The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron came from an era when American personal luxury cars balanced formal styling, comfort, and everyday road manners. Whether kept as a well-preserved driver or restored as a late-1970s Chrysler, this model benefits from tire fitment that matches its original character and proportions. The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron uses an FR78-15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, giving owners a straightforward fitment starting point. With one primary size shared across the covered sub-models, the real decision shifts to choosing the right tire style and construction presentation for the car's intended use. That makes wheel condition, overall appearance, and road-ready inspection just as important as the size itself.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron
The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron uses one primary tire size: FR78-15. It is a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim, and it is shared by both the Base and Town & Country Wagon covered here. Since the size itself is straightforward, the main decision becomes selecting the right tire within that fitment while keeping wheel condition, appearance, and intended road use in mind.
FR78-15 is an alphanumeric radial size in which the letter combination identifies the tire's size class, the 78 references its profile family, and the 15 designates a 15-inch rim. For a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron, that means a period-appropriate radial format rather than an earlier numeric bias-ply size. This style of sizing suits late-1970s vehicles that were built around radial construction and the road manners that came with it. Choosing within FR78-15 is less about finding a different primary fitment and more about matching the tire to the car's presentation, wheel setup, and planned driving use.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Chrysler LeBaron sub-models because both use the same FR78-15 radial size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its intended wheel and tire setup before selecting a replacement.
1
1979 Chrysler LeBaron Base
The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Base uses the FR78-15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. That gives the owner a clear starting point, so the selection process becomes more about preserving the car's late-1970s character and confirming wheel condition before road use.
The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Wagon also uses the FR78-15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. Since the fitment matches the Base model, attention can stay on choosing the right tire presentation and verifying that the wagon still has the correct wheel setup.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron usually center on the FR78-15 tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, radial construction, period-style selection, and the checks worth making before putting a collector-era Chrysler back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron?
The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron uses an FR78-15 radial tire. That is the primary size for both the LeBaron Base and the Town & Country Wagon covered here, and it mounts on a 15-inch rim.
That makes fitment simpler than on vehicles that split tire sizes by trim or wheel option, but the size alone is not the only thing to confirm. A car that has seen wheel changes, long storage, or restoration work should still have its actual rim diameter and overall wheel condition checked before new tires are installed.
What size rim does a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron use?
The 1979 Chrysler LeBaron uses a 15-inch rim with its FR78-15 tire size. The 15 at the end of FR78-15 refers to the wheel diameter the tire is built to fit.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on a collector vehicle that may have had replacement wheels added over the years. Checking diameter is the first step, and it also helps to inspect wheel width, bead-seat condition, and any signs of corrosion or damage that could affect proper tire mounting.
Do all 1979 Chrysler LeBaron sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. Both the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Base and the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Wagon use the same FR78-15 radial tire size. The covered sub-models also share the same 15-inch rim diameter.
Shared fitment means the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between tire options within FR78-15 and the kind of appearance or driving character the owner wants to preserve. It is still smart to verify that the car has not been modified with different wheels, altered suspension, or non-stock ride height before selecting a replacement tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a FR78-15 tire for a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron?
Start with the correct primary fitment: FR78-15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, the important considerations are whether the tire suits the LeBaron's late-1970s look, whether the wheel setup remains correct, and whether the car will be used mainly for shows, occasional cruising, or more regular road driving.
Construction style, sidewall appearance, and overall presentation matter on a collector-era Chrysler because the tire has a strong visual effect on the car. A careful choice should also account for wheel condition, vehicle loading, and how closely the current setup matches the original-style dimensions the car was designed around.
How do I choose between the available FR78-15 tires for a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron?
The best way to compare FR78-15 options for a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron is to look at how each tire aligns with the car's intended use and presentation. Since the size itself stays the same, the decision becomes one of tire style, construction details, and how traditional or road-oriented the finished look should be.
A LeBaron kept close to its original-era appearance may call for a tire that preserves a more period-style profile and sidewall presence. A car driven more often still needs the correct size first, but it also benefits from careful attention to wheel condition, suspension health, and clearance so the chosen FR78-15 works well with the actual vehicle setup.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1979 Chrysler LeBaron tires?
The key rim-fitment detail is the 15-inch diameter required by the FR78-15 tire size. On a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron, that diameter needs to match the wheel exactly, since even a correct-looking tire cannot be mounted properly to the wrong rim size.
Beyond diameter, inspect the wheel for bends, rust around the bead area, and any evidence that the car has been changed to a different wheel type over time. Older cars often accumulate parts changes, so confirming the actual wheel before selecting a tire helps avoid problems with mounting, appearance, and on-car clearance after installation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Chrysler LeBaron?
A period-style approach starts with the correct primary fitment, which for the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron is FR78-15 radial on a 15-inch rim. Using the proper size helps preserve the car's intended stance and keeps the overall look closer to what a late-1970s LeBaron was designed around.
Appearance-focused buyers should think about how the tire's profile and sidewall presentation complement the car's formal styling rather than chasing a modernized look that changes its character. When exact originality matters, it is worth comparing the tire choice against marque literature, restoration references, and the specific vehicle's history before making a final decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the tire influences both how the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron looks and how naturally it sits on the road. FR78-15 is the proper starting size for the covered sub-models, and staying with the correct rim diameter helps maintain the car's overall proportions.
Restoration-minded owners usually notice that tires affect stance, wheelwell fill, and visual balance almost as much as wheels or trim. Even when the car is not being restored to a judged standard, confirming the right size and construction style helps avoid a finished result that looks out of place for a late-1970s Chrysler.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron?
Yes. A 1979 Chrysler LeBaron may have the correct original-style tire size of FR78-15, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or ride-height alterations can still affect how that tire works on the car. Even small changes in wheel setup can alter clearance at the fender, steering, or suspension components.
That is why the actual vehicle should be checked before replacement tires are chosen or installed. Confirm the rim diameter first, then look at wheel condition, wheel width, and how the tire sits in the wheel opening at full steering lock and normal ride height to make sure the setup remains compatible.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire installation carefully. The tires should be the correct FR78-15 size on 15-inch rims, and the car should also be checked for obvious alignment problems, suspension wear, or signs that one corner sits unusually high or low.
A collector vehicle can look ready long before it is truly road-ready, so it also helps to confirm proper inflation, lug fastener tightness, and basic brake condition before the first drive. A short, careful road test is a sensible follow-up to check for vibration, pull, rubbing, or other fitment-related issues.
How should FR78-15 tires on a collector 1979 Chrysler LeBaron be maintained?
FR78-15 tires on a collector 1979 Chrysler LeBaron should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, and long-term storage effects can matter as much as tread wear.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can reduce unnecessary aging, while periodic movement and inspection help catch air loss, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear before they become a road-use problem.
