1979 Renault Tires

The 1979 Renault uses more than one tire size, depending on the sub-model. The Renault 17 Gordini uses either 165R13 in radial form or 600-13 in bias-ply form, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial tires. All three fitments are built around a 13-inch rim, but they are not interchangeable just because the wheel diameter is the same.

The practical first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel setup currently on the car. A Renault 17 Gordini owner may also need to decide whether to keep a radial or bias-ply presentation, while a Le Car owner should focus on the narrower 145R13 fitment and verify that aftermarket wheel changes have not altered the original tire requirements.

The covered tire fitments for the 1979 Renault all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to 165R13, 600-13, and 145R13, even though the tire constructions and widths differ across the covered sub-models. Rim diameter is the shared constant, but it does not make every 13-inch tire correct for every version of the car.

Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a 600-13 bias-ply with radial alternatives or selecting among radial products with different rim-width recommendations. Measuring the actual wheels on the car is worthwhile if it has been restored or modified, since a correct 13-inch diameter alone does not answer the full fitment question.

More than one tire size appears because the covered 1979 Renault sub-models do not share the same fitment. The Renault 17 Gordini can use either a 165R13 radial or a 600-13 bias-ply, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial tires. Those differences reflect separate vehicle applications within the same year and make grouping.

That means tire selection should never start from the year and make alone. Confirming whether the car is a 17 Gordini or a 5 Le Car is the key move, and the next step is checking whether the current wheels and restoration goals point toward the original construction style or a carefully evaluated radial alternative.

On the 1979 Renault, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size used on the Renault 17 Gordini. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment among the covered applications, while 165R13 and 145R13 are radial sizes. In the available product selection, 600-13 appears in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments.

That distinction matters because choosing 600-13 is partly a construction decision, not just a size decision. Bias-ply tires bring a more traditional presentation, so the buyer should make sure that matches the car’s restoration direction, wheel width, and intended road use before selecting between the available whitewall styles.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A bias-look radial equivalent is not present here. The recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalency options is 4 to 5 inches.

Those choices give different sizing formats rather than one universal answer. A buyer considering the switch should compare the actual wheel width, the car’s remaining clearance at steering and suspension travel, and the overall look desired, since an equivalent size is a useful alternative path but not an automatic replacement on every car.

A 1979 Renault owner converting from 600-13 bias-ply to a radial alternative should first confirm the exact sub-model and the wheel size actually on the car. For the 600-13 application, the radial-equivalent choices are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13, with a recommended wheel-width range of 4 to 5 inches for that equivalency path.

Beyond size selection, the important checks are wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and the general condition of suspension and steering components. A collector car with replacement wheels, worn bushings, or altered ride height can behave differently than expected, so the conversion should be approached as a full fitment review rather than a simple size swap.

Start with the exact sub-model, because the 1979 Renault does not use one universal tire size. The Renault 17 Gordini may call for either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply, while the Renault 5 Le Car uses 145R13 radial. Once the size is confirmed, the next considerations are construction type, intended appearance, and wheel compatibility.

From there, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, and any rim-width or load details that matter to your setup. A buyer focused on a traditional restoration-style look may gravitate toward the 600-13 whitewall bias-ply choices, while someone keeping a radial-equipped car should look closely at the blackwall radial options in the proper width for that sub-model.

The available sidewall styles for 1979 Renault tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear in the radial sizes 165R13 and 145R13, while the 600-13 bias-ply products are offered in whitewall form. That gives a clear visual split between the radial and bias-ply selections available for the covered fitments.

Sidewall style should match the look you want from the car rather than being treated as a minor detail. A blackwall radial keeps a more understated European appearance, while narrow or wide whitewalls on 600-13 create a more period-style presentation, especially on a restoration-oriented Renault 17 Gordini built around a traditional bias-ply setup.

Tires for the 1979 Renault are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Firestone, and BFGoodrich across the applicable sizes. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, Michelin and Firestone appear in 145R13 radial form, and BFGoodrich supplies the 600-13 bias-ply options. The available series include Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, Firestone F560 Radial, and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply.

Brand choice should come after the correct size and construction have been established. Once that is settled, compare each option by sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the overall character you want from the car, whether that means a radial road-going presentation or a more traditional bias-ply look.

A period-style choice for a 1979 Renault starts with the correct sub-model fitment and the construction you want to preserve. The Renault 17 Gordini is the one with the strongest period-style split, since it can use either a 165R13 radial or a 600-13 bias-ply. The Renault 5 Le Car stays in the narrower 145R13 radial category.

For a restoration-oriented appearance, a 600-13 bias-ply on the Gordini creates the most traditional visual result among the covered options, especially with whitewall choices available. Exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific references, but the right size and construction are still the essential starting point for getting the car’s stance and presentation right.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1979 Renault more than many buyers expect. On the Renault 17 Gordini, the difference between a 600-13 bias-ply and a 165R13 radial is not just technical; it shapes the car’s overall presentation. The Renault 5 Le Car, by contrast, stays within radial form with its 145R13 fitment.

Bias-ply construction usually supports a more traditional restoration-oriented look, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling. Radials tend to present a more modern tread and sidewall character, so the decision should reflect whether the car is being finished for period-style appearance, regular road use, or a balance of both.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1979 Renault, even though the covered applications all use 13-inch rims. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered ride height, suspension work, or body repairs can influence which of the original-size options still makes sense on the car and how much clearance remains.

That is especially important when a Renault 17 Gordini is being evaluated for a shift between 600-13 bias-ply and a radial alternative. A careful fitment check should include wheel width, steering lock clearance, and space at the fender and suspension, because vintage cars often differ from their original setup after decades of repairs and upgrades.

Before driving a 1979 Renault on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then verify the tire pressure and confirm that the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering travel. It also makes sense to look over the brake, steering, and suspension hardware on a low-use collector car before expecting the new tires to do their job properly.

A short test drive should be treated as a check for rubbing, vibration, pulling, or unusual noises rather than a final verdict. Rechecking air pressure and wheel fasteners after the first miles is a sensible precaution, especially if the car has sat for long periods or recently moved from one tire construction type to another.

Tires on a collector 1979 Renault should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related deterioration even if tread wear is light. Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and general aging deserve as much attention as mileage-based wear.

Storage conditions matter as well. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both radial and bias-ply tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term stress in one spot. Any tire showing bulges, deep cracking, or repeated pressure loss should be evaluated before road use.