The 1979 Porsche 911 sits in the era when the classic rear-engine 911 formula had matured into a sharper, more refined sports car without losing its unmistakable character. On the 911 SC, tire fitment is part of that story, because front and rear sizing work together to support the car’s stance, steering feel, and balance. This application uses radial tires in staggered front and rear sizes, with either 15-inch or 16-inch wheel combinations depending on the setup. Available choices range from blackwall sport-oriented radials to whitewall and redline alternatives in certain sizes, so the real decision is matching wheel diameter, axle position, and intended appearance before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Porsche 911
The 1979 Porsche 911 uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends first on whether you are selecting a front or rear tire and whether the car is on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels. All of these fitments are radial, but the front and rear sizes are staggered, so confirming axle position and wheel diameter is more important than simply matching the model year.
185/70R15 is a metric radial size where 185 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1979 Porsche 911, this size is used at the front in the 15-inch setup and keeps the fitment in the same radial format the car already uses. Available choices include Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, and BFGoodrich, with blackwall options as well as a wide whitewall alternative. It is the right size to evaluate when the car retains 15-inch front wheels and you want to balance wheel compatibility, appearance, and intended road use.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter section width, a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1979 Porsche 911, this size belongs at the front when the car is using the 16-inch wheel combination rather than the 15-inch setup. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin in blackwall form, along with an American Classic wide whitewall option for a different visual treatment. This size deserves attention when front-wheel diameter has already been confirmed and you are comparing a more performance-oriented presentation against a more customized or restoration-driven look.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size that indicates a 215-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch wheel diameter. On the 1979 Porsche 911, it serves as the rear tire size in the 15-inch staggered setup, so it should be matched with the correct front companion size rather than chosen in isolation. This size has broad variety, including blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. It is the size to study when the car carries 15-inch rear wheels and the buyer wants to compare sport-focused tread styles with more traditional sidewall treatments.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1979 Porsche 911, this size is used at the rear in the 16-inch staggered arrangement, making wheel diameter and rear axle position essential before selection. Current choices are centered on blackwall performance-style radials from BFGoodrich and Michelin rather than decorative sidewall treatments. This size makes sense to evaluate when the car is already on 16-inch rear wheels and the goal is to stay within the proper rear fitment while comparing tire series and rim-width compatibility.
Sub-model fitment on the 1979 Porsche 911 is straightforward in one sense and specific in another: the 911 SC uses staggered front and rear tire sizing. Checking whether you are replacing a front tire or a rear tire, and whether the car has 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, matters before selecting any tire.
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1979 Porsche 911 SC Front
The 1979 Porsche 911 SC Front uses radial front sizing, with one fitment for the 15-inch wheel setup and another for the 16-inch setup. That means the tire choice starts with confirming front wheel diameter, then comparing available blackwall or whitewall-style options within the correct front size.
The 1979 Porsche 911 SC Rear uses a wider radial rear tire, again split between 15-inch and 16-inch wheel combinations. Rear-tire selection should follow the actual rear wheel diameter on the car and the intended presentation, since some 15-inch rear options include redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling while 16-inch choices stay performance-focused.
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 Porsche 911 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Porsche 911 tire choices span 15-inch and 16-inch radial fitments from Michelin, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, and American Classic. Depending on size, the product grid lets you compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles along with several distinct tire series and rim-width ranges.
These FAQs focus on the actual tire decisions for a 1979 Porsche 911, including staggered front and rear sizing, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, available radial choices, appearance differences, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Porsche 911?
A 1979 Porsche 911 uses staggered radial tire sizes rather than one universal fitment. Front sizes are 185/70R15 or 205/55R16, while rear sizes are 215/60R15 or 225/50R16. The correct combination depends on whether the car is fitted with 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, and the front and rear tire sizes are not interchangeable with each other.
The key step is confirming both axle position and actual wheel diameter before choosing a tire. Many cars of this era have seen wheel changes over time, so it is smart to check the front and rear wheels directly instead of assuming every 1979 Porsche 911 uses the same setup. Matching the correct staggered pair helps preserve intended clearance, stance, and balance.
What size rim does a 1979 Porsche 911 use?
The 1979 Porsche 911 uses either 15-inch or 16-inch rims in this fitment range. The 15-inch setup pairs 185/70R15 front with 215/60R15 rear, while the 16-inch setup pairs 205/55R16 front with 225/50R16 rear. All four tire sizes are radial, but they are tied to specific wheel diameters and front-to-rear positions.
Wheel diameter should be verified before anything else, because a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch wheel and vice versa. Once diameter is confirmed, it helps to compare the tire’s approved rim-width range with the wheel actually on the car. That is especially important if the 911 has aftermarket wheels or a long history of owner changes.
