The 1979 Plymouth Horizon arrived at a time when compact front-wheel-drive hatchbacks were reshaping the American small-car market, emphasizing efficiency, packaging, and everyday practicality. Whether in 4 Dr. Hatchback or TC3 form, the Horizon has a distinctly late-1970s character that owners often want to preserve without overcomplicating tire selection. Tire fitment centers on 13-inch radial sizes, with 155/80R13, 165/75R13, and 175/75R13 used across the model line depending on sub-model and setup. Available choices lean heavily toward whitewall presentations, including narrow and wide whitewall styles. The key is matching the correct size to the exact Horizon configuration, then choosing the sidewall look and product specification that suit restoration-minded use or regular road driving.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Plymouth Horizon
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1979 Plymouth Horizon, and they vary by sub-model rather than by tire construction or wheel diameter. All are radial tires for 13-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a 4 Dr. Hatchback or a TC3, then checking which of the applicable sizes matches the actual wheel and tire setup on the vehicle.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1979 Plymouth Horizon, this size is part of the fitment range for the 4 Dr. Hatchback and reflects the compact-car radial sizing common to the era. Product choices in this size include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow and wide whitewall options available across several series. It is a strong match to evaluate when preserving a stock-style 13-inch Horizon setup and a traditional sidewall appearance matters.
165/75R13 is a metric radial size where 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter. This size appears across both 1979 Plymouth Horizon sub-models, making it the most widely shared fitment in the range. Its practical role is to bridge the two body styles while staying within the same 13-inch radial format used by the Horizon. It is the size to investigate carefully when the car has been maintained over time with replacement tires and you want to confirm whether the current wheel-and-tire combination still matches an appropriate Horizon fitment.
175/75R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter. For the 1979 Plymouth Horizon, this size is associated with the TC3, so it should not be treated as a universal fitment for every Horizon configuration. Its meaning to the buyer is less about construction choice and more about confirming the correct sub-model and actual wheel setup before selecting a tire. This is the size to compare when a TC3 carries a broader 13-inch tire package and you want to keep the fitment aligned with that configuration.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1979 Plymouth Horizon because tire sizing is not completely uniform across the lineup. The 4 Dr. Hatchback and TC3 share one size, but each also has a second size associated with its own configuration, so checking the exact body style is the first step before choosing tires.
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1979 Plymouth Horizon 4 Dr. Hatchback
The 1979 Plymouth Horizon 4 Dr. Hatchback uses 13-inch radial sizing and is associated with both 155/80R13 and 165/75R13. That makes wheel confirmation important, especially on a car that may have seen replacement tires over the years, before choosing between available whitewall styles and product specifications.
The 1979 Plymouth Horizon TC3 is associated with 13-inch radial sizes 165/75R13 and 175/75R13. Tire selection starts with confirming which of those two sizes is actually on the car, then comparing tires with the appearance and rim-width specifications that suit the existing wheel setup.
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 Plymouth Horizon Tires for Sale
Available 155/80R13 products for the 1979 Plymouth Horizon include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel radials across several series. The main differences are sidewall presentation, including narrow and wide whitewall styles, along with rim-width specifications and other product details visible in the comparison grid.
These FAQs focus on 1979 Plymouth Horizon tire sizing by sub-model, 13-inch rim fitment, radial tire selection, whitewall appearance choices, and the basic checks worth making before putting a vintage compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Plymouth Horizon?
The 1979 Plymouth Horizon uses three radial tire sizes across the model line: 155/80R13, 165/75R13, and 175/75R13. The 4 Dr. Hatchback is associated with 155/80R13 and 165/75R13, while the TC3 is associated with 165/75R13 and 175/75R13.
That means the right tire size depends on the exact sub-model and the wheel setup currently on the car. Since all of these sizes mount on 13-inch rims, the practical next step is checking the existing tire size, wheel width when known, and overall clearance so the replacement remains consistent with how the Horizon is actually equipped.
What size rim does a 1979 Plymouth Horizon use?
The 1979 Plymouth Horizon uses a 13-inch rim diameter across its primary tire fitments. Whether the car is using 155/80R13, 165/75R13, or 175/75R13, the common element is a 13-inch wheel, so the basic rim diameter stays consistent even though tire width and profile vary.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it should not be the only check before choosing a tire. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing replacement tires across different brands or whitewall styles, and an older Horizon may also have had wheel changes over time that deserve a quick confirmation before purchase.
