The 1981 Porsche 928 sits in the era when grand touring performance and long-distance refinement were becoming just as important as outright sports-car character. Its front-engine V8 layout, distinctive body shape, and transaxle balance give it a very different personality from many other Porsches of the period, and tire choice plays a major role in preserving that feel. Tire fitment on the 1981 Porsche 928 centers on two 15-inch radial sizes, with 215/60R15 used on automatic cars and 225/50R15 on manual cars. That makes the real decision less about broad interchange and more about matching the correct sub-model, sidewall style, and tire character to the car’s intended appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Porsche 928
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1981 Porsche 928, and the correct one depends on whether the car is an automatic or a manual. Both are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, but they are not the same size, so the first step is confirming the transmission-specific sub-model and checking the actual wheel setup before choosing among the available tire styles and brands.
The 215/60R15 size uses a modern metric radial format: 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1981 Porsche 928, this size is used on automatic models and keeps the fitment in a proper 15-inch radial category. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments from brands such as American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. It is the size to evaluate if the car is an automatic and you want to balance correct fitment with appearance and driving intent.
The 225/50R15 size is also a modern metric radial, with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1981 Porsche 928, this size belongs to manual models, making it a distinct fitment rather than a general alternative for every 928 configuration. Its lower-profile format gives this fitment a different sizing character than 215/60R15, so wheel and vehicle setup deserve close attention before any substitution is considered. This is the size to focus on when preserving the intended manual-model fitment rather than simply matching rim diameter.
Sub-model fitment on the 1981 Porsche 928 is not shared across the board. The correct tire size depends on whether the car is an automatic or a manual, so identifying the exact configuration matters before comparing products or considering any alternate sizing.
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1981 Porsche 928 (Automatic)
The 1981 Porsche 928 Automatic uses a 215/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. That makes selection more about choosing the right product style and brand within that size, whether the goal is a traditional look, sport-oriented presentation, or regular road use.
The 1981 Porsche 928 Manual uses a 225/50R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. Because this size differs from the automatic car, manual owners should confirm the wheel setup carefully and treat product selection as a size-specific fitment decision rather than a shared 928 tire choice.
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 Porsche 928 Tires for Sale
Available 1981 Porsche 928 tire choices center on 215/60R15, with options from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. The product mix includes blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across series such as Asymmetrical Tread, Radial T/A, Sport Classic, CR6ZZ, and Sprint Classic.
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Radial Tires
American Classic Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 215/60R15
The most common 1981 Porsche 928 tire questions come down to sub-model-specific sizing, 15-inch rim fitment, radial tire selection, sidewall style, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era GT back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Porsche 928?
A 1981 Porsche 928 uses one of two radial tire sizes, depending on the sub-model. Automatic cars use 215/60R15, while manual cars use 225/50R15. Both sizes are built for 15-inch rims, but they are different fitments and should not be treated as one universal 928 tire size.
The practical first step is confirming whether the car is an automatic or a manual, then checking the wheels actually on the car. Many older Porsches have seen wheel changes over time, so matching the tire to the sub-model and the existing rim setup is more important than assuming every 1981 928 uses the same dimensions.
What size rim does a 1981 Porsche 928 use?
The 1981 Porsche 928 uses 15-inch rims with both primary tire sizes. The automatic model’s 215/60R15 and the manual model’s 225/50R15 are both 15-inch radial sizes, so the rim diameter remains the same even though the tire dimensions differ between sub-models.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture. Width also matters, especially when comparing available products, and the car may have aftermarket wheels that change the proper tire choice. Confirm the wheel diameter stamped on the rim, then compare width and clearance before selecting a tire simply because it shares the same 15-inch diameter.
Do all 1981 Porsche 928 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1981 Porsche 928 does not use one shared tire size across all covered sub-models. Automatic cars use 215/60R15, while manual cars use 225/50R15, so tire selection changes with the transmission-specific configuration rather than staying the same for every 928.
