The 1980 Plymouth Champ came to market at a time when compact imports and captive-import models were reshaping expectations for efficiency, packaging, and everyday drivability. Its small footprint and simple front-wheel-drive-era practicality make tire choice more about correct fitment and road manners than oversized visual impact. For this exact model, all primary fitments are 13-inch radial tires, but the applicable size can vary among 155R13, 6.15R13, and 175/70R13 depending on sub-model and wheel setup. That leaves room to weigh classic Euro-metric sizing, a bias-look radial presentation, or a more modern metric profile. The right choice starts with confirming the exact Champ configuration and the wheels currently on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Plymouth Champ
The 1980 Plymouth Champ uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package. All of them are radial constructions on 13-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base, Custom, aluminum-wheel variant, or Sport Package model. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right size format and the tire style that best matches the car's intended use and appearance.
Fit(s): Base, Custom, Custom w/aluminum wheels, and w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1980 Plymouth Champ, it is one of the key 13-inch radial fitments and appears across several sub-models. Available choices in this size include blackwall tires from Michelin and Dunlop, with series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet offering different period-style personalities. It is a useful size to consider when keeping the Champ close to its original compact radial footprint and checking current wheel width carefully.
6.15R13 uses a numeric-style radial designation, with 6.15 referring to nominal section width, R identifying radial construction, and 13 indicating rim diameter. For the 1980 Plymouth Champ, this size is tied to certain Base and aluminum-wheel applications and is especially relevant to buyers who want a more traditional presentation on a small imported-era compact. Its bias-look radial character gives it a different visual feel than a modern metric tire while retaining radial construction. This size should be evaluated against the actual wheels on the car, particularly if it has been changed from its original wheel setup over the years.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter. On the 1980 Plymouth Champ, it is used on Custom and Sport Package applications and represents the more modern metric-style fitment among the primary sizes. The available product choice in this size is a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ, giving the buyer a distinct performance-oriented series within the correct 13-inch format. It is the size to examine when the Champ carries the sport-oriented setup and wheel compatibility needs to stay in focus.
Tire fitment on the 1980 Plymouth Champ is not the same across every sub-model. Some versions share 155R13 with another size option, while Sport Package models center on 175/70R13, so identifying the exact trim and wheel configuration comes first.
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1980 Plymouth Champ Base
The 1980 Plymouth Champ Base uses 155R13 or 6.15R13 radial tires on 13-inch rims. That means the buyer should confirm the wheels currently on the car and decide whether a conventional Euro-metric radial or a bias-look radial presentation better suits the intended appearance.
The 1980 Plymouth Champ Custom uses either 155R13 or 175/70R13 radials. Tire selection here depends on confirming which wheel and tire setup the car actually carries, then choosing between a narrower Euro-metric size and a lower-profile modern metric radial.
The 1980 Plymouth Champ Custom w/aluminum wheels shares the same 155R13 and 175/70R13 radial fitment range. That makes wheel verification important before replacing tires, especially if the car has stayed with its aluminum-wheel setup or has been changed over time.
The 1980 Plymouth Champ w/Sport Pkg. uses 175/70R13 radial tires. Tire choice is more straightforward here, with the focus shifting from size identification to selecting the right 13-inch radial for the car's road use and overall character.
The 1980 Plymouth Champ w/Sport Pkg. w/aluminum wheels also uses 175/70R13 radials. Since the size itself is settled, the main considerations become wheel compatibility, tire series, and whether the car still carries the wheel package that matches this sport-oriented fitment.
The 1980 Plymouth Champ w/aluminum wheels uses 155R13 or 6.15R13 radial tires. That calls for a close look at the wheels on the car now, along with a choice between a standard Euro-metric radial profile and the more traditional look of a bias-look radial.
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 Plymouth Champ Tires for Sale
Available 1980 Plymouth Champ tire choices center on 13-inch radial blackwall options from Michelin, Dunlop, and Avon. The product grid lets you compare different series, including Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, and CR6ZZ, along with rim-width compatibility where stated.
The most common 1980 Plymouth Champ tire questions come down to identifying the correct 13-inch radial size for the exact sub-model, understanding the difference between 155R13, 6.15R13, and 175/70R13, and checking wheel fitment before driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Plymouth Champ?
The 1980 Plymouth Champ uses three primary tire sizes: 155R13, 6.15R13, and 175/70R13. All are radial tire fitments on 13-inch rims, but the correct size depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package, with Base and aluminum-wheel versions differing from Custom and Sport Package applications.
The practical step is to confirm the specific Champ trim and inspect the wheels currently on the car before choosing a replacement. Many older compact cars have had wheel or tire changes over the years, so matching the new tire to the actual rim diameter and the car's present configuration matters as much as the model name alone.
What size rim does a 1980 Plymouth Champ use?
