The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT comes from an era when full-size American family cars still prioritized comfort, long-wheelbase ride quality, and a substantial road presence. Whether kept as a preserved survivor or returned to a clean period-style presentation, this Ford rewards tire choices that suit both its stance and its intended use. Its primary fitment is an HR78-14 radial on a 14-inch rim, which keeps the sizing conversation straightforward. The real decision is how closely to stay with a traditional alphanumeric radial look versus simply focusing on road-ready replacement in the correct size. For restoration-minded owners, wheel condition, overall appearance, and present-day vehicle setup all deserve a careful look before mounting new tires.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT
The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT uses one primary tire size: HR78-14. This is a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim, and the covered sub-model uses the same size, so the main choice is not between multiple factory sizes but between the available tires within that fitment and how well they suit the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
HR78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size. In this format, the letter code identifies the tire's size class, the R indicates radial construction, the series number places it within a traditional profile family, and the final number matches the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT, this size supports a period-appropriate radial presentation rather than an earlier bias-ply look. Choosing within HR78-14 is about matching the tire to the car's wheels, condition, and appearance goals while keeping the correct overall fitment foundation for the vehicle.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT sub-model range. The shared tire size means the key checks are wheel condition, correct 14-inch rim usage, and whether the car still carries its intended wheel and suspension setup.
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1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT Base
The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT Base uses the HR78-14 radial tire size. That keeps selection focused on finding the right tire within that traditional alphanumeric radial fitment and confirming the car still has the proper 14-inch wheel setup before replacement.
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 Ford 500/Squire/GT usually center on HR78-14 sizing, 14-inch rim fitment, choosing the right radial tire, and checking wheels, suspension, and tire condition before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT?
The primary tire size for the 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT is HR78-14. This is a radial tire in a vintage alphanumeric format, and it uses a 14-inch rim. The covered Base sub-model uses that same size, so fitment is centered on HR78-14 rather than on multiple original tire sizes.
That makes the next step more about confirming the wheel setup than sorting through several possible sizes. Check that the car still has 14-inch wheels, verify wheel width and condition, and look for any aftermarket changes that could affect clearance or tire choice before mounting a new set.
What size rim does a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT use?
The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT uses a 14-inch rim with its HR78-14 tire fitment. The tire size itself ends in 14, and the wheel diameter for this fitment is 14.0 inches. That rim diameter is part of the core fitment and should be confirmed before selecting replacement tires.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the picture, so it is worth checking the actual wheels on the car rather than relying on assumption. A previous owner may have changed wheels, and width or offset differences can influence how a new HR78-14 tire sits and clears the body and suspension.
Does the 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT Base uses the same HR78-14 radial tire size. That means tire selection for the covered sub-model stays within one traditional alphanumeric radial fitment, without the need to sort between different sub-model-specific primary sizes.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to inspect the actual car before replacement. Older full-size cars are often modified over time, so wheel swaps, suspension changes, or body repairs can alter the space available around the tire and influence how confidently a new HR78-14 setup can be chosen.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a HR78-14 tire for a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT?
Start with the basics: the correct size is HR78-14, the construction is radial, and the wheel diameter is 14 inches. Once that foundation is confirmed, the important considerations are whether the tire suits the car's intended use, whether the wheel condition is sound, and whether the owner wants a more restoration-oriented or more general road-use presentation.
A good choice for this Ford should match the actual wheel setup and the way the car will be driven. Cars kept mostly for shows may prioritize traditional appearance, while regular drivers may place more emphasis on overall condition, age, and uniformity across the full set of tires.
How do I choose between the available HR78-14 tires for a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT?
Choosing between HR78-14 tires begins with staying in the correct size and radial construction for the 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT. From there, compare the overall look you want, the type of use the car sees, and whether the tire complements a survivor-style car, a restoration project, or a full-size driver that sees occasional highway miles.
Small specification differences can matter, but appearance and vehicle setup usually drive the decision on a car like this. Look at how the tire fills the wheel opening, whether the wheel itself is original in size, and whether all four corners of the car sit and clear consistently before settling on a final selection.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT tires?
The first rim-fitment detail is diameter, because the 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT uses a 14-inch wheel with HR78-14 tires. After that, wheel width and overall wheel condition deserve attention, especially on a collector-era car that may have seen decades of use, storage, repairs, or owner modifications.
Matching the tire to the actual wheel helps avoid problems with stance, bead seating, and clearance. It is also smart to inspect for bent rims, rust at the bead area, and signs that the car no longer wears its intended wheels, since those issues can complicate even a correct-size replacement.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT?
A period-style starting point for a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT is the correct HR78-14 radial fitment. That size preserves the traditional late-1970s alphanumeric radial look that suits a full-size Ford of this era, while keeping the selection grounded in the vehicle's proper wheel diameter and overall tire format.
Appearance goals should be weighed alongside the car's actual condition and use. An owner restoring for historical accuracy may also want to compare surviving photos, marque references, or original vehicle literature before choosing a final tire presentation, especially when details beyond size become important.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tires have a major effect on stance, proportions, and the overall impression of a restored 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT. Staying with the proper HR78-14 radial size helps keep the car visually in step with its era instead of making it look over-tired, under-tired, or mismatched.
Fitment also matters mechanically, not just cosmetically. Using the right size foundation makes it easier to maintain sensible wheel compatibility and clearance, while an incorrect tire can create problems around the fenders or alter the car's visual balance even before it ever turns a wheel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT?
Yes. A 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT may originally use HR78-14 tires on 14-inch rims, but wheel changes, altered ride height, replacement suspension parts, or body repairs can all affect how that size fits in practice. Even when the size remains the same on paper, the car itself may no longer match its original configuration.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacement. Look at wheel diameter and width, inspect steering and fender clearance, and confirm that nothing rubs through the full range of suspension and steering travel, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a changed stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the surrounding suspension and brake components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper mounting, even seating, and correct inflation for the chosen setup. On an older full-size Ford, it also makes sense to look for signs of wheel rust, bent rims, or previous damage.
A short local test drive is a smart follow-up before longer trips. Pay attention to vibration, pull, rubbing, or unusual steering feel, then recheck pressure and look over the sidewalls and tread once the car returns, since collector vehicles sometimes reveal dormant problems only after they are driven again.
How should HR78-14 tires on a collector 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT be maintained?
HR78-14 tires on a collector 1979 Ford 500/Squire/GT should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age-related hardening. Cars that spend long periods parked need extra attention because low annual mileage does not prevent tire aging or storage-related deterioration.
Proper storage helps preserve both appearance and condition. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources, maintain inflation during storage periods, and look over the tires before each outing so problems are caught early rather than discovered after the car is already back on the road.
