The 1979 Toyota Corolla sits in the era when compact imports earned their reputation for sensible packaging, light weight, and durable everyday usability. Buyers today often approach this generation from different directions, whether the goal is a clean stock-style sedan, a sporty SR-5 liftback, or a well-kept survivor that still reflects late-1970s driving character. Tire fitment varies across the 1979 Toyota Corolla range, with 13-inch options including 155R13, 6.15-13, 165R13, and 185/70R13 in both bias-ply and radial form. That opens the door to choices in classic blackwall radials, redline and wide whitewall treatments, and construction style depending on the sub-model. Getting the right setup starts with matching the exact Corolla configuration and then balancing appearance, road manners, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Toyota Corolla
Four primary tire sizes apply to the 1979 Toyota Corolla, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them use a 13-inch rim, but fitment varies by configuration and includes both bias-ply and radial construction. The first step is confirming whether the car is a 1200 Sedan, 1600 Sedan & Wagon, 1600 SR-5 Liftback, or SR-5 before comparing tire style, series, and construction.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 155 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1979 Toyota Corolla, it serves as one of the 1200 Sedan fitments and gives that sub-model a traditional narrow radial profile. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires in series such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet. It is a useful fitment for owners who want to stay with the proper radial sizing format for the 1200 Sedan while comparing period-style tread and brand character.
6.15-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies a 13-inch rim. On the 1979 Toyota Corolla, this size appears as a bias-ply fitment for the 1200 Sedan, giving that car a more traditional construction choice than the radial alternative. Bias-ply sizing and appearance appeal to buyers pursuing an earlier driving feel or a more vintage presentation. It is the size to evaluate when keeping the 1200 Sedan closer to its period construction style matters more than moving to a modern radial setup.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size that uses a 185 millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1979 Toyota Corolla, it fits the 1600 SR-5 Liftback and SR-5 models, making it the sportier radial fitment within this range. Product choices are broad here, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. This is the key size for buyers who need the SR-5 fitment and want room to compare brand character, sidewall style, and restoration-oriented appearance.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 165 millimeter nominal section width and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1979 Toyota Corolla, it applies to the 1600 Sedan & Wagon and sits between the narrower 155R13 and the lower-profile 185/70R13 in overall fitment character. Available products include blackwall radial choices from Michelin and Dunlop in series such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet. It is the size to focus on when matching a 1600 Sedan & Wagon and choosing among classic European-style radial offerings.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1979 Toyota Corolla because tire size changes across the range even though every version uses a 13-inch rim. Confirming the exact Corolla sub-model is the first step before comparing radial versus bias-ply construction, sidewall style, or available tire series.
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1979 Toyota Corolla 1200 Sedan
The 1979 Toyota Corolla 1200 Sedan uses either a 155R13 radial or a 6.15-13 bias-ply tire, making it the one sub-model here with a meaningful construction choice. That gives owners a clear decision between a radial road-use approach and a more traditional bias-ply presentation.
The 1979 Toyota Corolla 1600 SR-5 Liftback uses the 185/70R13 radial size. Tire selection here centers less on fitment confusion and more on choosing among available blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall styles and the tire series that best matches the car's intended look.
The 1979 Toyota Corolla 1600 Sedan & Wagon uses the 165R13 radial size. That keeps the fitment decision straightforward, so the focus shifts to selecting among classic blackwall radial offerings and confirming wheel width compatibility before installation.
The 1979 Toyota Corolla SR-5 uses the same 185/70R13 radial size as the 1600 SR-5 Liftback. With the size settled, the main choice becomes how traditional or sporty the finished look should be across the available radial brands, series, and sidewall treatments.
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 Toyota Corolla Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Toyota Corolla tire choices span Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein, with the strongest variety in 185/70R13. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall radials across series such as XAS, XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, Silvertown Radial, Sport Classic, CR6ZZ, XDX-B, and Sprint Classic.
These 1979 Toyota Corolla tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most once the exact sub-model is known, including size identification, 13-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, sidewall options, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Toyota Corolla?
A 1979 Toyota Corolla can use 155R13, 6.15-13, 165R13, or 185/70R13, depending on the sub-model. The 1200 Sedan uses 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply, the 1600 Sedan & Wagon uses 165R13 radial, and the 1600 SR-5 Liftback and SR-5 use 185/70R13 radial.
That means the correct tire choice starts with identifying the exact Corolla configuration rather than choosing by year alone. Every fitment here uses a 13-inch rim, but the size and construction still need to match the car before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
What size rim does a 1979 Toyota Corolla use?
