The 1981 Ford Granada came late in the nameplate’s run, when midsize American sedans balanced traditional comfort with increasingly modern tire and wheel technology. That matters on this car because its fitment is not limited to one straightforward size. A 1981 Ford Granada can use 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or the millimetric 190/65R390, and all three are radial fitments rather than older bias-ply sizes. Available choices also vary by sidewall presentation, from narrow whitewall styles on the 14-inch metric radials to a blackwall Michelin TRX option in 190/65R390. The key is matching the tire to the car’s exact sub-model and wheel setup before deciding on appearance or brand.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Ford Granada
Three tire sizes apply to the 1981 Ford Granada, and the right choice depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Two sizes use a 14-inch rim in familiar metric radial form, while 190/65R390 is a millimetric radial that belongs to a different wheel standard. Before comparing brands or sidewall treatments, confirm whether the car is equipped with conventional 14-inch wheels or TRX-style 390mm wheels.
175/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1981 Ford Granada, this is one of the conventional 14-inch radial fitments rather than a specialty millimetric setup. Available choices in this size center on a narrow whitewall presentation from Travelstar in the UN106 series. It is a useful size to evaluate when the car retains the smaller of the standard 14-inch Granada fitments and appearance matters as much as basic road use.
185/75R14 follows the same metric radial sizing system, with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 75-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1981 Ford Granada, it is the broader of the conventional 14-inch radial fitments and appears across several sub-models, including V8 versions. This size offers the most product variety, with options from Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, along with narrow whitewall styling across different tire series. It deserves close consideration when the car uses standard 14-inch wheels and the goal is to compare brand character, rim-width compatibility, and restoration-oriented sidewall appearance.
190/65R390 is a millimetric radial size, where 190 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 390 refers to a millimeter-based rim diameter rather than a 14-inch wheel. On a 1981 Ford Granada, this points to the Michelin TRX system and should not be confused with the conventional 14-inch fitments. The available product in this size is a blackwall Michelin TRX-B, giving it a distinct appearance and wheel requirement. This size should only be considered after confirming that the car actually has 390mm TRX wheels, since wheel standard is the central fitment issue.
Sub-model fitment on the 1981 Ford Granada is not completely uniform, so identifying the exact version matters before selecting a tire. The biggest distinction is that V8 sub-models do not use the 175/75R14 option, while all covered sub-models may also appear with the 190/65R390 millimetric radial setup.
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1981 Ford Granada GL
The 1981 Ford Granada GL can use 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or 190/65R390, all in radial construction. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has a conventional 14-inch wheel or the millimetric TRX setup, then narrowing the choice by size and preferred sidewall appearance.
The 1981 Ford Granada GL V8 uses either 185/75R14 or 190/65R390, both as radial fitments. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since the decision is not between similar 14-inch sizes alone but between a standard inch-based wheel and the TRX millimetric system.
The 1981 Ford Granada GLX shares the broader three-size fitment pattern of 175/75R14, 185/75R14, and 190/65R390. Once the wheel type is confirmed, the next step is deciding whether the car needs a standard 14-inch radial with narrow whitewalls or the distinct blackwall TRX-style tire.
The 1981 Ford Granada GLX V8 uses 185/75R14 or 190/65R390 in radial construction. For this sub-model, the practical tire decision centers on matching the existing wheel standard first, then comparing available product style and rim-compatibility details within the correct size.
The 1981 Ford Granada L can be equipped with 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or 190/65R390, all as radial tires. That gives owners some flexibility in appearance and product choice, but only after confirming which wheel setup is actually on the car today.
The 1981 Ford Granada L V8 uses either 185/75R14 or 190/65R390. Choosing correctly means checking the wheel standard before anything else, since a standard 14-inch whitewall radial and a 390mm Michelin TRX tire are not the same fitment path.
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 1981 Ford Granada Tires for Sale
Available 1981 Ford Granada tire choices span Travelstar, Tornel, Maxxis, and Michelin. The main differences are size, wheel standard, tire series, and sidewall presentation, with narrow whitewall options in the 14-inch radial sizes and a blackwall Michelin TRX-B in 190/65R390.
Common 1981 Ford Granada tire questions usually come down to size, wheel standard, whitewall versus blackwall appearance, and how to confirm the correct radial fitment before the car goes back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Ford Granada?
A 1981 Ford Granada can use three radial tire sizes: 175/75R14, 185/75R14, and 190/65R390. The two inch-based sizes fit conventional 14-inch wheels, while 190/65R390 is a millimetric TRX size that uses a different wheel standard.
The right choice depends on the exact sub-model and, just as important, the wheels that are on the car now. A Granada that has been changed over to standard 14-inch wheels needs a different tire path than one still equipped with TRX wheels, so verify the wheel diameter and style before comparing brands or sidewall treatments.
