The 1979 Mazda RX-7 arrived at a moment when lightweight Japanese sports cars were earning serious attention from drivers who wanted balance, sharp styling, and something different from the usual performance formula. Its early rotary-powered character makes tire choice especially important, because the car depends on responsive steering and a properly sorted chassis to feel right on the road. For this model, the key fitment question starts with two radial tire sizes, 165R13 and 185/70R15, across 13-inch and 15-inch wheel setups. Available choices range from blackwall sport-oriented radials to a wide whitewall alternative in 185/70R15. The right pick depends on the wheel package, intended look, and whether originality or road-driving manners matters more.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Mazda RX-7
The 1979 Mazda RX-7 uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. Both sizes are radial, but they mount on different rims, so identifying whether the RX-7 has a 13-inch or 15-inch setup matters before comparing brands, tire series, or appearance choices.
Fit(s): 2 Dr. Sport and 2 Dr. Sport w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. This format is commonly associated with an 80-series profile, giving the 1979 Mazda RX-7 a traditional narrow sport-coupe tire presentation on a 13-inch rim. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires in series such as XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet. This size suits an RX-7 that retains its 13-inch wheel setup and calls for a classic radial look rather than a lower-profile 15-inch package.
Fit(s): 2 Dr. Sport and 2 Dr. Sport w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
185/70R15 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1979 Mazda RX-7, this size belongs to a 15-inch wheel setup and brings a more modern low-profile sizing convention than the 165R13 option. Product choices include Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, and BFGoodrich, with mostly blackwall offerings plus a wide whitewall alternative in the Silvertown Radial line. This size is the one to evaluate when the car already wears 15-inch wheels and the goal is to balance fitment, appearance, and road use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Mazda RX-7 sub-models because both use the same two radial tire sizes. The real distinction is not the trim name but the actual wheel diameter on the car, since 13-inch and 15-inch setups require different tires.
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1979 Mazda RX-7 2 Dr. Sport
The 1979 Mazda RX-7 2 Dr. Sport uses the same 165R13 and 185/70R15 radial fitments found elsewhere in this model range. Tire selection comes down to confirming whether the car is on 13-inch or 15-inch wheels, then choosing among the available blackwall or, in 185/70R15, wide whitewall options.
The 1979 Mazda RX-7 2 Dr. Sport w/aluminum wheels also uses 165R13 and 185/70R15 radial tire sizes. That means wheel diameter still needs to be checked first, followed by a comparison of tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility within the correct size.
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 Mazda RX-7 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Mazda RX-7 tires span both primary radial sizes and include choices from Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, and BFGoodrich. Buyers can compare blackwall sport-oriented series across both sizes, with a wide whitewall option available in 185/70R15 for a more distinctive presentation.
These 1979 Mazda RX-7 tire FAQs focus on the two correct radial sizes, 13-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, available brands and sidewall styles, and the checks that matter before putting a collector-era sports car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Mazda RX-7?
A 1979 Mazda RX-7 uses two primary radial tire sizes: 165R13 and 185/70R15. Those sizes correspond to different wheel diameters, so both are correct within the model range, but they are not interchangeable simply because they belong to the same year and model.
The practical decision starts with the wheels currently on the car. A 13-inch wheel calls for 165R13, while a 15-inch wheel calls for 185/70R15. On a car that has changed hands or seen wheel swaps over the years, measuring the actual rim diameter before ordering tires is the safest way to avoid a mismatch.
What size rim does a 1979 Mazda RX-7 use?
The 1979 Mazda RX-7 uses either a 13-inch rim or a 15-inch rim, depending on which tire size is on the car. The 165R13 size mounts on a 13-inch wheel, while the 185/70R15 size mounts on a 15-inch wheel.
That makes wheel diameter the first fitment check, especially on an older sports car that may have aftermarket wheels or replacement factory-style rims. Looking only at the car's year and model is not enough when two rim diameters are in play. Confirm the wheel itself, then compare the tire options within the matching size.
Do all 1979 Mazda RX-7 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1979 Mazda RX-7 sub-models share the same two tire sizes: 165R13 and 185/70R15. That includes the 2 Dr. Sport and the 2 Dr. Sport w/aluminum wheels, so sub-model naming alone does not narrow the fitment to one size.
