional late-1970s styling cues such as pin-white-stripe or raised white letter sidewalls.
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 Buick Riviera Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Buick Riviera tires span multiple radial series and sidewall treatments. 205/75R15 offers the broadest mix of brands and whitewall, redline, and goldline styles, while GR70-15 centers on Goodyear bias-look radial designs with pin-white-stripe and raised white letter presentations.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.375 Inch Whitewall | 205/75R15
Common 1979 Buick Riviera tire questions usually come down to sub-model fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, radial sizing format, sidewall style, and how to choose between a comfort-oriented whitewall look and a more performance-flavored period presentation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Buick Riviera?
A 1979 Buick Riviera uses either 205/75R15 or GR70-15, depending on the sub-model. The Riviera Luxury uses 205/75R15, while the Riviera Sporty uses GR70-15. Both are radial fitments and both mount on 15-inch rims, but the sizing format and the available tire styles are different.
That means the first step is identifying the exact Riviera sub-model before choosing a tire. A 205/75R15 opens up a broad range of whitewall and specialty sidewall choices, while GR70-15 is more tied to a late-1970s alphanumeric look. If the car has replacement wheels or past modifications, confirm the actual wheel width and overall clearance before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1979 Buick Riviera use?
The 1979 Buick Riviera uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The 205/75R15 metric radial and the GR70-15 alphanumeric radial are both built for 15-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire size format changes by sub-model.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on an older personal luxury coupe. It is still important to confirm wheel width, because the available products do not all share the same rim-width range. That matters most if the car has aftermarket wheels, if a previous owner changed the wheel package, or if the goal is to preserve a specific late-1970s stance and appearance.
Do all 1979 Buick Riviera sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1979 Buick Riviera Luxury uses 205/75R15, while the 1979 Buick Riviera Sporty uses GR70-15. Both are radial tires on 15-inch rims, but they are not the same size, and they do not create the same visual effect on the car.
That difference matters because the available product choices change with the sub-model. The Luxury model has more metric radial options and a wider spread of sidewall treatments, while the Sporty model stays closer to an alphanumeric, bias-look radial presentation. Checking the trim first helps avoid choosing a tire that suits the wrong Riviera character or the wrong wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Buick Riviera?
Start with the correct sub-model and tire size, because a 1979 Buick Riviera Luxury uses 205/75R15 and a Riviera Sporty uses GR70-15. After that, focus on the tire's construction style, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of appearance you want the car to have on the road or at a show.
A Riviera restored toward a formal luxury presentation may call for a whitewall, while a sportier look may point toward raised white letter or pin-white-stripe styling where available. It also helps to compare load figures and wheel-width requirements when those are given. That keeps the choice grounded in both appearance and practical fitment rather than sidewall style alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Buick Riviera tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1979 Buick Riviera include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, goldline, redline, pin-white-stripe, and RWL, depending on the tire size. The 205/75R15 size offers the broadest range of appearance options, while GR70-15 focuses more tightly on pin-white-stripe and raised white letter styles.
That makes sidewall selection a major part of how the car will look once the tires are mounted. A whitewall usually supports the Riviera's formal personal luxury character, while redline, goldline, or RWL can shift the presentation in a different direction. The right choice depends on the exact sub-model, the car's current trim and wheel presentation, and how period-styled the finished result needs to be.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Buick Riviera?
Available brands for the 1979 Buick Riviera include BFGoodrich, Tornel, American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Goodyear. Brand choice depends on the tire size, with 205/75R15 covering the broader mix of manufacturers and GR70-15 centering on Goodyear offerings in an alphanumeric radial presentation.
Brand matters less as a ranking exercise than as a way to narrow down sidewall style, tire series, and sizing presentation. Some buyers will focus on a traditional whitewall look, while others may prefer redline, goldline, or raised white letter styling. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing brand-specific series and rim-width details is the practical next step.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Buick Riviera?
A period-style 1979 Buick Riviera tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size. The Riviera Luxury uses 205/75R15 and can be paired with narrow or wide whitewall, goldline, or redline treatments, while the Riviera Sporty uses GR70-15 with late-1970s style cues such as pin-white-stripe or raised white letter sidewalls.
The best period-style direction depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universally correct answer. A formal, luxury-oriented restoration may lean toward whitewalls, while a sportier presentation may suit the GR70-15 sidewall options more naturally. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against vehicle-specific historical references for that Riviera configuration.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Buick Riviera restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment has a major effect on a 1979 Buick Riviera restoration because tire size, profile, and sidewall style all influence how the car sits and how authentic its overall presentation feels. Choosing 205/75R15 for a Luxury model or GR70-15 for a Sporty model keeps the restoration aligned with the proper sub-model fitment path.
Appearance is only part of the issue. The wrong size format or an incompatible wheel setup can also affect clearance, stance, and how the car drives. Restoration-minded buyers should confirm the actual wheels on the car, then select a tire that supports both the intended visual character and the mechanical fitment needs of that specific Riviera.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Buick Riviera?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Buick Riviera even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or ride-height adjustments can change how a 205/75R15 or GR70-15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance it has in use.
That is why a modified Riviera should be checked as an actual vehicle rather than only by catalog size. Wheel diameter may still be 15 inches, but width and offset can change the result significantly. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the relationship between the tire and suspension components are all worth confirming before settling on a replacement set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Buick Riviera on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Buick Riviera on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. It also helps to verify that the chosen tire matches the car's actual wheel setup and that inflation is set appropriately for the tire being installed.
A short first drive should include listening for rubbing, checking straight-ahead tracking, and looking at clearance with the steering turned in both directions. After a few miles, recheck tire pressure and look over the sidewalls and tread for any signs of contact. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, regular visual inspection remains just as important as mileage-based maintenance.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Buick Riviera be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Buick Riviera should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and irregular wear, and protected from long periods of harsh storage conditions. Low-mileage use does not stop tires from aging, so visual condition matters just as much as tread depth on a car that spends time parked.
Storage practices make a real difference on an older Riviera. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition between drives. It is also smart to check for slow air loss and inspect the wheels themselves, since an attractive period-style tire still needs a sound wheel and stable operating pressure to be road-ready.
