The 1979 Honda Prelude arrived as a compact sporty coupe from an era when small Japanese cars were gaining real credibility for design, efficiency, and everyday drivability. Its tidy proportions and front-wheel-drive layout gave it a very different personality from larger American coupes of the same period. Tire fitment is straightforward, with the 1979 Honda Prelude using a 175/70R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. That keeps the decision focused less on sorting through multiple factory sizes and more on choosing the right tire within the correct size and construction. For a roadgoing survivor or a careful restoration, wheel condition, intended use, and period-appropriate appearance all deserve a close look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Honda Prelude
The 1979 Honda Prelude uses one primary tire size: 175/70R13, a radial tire designed for a 13-inch rim. The Prelude Base uses this same size, so the main choice is not between multiple fitments, but between the available tire options within that size and making sure the wheel itself still matches the original diameter and width range.
In 175/70R13, the 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1979 Honda Prelude, this is the primary radial fitment and reflects the more modern sizing convention that became common on late-1970s compact cars. Available choices in this size include an Avon CR6ZZ with a Blackwall sidewall and CR6ZZ series designation. This size is the right starting point for an owner who wants to keep the Prelude on its proper rim diameter while selecting a tire suited to careful road use and vehicle presentation.
Fitment is simple across the covered 1979 Honda Prelude range because the listed sub-model uses the same tire size and construction. Even so, checking the exact sub-model helps confirm that the car still carries the expected wheel diameter before replacing tires.
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1979 Honda Prelude Base
The 1979 Honda Prelude Base uses the same 175/70R13 radial fitment found on the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the right tire within the correct size, while also confirming that the car has retained its 13-inch 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.
Best 1979 Honda Prelude Tires for Sale
Current 175/70R13 options for the 1979 Honda Prelude focus on radial construction, with Avon offering the CR6ZZ series in a Blackwall style. Comparing choices in this area comes down to staying with the correct size, matching the 13-inch rim, and checking wheel-width compatibility.
These 1979 Honda Prelude tire FAQs focus on the correct 175/70R13 fitment, 13-inch rim requirements, available radial choices, appearance considerations, and the wheel, suspension, and tire-condition checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Honda Prelude?
The 1979 Honda Prelude uses a 175/70R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for the model, and the listed Prelude Base sub-model uses the same size, which makes overall tire selection more straightforward than on vehicles with multiple factory fitments.
The practical step is confirming that the car still has 13-inch wheels and a wheel width appropriate for the tire being considered. Many older cars have changed hands for decades, so aftermarket wheels or past repairs can alter what is actually on the car even when the correct tire size remains 175/70R13.
What size rim does a 1979 Honda Prelude use?
A 1979 Honda Prelude uses a 13-inch rim with its 175/70R13 tire size. The tire size itself ends in 13, which identifies the wheel diameter the tire is built to mount on, and the available product in this fitment is also built for a 13-inch rim.
Wheel diameter is only part of the check. It also helps to confirm actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, especially on a late-1970s car that may have seen replacement wheels over time. A bent, rusted, or incorrect-width wheel can affect mounting, appearance, and serviceability.
Does the 1979 Honda Prelude Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Honda Prelude Base uses the same 175/70R13 radial tire size as the model core. That means there is no sub-model split in primary tire sizing here, so the fitment question stays simple and centered on one size and one wheel diameter.
That consistency makes shopping easier, but it is still worth checking what is physically on the car before replacement. Older Prelude examples may have been fitted with different wheels or suspension parts over the years, and those changes can influence tire clearance and wheel-width suitability even when the intended tire size is unchanged.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1979 Honda Prelude?
Start with the basics: the correct size is 175/70R13, the construction is radial, and the tire must match a 13-inch wheel. From there, compare the details that shape real-world selection, including rim-width compatibility, tire series, sidewall style, and how the car will actually be driven and presented.
For this fitment, the available option includes an Avon CR6ZZ Blackwall radial with a 4.5- to 6.0-inch rim-width range. That makes wheel-width confirmation especially useful before purchase. A Prelude kept as a tidy survivor may call for a different visual priority than one driven more frequently, even within the same correct tire size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Honda Prelude tires?
The available 175/70R13 tire option for the 1979 Honda Prelude uses a Blackwall sidewall style. Blackwall tires suit the cleaner, more understated appearance many late-1970s sporty compact cars carried, and they keep the focus on correct fitment rather than decorative sidewall treatment.
Sidewall style matters mostly as an appearance decision once the correct size and construction have been confirmed. On a Prelude, a Blackwall presentation works well for owners who want a road-ready look that does not overpower the car’s compact proportions. It is still worth checking wheel condition and overall stance so the finished setup looks balanced.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Honda Prelude?
Avon is available in the 175/70R13 fitment for the 1979 Honda Prelude. The offered tire is part of the CR6ZZ series and uses radial construction, keeping the choice aligned with the Prelude’s primary tire format rather than introducing a bias-ply alternative into the decision.
With a focused product selection, the buying process becomes less about comparing many brands and more about verifying that the tire matches the car’s wheel setup and intended use. Looking at rim-width range, sidewall style, and overall vehicle condition will usually matter more here than chasing variety for its own sake.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Honda Prelude?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 175/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. Because this Prelude fitment is already a modern metric radial format rather than an older numeric bias-ply size, staying with the proper size and construction helps preserve the car’s late-1970s character.
Appearance choices should then be filtered through the car’s overall presentation. A Blackwall tire generally suits the understated look many owners want from an early Prelude. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire choice against marque references, surviving photos, or other vehicle-specific historical material before finishing a restoration.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Honda Prelude restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1979 Honda Prelude restoration because the tire size has a visible effect on stance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and how authentic the finished car feels. Using the proper 175/70R13 radial fitment keeps the restoration anchored to the Prelude’s intended wheel diameter and general presentation.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. An incorrect size can change clearance at the fenders or suspension and can make the car look out of scale for its compact coupe design. Even on a cosmetic restoration, checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire construction helps avoid a result that feels visually or mechanically out of place.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Honda Prelude?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Honda Prelude even when the intended tire size remains 175/70R13. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and brake or hub work can alter clearance, wheel width, or the relationship between the tire and the car’s fenders and steering components.
That is why an older Prelude should be checked as it sits today rather than assumed to be unchanged. Verifying wheel diameter, actual wheel width, and visible clearance at full steering lock can prevent surprises during installation. Even small changes on a compact car can have a noticeable effect on tire compatibility.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Honda Prelude on new tires?
Before putting a 1979 Honda Prelude back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion and make sure the 13-inch rims are the correct setup for 175/70R13 tires. It also helps to look over suspension components, steering parts, and alignment-related wear that could affect tire behavior.
Tire condition checks should continue after installation. Confirm inflation, watch for unusual air loss, and look for any rubbing marks after a short drive and full-lock turns. On a collector-era car that may have sat for long periods, catching clearance or chassis issues early is just as important as choosing the correct tire size.
How should 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1979 Honda Prelude be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1979 Honda Prelude should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Even if tread looks good, a low-mileage car can still develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss from long storage or inconsistent use.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and moving the vehicle periodically can reduce stress from long static loads. Routine inspections before drives are worthwhile because an older collectible often spends more time parked than a daily driver.
