The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow reflects the final years of one of the marque’s most recognized postwar luxury sedans, a car known for its understated presence, substantial road manners, and hand-finished character. Buyers looking after one today are usually balancing refined road use with careful preservation of its original visual character. For this exact model year, the primary tire fitment is HR70-15 in radial construction on a 15-inch rim. That makes the main decision less about multiple sizes and more about selecting the right period-style radial presentation and confirming the wheel setup on the car. For restoration-minded ownership, appearance, proportions, and proper fitment all matter before the car goes back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow uses one primary tire size: HR70-15. It is a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered Silver Shadow II sub-model uses that same size, so the key decision is choosing the right tire within the correct fitment while confirming the wheels on the car have not been changed over time.
HR70-15 is an alphanumeric radial size in which the letter designation identifies the tire’s size class, the 70 indicates its profile family, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, this is a radial fitment rather than a bias-ply application, which suits the car’s late-classic luxury-touring character and keeps the selection focused on correct overall fitment. The practical choice is usually centered on preserving the proper look and stance while matching the tire to the actual 15-inch wheel on the vehicle. That is especially important on long-owned cars that may have seen wheel replacements or other changes over time.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for this application. The covered Silver Shadow II uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is confirming that the car still has the proper 15-inch wheel setup before choosing a tire.
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1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II
The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II uses the same HR70-15 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing an appropriate period-style radial and verifying that the vehicle’s wheels and overall setup remain true to the intended fitment.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs focus on HR70-15 fitment for the 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, along with wheel confirmation, tire selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the inspections that matter before returning a collector luxury sedan to regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?
The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow uses HR70-15 tires. This is a radial tire size and it is paired with a 15-inch rim, making it the primary fitment to start with when replacing tires on this model year.
That means the first step is not comparing several original sizes, but confirming that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheels and has not been altered with aftermarket rims. On a collector car, wheel changes made years ago can affect what actually fits, so the safest approach is to verify wheel diameter and general tire clearance before choosing a new HR70-15 tire.
What size rim does a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow use?
The primary tire fitment for a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is built around a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the HR70-15 tire size, where the final number in the size code refers to the wheel diameter in inches.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on a luxury car that may have passed through several owners. A Silver Shadow fitted with replacement wheels can still look stock at a glance, so checking the actual wheel size on the car helps avoid choosing the right tire size for the wrong rim diameter.
Does the 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II uses the same HR70-15 radial tire size. That keeps fitment simple across the covered sub-model and avoids the need to sort between multiple original tire sizes for this application.
Even with shared fitment, tire selection still deserves a careful look because not every owner is pursuing the same result. One Silver Shadow II may be aimed at preservation and period-style presentation, while another is maintained primarily for road use, so the buyer should still confirm wheel condition, tire age, and overall setup before making the final choice.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a HR70-15 tire for a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?
Start with the correct size, which is HR70-15, and make sure the tire is intended for a 15-inch wheel. Since this is already a radial fitment, the main considerations are preserving the car’s proper visual proportions, matching the tire to the wheel actually installed, and choosing a style that suits how the car will be used.
A well-kept touring sedan like the Silver Shadow benefits from a tire that looks appropriate on the car and supports confident road use without drifting away from the original fitment direction. Tire age, wheel condition, and storage history matter just as much as size, particularly on low-mileage collector vehicles that may spend long periods parked.
How do I choose between the available HR70-15 tires for a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?
The best way to compare HR70-15 options for a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is to keep the correct size fixed and then look at the remaining differences that affect ownership. For most buyers, that means balancing visual character, intended driving use, and compatibility with the wheel setup already on the car.
A Silver Shadow that is shown regularly may call for a more restoration-oriented presentation, while a car driven more often may place greater emphasis on overall condition and road readiness. It also helps to compare the tires alongside the car’s stance and trim, since the right tire should complement the vehicle rather than simply match a size code.
What rim-fitment details should I compare when choosing 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow tires?
Rim diameter is the first detail to confirm, and for the 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that means a 15-inch wheel for the HR70-15 tire size. Beyond that, the buyer should make sure the wheel itself is in sound condition and still matches the fitment expectations of the tire being considered.
Collector cars can accumulate changes that are easy to overlook, including replacement wheels, refinished rims, or older repairs. Looking closely at wheel condition, bead-seat integrity, and the amount of available clearance around suspension and bodywork helps prevent a correct-size tire from becoming a poor match for the specific car in front of you.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?
A period-style approach starts with the proper HR70-15 radial size, since that is the primary fitment for the 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Keeping the correct size and radial construction helps preserve the car’s intended stance and overall character better than substituting a modern size without careful comparison.
Appearance matters on a Silver Shadow because the tire contributes to the car’s visual weight and proportions as much as its road manners. Buyers pursuing a restoration-oriented result should compare the tire’s overall presentation with the car’s trim, wheel style, and intended era look, then verify the actual wheel setup before committing to a final choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is a large luxury sedan whose appearance depends heavily on proper tire proportions. Using the correct HR70-15 radial size helps maintain the relationship between wheel opening, ride height, and the restrained styling that defines the car’s late-production Silver Shadow look.
Restoration-minded owners should be cautious about treating any modern substitute as automatically acceptable simply because it mounts on the same wheel diameter. Even small visual differences can change the car’s stance, so buyers who care about authenticity of appearance should compare fitment carefully and consult marque-specific references when exact historical presentation is important.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?
Yes. A 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow may no longer be on its original wheel and suspension setup, and those changes can affect tire fitment even when the intended size is HR70-15. Replacement wheels, altered ride height, or suspension work can all change the space available around the tire.
Checking the car as it sits today is the practical next step. A wheel that matches the correct diameter can still create issues if width, offset, or surrounding clearance has changed, so it is wise to inspect the relationship between the tire, wheel opening, steering components, and suspension before putting the car back into regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow on new tires, inspect the wheels, verify the tire size is HR70-15, and look over the surrounding suspension and steering areas for anything that could affect clearance. It also makes sense to confirm that all tires are properly inflated and seated correctly on the rims.
A collector sedan that has been parked for long periods deserves extra attention before a road test. Check for fluid leaks near braking or suspension components, listen for any rubbing on full steering lock, and make sure the spare and jack equipment are also in usable condition if the car is being prepared for more than a short local drive.
How should HR70-15 tires on a collector 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow be maintained?
HR70-15 tires on a collector 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Even a car that sees limited mileage can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or gradual air loss if it sits for long periods.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and service life. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment such as motors or compressors can reduce deterioration, and moving the car periodically helps avoid long static loading in one spot. Routine inspections are especially important before tours, shows, or seasonal driving.