The 1980 Plymouth Champ uses a 13-inch rim diameter across its primary tire fitments. Whether the car is fitted with 155R13, 6.15R13, or 175/70R13, the shared wheel diameter is 13 inches, which keeps the main fitment question focused on width and profile rather than moving to a different rim size.
That does not mean every 13-inch wheel is automatically suitable for every Champ tire choice. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a narrower 155R13 to a 175/70R13, so it is worth checking the wheel itself before mounting new tires or changing from one of the factory-era size formats to another.
Why does the 1980 Plymouth Champ have more than one tire size?
The 1980 Plymouth Champ has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and wheel package. Base and aluminum-wheel versions can use 155R13 or 6.15R13, while Custom models can use 155R13 or 175/70R13, and Sport Package cars are tied to 175/70R13.
That variation means the buyer should not choose a tire by year, make, and model alone. The best approach is to identify the exact Champ version, confirm whether it still has its original-style wheels, and then select the tire size that matches both the sub-model and the physical wheel setup currently on the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1980 Plymouth Champ tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1980 Plymouth Champ sub-model, then look at construction and sizing format. This car uses 13-inch radial tires, but the actual fitment may be 155R13, 6.15R13, or 175/70R13, so the first decision is matching the tire to the car's trim and wheel setup.
After size is confirmed, compare the tire's character and compatibility. A Euro-metric radial, a bias-look radial, and a modern metric radial can give the car a different visual feel, and product details such as rim-width range, load information where stated, and intended appearance all help narrow the right choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 Plymouth Champ tires?
The available tire options for the 1980 Plymouth Champ are blackwall radials. That includes the currently available 155R13 choices from Michelin and Dunlop, along with the 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ, so the visible sidewall presentation stays understated and appropriate for a compact car of this era.
Because the sidewall treatment does not vary here, the real comparison shifts to size, tire series, and overall look. A blackwall still leaves room for different personalities, especially between a classic Euro-metric radial and a more sporting modern metric radial, so appearance and fitment still deserve a close review.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 Plymouth Champ?
Michelin, Dunlop, and Avon offer tires for the 1980 Plymouth Champ within its supported 13-inch radial fitments. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 application, while Avon is represented in 175/70R13, giving the Champ buyer a mix of touring-oriented and sport-oriented period-style choices.
Brand should be considered alongside the actual size needed for the car. A Michelin or Dunlop option may not help if the Champ requires 175/70R13, and an Avon 175/70R13 should still be checked against the exact sub-model and wheel width, so fitment remains the first filter before brand preference.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Plymouth Champ?
A period-style 1980 Plymouth Champ usually starts with the correct 13-inch radial size for the exact sub-model, then narrows to the tire format that best matches the car's original character. For some applications, that may mean 155R13, while others point toward 6.15R13 or 175/70R13 depending on trim and wheels.
Appearance matters on a small late-classic compact because profile and sidewall shape influence the whole stance of the car. If originality is important, compare the current wheel setup and the car's historical documentation before choosing between a conventional Euro-metric radial, a bias-look radial, or a modern metric radial profile.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1980 Plymouth Champ?
On the 1980 Plymouth Champ, the primary fitments are radial tires, but construction style still affects how the car looks. A conventional Euro-metric radial like 155R13 presents differently than a bias-look radial such as 6.15R13, even though both remain within the car's 13-inch radial fitment family.
That difference can change the visual impression of a restoration without requiring a dramatic size change. Buyers who want a more traditional small-car appearance may lean toward the numeric bias-look presentation, while others may prefer the cleaner modern look of metric radial sizing that better matches later-era compact tire styling.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Plymouth Champ?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1980 Plymouth Champ even when the replacement tire is in one of the correct 13-inch sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, suspension alterations, or body changes can all influence how a 155R13, 6.15R13, or 175/70R13 sits in the wheel opening.
A car that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels deserves an extra clearance check before new tires go into service. Steering sweep, inner-fender space, and wheel width should all be reviewed, especially when moving between size formats that may present a different section width or profile on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Plymouth Champ on new tires?
Before driving a 1980 Plymouth Champ on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the selected size matches the sub-model, and check that the tires seat properly on the rims. It is also smart to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and general wheel security before road use.
Once mounted, watch for rubbing at full steering lock and under normal suspension movement. A short test drive can reveal vibration, uneven clearance, or pressure loss early, which is especially important on an older compact car that may have seen years of repairs, storage, or wheel changes since it was new.
How should tires on a collector 1980 Plymouth Champ be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1980 Plymouth Champ should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of aging. Low-use cars often spend more time parked than driven, so tire condition can decline from age and storage even when tread depth still looks acceptable.
Clean, dry storage away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, and excess heat helps preserve both appearance and service condition. It also helps to move the car occasionally and check pressures before each outing, since a compact car on 13-inch radials can feel noticeably different if one tire has lost air during storage.
