The 1980 Mercury Bobcat came at the close of a turbulent era for compact American cars, when smaller dimensions, lighter weight, and practical everyday use mattered as much as style. As Mercury’s version of Ford’s familiar subcompact platform, the Bobcat now appeals to owners who want a distinctive survivor, an honest restoration, or a period-flavored driver. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch radial sizes, BR70-13 and BR78-13, both using a vintage alphanumeric radial format rather than a modern metric designation. That makes the real decision less about broad compatibility and more about matching the car’s existing setup, stance, and intended appearance before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Mercury Bobcat
The 1980 Mercury Bobcat uses two primary tire sizes: BR70-13 and BR78-13. Both are radial tires designed for 13-inch rims, and both appear across the covered Bobcat sub-models. The key step is confirming which size is already on the car or which wheel-and-tire setup matches the way the vehicle is being kept, since the choice is between two primary radial fitments rather than between bias-ply and radial construction.
BR70-13 is a vintage alphanumeric radial size. In this format, the letter identifies the tire’s general size class, the R denotes radial construction, the series number reflects the profile family, and 13 indicates the rim diameter in inches. For a 1980 Mercury Bobcat, this size suits owners who want to stay with a period-style radial designation rather than move into a modern metric format. Choosing BR70-13 starts with confirming the wheel size and making sure this specific radial size matches the car’s present fitment and overall setup.
BR78-13 also uses a vintage alphanumeric radial sizing system, with the R marking radial construction and the final 13 calling for a 13-inch wheel. The BR78 designation belongs to a different profile family than BR70-13, so it should be treated as its own primary fitment rather than as a minor variation. On a 1980 Mercury Bobcat, this size is relevant when the car is already equipped for BR78-13 or when the existing wheel-and-tire combination points to that setup. Verifying the current wheel and tire arrangement remains the practical first step.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1980 Mercury Bobcat sub-models because each one can use the same two radial tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the car’s configuration, but the bigger fitment question is whether the vehicle is set up for BR70-13 or BR78-13 on its 13-inch wheels.
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1980 Mercury Bobcat Base
The 1980 Mercury Bobcat Base uses the same two primary radial tire sizes found elsewhere in the Bobcat range: BR70-13 and BR78-13. Tire selection comes down to confirming which of those 13-inch radial sizes matches the car’s current wheel and fitment setup before choosing a replacement.
The 1980 Mercury Bobcat Runabout shares the Bobcat’s core tire-fitment pattern, with BR70-13 and BR78-13 both used in radial construction. That means the important next step is not picking a different sub-model-specific construction, but verifying which size belongs on the particular Runabout being serviced.
The 1980 Mercury Bobcat Villager follows the same basic tire path as the other covered Bobcat versions, using BR70-13 or BR78-13 radial tires on 13-inch rims. For replacement purposes, the focus should stay on confirming the existing tire size and wheel setup so the new tire matches the car’s actual 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
Owners of a 1980 Mercury Bobcat usually want clarity on the two 13-inch radial sizes, how the sub-models relate to those fitments, and what to verify before replacing older tires on a survivor or restored compact.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
A 1980 Mercury Bobcat uses two primary tire sizes: BR70-13 and BR78-13. Both are radial tires in a vintage alphanumeric format, and both are used on 13-inch rims. Those two sizes apply across the covered Bobcat sub-models, including Base, Runabout, and Villager.
That means the main task is confirming which of the two sizes belongs on the specific car in front of you. Checking the existing tires, the wheel size, and the vehicle’s present stance is more useful than assuming every Bobcat was equipped the same way. If the car has been altered with different wheels or suspension changes over the years, those details should be verified before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1980 Mercury Bobcat use?
The primary tire sizes for a 1980 Mercury Bobcat, BR70-13 and BR78-13, both use a 13-inch rim diameter. That shared diameter keeps the basic wheel fitment simple even though two different radial sizes are associated with the car. The critical wheel measurement in this case starts with confirming that the Bobcat is still on 13-inch rims.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it should not be treated as the only check. A Bobcat with replacement wheels may still be 13-inch but differ in width or offset, which can influence how a tire sits and clears. Matching the new tire to the actual wheel on the car is the safest way to avoid appearance or clearance surprises.
Do all 1980 Mercury Bobcat sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1980 Mercury Bobcat sub-models share the same overall tire-size range. Base, Runabout, and Villager all use BR70-13 and BR78-13 radial tires on 13-inch rims, so there is no separate construction type or rim diameter tied to one of those sub-model names. The distinction is between the two tire sizes, not between the sub-models themselves.
