The 1979 Saab 900 arrived at a moment when Saab’s front-wheel-drive engineering and hatchback practicality had already earned a loyal following among drivers who wanted something more thoughtful than the average compact sedan. Early 900s are especially distinctive because trim and performance versions can lead to very different tire decisions. This model year uses four radial tire sizes: 175/70R15, 165R15, 195/60R15, and 180/65R390, depending on the exact sub-model. Available choices range from traditional blackwall touring-style radials to whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments in certain sizes. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before focusing on appearance, road manners, or restoration character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Saab 900
The 1979 Saab 900 uses four different primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are radial fitments, but the sizing formats vary from Euro-metric and modern metric 15-inch sizes to a millimetric 180/65R390 application. Identifying the sub-model comes first, because Saab did not use one universal tire specification across the full 1979 900 range.
A 175/70R15 size uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On the 1979 Saab 900, this is a modern metric radial fitment that suits the EMS and keeps the selection focused on road-going radial choices rather than vintage bias-ply styling questions. Available options include Avon and Vredestein in blackwall form, with CR6ZZ and Sprint Classic series represented. This size makes sense when the goal is staying with the EMS fitment while comparing brands and tire character within the same basic size.
A 165R15 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 165-millimeter nominal section width and no stated aspect ratio in the size code, a format commonly associated with an 80-series profile. On the 1979 Saab 900, this size belongs to the GL & GLE and brings the broadest range of product choices. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are available from brands including Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and Vredestein across several radial series. This is the size to evaluate carefully if appearance matters as much as fitment, especially on a restoration-minded driver.
A 195/60R15 uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. For the 1979 Saab 900, this size is tied to the Turbo 3 Dr. and has a more performance-oriented modern metric look than the taller-profile 165R15 fitment. BFGoodrich offers this size in wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter form, while Michelin adds a blackwall Primacy 3 option. It is the size to confirm when a Turbo 3 Dr. has retained its intended wheel setup and the owner wants to balance appearance with road-use priorities.
A 180/65R390 is a metric radial size that uses a 180-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, and a 390-millimeter rim designation rather than the familiar inch-based 15-inch format. On the 1979 Saab 900, this size belongs to the Turbo 5 Dr. and stands apart from the other fitments because it uses a millimetric wheel standard. That makes wheel identification especially important before any tire decision is made. This size should be approached as a configuration-specific fitment rather than assumed to interchange with the 15-inch Saab 900 applications.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1979 Saab 900 because each covered version uses its own tire size rather than sharing one common specification. Confirming whether the car is an EMS, GL & GLE, Turbo 3 Dr., or Turbo 5 Dr. is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or wheel compatibility.
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1979 Saab 900 EMS
The 1979 Saab 900 EMS uses a 175/70R15 radial fitment, which places it in a modern metric 15-inch size with a focused product selection. That keeps the decision centered on choosing between available blackwall radial series and confirming the car still has the wheel setup that matches this EMS application.
The 1979 Saab 900 GL & GLE uses 165R15, a classic Euro-metric radial size with the widest assortment of available tire styles in this model range. That opens the door to blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall choices, so the decision often comes down to whether the car is being preserved as a touring-oriented driver or a more restoration-focused presentation.
The 1979 Saab 900 Turbo 3 Dr. uses a 195/60R15 radial tire, a lower-profile 15-inch metric size than the GL & GLE fitment. Tire selection here often revolves around whether the owner wants a blackwall road tire or a period-style sidewall treatment such as redline, whitewall, or raised white letter.
The 1979 Saab 900 Turbo 5 Dr. uses 180/65R390, which is the outlier fitment in the lineup because it is built around a millimetric wheel standard. That makes wheel confirmation critical before shopping, since this setup should not be treated like the 15-inch radial applications used on the other 1979 Saab 900 sub-models.
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 Saab 900 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Saab 900 tire choices vary significantly by size, with Avon, Vredestein, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, and American Classic represented. Depending on the sub-model, the comparison may involve blackwall touring radials or appearance-driven options such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used across the 1979 Saab 900 range, along with rim considerations, sidewall choices, product differences, and the practical checks that matter before putting a classic Saab back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Saab 900?
A 1979 Saab 900 does not use one universal tire size across every version. The EMS uses 175/70R15, the GL & GLE uses 165R15, the Turbo 3 Dr. uses 195/60R15, and the Turbo 5 Dr. uses 180/65R390. All of these are radial fitments, but they represent different sizing systems and should be treated as distinct applications.
The practical step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel setup already on the car. The 180/65R390 Turbo 5 Dr. fitment is especially important to verify because it uses a millimetric rim standard, while the other 1979 Saab 900 applications use 15-inch radial sizes. A car that has been modified or converted over time may no longer match its original sub-model fitment.
What size rim does a 1979 Saab 900 use?
Most 1979 Saab 900 tire fitments in this range use a 15-inch rim, including 175/70R15, 165R15, and 195/60R15. The exception is the 180/65R390 size used on the Turbo 5 Dr., which is built around a 390-millimeter rim rather than a 15-inch wheel. That difference is critical because the tire and wheel standards are not the same.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before selecting any tire, especially on a car that may have had replacement wheels fitted over the years. Checking the wheel marking or measuring the actual rim is safer than assuming that every 1979 Saab 900 uses the same setup. Rim width matters too, since available products within these sizes can call for different wheel-width ranges.