What matters more is the actual wheel package on the individual car. Even when two sub-models share the same fitment range, one RX-7 may be on 13-inch wheels and another on 15-inch wheels. Checking the rim diameter on the car takes priority over assuming that one size applies to every example wearing the same badge.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Mazda RX-7?
Start with the correct tire size for the wheel on the car, since the 1979 Mazda RX-7 uses either 165R13 or 185/70R15. From there, compare radial construction details such as tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility where that information is available.
The right choice depends on how the RX-7 is used and how it should look. A narrow 165R13 blackwall tire keeps a more traditional early import sports-car appearance, while 185/70R15 opens the door to several sport-oriented radial lines and even a wide whitewall option. Wheel diameter and intended presentation should guide the final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Mazda RX-7 tires?
Blackwall is the main sidewall style available for the 1979 Mazda RX-7 in both 165R13 and 185/70R15. A wide whitewall option is also available in 185/70R15 through the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial line.
That gives the car two very different visual directions. Blackwall tires suit a more understated sports-car look, while the wide whitewall creates a more customized or style-driven presentation. Since sidewall style does not override fitment, the tire still needs to match the wheel diameter and any published rim-width requirements for the specific product.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Mazda RX-7?
Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1979 Mazda RX-7 within the two correct radial sizes. Michelin and Dunlop appear in both fitment conversations, while Avon and BFGoodrich are represented in the 185/70R15 size.
Brand choice is only one part of the comparison. It helps to look at which size each brand supports, whether the tire is blackwall or wide whitewall, and how the tire series aligns with the car's intended use and appearance. On a vehicle with two wheel diameters in play, size and wheel compatibility still come first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Mazda RX-7?
A period-style 1979 Mazda RX-7 starts with using the correct tire size for the wheel setup already on the car: 165R13 for 13-inch wheels or 185/70R15 for 15-inch wheels. Both are radial fitments, so the choice is less about changing construction and more about selecting the right size, tire series, and visual character.
Blackwall tires generally maintain the cleanest vintage sports-car presentation for this model. Buyers focused on exact originality should compare the car's wheel package and appearance goals against period photos, marque-club guidance, or other vehicle-specific references. That approach is more reliable than assuming any tire sold in the correct size automatically matches the car's original look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Mazda RX-7?
On a 1979 Mazda RX-7, construction affects appearance less dramatically than on many earlier American cars because both primary fitments are radial. The more visible styling difference usually comes from tire size, sidewall profile, and sidewall treatment rather than from a bias-ply-versus-radial choice.
A 165R13 gives the car a narrower, more traditional visual stance on a 13-inch wheel, while 185/70R15 brings a lower-profile metric radial look on a 15-inch setup. Blackwall tires preserve a sport-oriented presentation, whereas the available wide whitewall option changes the car's character noticeably. Matching the tire to the wheel style helps the restoration look intentional.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Mazda RX-7?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Mazda RX-7. Wheel changes, altered offset, suspension modifications, lowering, or bodywork changes can all influence which tire size works properly, even when 165R13 or 185/70R15 is the correct size range for an otherwise stock car.
A modified RX-7 should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before settling on a tire. That is especially important when moving between 13-inch and 15-inch setups or using replacement wheels with different specifications. Fitment should be confirmed on the actual car rather than assumed from model year alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Mazda RX-7 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Mazda RX-7 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tires are seated properly, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tires being used. It also helps to check for any rubbing at full steering lock or under suspension movement.
An older RX-7 also deserves a broader look at chassis readiness before road use. Examine suspension components, alignment condition, and wheel hardware, then watch for vibration or unusual pull during the first miles. A tire can be the correct size and still perform poorly if the car has worn steering parts or a wheel-related issue.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Mazda RX-7 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Mazda RX-7 should be checked regularly for inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss. Because many collector cars spend long periods parked, age and storage condition matter just as much as tread depth.
Keeping the car in a clean, dry space away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect them before any longer outing rather than assuming low mileage means they are road-ready. A lightly used tire can still need attention if it has aged or sat improperly.
