The 1979 Nissan 210 arrived at a time when compact imports were becoming a familiar part of American driving, valued for light weight, efficiency, and straightforward mechanical character. Today, that same simplicity makes the 210 appealing to owners who want a usable vintage small car without losing its period feel. Tire selection on a 1979 Nissan 210 is more involved than picking one universal size, because fitment can be 175/70R13, 155R13, or 6.15-13 depending on the specific version. That opens the door to choices between bias-ply and radial construction, along with blackwall options from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. The key is matching the exact sub-model and deciding whether originality, appearance, or road-driving behavior matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Nissan 210
The 1979 Nissan 210 uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model rather than a single across-the-board fitment. All three sizes use a 13-inch rim, but the mix includes both radial and bias-ply construction, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Plus Hatchback or a Sedan & Hatchback before comparing tire style and construction.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment on a 13-inch wheel. On the 1979 Nissan 210, this is a radial fitment used for the Plus Hatchback and gives the buyer a more modern metric sizing format than the other primary options. Available choices in this size include Avon’s CR6ZZ in a blackwall configuration. It is the size to evaluate when the car already uses this specific sub-model fitment and you want to confirm wheel width and overall setup before staying with the same format.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Because this format does not state an aspect ratio in the size code, it is the kind of vintage radial marking many owners see on imported compact cars from the era. In this application, 155R13 is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, with series including Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. It is a strong period-minded choice for a 1979 Nissan 210 Sedan & Hatchback that uses radial fitment and needs a classic small-car tire presentation.
6.15-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies a 13-inch rim. For the 1979 Nissan 210, this size represents the bias-ply primary fitment used on certain Sedan & Hatchback applications, making construction an important part of the selection process. Bias-ply tires suit owners who want to preserve a more traditional vintage tire character rather than move to a radial format. It is the size to focus on when the car still carries its original-style wheel and fitment approach, and when appearance consistency matters as much as size.
Sub-model fitment on the 1979 Nissan 210 is not completely uniform, so identifying the exact body style grouping matters before choosing a tire. The main split is between the Plus Hatchback and the Sedan & Hatchback applications, with different size and construction paths depending on the version.
1
1979 Nissan 210 Plus Hatchback
The 1979 Nissan 210 Plus Hatchback uses a radial tire fitment centered on 175/70R13. That keeps selection focused on the correct metric radial format, blackwall presentation, and confirming that the wheel width matches the tire's intended range.
The 1979 Nissan 210 Sedan & Hatchback can use either 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply fitment, so construction choice becomes part of the decision. That means checking the car's present wheel and tire setup carefully before selecting a period-style bias-ply replacement or staying with a radial format.
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 Nissan 210 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Nissan 210 tires span radial choices in 175/70R13 and 155R13, with blackwall offerings from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. The product grid is where to compare tire series, construction, and rim-width compatibility across these compact 13-inch fitments.
Common 1979 Nissan 210 tire questions usually center on sub-model size differences, 13-inch rim fitment, radial versus bias-ply selection, and how to choose a tire that suits both road use and vintage appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Nissan 210?
A 1979 Nissan 210 can use 175/70R13, 155R13, or 6.15-13, depending on the specific sub-model. The Plus Hatchback uses 175/70R13 radial, while the Sedan & Hatchback applications use either 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply. All of these sizes are built around a 13-inch rim.
The practical decision starts with identifying the exact version of the car and checking what is on it now. A 210 that has been changed over the years may no longer wear its original-style size or construction, so wheel diameter, tire markings, and overall clearance should be confirmed before choosing a replacement.
What size rim does a 1979 Nissan 210 use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1979 Nissan 210 all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies across the 175/70R13, 155R13, and 6.15-13 fitments, even though the tire sizing formats and construction types differ between them.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, so the wheel should still be checked for width and actual setup before mounting new tires. That matters most if the car has replacement wheels, because a correct 13-inch diameter does not automatically mean every listed tire size is equally suitable for the wheel already on the car.
