The 1979 Peugeot 604 came from an era when European luxury sedans were defined by clean design, refined road manners, and a willingness to use advanced engineering solutions. As Peugeot’s executive flagship, the 604 stands apart from many period American and domestic-market classics because its tire fitment is tied to a specialized metric wheel system rather than a conventional inch-based size. This car uses a 190/65R390 radial, a classic millimetric TRX-style fitment. Available choices center more on maintaining the correct sizing system and construction than on switching among many styles, with Michelin TRX-B blackwall coverage for owners focused on proper road use and authentic period presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Peugeot 604
The 1979 Peugeot 604 uses one primary tire size: 190/65R390, a radial fitment built around a 390mm metric rim rather than a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel. The Peugeot 604 SL shares this same size, so the main decision is not between multiple factory fitments but between preserving the correct metric-wheel setup and choosing the available tire that matches the car’s intended appearance and use.
190/65R390 is a metric radial size in which 190 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 indicates the aspect ratio, and 390 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. That last number is especially important on a 1979 Peugeot 604, because this tire is made for a metric TRX-type wheel system rather than a conventional inch-diameter rim. Michelin coverage in this size comes in the TRX-B series with a blackwall sidewall and Michelin TRX construction attributes. For a restoration-minded or road-ready 604, the key is preserving the correct wheel-and-tire relationship before considering any substitution.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, as the covered 1979 Peugeot 604 configuration uses the same primary tire size. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the main fitment focus remains confirming that the car retains its correct 390mm metric wheels.
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1979 Peugeot 604 SL (Gas)
The 1979 Peugeot 604 SL (Gas) uses the 190/65R390 radial size, which keeps the car within its original-style metric-wheel tire system. Tire selection is therefore centered on maintaining the proper wheel diameter and choosing a period-appropriate radial option rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
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 Peugeot 604 Tires for Sale
Available 190/65R390 coverage for the 1979 Peugeot 604 centers on Michelin’s TRX-B series in radial construction with a blackwall sidewall. The main comparison point is preserving compatibility with the car’s 390mm metric wheel system and the rim-width specifications tied to this specialized fitment.
Owners of a 1979 Peugeot 604 usually need clear answers on the 190/65R390 metric tire size, 390mm rim fitment, Michelin TRX-style product choices, and the wheel, condition, and maintenance checks that matter before the car returns to the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Peugeot 604?
The 1979 Peugeot 604 uses a 190/65R390 radial tire. That is a metric tire size built for a 390mm wheel, and the covered 604 SL (Gas) uses that same primary fitment.
The most important point is that 390 does not translate to a common 15-inch wheel size. A Peugeot 604 still wearing its original-style metric wheel setup needs a tire made for that exact millimetric rim, so wheel identification should come before any purchase or substitution decision.
What size rim does a 1979 Peugeot 604 use?
A 1979 Peugeot 604 fitted with 190/65R390 tires uses a 390mm metric rim. This is part of the TRX-style millimetric wheel-and-tire system and is not the same as a standard inch-based wheel diameter.
That difference matters because a tire for a 390mm wheel must match that metric rim exactly. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car has not been converted to another wheel package, and check the actual wheel markings and width so the tire choice stays aligned with the car’s present setup.
What does 190/65R390 mean on a 1979 Peugeot 604?
On a 1979 Peugeot 604, 190/65R390 is a metric radial tire size. The 190 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 390 is the wheel diameter in millimeters.
Modern buyers often focus first on the width and profile, but the 390mm wheel diameter is the critical part of this fitment. A 604 owner should verify the actual wheel system on the car, because keeping the correct metric rim is just as important as choosing the correct tire size itself.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 190/65R390 tire for a 1979 Peugeot 604?
Start with the correct size and construction: 190/65R390 radial. For the 1979 Peugeot 604, the specialized metric rim system is the central fitment issue, so the tire has to match the 390mm wheel rather than a similar-looking inch-based alternative.
Beyond size, compare details that affect how the tire suits the car, including the tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility. Since this fitment is closely associated with Michelin TRX-type applications, the best buying approach is to confirm the wheel setup first and then choose the tire that matches the car’s restoration goals and driving use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Peugeot 604 tires?
The available 190/65R390 tire coverage for the 1979 Peugeot 604 is offered as a blackwall. That gives the car a clean European touring look consistent with the understated character many owners want to preserve.
Sidewall style matters most when appearance is part of the decision, especially on a distinctive sedan like the 604. Since the selection here is not built around multiple stripe or whitewall treatments, the buyer’s attention should shift to correct metric fitment, tire series, and overall compatibility with the existing wheels.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Peugeot 604?
Michelin offers the available tire coverage for the 1979 Peugeot 604 in this fitment. The tire series is Michelin TRX-B, matching the car’s specialized 190/65R390 metric radial sizing.
With a niche size like this one, brand choice is less about comparing several manufacturers and more about getting the correct wheel-to-tire relationship. A Peugeot 604 owner should focus on confirming that the car still uses the proper 390mm metric rims and that the tire chosen aligns with the intended road use and presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Peugeot 604?
For a period-style 1979 Peugeot 604, the starting point is the original-style size format: 190/65R390 radial on the correct 390mm metric wheel. That keeps the car aligned with the distinctive millimetric TRX-era fitment that separates the 604 from many conventional inch-rim sedans.
Appearance and fitment work together on a car like this. Choosing a tire in the proper metric size helps preserve the 604’s intended stance and visual balance, while details such as the blackwall presentation support a refined factory-era look without making unsupported claims about exact concours originality.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Peugeot 604 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1979 Peugeot 604 because the car uses a specialized 190/65R390 metric radial size. Restoration accuracy here is not only about appearance; it also depends on retaining the proper relationship between the tire and the 390mm wheel.
A 604 restored with mismatched wheel standards can lose both visual authenticity and proper fitment logic. Owners aiming for a historically faithful result should verify wheel markings, confirm the car’s current rim setup, and use vehicle-specific historical references if exact presentation details beyond size and construction are important.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Peugeot 604?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Peugeot 604, especially if the car has been converted from its original-style 390mm metric wheel system. Changes to wheels, suspension height, or body clearance can alter what actually works on the car today.
A buyer should confirm the current wheel diameter and width before assuming the stock-size tire still applies. Even small changes in wheel specification or ride height can influence clearance at the fenders and steering components, so the safest approach is to inspect the car as it sits rather than rely only on year-make-model identification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Peugeot 604 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Peugeot 604 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the rims are the correct 390mm metric type, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It also helps to check alignment-related wear items and confirm that nothing rubs at full steering lock.
Collector cars often sit for long periods, so road use should begin with a broader inspection. Look over suspension bushings, steering components, valve stems, and brakes, then recheck tire pressure and visual condition after the first drives. A specialized fitment like 190/65R390 deserves that extra attention before regular use.
How should 190/65R390 tires on a collector 1979 Peugeot 604 be maintained?
190/65R390 tires on a collector 1979 Peugeot 604 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage practices. Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or persistent air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently.
Long-term preservation also means protecting the tires from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone exposure during storage. Moving the car periodically can help reduce flat-spotting concerns, and any 604 that has sat for an extended period should have its tires and wheels inspected closely before returning to sustained road use.
