1979 Plymouth Arrow Tires

A 1979 Plymouth Arrow can use 165R13, 600-13, 6.00-14, or 185R14, depending on the exact sub-model. The 13-inch group includes both radial and bias-ply applications, while the 14-inch group is split between the Base model’s 6.00-14 bias-ply size and the Sport model’s 185R14 radial size.

The correct choice starts with identifying the trim level and confirming whether the car has a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel. Many older compact cars have been changed over time, so it is smart to inspect the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle before choosing a tire, especially when comparing bias-ply and radial fitments that may share similar overall purpose but not the same sizing format.

A 1979 Plymouth Arrow uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply sizes are 13-inch fitments, while the 6.00-14 bias-ply and 185R14 radial sizes are 14-inch fitments.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. Measuring the wheel on the car matters even more if the Arrow has replacement wheels, trim-package changes, or a long ownership history where the original wheel-and-tire combination may no longer be in place.

The 1979 Plymouth Arrow has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel diameters and construction types. Some trims use 13-inch sizes such as 165R13 and 600-13, while others move to 14-inch sizes, including 6.00-14 on the Base and 185R14 on the Sport.

That variation means tire selection is tied directly to the exact version of the car rather than the Arrow name alone. A buyer should verify the sub-model, wheel diameter, and whether the car is set up for bias-ply or radial tires before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or radial-equivalent alternatives for a traditional bias-ply application.

On the 1979 Plymouth Arrow, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. It appears on several 13-inch Arrow sub-models alongside radial-related applications elsewhere in the range, but the 600-13 size itself is a traditional bias-ply format rather than a radial designation.

That matters because construction changes affect more than the sidewall label. A buyer considering staying with 600-13 should focus on wheel compatibility and the desired period-style look, while a buyer considering a radial alternative should compare the approved equivalent sizes carefully and check wheel width, overall fit, and clearance before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 on the 1979 Plymouth Arrow include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with 600-13 here.

Those options give three different radial sizing formats to consider, but they should not be treated as automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches, and the right choice still depends on the actual wheel, the vehicle’s clearance, and whether the goal is to stay close to the original visual character or move toward a more modern radial-style setup.

Before converting a 1979 Plymouth Arrow from a bias-ply size such as 600-13 to a radial equivalent, check the actual wheel diameter and width first. The approved radial alternatives for that size are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

A careful conversion also involves checking fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car’s current alignment and ride height. Older vehicles are often altered over time, so it is wise to confirm that the Arrow still has the wheel-and-tire setup you think it has before changing construction, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or previous suspension work.

Start with the exact 1979 Plymouth Arrow sub-model, because the car can use four different primary sizes across two rim diameters and both bias-ply and radial construction. A 13-inch Arrow may call for either 165R13 or 600-13, while the Base and Sport move into distinct 14-inch applications.

Once the size is confirmed, compare construction type, wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, and the product character available in that size. Some choices are blackwall radials, others are narrow or wide whitewall bias-ply or radial options, so the better decision usually comes from matching the tire to the car’s intended look and use rather than choosing by size alone.

Sidewall choices for 1979 Plymouth Arrow tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size. The 165R13 radial products are blackwall, 600-13 bias-ply options are offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, and 185R14 radial choices include both blackwall and narrow whitewall styles.

That variation lets the tire contribute a lot to the car’s finished appearance. A blackwall usually suits a more understated radial presentation, while whitewall treatments can add a distinctly vintage look, especially on compact cars from this era. The key is choosing the sidewall within the correct size first, rather than using appearance alone to drive the fitment decision.

Brands available for 1979 Plymouth Arrow fitments include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Phoenix, and Vredestein. The brand mix changes by size, with Michelin and Dunlop appearing in 165R13, BFGoodrich in 600-13, and Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein represented in 185R14.

Brand comparison works best after the correct tire size and wheel diameter are confirmed. From there, the useful distinctions are usually tire series, sidewall style, and construction type rather than a simple brand name alone, since a blackwall radial for a Sport model and a whitewall bias-ply for a 13-inch trim answer very different Arrow ownership goals.

A period-style 1979 Plymouth Arrow tire starts with the correct size and construction for the exact sub-model. That could mean a 600-13 or 6.00-14 bias-ply setup for a more traditional look, or a 165R13 or 185R14 radial if the car belongs to one of the Arrow trims that used metric radial sizing.

Appearance choices within that fitment can then shape the final presentation. Whitewall bias-ply tires lean more traditional, while blackwall metric radials keep the later-1970s compact-car character intact. If exact originality matters, the most careful approach is to verify period details through model-specific historical references before choosing a sidewall style or construction solely for visual effect.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1979 Plymouth Arrow because bias-ply and radial tires present differently even when they serve the same general fitment role. On this car, 600-13 and 6.00-14 bias-ply sizes create a more traditional vintage look, while 165R13 and 185R14 radials reflect the Arrow’s later-1970s metric-radial side of the lineup.

Sidewall treatment adds another layer to that decision. Blackwall tires tend to look more understated, while narrow or wide whitewalls can shift the car toward a more styled, restoration-oriented appearance. The best result usually comes from matching construction and sidewall style to the specific trim and the way the finished Arrow is meant to be presented.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Plymouth Arrow, especially because this model already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel applications. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, non-original wheel widths, suspension lowering, or brake and hub changes can alter the space available for the tire and change which sizes are practical on the car.

That is why the actual wheel diameter and width should be checked on the vehicle before ordering replacement tires. An Arrow that originally used 165R13 or 600-13 may no longer have its original wheels, and a 14-inch car may also have been altered over time. Clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension should be part of the inspection.

Before driving a 1979 Plymouth Arrow on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper tire pressure, and make sure the tires are seated correctly on the rims. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering parts for wear, since older compact cars can be sensitive to alignment and component condition.

A short, careful test drive is useful after installation to check for rubbing, vibration, or pull. Any Arrow that has sat for long periods deserves extra attention to wheel hardware, air retention, and general mechanical condition before regular road use, particularly if the tire change also involved moving between a bias-ply setup and a radial one.

1979 Plymouth Arrow tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and occasional tread and sidewall review even if the car is driven only seasonally. Collector-era cars often age their tires through time and storage as much as through mileage, so cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss matter just as much as tread wear.

Storage conditions also play a role in tire life. Keeping the Arrow away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the rubber, and periodic movement can reduce flat spotting on low-use vehicles. A routine inspection before longer drives is a smart habit, especially when the car spends much of the year parked.