Do all 1979 Plymouth Horizon sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1979 Plymouth Horizon sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The 4 Dr. Hatchback uses 155/80R13 and 165/75R13, while the TC3 uses 165/75R13 and 175/75R13, so 165/75R13 is shared but the full fitment range is different between the two configurations.
That shared middle size can make older cars look more uniform than they really are, especially if replacement tires were installed years ago. Checking the body style first, then confirming the actual tire size already on the car, helps prevent choosing a size that belongs to another Horizon configuration rather than the one being serviced.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1979 Plymouth Horizon?
Start by confirming that 155/80R13 is the correct size for the specific 1979 Plymouth Horizon being fitted, since that size is associated with the 4 Dr. Hatchback rather than the full Horizon range. Then compare the available radial options by sidewall style, tire series, brand, and published rim-width specifications where they are shown.
The buying decision often comes down to how the car is used and how original-looking you want it to appear. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create noticeably different visual effects on a late-1970s compact, and checking wheel width first helps narrow the options to tires that suit both the car’s appearance and its hardware.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Plymouth Horizon tires?
The available 155/80R13 tire options for a 1979 Plymouth Horizon include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives owners a choice between a more restrained whitewall presentation and a more pronounced period-style look while staying within the correct radial size for an applicable Horizon setup.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision, but it can strongly influence how the car looks once mounted. A subtle whitewall often suits a clean driver-level presentation, while a wider whitewall leans more restoration-oriented, so it makes sense to choose the look that matches the wheel covers, trim level, and overall character of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Plymouth Horizon?
Available 155/80R13 tires for the 1979 Plymouth Horizon come from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. These choices span several radial tire series, including UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic, giving buyers a useful spread of brand and styling options within the same basic size.
Brand selection should still come after the fitment basics are settled. Once the correct size and wheel requirements are confirmed, the meaningful comparison becomes series character, sidewall treatment, and any published rim-width or load details that align with how the Horizon will be driven and how traditional you want the finished appearance to be.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Plymouth Horizon?
A period-style 1979 Plymouth Horizon tire choice starts with using the correct 13-inch radial size for the exact sub-model, then choosing a sidewall treatment that matches the car’s visual character. On applicable 155/80R13 fitments, the available options include both narrow and wide whitewall radials, which can create very different late-1970s presentations.
The right appearance choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained original-looking driver or a more restoration-oriented finish. Exact originality can vary by how the car was equipped when new, so owners pursuing a highly exact presentation should compare tire styling against period photos, build records, or marque-specific reference material before deciding.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Plymouth Horizon restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1979 Plymouth Horizon restoration because the car uses more than one primary size across its sub-models, even though all of them share a 13-inch rim diameter. Choosing the proper size helps preserve the stance, sidewall proportion, and overall visual balance that make a restored compact look coherent.
Appearance and fitment work together, especially on smaller cars where a modest size change can alter the look more than many owners expect. Matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel setup also reduces the chance of ending up with a restoration that looks close in photos but feels mismatched once the car is viewed in person.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Plymouth Horizon?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Plymouth Horizon even when the replacement tire uses the correct 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body repairs can change the space available around the tire and may also affect which of the Horizon’s applicable sizes makes the most sense.
That is especially important on an older compact that may have changed hands several times. A quick check of wheel width, tire clearance at full steering lock, and space around the fender openings can prevent problems that do not show up on paper when the car no longer matches its original wheel and suspension configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Plymouth Horizon on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Plymouth Horizon on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct diameter, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering and suspension movement. It is also wise to look over the valve stems and verify that lug hardware and wheel seating surfaces are in good condition.
An older Horizon can also benefit from a broader safety check before regular road use. Uneven suspension wear, alignment problems, and aging brake or steering components can affect how the car feels on fresh tires, so taking a moment to review the overall chassis condition helps the new tires deliver a more stable and predictable result.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Plymouth Horizon be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Plymouth Horizon should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage vintage cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions as much as by actual road use.
Routine checks matter even more when the car is driven only occasionally. Looking over the tires before each outing and after extended storage helps catch age-related issues early, and moving the car periodically or storing it carefully can reduce flat spotting and help preserve both ride quality and the finished appearance of the tire sidewalls.
