The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche represents late-1970s handbuilt luxury in one of the marque’s most recognizable personal touring shapes, blending formal elegance with effortless long-distance character. Owners tend to value these cars for their presence as much as their road manners, so tire choice affects both appearance and how the car feels in use. The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche uses a 235/70R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, making fitment more straightforward than many earlier luxury cars. Within that size, there are meaningful choices in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded presentation, traditional touring character, or a more personalized period look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche
The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche uses one primary tire size: 235/70R15, and it is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim. The Corniche Base shares that same size, so the main decision is not between multiple fitments but between available tire styles, brands, sidewall treatments, and the type of appearance or road-use character that suits the car best.
A 235/70R15 tire uses a 235-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche, this is the primary fitment and it reflects the modern radial sizing convention used on the car. Available choices in this size include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across series such as Michelin XVS, Avon Turbosteel, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, BFGoodrich Radial T/A, and Cooper Cobra Radial G/T. That makes 235/70R15 a size where appearance, brand character, and wheel compatibility deserve as much attention as basic fitment.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche lineup. The available sub-model uses the same 235/70R15 radial tire, so selection comes down to sidewall style, brand, and how closely the finished look matches the character of the car.
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1979 Rolls Royce Corniche Base
The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial fitment as the model core, keeping size selection simple. That lets the focus shift toward choosing between blackwall and whitewall-style options, or considering a more individualized look such as redline or raised white letter depending on the car’s presentation.
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 Corniche Tires for Sale
Available 235/70R15 options for the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche include Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin tires across series such as Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and XVS. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations, along with rim-width compatibility where noted.
These FAQs focus on 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, sidewall styling, and the checks that matter before putting a low-use luxury collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche uses a 235/70R15 radial tire. That size applies to the covered Corniche Base sub-model as well, so there is one primary fitment to focus on rather than several different factory-style tire sizes.
Having one primary size simplifies the search, but it does not make every 235/70R15 identical in character or presentation. Sidewall style, rim-width suitability, load capacity, and overall appearance still matter, especially on a luxury car where stance and visual proportion are part of the ownership experience.
What size rim does a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche use?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche uses a 15-inch rim with its 235/70R15 tire size. Product offerings in this fitment are built for that 15-inch wheel diameter, and several options also include rim-width guidance that can help narrow the field.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to confirm, but actual wheel width should be checked too, especially if the car has changed hands or had wheel work done over the years. A correct 15-inch diameter alone does not answer every fitment question if the wheel is non-original or differently sized in width.
Does the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial tire size as the model core. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and lets the tire decision center on the style and specification of the tire rather than on different size requirements.
Because the size stays the same, the more useful comparison is between blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations, along with brand and series differences. It is still wise to inspect the actual wheel setup on the car, since collector vehicles are sometimes changed from their original wheel arrangement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
Start with the correct 235/70R15 size and confirm that the tire matches the car’s 15-inch wheel setup. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, load figures where stated, and any rim-width guidance that applies to the wheel actually on the car.
A Corniche can wear the same size tire in very different ways depending on whether the goal is a formal luxury look, a restoration-oriented presentation, or a more individualized period style. Whitewall treatment, blackwall appearance, and series character often matter just as much as the size itself on this kind of car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche tires?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche has 235/70R15 tire choices in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. Those treatments can change the car’s visual character noticeably even though the underlying tire size remains the same.
A more formal touring presentation often points buyers toward blackwall or whitewall options, while redline or raised white letter tires create a more personalized period look. Sidewall style does not change the required size, but it can dramatically affect how the Corniche sits visually against its body lines and trim.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
235/70R15 tires for the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche are available from Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. The available series include Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin XVS, giving the size a broad mix of styling and product character.
Brand choice should be considered alongside sidewall treatment, wheel compatibility, and the way the car is used. A Corniche kept close to a traditional luxury appearance may call for a different presentation than one finished in a more personalized style, even though both still use the same 235/70R15 size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
A period-style 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche usually starts with the correct 235/70R15 radial size and then narrows the decision by visual presentation. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options can all suit the car depending on the era-specific look you want to emphasize.
The most convincing choice is often the one that matches the car’s trim, paint, and overall restoration direction rather than simply selecting the most decorative sidewall available. When exact originality matters, compare the tire presentation against marque references, photos, and vehicle-specific historical documentation before making a final decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
On the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche, tire construction is less of a visual dividing line than it would be on an earlier bias-ply-era car because the primary fitment is already radial. The stronger appearance differences come from sidewall treatment and tire series rather than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
That still leaves plenty of room to shape the finished look. A restrained blackwall can give the car a cleaner touring presence, while whitewall treatments lean more formal and traditional. Redline or raised white letter styles create a distinctly different impression, so appearance should be considered alongside the car’s restoration goals.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche?
Yes. Even though the 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche uses a single primary 235/70R15 size, modifications can change how that tire fits in practice. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect clearance and tire selection.
A modified car should be checked at the wheel itself, not only by tire size. Steering clearance, suspension travel, and the actual wheel dimensions matter before choosing among available products, especially when comparing tires that share the same nominal size but may differ in rim-width recommendations and overall section profile.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tires are properly seated and inflated, and look over the suspension and steering for obvious wear. A luxury collector car that has spent time parked can also hide issues that only become noticeable once fresh tires are installed.
It is also smart to recheck clearance at full steering lock and under normal vehicle load, then watch for vibration, pulling, or uneven stance during the first miles. Fresh tires cannot compensate for loose front-end parts, poor alignment, or damaged wheels, so the car should be evaluated as a complete rolling system.
How should 235/70R15 tires on a collector 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche be maintained?
235/70R15 tires on a collector 1979 Rolls Royce Corniche should be kept at the proper operating pressure for the tire and vehicle setup, inspected regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long idle periods that can encourage age-related deterioration.
Storage conditions matter on low-use cars. Keeping the Corniche away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic movement can reduce flat-spotting from sitting. Any sign of repeated air loss, sidewall damage, or unusual vibration deserves prompt inspection before extended road use.