The 1979 Triumph TR8 arrived as the V8-powered expression of Triumph’s wedge-shaped sports-car formula, pairing British roadster character with a more muscular personality than the six-cylinder TR7. That mix makes tire choice especially important, because the car’s stance and response are closely tied to the size and profile it was built around. The 1979 Triumph TR8 uses a 185/70R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Within that size, there are meaningful choices in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles, along with several established tire series. The right selection comes down to whether the goal is sporting road use, a restoration-oriented look, or a balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Triumph TR8
The 1979 Triumph TR8 uses one primary tire size: 185/70R13, a metric radial fitted to a 13-inch rim. The Base sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of 185/70R13 best matches the car’s intended appearance, driving use, and wheel setup.
A 185/70R13 tire is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch wheel. On the 1979 Triumph TR8, this is the primary radial fitment and suits the car’s late-1970s sports-car character without moving into an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices include blackwall performance-oriented offerings, plus BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions in redline and wide whitewall form. Selecting among them usually comes down to whether the priority is a more traditional presentation, a sportier period-style look, or broad compatibility with the wheels already on the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1979 Triumph TR8. The covered TR8 sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on choosing the right 185/70R13 radial rather than sorting through multiple fitment paths.
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1979 Triumph TR8 Base
The 1979 Triumph TR8 Base uses the same 185/70R13 radial fitment found across this application. That keeps selection centered on tire character and appearance, including blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall choices, while still confirming that the car remains on the correct 13-inch wheel setup.
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 Triumph TR8 Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R13 choices for the 1979 Triumph TR8 include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options. The product range spans several radial tire series and sidewall treatments, from blackwall sport-oriented designs to redline and wide whitewall versions with a more restoration-minded appearance.
These FAQs for the 1979 Triumph TR8 focus on 185/70R13 fitment, 13-inch rim compatibility, sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel, suspension, and maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Triumph TR8?
The 1979 Triumph TR8 uses a 185/70R13 radial tire. That size combines a 185-millimeter nominal section width with a 70-series profile and fitment for a 13-inch wheel, which places it squarely in the metric radial sizing system used on many later classic sports cars.
Because there is one primary size for this application, the real choice is which 185/70R13 tire best suits the car. Sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility all matter, especially if the car has had aftermarket wheels fitted or has been set up more for restoration appearance than regular road driving.
What size rim does a 1979 Triumph TR8 use?
The 1979 Triumph TR8 uses a 13-inch rim with its 185/70R13 tire fitment. That rim diameter is built into the tire size itself, and the available products in this fitment are all designed around 13-inch wheel use rather than a larger or smaller classic sports-car wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the check. Wheel width also matters, and the available 185/70R13 products span different recommended rim-width ranges, including examples such as 4.5 to 6.0 inches, 5.00 to 6.50 inches, and 4.5 to 6.5 inches. Verifying the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the safest product choices.
Does the 1979 Triumph TR8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1979 Triumph TR8 Base uses the same 185/70R13 radial tire size. That keeps fitment simple at the sub-model level, because there is no separate alternate primary size to sort through for the Base configuration covered here.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to inspect the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before replacing anything. A TR8 that has been modified with different wheels, altered ride height, or nonstandard tires may need closer measurement, even though the intended size for the Base model remains 185/70R13.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1979 Triumph TR8?
Start with the correct size, which is 185/70R13, and confirm that the car still uses a 13-inch wheel compatible with the tire’s recommended rim-width range. From there, construction is straightforward because the available options are radial, so the decision shifts to tire series, sidewall appearance, and how the car will actually be driven.
A TR8 used mainly for shows or restoration-minded presentation may lean toward a redline or wide whitewall option, while a car driven more regularly may point toward one of the blackwall sport or touring-style radials. Product weight and maximum load figures can also help separate choices when comparing otherwise similar tires.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Triumph TR8 tires?
The 1979 Triumph TR8 has 185/70R13 tire options in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall. That gives the car a wider appearance range than many single-size fitments, from a more sporting late-1970s presentation to a brighter restoration-oriented look.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of the car far more than the size itself, since the primary fitment stays the same. Choosing between those looks should happen after confirming the wheel setup and intended use, because appearance is only one part of the decision alongside tire series, brand preference, and rim-width compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Triumph TR8?
Available 185/70R13 tires for the 1979 Triumph TR8 come from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover a useful spread of tire character, from BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial appearance-focused options to blackwall offerings such as Avon CR6ZZ, Dunlop Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Vredestein Sprint Classic.
Brand choice should follow fitment and intended use, not replace them. Once the 13-inch wheel diameter and wheel width are confirmed, compare the tire series each brand offers, the sidewall treatment that suits the car, and any available load or weight details that may matter for how the TR8 will be driven and presented.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Triumph TR8?
A period-style 1979 Triumph TR8 starts with the correct 185/70R13 radial size, because size and profile set the car’s visual stance before brand or sidewall treatment enters the picture. From there, the choice depends on whether the goal is a sporty late-1970s look or a more restoration-oriented presentation with extra visual contrast.
Blackwall tires often keep the look restrained and performance-minded, while redline or wide whitewall options create a more deliberate styling statement. Exact originality claims should be checked against marque literature, period photos, or vehicle-specific historical references, but staying with the proper size is the most important foundation for an authentic appearance.
Which sidewall style suits a period-style 1979 Triumph TR8?
The available sidewall styles for a 1979 Triumph TR8 include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, and each gives the car a different visual emphasis while keeping the same 185/70R13 fitment. Blackwall usually presents the most understated sports-car look, while redline adds visual edge and wide whitewall creates a more distinctive traditional statement.
The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and shown. A TR8 restored with a stronger sporting focus may look more natural on blackwall or redline tires, while a broad whitewall makes a bolder appearance choice. Sidewall style should complement the car’s wheel design, paint, and overall restoration direction rather than compete with them.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Triumph TR8?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1979 Triumph TR8 is 185/70R13, modifications can change whether a particular tire is suitable on the car in practice. Aftermarket wheels, nonstandard wheel widths, altered offset, lowering, suspension changes, or bodywork differences can all affect how that size sits and clears during normal use.
A modified TR8 should be checked at the wheel, not just by reading the tire size. Tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and actual wheel dimensions matter before selecting among available products, especially since the recommended rim-width ranges are not identical across every 185/70R13 option offered for this application.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Triumph TR8 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Triumph TR8 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm proper inflation, and check that there is no interference at the fenders, suspension, or steering components. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel condition should also be reviewed so the tire is mounted on sound supporting parts.
A collector-era sports car deserves a broader once-over before regular road use. Look for alignment issues, worn suspension bushings, uneven ride height, and any signs that old tires masked vibration or handling problems. A short test drive followed by a second visual inspection can reveal rubbing, air loss, or other setup issues early.
How should 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1979 Triumph TR8 be maintained?
185/70R13 tires on a collector 1979 Triumph TR8 should be kept at the correct inflation for the tire and vehicle setup, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for regular tire checks.
Collector cars often age tires by time as much as by distance. Checking air pressure before drives, rotating attention around all four sidewalls, and watching for vibration or gradual air loss helps catch issues before they become serious. Storage on clean surfaces and periodic movement of the car can also help avoid flat spotting during long layups.