The tire fitments for the 1979 Toyota Corolla are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies across the sizes used on this model range, including 155R13, 6.15-13, 165R13, and 185/70R13.
Rim diameter is only the first check, though, because matching a 13-inch tire does not settle width or clearance by itself. It is still important to confirm the Corolla's exact sub-model and inspect the actual wheels on the car, especially if they may have been changed over the years.
Why does the 1979 Toyota Corolla have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Toyota Corolla has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The 1200 Sedan uses narrower 13-inch sizes and offers both radial and bias-ply construction, while the 1600 Sedan & Wagon and the SR-5 variants use different radial sizes.
This is common on older model lines that covered several body styles and trim identities under one nameplate. Once the exact Corolla version is confirmed, the tire decision becomes much simpler and shifts toward construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility rather than broad year-make-model guessing.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 tire for a 1979 Toyota Corolla?
A 155R13 tire for a 1979 Toyota Corolla is a radial fitment for the 1200 Sedan, so the first consideration is confirming that sub-model. Available choices include blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop in classic radial series such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet.
After the sub-model is confirmed, compare the tire's intended look and wheel-width compatibility rather than treating every 13-inch radial as the same. A narrow classic radial can suit an owner who wants a stock-style visual balance, while brand and series differences may matter more for presentation and driving expectations.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Toyota Corolla tires?
Sidewall style depends on the Corolla tire size. The 155R13 and 165R13 radial options are available as blackwalls, while 185/70R13 adds more visual variety with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall choices.
That makes sidewall treatment especially important for SR-5 and 1600 SR-5 Liftback owners using 185/70R13, because appearance can change noticeably without changing the basic fitment. Choosing among these styles should follow the correct size and sub-model first, then the look you want the finished car to present.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Toyota Corolla?
Tires for the 1979 Toyota Corolla are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein, depending on size. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 and 165R13 fitments, while 185/70R13 brings in a wider group that includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Michelin, Dunlop, and Vredestein.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct Corolla size, because the available names change with the sub-model fitment. Once the size is settled, compare each brand's offered series, sidewall style, and wheel-width range so the tire suits both the car's setup and the look you want.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Toyota Corolla?
A period-style 1979 Toyota Corolla tire starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model. That could mean 155R13 or 6.15-13 on a 1200 Sedan, 165R13 on a 1600 Sedan & Wagon, or 185/70R13 on an SR-5 variant, depending on how the car is configured.
Construction and sidewall style then shape the final presentation. A bias-ply 6.15-13 gives the 1200 Sedan a more vintage look, while the radial options keep the correct size family with a later-1970s character. Buyers seeking exact originality should compare the car against marque references and restoration records before settling on a final tire style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Toyota Corolla?
Tire construction changes both the visual stance and the overall character of a restored 1979 Toyota Corolla. On the 1200 Sedan, the choice between 6.15-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial can noticeably influence whether the car presents with a more traditional vintage look or a later compact-import radial appearance.
On SR-5 models, construction is already radial, so appearance shifts more through sidewall treatment than through basic tire type. Redline, blackwall, and wide whitewall options in 185/70R13 can each send the car in a different stylistic direction, even while staying within the correct primary size for that sub-model.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Toyota Corolla?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1979 Toyota Corolla, even when the tire size itself is correct for the sub-model. Changes to wheel width, offset, suspension height, spring condition, or body clearance can alter how a 13-inch tire sits and whether it clears during steering and suspension movement.
That matters most when a car no longer wears its original-style wheels or has been lowered or otherwise altered. A Corolla with aftermarket wheels should have its actual rim dimensions checked before choosing among 155R13, 165R13, or 185/70R13 options, and a 1200 Sedan switching construction deserves the same careful review.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Toyota Corolla on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Toyota Corolla on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over suspension and steering components for obvious wear. It also helps to verify that the selected tire size matches the exact Corolla sub-model rather than assuming any 13-inch tire is close enough.
A short clearance check is worthwhile before regular road use. Turn the front wheels lock to lock, look for contact points near the fenders and suspension, and keep an eye on air retention during the first drives. On a collector car that sits often, age and storage history matter almost as much as tread depth.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Toyota Corolla be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Toyota Corolla should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Even a lightly driven Corolla can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or air loss if it spends long periods parked without routine inspection.
Good storage habits help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can reduce deterioration, and moving the vehicle periodically helps prevent problems that only show up on low-use classics. Any sign of bulges, cuts, or persistent pressure loss deserves prompt attention before road use.