What size rim does a 1981 Ford Granada use?
Most 1981 Ford Granada fitments in this group use 14-inch wheels with 175/75R14 or 185/75R14 tires. Some cars also use 190/65R390, which requires a 390mm rim rather than a conventional 14-inch wheel.
That distinction matters because a 390mm TRX wheel is not the same as a 14-inch wheel, even though the sizes may look close at a glance. Checking the actual wheel before ordering tires prevents the most common fitment mistake on this Granada, especially on cars that may have been modified or had wheels swapped over the years.
Do all 1981 Ford Granada sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1981 Ford Granada sub-models do not all use the same tire size. GL, GLX, and L versions can use 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or 190/65R390, while the GL V8, GLX V8, and L V8 use 185/75R14 or 190/65R390.
That means the exact sub-model helps narrow the correct size range, but wheel confirmation is still essential. Even within the same trim family, a Granada on standard 14-inch wheels follows a different tire path than one on TRX wheels, so use both the sub-model and the actual wheel setup to make the final size decision.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1981 Ford Granada tire?
Start with the correct size and wheel standard for the car: 175/75R14, 185/75R14, or 190/65R390. All are radial tires, but the 14-inch sizes suit conventional wheels, while 190/65R390 belongs to the TRX system and requires a millimetric rim.
After size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall style, tire series, brand, and wheel-width compatibility that best match the car’s use and appearance goals. A narrow whitewall can support a more traditional Granada presentation, while the TRX option keeps the car in its specialty millimetric format, so selection should follow both wheel hardware and intended character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1981 Ford Granada tires?
The available 1981 Ford Granada tires include narrow whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles. The 175/75R14 and 185/75R14 offerings are narrow whitewall radials, while the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX-B is a blackwall tire.
That gives the Granada owner a clear appearance choice once the correct size is established. A whitewall treatment tends to suit a more formal, restoration-oriented look on standard 14-inch wheels, while the blackwall TRX presentation follows the specialty millimetric setup, so sidewall style should be chosen only after the wheel type and tire size are confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Ford Granada?
Tires for the 1981 Ford Granada are available from Travelstar, Tornel, Maxxis, and Michelin. Travelstar covers both 175/75R14 and 185/75R14, Tornel and Maxxis offer 185/75R14 options, and Michelin supplies the 190/65R390 TRX fitment.
Brand choice becomes meaningful after the size is settled, because not every brand covers every Granada fitment. It makes sense to compare each option by tire series, sidewall style, load specification, and rim-width compatibility rather than treating the brands as interchangeable, especially when deciding between a conventional 14-inch radial and the TRX wheel system.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Ford Granada?
A period-style 1981 Ford Granada tire choice starts with the wheel setup already on the car. Standard 14-inch fitments in 175/75R14 or 185/75R14 are available with narrow whitewalls, while 190/65R390 preserves the distinctive Michelin TRX millimetric format with a blackwall presentation.
The better appearance choice depends on how the car is being presented rather than on one universal answer. Owners pursuing a careful restoration should compare the car’s current wheels and consult model-specific historical references if exact originality matters, because a visually appropriate tire and a historically exact tire are not always the same thing.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1981 Ford Granada restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1981 Ford Granada restoration because size, wheel standard, and sidewall presentation all affect how the car sits and looks. Choosing between a 14-inch whitewall radial and a 190/65R390 TRX blackwall setup changes more than just the tire itself.
A restoration-minded buyer should confirm whether the Granada retains its original wheel type or has been converted at some point in its life. That step helps avoid mixing a visually traditional tire with the wrong wheel standard and keeps the finished car closer to the character the owner is trying to preserve.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Ford Granada?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Ford Granada. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, altered ride height, and previous conversions between TRX wheels and conventional 14-inch wheels can all change which tire size is appropriate for the car today.
That is especially important on this Granada because 190/65R390 uses a different wheel standard from 175/75R14 and 185/75R14. A quick check of wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering components helps confirm whether the current setup still matches the tire size being considered.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Ford Granada on new tires?
Before driving a 1981 Ford Granada on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and check that the tires clear the fenders and suspension through the steering range. It is also wise to look over the valve stems and verify even seating on the rims.
Collector-era cars often sit for long periods, so the rest of the chassis deserves attention too. Brake condition, alignment, worn bushings, and tired shocks can all affect how a newly fitted tire behaves, and a short, careful road test can reveal rubbing, vibration, or pull before the car is taken on a longer drive.
How should tires on a collector 1981 Ford Granada be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1981 Ford Granada should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car to avoid long-term flat spotting. Sidewalls and tread should be watched for cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss, even when the car is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use Granada. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional checks of wheel condition and alignment can catch issues early before they affect road manners or shorten tire life.