Why does the 1979 Porsche 911 have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Porsche 911 has more than one tire size because the 911 SC uses a staggered arrangement, with one size at the front and a wider size at the rear. It also appears with either a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel combination, so each axle has two possible sizes depending on wheel diameter. That creates four primary sizes across the full application.
This means tire selection is really a two-part identification process. First confirm whether the tire is for the front or rear, then confirm whether the wheel is 15 or 16 inches. Once those two details are settled, the remaining choice becomes comparing available tire series, sidewall presentation, and rim-width compatibility within the correct size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Porsche 911?
Start with the basics that matter most on a staggered 1979 Porsche 911: front versus rear position, wheel diameter, and the exact tire size that belongs on that axle. After that, compare the available radial choices by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and approved rim-width range. Those details shape whether the tire suits a more sporting look, a more traditional appearance, or a customized presentation.
The best comparison is not just between names on the sidewall. It also involves checking the wheel actually on the car, the way the car is used, and whether visual consistency matters across all four corners. A 15-inch rear tire with redline or raised white letter styling creates a very different presentation from a blackwall performance-style radial in a 16-inch setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Porsche 911 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 1979 Porsche 911. Blackwall options are available across all four primary sizes, while wide whitewall appears in 185/70R15, 205/55R16, and 215/60R15. The 215/60R15 rear size also adds redline and raised white letter choices, giving that fitment the broadest appearance range of the group.
That variation matters because the sidewall style can change the personality of the car even when the tire size remains correct. A blackwall keeps the look more restrained and performance-oriented, while whitewall or redline options lean more toward custom or restoration-style presentation. Matching front and rear appearance deliberately is especially important on a 911 with visible staggered sizing.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Porsche 911?
Available tire brands for the 1979 Porsche 911 include Michelin, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, and American Classic, depending on the size. Some brands appear across multiple fitments, while others are concentrated in one size or wheel diameter. The 15-inch rear size has the widest brand spread, while the 16-inch rear size stays focused on BFGoodrich and Michelin.
Brand should be considered alongside the actual tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than as a stand-alone decision. A Michelin, BFGoodrich, or Dunlop option may all be right for the same car if the size and intended use match. On a staggered 911, many owners also care about whether the front and rear tires create a consistent visual theme.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Porsche 911?
A period-style choice for a 1979 Porsche 911 starts with using the correct front and rear size combination for the wheel diameter actually on the car. From there, blackwall radial options usually preserve the most traditional sports-car presentation, especially in classic-looking series such as Michelin XWX, Dunlop Sport Classic, Avon CR6ZZ, or Vredestein Sprint Classic where available.
Appearance goals should guide the final decision once the fitment is confirmed. Some sizes also open the door to whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling, which can create a more customized look than a typical late-1970s 911 presentation. If exact originality matters, compare the car against marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation before settling on a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Porsche 911?
On a 1979 Porsche 911, construction does not create a bias-ply versus radial choice because the primary fitments here are all radial. The visual difference comes more from the tire’s series design, sidewall styling, and overall presentation within the proper front and rear sizes. Blackwall tires keep a more restrained look, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter versions change the car’s visual character quickly.
That matters on a restored 911 because tire appearance is highly noticeable against the car’s low profile and flared stance. Even when the size is correct, an aggressive modern-looking tread or decorative sidewall can shift the car away from a more authentic late-1970s sports-car feel. The cleanest restoration-oriented result usually comes from choosing appearance with the same care as size and wheel diameter.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 911?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 911 even when the tire size itself is one of the accepted sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, and body modifications can all change the available clearance. On a staggered car, those changes may create different issues at the front and rear.
That is why the wheel and body setup should be checked on the actual car before replacing tires, especially if its history is not fully known. Turning clearance at the front and fender or suspension clearance at the rear deserve close attention. A size that belongs on a stock-style setup still needs to be matched to the 911’s current wheel and suspension configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Porsche 911 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Porsche 911 on new tires, confirm that the front and rear sizes are mounted in the correct positions and that the wheel diameters match the tires installed. It is also smart to check inflation, valve stems, wheel condition, and basic clearance with the steering turned and the suspension loaded. These are simple checks, but they matter on a staggered sports-car fitment.
Road readiness also depends on the rest of the car, not just the tire itself. A suspension with worn bushings, alignment issues, or old shocks can affect how fresh tires behave. After installation, a short, careful drive helps confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or air loss. Rechecking pressure after the first drive is a sensible final step on a collector-era 911.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 911 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 911 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread condition. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss, and inspect both the front and rear tires because the staggered setup means each axle may wear differently. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for inspection.
Storage conditions matter on enthusiast cars that spend long periods parked. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term flat spotting. Before any longer drive, check pressure and give each tire a close once-over so age-related issues are caught before they become a road problem.