That shared fitment simplifies shopping, but it does not remove the need to inspect the specific car. A Bobcat that has been maintained exactly as built may still differ from one that has seen decades of wheel swaps or cosmetic changes. Looking at the installed tire size and wheel setup will tell you which of the two primary sizes should guide your next replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a BR70-13 or BR78-13 tire for a 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
Start with the correct primary size for the car, because the 1980 Mercury Bobcat uses either BR70-13 or BR78-13 rather than one universal fitment. Both are vintage alphanumeric radial sizes for 13-inch rims, so the first decision is identifying which size the Bobcat is actually set up to use. That size choice matters more than any styling preference.
After size is confirmed, look at how the car will be used and presented. A low-mile survivor, a tidy restoration, and a regularly driven compact may all lead to slightly different priorities in appearance and setup verification. Wheel width, clearance at the fenders and steering, and any non-original wheel changes are worth checking before settling on the final tire.
How do I choose between the available BR70-13 and BR78-13 tires for a 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
Choosing between BR70-13 and BR78-13 begins with identifying which one belongs on the individual 1980 Mercury Bobcat. They are both primary radial fitments in the same vintage alphanumeric family, but they should not be treated as interchangeable simply because they share a 13-inch rim diameter. The correct choice follows the car’s existing fitment, not a general preference.
Once the installed setup is confirmed, think about the vehicle’s role. A Bobcat being kept close to its period presentation may call for staying with the radial size already associated with the car, while a modified example needs a closer look at wheel and body clearance. A careful visual check around the suspension and fender openings helps prevent ordering the wrong size for the car’s actual configuration.
Why does choosing the correct primary tire size matter on a 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
Using the correct primary size matters because the 1980 Mercury Bobcat is associated with two different 13-inch radial sizes, BR70-13 and BR78-13. Even though both fit the same rim diameter category, they are separate fitments and should be approached that way. Picking by appearance alone can lead to a mismatch between the tire and the car’s current wheel-and-tire setup.
A compact car like the Bobcat can be sensitive to changes in how the tire sits in the wheel opening and around the steering components. That is why the installed size, wheel dimensions, and any past modifications deserve a quick review before replacement. Taking those steps helps preserve the car’s look and avoids turning a simple tire purchase into a fitment problem.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
For a period-style 1980 Mercury Bobcat, the starting point is whichever primary radial size the car is set up to use: BR70-13 or BR78-13. Both use a vintage alphanumeric radial designation that suits the Bobcat’s late-1970s and early-1980s character better than treating it like a modern metric-only application. Keeping the correct size family in place usually supports the right overall presentation.
Appearance-minded owners should still separate period-style from exact originality. If originality is the goal, the installed setup should be checked against vehicle-specific historical references, especially on cars that may have had wheel or tire changes over time. For most restorations and clean survivors, matching the proper primary size and maintaining the right visual proportion will do more than chasing assumptions.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1980 Mercury Bobcat restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1980 Mercury Bobcat restoration because the tire strongly affects the car’s stance, wheel opening fill, and overall period impression. Since the Bobcat uses BR70-13 or BR78-13 radial tires, staying within those primary fitments keeps the restoration focused on sizes that belong to the car’s actual fitment range rather than drifting into unrelated substitutes.
Fitment also influences how finished the car looks once it is back on the road. A restoration can lose some of its visual balance when the tire size does not match the wheel or body presentation. Confirming the 13-inch wheel setup, reviewing the current size, and checking for any old modifications helps keep the finished Bobcat consistent in both function and appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Mercury Bobcat?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1980 Mercury Bobcat even when the car remains within the general 13-inch wheel category. Wheel-width changes, different offsets, lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork can all alter how a BR70-13 or BR78-13 tire sits in the wheel opening. That matters because the Bobcat already has two distinct primary radial sizes to account for.
A modified car should be inspected instead of relying only on what a stock Bobcat might use. Looking at steering clearance, fender space, and the exact wheel dimensions can reveal issues before new tires are mounted. Even a subtle change in wheel position can make one size more workable than the other, so the car’s current setup deserves the final say.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Mercury Bobcat on new tires?
Before driving a 1980 Mercury Bobcat on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, confirm that the installed tire size matches the intended BR70-13 or BR78-13 fitment, and make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated. It is also wise to check the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect how the car tracks on fresh rubber.
Collector-era compacts often spend long periods parked, so a broader walk-around helps. Look for rubbing points, uneven old wear patterns, fluid leaks near braking components, and signs that the car has settled unevenly. A short, cautious initial drive gives you a chance to confirm clearance and behavior before putting the Bobcat back into normal road use.
How should BR70-13 or BR78-13 tires on a collector 1980 Mercury Bobcat be maintained?
BR70-13 and BR78-13 tires on a collector 1980 Mercury Bobcat should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if tread wear is low. Older hobby cars often cover limited miles, so cracking, flat-spotting, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss can become more important than simple mileage-based wear.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving habits. Keeping the Bobcat away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between outings. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect the sidewalls and tread before each drive, especially after long storage periods or before taking the car on a longer trip.