Why does the 1979 Nissan 210 have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Nissan 210 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and by construction type. The Plus Hatchback uses 175/70R13 radial, while the Sedan & Hatchback applications are associated with either 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply, so the tire choice is tied to configuration rather than a single universal size.
That means the right replacement is not chosen by year and model alone. The safest approach is to confirm the exact sub-model, read the size currently on the tire, and verify the wheel setup before deciding whether to keep the existing construction style or return the car to a more period-style fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Nissan 210?
Start with the exact size and sub-model, because a 1979 Nissan 210 does not use one shared tire across every version. The main decision points are whether the car takes 175/70R13, 155R13, or 6.15-13, and whether the intended setup is radial or bias-ply.
Once the fitment is confirmed, compare the tire's construction, rim-width compatibility, brand, and overall presentation. A buyer keeping a more original-style look may lean toward the bias-ply path where applicable, while a road-use-focused owner may prefer staying with one of the radial fitments already associated with the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Nissan 210 tires?
The available 1979 Nissan 210 products in the supported radial sizes use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies to the Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 as well as the Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet options in 155R13.
For many owners, that keeps the appearance decision fairly straightforward and shifts the focus to size, construction, and tire series instead of contrasting sidewall treatments. If the goal is a clean period-style compact-car presentation, blackwall remains a natural visual fit, but the exact tire still needs to match the car's proper sub-model fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Nissan 210?
Available tires for the 1979 Nissan 210 come from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop in the radial sizes covered here. Avon is present in 175/70R13, while Michelin and Dunlop are available in 155R13, giving buyers a mix of classic and performance-oriented brand choices within the correct size families.
Brand should be compared alongside the tire series, rim-width range, and the actual fitment your 210 requires. The most useful approach is to narrow the search to the proper size first, then compare the available brands within that size rather than trying to pick a brand before the fitment question is settled.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Nissan 210?
A period-style 1979 Nissan 210 tire choice starts with the fitment that belongs to the specific sub-model. That can mean 175/70R13 radial for the Plus Hatchback, or 155R13 radial and 6.15-13 bias-ply for Sedan & Hatchback applications, depending on the setup you are trying to preserve.
For a restoration-oriented result, construction matters as much as the printed size. A bias-ply 6.15-13 gives a more traditional vintage presentation where that fitment applies, while the radial options maintain the compact imported look many owners expect. If exact historical authenticity matters, compare the car against marque references and surviving original examples.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Nissan 210?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1979 Nissan 210 even when the rim diameter remains 13 inches. A 6.15-13 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage look, while 155R13 and 175/70R13 radials reflect the small-car radial presentation common to later compact imports.
That difference matters because a restoration can feel noticeably different depending on whether the tire choice supports original-style character or a more driver-oriented setup. Construction should be chosen after the correct sub-model fitment is confirmed, since appearance alone is not enough if the tire size does not match the car's intended configuration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Nissan 210?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1979 Nissan 210. Even though the primary applications use a 13-inch rim, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork can change how a 175/70R13, 155R13, or 6.15-13 tire sits in the car.
A modified 210 should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and actual wheel dimensions before new tires are selected. That is especially important when moving between bias-ply and radial construction, because the car may no longer match its original wheel and suspension relationship even if the nominal tire size looks familiar.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Nissan 210 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Nissan 210 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also smart to check lug hardware, valve stems, and whether the tires clear the suspension and body at full steering lock.
A vintage compact that sees occasional use also deserves a quick review of alignment feel, brake operation, and any signs of rubbing after the first short drive. Rechecking inflation and looking for unusual wear or scuffing helps catch setup issues early, especially on a car that may have older suspension parts or replacement wheels.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Nissan 210 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Nissan 210 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to aging as well as tread wear. Low-mileage vintage cars often spend more time parked than driven, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve just as much attention as remaining tread depth.
Storage conditions matter, too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, whether the setup is radial or bias-ply. An occasional inspection of wheel condition and clearance is worthwhile, particularly after seasonal storage or before a longer drive in an older compact car.
