The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue sits in a very specific corner of late-1970s luxury motoring, blending formal coachbuilt presence with the grand-touring expectations of a flagship personal coupe. Tire choice on a car like this is not just about size, but about preserving the right balance of stance, ride character, and visual presentation. The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue uses a 235/70R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, there are meaningful choices in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several well-known series. The key is matching the tire to the car's wheel setup and the owner's restoration or road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue uses one primary tire size: 235/70R15. It is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the same size applies to the Camargue Base sub-model. That means the main decision is not choosing between multiple factory-type sizes, but selecting the right tire within 235/70R15 based on sidewall appearance, tire series, brand character, and the actual wheel dimensions on the car.
A 235/70R15 tire uses a modern metric radial size format: 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue, this is the primary fitment and it aligns with the car's late-classic luxury touring character. Available choices include Michelin, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Cooper options, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations. The real choice is how closely the finished look and driving intent should suit the car's original style and current wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue. The covered sub-model uses the same 235/70R15 radial size, so tire selection centers more on sidewall style, brand, and wheel compatibility than on trim-based size differences.
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1979 Rolls Royce Camargue Base
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue Base uses the 235/70R15 radial tire size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps fitment simple and lets the decision focus on whether the car should wear a more formal whitewall-style tire, a blackwall touring presentation, or another period-inspired look within the same size.
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 Rolls Royce Camargue Tires for Sale
Available 235/70R15 choices span Michelin, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Cooper, with touring-oriented and performance-styled radial series in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall treatments. Rim-width compatibility varies by product, so wheel dimensions still matter even within the same tire size.
These FAQs focus on the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue's 235/70R15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, radial tire choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector luxury car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue uses a 235/70R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model year, and it is the same size used on the Camargue Base sub-model. The size reflects a modern metric radial format rather than an older bias-ply or alphanumeric sizing system.
Using the correct size is the starting point, but it is not the only decision. Within 235/70R15, available tires vary by brand, sidewall style, tire series, and approved rim-width range. On a collector car, it is also worth confirming that the wheels are still 15-inch originals or an equivalent 15-inch setup before choosing among whitewall, blackwall, or other appearance options.
What size rim does a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue use?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue uses a 15-inch rim with its 235/70R15 radial tire size. The tire's size designation confirms the 15-inch rim diameter, and the available products for this fitment are built around that same wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, because different 235/70R15 products call for slightly different rim-width ranges. Some are suited to 6.0 to 8.0 inches, while others extend to 8.5 inches. Measuring the actual wheel width on the car helps narrow the choices and matters even more if the Camargue has been changed from its original wheel setup.
What does 235/70R15 mean on a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
In 235/70R15, the 235 is the nominal tire width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a metric radial size commonly associated with later classic luxury and touring applications.
Understanding the code helps when comparing available tires, because two products in the same size can still differ in sidewall treatment, tire series, and approved wheel width. The Camargue's tire decision is less about decoding an unusual vintage size and more about choosing the right presentation and specifications within a single established radial fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
Start with the correct size and construction: 235/70R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, compare sidewall style, tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility. The available range includes formal whitewall-oriented choices as well as blackwall, redline, and raised white letter options that create very different visual results on the same car.
A Camargue restored for a traditional luxury presentation may call for a narrow or wide whitewall look, while a car with a more personalized appearance may lean toward blackwall or RWL styling. Product differences in weight and load figures can also matter, but the wheel width on the car should be checked first so the chosen tire aligns with the actual rim.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue tires?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue's 235/70R15 tire size is available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL. That gives the car owner a broad range of appearance choices while staying within the correct primary size.
Those sidewall treatments can change the car's visual character significantly. A whitewall presentation tends to suit a formal late-1970s luxury look, while blackwall keeps the appearance more restrained and redline or raised white letter styles create a different period flavor. The best choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented presentation, touring use, or a more personalized interpretation.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue's 235/70R15 fitment is available from Michelin, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Cooper. Those brands appear across several tire series, including Michelin XVS, Avon Turbosteel 70 CR11B, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, BFGoodrich Radial T/A, and Cooper Cobra Radial G/T.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire's overall character rather than by name alone. Some options present a more traditional touring or restoration-oriented look, while others bring a more performance-styled sidewall treatment. Once the preferred appearance is clear, compare the individual tire's rim-width range, load specification, and sidewall style to make sure it suits the car's wheels and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
A period-style 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue usually starts with the correct 235/70R15 radial size and then turns to sidewall presentation. Within that size, narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices are available, along with blackwall options for a more understated touring look. The right answer depends on how formally the car is being presented.
For a restoration-oriented car, the tire should support the Camargue's late-1970s luxury character rather than fight it. That does not automatically make one sidewall or brand the exact historical answer for every example. If originality matters at a very detailed level, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, and the car's own surviving history before settling on the final look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
On the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue, construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is already radial. That means appearance differences come less from bias-ply versus radial decisions and more from the specific radial tire selected, especially the sidewall treatment and the tire series profile presented on the car.
A formal whitewall radial can reinforce the car's luxury presence, while blackwall, redline, or RWL options push the visual tone in different directions. Even when the size is correct, the finished result can look either elegantly restrained or noticeably more personalized. For a restoration-minded owner, tire construction is settled; the visible sidewall style becomes the more important appearance decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue?
Yes. Even though the 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue uses a 235/70R15 radial tire, modifications can still affect fitment. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheel designs, suspension alterations, and body or steering changes can all influence how well a tire in the correct nominal size works on the car.
A Camargue with non-original wheels may still use a 15-inch diameter but have a different width or offset than expected. That can change clearance at the fender, suspension, or steering components. Before choosing a tire, confirm the actual wheel dimensions and inspect for any previous modifications so the selected 235/70R15 matches the car's real-world setup rather than assumptions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct size and condition, verify proper air pressure, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering and suspension movement. On a collector luxury car, it is also wise to check valve stems, wheel balance, and overall mounting quality before the first serious drive.
The rest of the car deserves the same attention. Look for worn suspension parts, uneven ride height, loose steering components, and brake issues that can affect how new tires behave. A fresh set of 235/70R15 radials can only perform as intended if the Camargue's chassis is in sound condition and the alignment and wheel hardware are ready for regular road use.
How should 235/70R15 tires on a collector 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and careful storage habits. On a 1979 Rolls Royce Camargue, inspect the 235/70R15 tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, excess moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or generators when possible. Driving the car occasionally and checking pressures before each outing helps preserve tire shape and performance, while early inspection can catch age-related issues before they turn into road-use problems.