Why does the 1979 Saab 900 have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Saab 900 uses more than one tire size because the fitment changes by sub-model. EMS, GL & GLE, Turbo 3 Dr., and Turbo 5 Dr. applications each carry their own tire specification, and those differences include both section width and size format. In one case, the wheel standard changes as well, moving from inch-based sizing to a millimetric rim.
That means tire selection starts with vehicle identification rather than brand preference or sidewall style. Once the exact sub-model and wheel are confirmed, the choice becomes much clearer because each size has its own set of available tires. On a Saab that has seen wheel swaps, suspension changes, or long-term storage, a quick fitment check can prevent ordering the right tire for the wrong configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Saab 900?
Start with the exact sub-model, because a 1979 Saab 900 may use 175/70R15, 165R15, 195/60R15, or 180/65R390. After confirming size, compare the construction and character of the available tires within that fitment. This model year stays entirely in radial territory, so the decision is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about matching the right size, wheel standard, and intended use.
The next layer is product character. A 165R15 GL or GLE owner may be choosing among blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall options, while a 195/60R15 Turbo 3 Dr. owner may compare blackwall, redline, and raised white letter designs. Rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and whether the car is being driven regularly or presented in a period-style way all shape the best choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Saab 900 tires?
Sidewall availability depends on which 1979 Saab 900 size you need. In 165R15, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices are available. In 195/60R15, the selection includes blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. The 175/70R15 options shown are blackwall, while the Turbo 5 Dr. millimetric size stands apart and should be verified separately before appearance choices are considered.
That variety means sidewall treatment can become an important part of the tire decision once the fitment is nailed down. Whitewall choices can give a more formal or restoration-oriented presentation, while blackwall keeps a restrained look and raised white letter or redline treatments create a sportier visual effect. Appearance should follow correct size and wheel compatibility, not replace those basics.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Saab 900?
Brand availability varies by the Saab 900 tire size. Across the sizes with product coverage, choices include Avon, Vredestein, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, and American Classic. Some brands appear in only one size, while others are represented across multiple radial series, especially in the 165R15 fitment used on the GL & GLE.
That makes brand comparison a size-specific exercise rather than a general Saab 900 question. A 175/70R15 EMS owner is comparing a much narrower field than someone shopping 165R15, and a 195/60R15 Turbo 3 Dr. buyer has a different mix again. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare sidewall style, tire series, rim-width range, and overall intended use instead of choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Saab 900?
A period-style choice starts with the exact size used by the sub-model, since the 1979 Saab 900 range does not share one common fitment. For a GL or GLE on 165R15, there is the widest spread of traditional-looking options, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall radials. The EMS and Turbo 3 Dr. fitments offer more limited but still distinctive radial choices within their own sizes.
Appearance should be balanced against how the car will actually be used. A regularly driven Saab may call for a tire that matches the intended road use first, while a more presentation-focused car may lean toward the sidewall treatment that best suits the vehicle’s character. If exact originality matters, marque references and period photos are worth consulting before settling on a specific sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Saab 900?
On a 1979 Saab 900, construction is less of a visual fork than it would be on many older collector cars because the fitments in this range are radial. The bigger appearance differences come from size profile and sidewall treatment. A 165R15 can present a taller, more traditional look, while the 195/60R15 Turbo 3 Dr. fitment carries a lower-profile stance with options such as redline or raised white letter styling.
That means restoration appearance depends heavily on matching the sub-model correctly before choosing the tire’s visual treatment. A mismatched size can alter the look more dramatically than the brand name itself. Owners aiming for a disciplined, era-appropriate presentation should focus on the proper fitment first, then select the sidewall style that complements the car without assuming every available design was used the same way in period.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Saab 900?
Yes, modifications can change what works on a 1979 Saab 900 even when the original sub-model tire size is known. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, replacement suspension parts, or previous conversions between wheel types can all affect clearance and compatibility. That matters even more on this Saab because one sub-model uses a millimetric 180/65R390 setup while others use 15-inch rims.
A car that has been changed over the years should have its wheel diameter and width confirmed before new tires are chosen. Steering clearance, inner-fender space, and the relationship between tire size and wheel standard all deserve a close look. Those checks are especially important if the Saab no longer sits at stock height or if the current wheels are not the same style it left service with decades ago.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Saab 900 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Saab 900 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and general condition, then check that the tires are seated properly and inflated to the appropriate pressure for the application. A collector Saab that has been parked for long periods also deserves a look at valve stems, wheel hardware, and any signs of previous rubbing or uneven wear patterns.
A short, careful road test is a smart next step. Watch for steering pull, vibration, contact at full lock, and any change in feel that suggests alignment or suspension issues rather than a tire problem. Older cars often reveal worn bushings, tired shocks, or brake drag only after fresh tires are installed, so the first drive should be treated as a systems check, not just a tire check.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Saab 900 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Saab 900 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and slow air loss. Cars that are driven infrequently benefit from more frequent visual checks because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage. That is true whether the car runs 165R15 touring-style radials or one of the other sub-model-specific sizes.
Storage habits make a real difference on a low-use Saab. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing and sidewall appearance. Moving the car periodically can also reduce long-term flat spotting. Before any longer drive, recheck inflation, inspect the tread and sidewalls, and make sure the wheel and tire combination still matches the vehicle’s current setup.
