The 1980 Saab 900 came from a period when Saab was defining its reputation for unconventional engineering, hatchback practicality, and turbocharged performance in a distinctly Swedish package. Buyers looking at one today are often balancing originality, drivability, and the realities of several trim-specific wheel and tire setups. This model year uses radial construction throughout, but tire fitment varies by sub-model, with 165R15, 175/70R15, 180/65R390, and 195/60R15 all appearing on different versions of the 900. That means the real choice is not just brand or sidewall style, but first confirming the exact configuration. Once that is settled, the focus shifts to appearance, road use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1980 Saab 900
Four different tire sizes apply to the 1980 Saab 900, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are radial tires, but they do not serve the same configurations, so the first step is identifying whether the car is an EMS, GLE, GLE w/Touring Pkg., GLI, Turbo 3 Dr., or Turbo 5 Dr. Once that is confirmed, the decision becomes choosing the right tire style, series, and overall presentation within that fitment.
175/70R15 is a metric radial size that reads as 175 millimeters of section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 15-inch wheel. On the 1980 Saab 900, this size is used on a specific sub-model rather than across the full range, so it should be matched carefully to the car’s exact configuration. Available choices include Avon and Vredestein blackwall radials in CR6ZZ and Sprint Classic series. This size suits an owner who wants a modern metric radial format while staying with the proper sub-model-specific fitment.
165R15 is a Euro-metric radial size using a 165-millimeter section width and a 15-inch rim diameter, with the profile traditionally understood as an 80-series type even though no aspect ratio is printed in the size. For the 1980 Saab 900, it belongs to particular sub-models and offers the broadest range of tire choices. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are available from brands such as Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and Vredestein across several series. It is the key size for buyers who want the widest mix of restoration-oriented appearance and touring-style radial options.
180/65R390 is a metric radial size that uses a 180-millimeter section width, a 65-series profile, and a 390-millimeter wheel standard rather than a conventional 15-inch designation in the size itself. On the 1980 Saab 900, this fitment is tied to specific sub-models, so wheel identification matters before any tire decision is made. Its unusual millimetric format makes it distinct from the other radial sizes used on the 900 lineup. This is the size to evaluate carefully when the car retains its original-style wheel setup and the goal is preserving the intended fitment approach for that configuration.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter section width, a lower 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1980 Saab 900, it applies to a specific turbocharged sub-model rather than the full model range, giving that configuration its own fitment path. Product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options from BFGoodrich and Michelin in series such as Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Primacy 3. This size is worth close attention when appearance and driving character both matter on a 15-inch wheel setup.
Tire fitment on the 1980 Saab 900 varies by sub-model, so identifying the exact version of the car is the first step. Several trims use different radial sizes, and the Touring Package and turbo models add important fitment distinctions that should be confirmed before comparing tire choices.
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1980 Saab 900 EMS
The 1980 Saab 900 EMS uses the 175/70R15 radial size. That makes tire selection more about choosing between the available blackwall radial series and confirming the car still carries the correct 15-inch wheel setup for that fitment.
The 1980 Saab 900 GLE uses the 165R15 radial size. This opens up a broad choice of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tires, so the buying decision can lean toward either a cleaner European look or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
The 1980 Saab 900 GLE w/Touring Pkg. uses the 180/65R390 radial size. Because this is a millimetric fitment, confirming the wheel type is especially important before comparing tires or considering any change from the original-style wheel and tire arrangement.
The 1980 Saab 900 GLI uses the 165R15 radial size. Buyers can focus on sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within that size, especially if the goal is balancing road use with a traditional period-style appearance.
The 1980 Saab 900 Turbo 3 Dr. uses the 195/60R15 radial size. Tire selection here can involve a noticeable appearance choice, since available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles on 15-inch wheels.
The 1980 Saab 900 Turbo 5 Dr. uses the 180/65R390 radial size. That makes wheel confirmation a central part of the buying process, especially on a car that may have seen wheel changes or other modifications over time.
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 Saab 900 Tires for Sale
Available 1980 Saab 900 tire choices vary widely by size, brand, series, and sidewall treatment. Depending on the sub-model, options include Avon, Vredestein, Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles represented.
Tire questions for the 1980 Saab 900 usually come down to trim-specific sizing, 15-inch versus millimetric wheel setups, radial tire choices, and how appearance and fitment change from one sub-model to another.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1980 Saab 900?
The 1980 Saab 900 does not use one universal tire size across the model range. Depending on the sub-model, the correct radial size is 175/70R15, 165R15, 180/65R390, or 195/60R15. EMS uses 175/70R15, GLE and GLI use 165R15, GLE w/Touring Pkg. and Turbo 5 Dr. use 180/65R390, and Turbo 3 Dr. uses 195/60R15.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A 15-inch tire and a millimetric tire are not the same thing just because the car is a Saab 900, so it also helps to confirm the actual wheels on the car if it has been modified or restored over the years.
What size rim does a 1980 Saab 900 use?
