The 1980 Nissan 510 belongs to the final years of a nameplate that still carries real interest among Japanese collector-car enthusiasts, especially buyers who appreciate compact rear-wheel-drive sedans from a transitional import era. By 1980, tire selection matters less as a broad sizing puzzle and more as a question of choosing the right look and construction within the correct fitment. This car uses a 165R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. Available choices stay true to that radial format while varying by brand and tire series, including Michelin and Dunlop blackwall options. For a stock-style car, the key is preserving the right size, wheel compatibility, and overall period feel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Nissan 510
The 1980 Nissan 510 uses one primary tire size: 165R13. It is a radial fitment for a 13-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size. With fitment settled, the real choice becomes which 165R13-style radial best suits the car's intended use, brand preference, and period-style appearance.
A 165R13 size uses a metric section width of 165 millimeters, radial construction, and a 13-inch wheel diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size code, and it is commonly associated with an 80-series profile. For the 1980 Nissan 510, that makes it a traditional compact-car radial fitment rather than a vintage bias-ply size. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires across series such as XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet, giving buyers room to balance period presentation, brand preference, and wheel compatibility.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1980 Nissan 510 sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the main task is choosing the right tire within that fitment rather than sorting through multiple size combinations.
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1980 Nissan 510 Base
The 1980 Nissan 510 Base uses the same 165R13 radial fitment found across this page. That keeps the decision centered on selecting the right blackwall radial, confirming 13-inch wheel compatibility, and choosing a tire series that matches the car's intended look and road use.
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 1980 Nissan 510 Tires for Sale
Available 165R13 options center on radial blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop. Buyers can compare distinct tire series, including Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, along with rim-width compatibility where stated.
These FAQs focus on 1980 Nissan 510 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, radial tire selection, period-style appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use or changes to the wheel and suspension setup.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Nissan 510?
The 1980 Nissan 510 uses a 165R13 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model year and keeps the car in the compact Euro-metric radial format associated with many import cars of the period.
Using the correct size is the starting point, but the next step is confirming the actual wheel on the car. Many older imports have seen wheel changes over the years, so a quick check of wheel diameter and width helps prevent ordering a tire that matches the original fitment but not the current setup.
What size rim does a 1980 Nissan 510 use?
The 1980 Nissan 510 uses a 13-inch rim with its 165R13 tire fitment. Product options in this size are built around that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the rim diameter side of the fitment is consistent.
Rim diameter is only one part of the match. Wheel width should also be checked, especially on a car that may have aftermarket steel or alloy wheels. Staying within the tire's approved wheel range helps preserve proper sidewall shape, handling balance, and clearance around suspension and body components.
Does the 1980 Nissan 510 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1980 Nissan 510 Base uses the same 165R13 radial tire size. That means the sub-model itself does not create a separate tire-size decision within the covered fitment.
Even with shared sizing, the tire choice can still vary by brand and series. A buyer comparing Michelin and Dunlop options should still verify the car's current wheels, because a stock-size tire remains the right reference point only when the 510 still carries the correct 13-inch wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 tire for a 1980 Nissan 510?
Start with the correct 165R13 radial size and the car's 13-inch wheel diameter. From there, compare construction details that matter in actual use, such as approved rim-width range where stated, tire weight, and whether the tire's overall presentation suits a stock-style compact import.
Brand and series also shape the decision. Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet give the 1980 Nissan 510 different period-style choices within the same basic fitment. The best match depends on how the car is used, how original-looking the owner wants it to appear, and whether the wheels remain factory-type dimensions.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 Nissan 510 tires?
The available tires for the 1980 Nissan 510 in this fitment use a blackwall sidewall style. That keeps the appearance clean and understated, which suits the compact import character of a 165R13 radial tire on a 13-inch wheel.
Since sidewall treatment is not the main point of variation here, the stronger comparison is between tire series and wheel compatibility. A blackwall tire can still look noticeably different depending on tread and casing style, so buyers focused on appearance should compare the available series alongside the car's overall restoration direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 Nissan 510?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer tires for the 1980 Nissan 510 in the correct 165R13 radial fitment. The available series include Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, all in blackwall form.
Choosing between brands should come after confirming the correct wheel setup and intended use of the car. Some buyers prioritize a particular tread style or marque feel, while others focus on rim-width compatibility or maintaining a more period-appropriate presentation for a restored or well-preserved 510.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Nissan 510?
A period-style 1980 Nissan 510 should begin with the correct 165R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. Within that fitment, blackwall tires such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet keep the car in a traditional import radial presentation rather than pushing it toward a visibly modern oversized look.
The right choice depends on how original-looking the car needs to be. For a careful restoration, the important thing is matching the proper size, construction type, and overall visual character. Buyers chasing exact originality should also compare tire appearance against period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific restoration documentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1980 Nissan 510 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because tire size strongly influences how a 1980 Nissan 510 sits, fills the wheel opening, and reads visually as a car from its era. A proper 165R13 radial keeps the presentation closer to the compact proportions the model was designed around.
Restoration-minded buyers should look beyond simple wheel diameter and avoid assuming any 13-inch tire will create the same effect. A tire that is too wide, too modern in profile, or mismatched to the wheel can change stance and appearance quickly, even before it creates clearance or steering issues.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Nissan 510?
Yes. A 1980 Nissan 510 may originally use a 165R13 radial, but wheel swaps, altered ride height, suspension changes, or body modifications can change what actually works on the car today. Even a vehicle that keeps the original size may have a different wheel width than expected.
That is why the current setup should be checked before choosing tires. Look at wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and suspension. A stock-size tire remains the right benchmark, but modified cars still need a practical confirmation of wheel compatibility and running clearance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Nissan 510 on new tires?
Inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and general wheel condition before mounting new tires on a 1980 Nissan 510. It also makes sense to check alignment-related wear points, because uneven suspension or steering condition can shorten tire life and affect how the car feels on the road.
Once the tires are installed, verify inflation, confirm there is no rubbing at full steering lock, and recheck clearance after a short drive. On a collector-era car, this first inspection is especially important because long storage, age, and infrequent use can hide issues that only appear once the car returns to regular road use.
How should 165R13 tires on a collector 1980 Nissan 510 be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and occasional movement of the car so the same contact patch is not loaded in one position for long periods. A 165R13 radial on a lightly used 1980 Nissan 510 can still age out even if tread wear remains low.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or welders. It is also wise to inspect for cracking, bulges, cuts, or persistent air loss before each driving season and before any longer trip.
