The 1979 Nissan 810 sits in an interesting place in Nissan history, bridging the gap between practical late-1970s family transportation and the more upscale, road-oriented character that buyers increasingly expected from imported sedans and wagons. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire selection is refreshingly straightforward because the 1979 Nissan 810 uses a single 185/70R14 radial fitment. That keeps the focus on choosing the right style within the size, from traditional blackwall touring-oriented radials to a wide whitewall option with a more distinctive vintage presentation. The real decision is matching appearance, road use, and wheel compatibility to the condition and character of the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Nissan 810
The 1979 Nissan 810 uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, a radial tire for a 14-inch rim. That same fitment carries across the covered Sedan & Wagon sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which 185/70R14 best suits the car's appearance, intended driving use, and wheel setup.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1979 Nissan 810, this is the primary road-going fitment and it reflects the car's late-1970s move into modern radial sizing rather than older numeric bias-ply formats. Available choices include blackwall designs from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in a 2.25-inch whitewall. Selecting among them comes down to appearance, intended use, and making sure the tire suits the wheel width on the car.
Tire fitment for the 1979 Nissan 810 is straightforward because the covered sub-models share the same 185/70R14 radial size. Even so, checking the exact body style still helps confirm that the car remains on its intended 14-inch wheel setup before choosing among available tire styles.
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1979 Nissan 810 Sedan & Wagon
The 1979 Nissan 810 Sedan & Wagon uses the same 185/70R14 radial fitment, so tire selection stays consistent across the covered body styles. That makes the decision more about choosing the right blackwall or wide whitewall presentation and confirming wheel width before settling on a specific tire.
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 810 Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 choices for the 1979 Nissan 810 include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. The main differences are blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, tire series, and rim-width compatibility across the various radial offerings.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These FAQs focus on the 1979 Nissan 810's 185/70R14 fitment, 14-inch rim use, available radial tire styles, and the practical checks that matter before mounting new tires on a vintage sedan or wagon.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Nissan 810?
The 1979 Nissan 810 uses a 185/70R14 radial tire. That size applies to the covered Sedan & Wagon sub-model, making fitment simpler than on vehicles that used multiple tire sizes across the lineup.
Even with one primary size, it is still worth checking the car's actual wheels before ordering tires. A 14-inch rim is part of the fitment, and wheel-width differences or aftermarket wheel changes can affect which 185/70R14 tire is the most appropriate choice.
What size rim does a 1979 Nissan 810 use?
The 1979 Nissan 810 uses a 14-inch rim with its 185/70R14 tire size. The tire's size designation ends in 14, which corresponds to the wheel diameter in inches and confirms the basic rim diameter needed for this fitment.
Rim diameter is only part of the check before mounting new tires. Wheel width matters too, especially since available 185/70R14 products have different approved rim-width ranges, so the actual wheel on the car should be measured and compared before making a final selection.
Do all 1979 Nissan 810 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1979 Nissan 810 Sedan & Wagon sub-models share the same 185/70R14 radial tire size. That means the tire-size decision is consistent across those versions rather than split by separate fitments or different rim diameters.
Shared size does not mean every car is still on its original wheel setup decades later. A careful owner should confirm that the car still wears 14-inch wheels and that no suspension or wheel changes were made that would affect clearance or rim-width compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1979 Nissan 810?
Start with the correct size, 185/70R14, and make sure the tire is suited to the 14-inch wheels on the car. From there, the choice comes down to style, rim-width compatibility, brand, and whether the car is being preserved with a more traditional look or used for regular road driving.
A buyer comparing options should also pay attention to sidewall treatment, product series, and any load information supplied with the tire. That approach helps narrow the field without guessing, especially on an older car that may have seen wheel changes over the years.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Nissan 810 tires?
185/70R14 tires for the 1979 Nissan 810 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Most of the available options use a blackwall presentation, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall for a more distinctive vintage appearance.
Sidewall choice mainly affects the car's visual character rather than the basic fitment size. A blackwall usually suits a cleaner late-1970s road-car look, while a wide whitewall can push the presentation toward a more restoration-oriented or customized appearance on the same wheel diameter.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Nissan 810?
The 1979 Nissan 810's 185/70R14 size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those choices span several tire series, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is smarter to compare each tire's sidewall style, approved rim-width range, and the type of driving the car will actually see, whether that means casual weekend use, show presentation, or regular road miles on a vintage Nissan.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Nissan 810?
A period-style starting point for a 1979 Nissan 810 is staying with the correct 185/70R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. Within that size, blackwall options generally preserve the car's late-1970s import character, while the available wide whitewall creates a more customized vintage presentation.
Appearance goals should guide the final choice as much as fitment. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented result should compare sidewall style and tire series carefully, then confirm details against photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific history if exact presentation matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Nissan 810?
On the 1979 Nissan 810, construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is already radial. That means the visual difference between available tires is shaped more by sidewall style and tread-era character than by a choice between bias-ply and radial construction.
For a restored car, the biggest appearance decision is usually blackwall versus wide whitewall in the correct 185/70R14 size. Keeping the proper size and wheel diameter helps the car retain the right stance, while sidewall choice fine-tunes whether the finished look feels restrained or more stylized.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Nissan 810?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Nissan 810 even when the intended size remains 185/70R14. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can all influence how well a tire works within the available space.
A modified car should be checked for wheel diameter, actual rim width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before new tires are mounted. That is especially important on an older vehicle, where long ownership histories sometimes leave a mix of parts that no longer match the original setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Nissan 810 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Nissan 810 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tires are seated properly, and make sure pressure is set appropriately for the tire and vehicle. It also helps to check for rubbing at full steering lock and during suspension movement.
An older car deserves a broader once-over before road use. Look at wheel bearings, suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of uneven ride height, since those issues can affect how the new tires behave and how evenly they wear once the car is back in service.
How should 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1979 Nissan 810 be maintained?
185/70R14 tires on a collector 1979 Nissan 810 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage collector cars can hide tire aging even when tread still looks usable.
Routine checks are especially important before seasonal driving or longer trips. A good habit is to inspect air loss, sidewall condition, and tread surface after storage, then confirm that the car still sits and steers normally, since tire condition can change long before obvious failure appears.