The 1980 Saab 900 uses 15-inch rims on the 175/70R15, 165R15, and 195/60R15 tire sizes. The 180/65R390 fitment is different because it uses a 390-millimeter wheel standard, which is not the same as a conventional 15-inch rim even though the car belongs to the same model family.
Checking the wheel itself matters before ordering tires, especially on GLE w/Touring Pkg. and Turbo 5 Dr. cars. Saab 900s that have been changed to aftermarket or later wheels may no longer match their original tire format, so the safest path is to verify both wheel diameter and width before narrowing the search.
Why does the 1980 Saab 900 have more than one tire size?
The 1980 Saab 900 uses more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. Saab offered different versions of the 900, and those versions carry different radial tire specifications, including both conventional 15-inch metric sizes and the distinct 180/65R390 millimetric setup used on certain trims.
That means the correct tire is tied to the exact car, not just the year and model name. Buyers should confirm the badge, package details, and the wheels currently on the vehicle before choosing a tire, since an EMS, GLE, GLI, and Turbo can lead to different size and appearance decisions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1980 Saab 900?
Start with the correct sub-model-specific size, because the 1980 Saab 900 uses four different radial fitments. After size is confirmed, compare the available tire’s construction details, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and intended character, since some options lean toward a traditional collector-car appearance while others have a more modern touring presentation.
A GLE or GLI owner choosing from multiple 165R15 options may focus on whitewall versus blackwall appearance, while a Turbo 3 Dr. owner in 195/60R15 may be comparing blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling. Cars with changed wheels or suspension should be checked carefully before selecting any tire format.
What sidewall styles are available for 1980 Saab 900 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1980 Saab 900 vary by tire size. Depending on the fitment, available styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter. The broadest sidewall variety appears in 165R15 and 195/60R15, while 175/70R15 is represented in blackwall options.
That makes sidewall style an appearance decision after size and wheel fitment are settled. A blackwall usually keeps a more understated European look, while whitewalls, redlines, or raised white letters create a stronger visual statement. The right choice depends on the car’s trim, restoration direction, and how original-looking or personalized the finished stance should be.
What brands offer tires for the 1980 Saab 900?
Brand availability depends on tire size, but the 1980 Saab 900 is served by Avon, Vredestein, Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. The 165R15 fitment has the widest spread of brands and series, while 175/70R15 and 195/60R15 offer a smaller but still distinct mix of choices.
Brand comparison should be tied to the exact size first, then to the kind of tire presentation you want. Some series focus on a classic blackwall look, others offer whitewalls, and 195/60R15 also includes redline and raised white letter styling. Rim-width compatibility is worth comparing as closely as the brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1980 Saab 900?
A period-style 1980 Saab 900 starts with using the correct sub-model tire size rather than choosing by appearance alone. For many cars, that means 165R15, while other trims use 175/70R15, 180/65R390, or 195/60R15. Once the correct size is confirmed, the available tire series can be compared for a more traditional or more modern visual character.
Blackwall radials usually suit the Saab 900’s original European design language, but some owners may prefer whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options where available. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque-specific references and surviving examples, especially if the goal goes beyond a period-style look and into detailed restoration work.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1980 Saab 900 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1980 Saab 900 restoration because the model used several different radial sizes across its sub-model range. A restoration that overlooks whether the car is an EMS, GLE, GLI, Touring Package car, or Turbo can end up with the wrong tire format, wheel relationship, or sidewall presentation for that specific configuration.
Fitment also affects how the finished car sits and how authentic the overall impression feels. On cars originally using 180/65R390, for example, the wheel standard itself becomes part of the restoration decision. Even when exact originality is not the goal, matching the proper size family to the right sub-model keeps the result more coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1980 Saab 900?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1980 Saab 900. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowered ride height, or conversions away from a millimetric wheel setup can change the tire size the car currently accepts, even if the original sub-model specification was 165R15, 175/70R15, 180/65R390, or 195/60R15.
That is why the wheel and tire on the car should be checked before assuming the original fitment still applies. Pay attention to wheel diameter, width, and clearance at the fender and steering components, since an older Saab may have been updated over time in ways that change what can be used safely.
What should I inspect before driving a 1980 Saab 900 on new tires?
Before driving a 1980 Saab 900 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct size and condition, verify that each tire is mounted in the proper fitment for the sub-model, and confirm inflation pressure, valve condition, and basic clearance. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components, especially on a car that has been stored or driven infrequently.
A short test drive should include listening for rubbing, checking steering feel, and rechecking pressure afterward. Older collector cars can hide issues that are not obvious at first glance, so it is smart to inspect for uneven wear patterns, air loss, and any sign that the tire is contacting the body or suspension under normal movement.
How should tires on a collector 1980 Saab 900 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1980 Saab 900 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to aging as well as tread depth. Many collector cars do not accumulate many miles, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, and long-term storage effects can matter just as much as wear, whether the car uses 165R15, 175/70R15, or another correct fitment.
Storage habits make a real difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and moving or driving the car periodically can reduce set-in flat spots. A tire that still has tread may still need replacement if age, cracking, or repeated air loss starts to become evident.
