The 1979 Porsche 924 came from an era when Porsche was broadening its sports-car lineup with a lighter, front-engine platform that balanced everyday drivability with distinctly European handling character. For owners today, that means tire choice plays a major role in preserving the car’s stance, steering response, and overall personality. The 1979 Porsche 924 uses radial tire fitments in two sizes, 185/70R14 and 205/60R15, depending on wheel setup. Available choices range from traditional blackwall sport-oriented radials to wide whitewall options and raised white letter styling in the larger size. The key is confirming whether the car wears 14-inch or 15-inch wheels before choosing by series, sidewall appearance, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Porsche 924
Two tire sizes apply to the 1979 Porsche 924, and the first step is confirming whether the car is running 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. Both covered sub-models can use either size, so wheel diameter matters more than trim name here. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right radial tire based on sidewall style, brand, tire series, and how closely the finished look matches your car’s intended presentation.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 14-inch rim. On a 1979 Porsche 924, it represents the narrower of the two primary fitments and suits cars using 14-inch wheels. This size is available in several distinct directions, including blackwall performance-oriented series such as Avon CR6ZZ, Dunlop Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial wide whitewall option. It is the size to evaluate when preserving the 14-inch wheel setup is the starting point.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1979 Porsche 924, this size applies to cars running 15-inch wheels and gives the page a distinctly different wheel-and-tire path than the 14-inch setup. Product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewall treatments across series from Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich. It is the right size to review only after confirming the car’s actual 15-inch wheel fitment and intended visual style.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because both covered 1979 Porsche 924 versions use the same two radial tire sizes. What matters most is verifying the wheel diameter on the car, since both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments appear across the covered sub-models.
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1979 Porsche 924 Base
The 1979 Porsche 924 Base can use either of the two primary radial tire sizes, so tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. After that, the choice shifts to sidewall treatment, tire series, and whether the goal is a sport-oriented blackwall look or a more restoration-minded appearance.
The 1979 Porsche 924 Base w/aluminum wheels follows the same basic fitment pattern, with both primary radial sizes appearing under this sub-model. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before purchase, followed by a closer look at the available blackwall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter options within the correct diameter.
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 924 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Porsche 924 tires span both primary sizes and include choices from BFGoodrich, Michelin, Avon, Dunlop, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter radials across several distinct tire series and rim-width ranges.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Common 1979 Porsche 924 tire questions usually center on choosing between the two correct sizes, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and deciding which radial tire best suits the car’s appearance and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Porsche 924?
A 1979 Porsche 924 uses two primary radial tire sizes: 185/70R14 and 205/60R15. Both sizes apply within the covered fitment range, and both the Base and Base w/aluminum wheels sub-models appear with these same two options.
The important step is not choosing by sub-model alone, but by confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A 14-inch wheel calls for the 185/70R14 size, while a 15-inch wheel calls for 205/60R15. If the car has been changed from its earlier wheel setup, measure the wheel and verify clearance before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1979 Porsche 924 use?
The 1979 Porsche 924 appears with both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters. The 185/70R14 tire fits a 14-inch wheel, and the 205/60R15 tire fits a 15-inch wheel, so the car does not have just one universal rim diameter across all covered fitments.
That makes wheel confirmation the first fitment check before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Read the wheel marking if it is visible, or measure carefully if there is any doubt. Tire size should follow the wheel actually on the car, especially on older sports cars that may have seen aftermarket wheel changes over time.
Do all 1979 Porsche 924 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1979 Porsche 924 sub-models share the same two tire-size options rather than having separate sub-model-specific sizing. Both the Base and Base w/aluminum wheels versions appear with 185/70R14 and 205/60R15 radial fitments.
In practical terms, that means the sub-model name alone does not settle the tire decision. The more useful check is whether the car is sitting on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels today. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the remaining choice comes down to tire series, sidewall style, and the kind of road use or presentation you want.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Porsche 924?
Start with the correct size for the wheel on the car, since the 1979 Porsche 924 uses either 185/70R14 or 205/60R15 depending on wheel diameter. From there, compare radial construction details such as tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire’s character suits a sporty driver, touring use, or a more appearance-focused build.
A narrower 14-inch setup and a 15-inch setup are not interchangeable decisions, so wheel confirmation comes first. After that, think about how the car is actually used and how you want it to look. A blackwall tire gives a more understated sports-car presentation, while wide whitewall or raised white letter options create a very different visual result.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Porsche 924 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1979 Porsche 924 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styling, depending on tire size. The 185/70R14 assortment includes mostly blackwall choices plus a wide whitewall option, while 205/60R15 adds blackwall, wide whitewall, and RWL selections.
That variety lets the tire change the car’s overall presentation quite a bit even when the size stays correct. Blackwall options tend to keep a more restrained sports-car look, while wide whitewalls push the appearance in a more customized or restoration-inspired direction. Raised white letters on the 15-inch size bring in a more aggressive period-performance visual cue.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Porsche 924?
Available brands for the 1979 Porsche 924 include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Brand availability depends on tire size, with the 185/70R14 group offering the broadest mix and the 205/60R15 group covering a smaller but still varied set of choices.
Brand should be considered alongside the specific tire series and sidewall style rather than treated as the only decision point. Some options are clearly aimed at a traditional blackwall sports-car look, while others lean toward wide whitewall or raised white letter presentation. Once the correct wheel diameter is confirmed, compare each brand’s tire by the overall character it gives the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Porsche 924?
A period-style 1979 Porsche 924 tire choice starts with the wheel diameter actually on the car, followed by a radial tire that matches the visual direction you want. In 185/70R14, several blackwall sport-oriented series create a traditional European look, while the larger 205/60R15 size opens the door to blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter treatments.
For a restoration-minded car, appearance matters almost as much as size. The more original-looking route is usually a restrained blackwall radial in the correct diameter, while whitewall and raised white letter options create a more individualized presentation. If exact originality is the goal, compare the tire choice with marque references and the car’s historical configuration before finalizing it.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Porsche 924?
On a 1979 Porsche 924, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial rather than bias-ply. That means the appearance difference comes less from construction type and more from the specific radial chosen, including sidewall style, tread character, and whether the tire presents as a sporty blackwall or a more stylized wide whitewall or RWL option.
A restored car can look noticeably different depending on those choices even when the size remains correct. Blackwall radials usually preserve the cleanest late-1970s sports-car feel, while whitewalls or raised white letters shift the visual emphasis. Matching the tire to the car’s wheel design, stance, and restoration intent usually creates a more convincing finished result than size alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 924?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 924 even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary sizes. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can all change how much room the tire has at the fender, steering components, and suspension.
That is especially important here because the car may be using either a 14-inch or 15-inch setup. A tire that suits one wheel package may not behave the same way on another. Before mounting new tires, check wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance through full steering travel and normal suspension movement, particularly if the car no longer sits at stock height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Porsche 924 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Porsche 924 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size, and set pressure to the vehicle’s required operating specification. It also helps to check for any rubbing at the inner fender, suspension, or steering components once the car is back on the ground.
A quick road-use inspection should also include lug torque, valve stems, and visible signs of uneven suspension or alignment issues that could affect the new tires immediately. Older collector cars sometimes reveal problems only after fresh rubber is installed. A short, careful test drive followed by another visual check can catch clearance or wear concerns before they become larger issues.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 924 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 924 should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs of slow air loss. Because many older sports cars spend long periods parked, tire age and storage conditions matter just as much as visible tread depth when judging whether the car is ready for road use.
Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Moving the car periodically can also help avoid prolonged flat spotting on lightly used vehicles. Before any longer trip, inspect all four tires closely and verify that the wheel-and-tire combination still clears properly if the car has had any wheel, brake, or suspension changes.