That difference matters because these sizes are not just two labels for the same tire. They have different proportions, and each size should be matched to the correct wheel and vehicle setup. Before choosing a replacement, verify the sub-model and inspect what is mounted on the car now, especially if it has been restored or modified over the years.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/60R15 tire for a 1981 Porsche 928?
Start by confirming that the car is a 1981 Porsche 928 Automatic, since 215/60R15 is the automatic-model size. Then compare radial construction details, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and overall tire character. In this size, available choices range from traditional-looking American Classic options to sportier blackwall and raised white letter designs.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how it should look. A whitewall or redline can change the presentation significantly, while blackwall and raised white letter styles create a different period feel. It also helps to compare load figures and wheel-width suitability so the tire matches both the rim and the way the 928 will be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1981 Porsche 928 tires?
Available sidewall styles for 1981 Porsche 928 tires in 215/60R15 include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL, which is raised white letter. Those options create very different visual effects, even when the underlying tire size remains the same and the fitment stays within the correct radial category.
Sidewall choice is mainly an appearance decision, but it should still be made within the proper size and wheel range for the car. A blackwall usually keeps a more understated performance look, while whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options push the car toward a more stylized period presentation. The tire still needs to match the correct sub-model before appearance enters the decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Porsche 928?
For the 1981 Porsche 928 in 215/60R15, available brands include American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. Those choices span several tire series, including Asymmetrical Tread, Radial T/A, Sport Classic, CR6ZZ, and Sprint Classic, giving the buyer more than one approach within the same size.
Brand choice should follow correct fitment, intended appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than reputation alone. Some options lean toward a traditional collector-car look, while others present a more performance-oriented blackwall style. Comparing sidewall treatment, series character, and rim-width suitability is usually more useful than trying to reduce the decision to a single brand preference.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Porsche 928?
A period-style 1981 Porsche 928 tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size: 215/60R15 for automatic cars or 225/50R15 for manual cars. From there, the appearance decision depends on whether the goal is a clean blackwall performance look or something more visually distinctive, such as redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling in 215/60R15.
The most convincing restoration-oriented result usually comes from matching the tire’s visual character to the way the car is being presented, not just matching dimensions. Exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific references and the car’s own history. Tire choice can strongly influence stance and authenticity, but the right starting point is always the proper size for the sub-model.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1981 Porsche 928?
The 1981 Porsche 928 uses radial tire fitments, so the construction itself already aligns with the car’s era and intended road-going character. Appearance changes here come less from switching construction types and more from the tire’s sidewall presentation, tread style, and overall visual tone within the correct radial size.
A restored 928 can look markedly different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, redlines, wide whitewalls, or raised white letters. Those choices should be made carefully, because a sidewall treatment that suits one build style may look out of place on another. Keeping the correct size for the automatic or manual configuration is the foundation before refining the car’s final appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Porsche 928?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1981 Porsche 928 even when the tire size looks close on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in rim width, suspension work, altered ride height, and body or alignment changes can all influence how a 215/60R15 or 225/50R15 tire sits and clears the car.
That matters because the original fitment already differs between automatic and manual cars. A 15-inch rim diameter alone does not guarantee the rest of the setup matches the intended tire. Measure the wheels on the car, inspect clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement, and treat any modified 928 as a vehicle that needs to be checked individually.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Porsche 928 on new tires?
Before driving a 1981 Porsche 928 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, verify the proper size for the sub-model, and check that the tires seat and clear correctly. It is also wise to look over valve stems, wheel condition, suspension wear points, and alignment so the new tires are not compromised immediately.
A road test should begin with careful attention to vibration, pulling, rubbing, or uneven behavior. Collector-era cars often sit for long periods, so brakes, steering components, and old wheel damage can show up only after fresh tires are installed. Early inspection and a short shakedown drive help confirm the 928 is ready for regular use rather than just parked display.
How should tires on a collector 1981 Porsche 928 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1981 Porsche 928 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and periodic review for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss. Because these cars are often driven less than modern daily transportation, tire condition can decline from age and storage environment as much as from actual mileage.
Good maintenance also includes keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources when stored. Moving the car occasionally and checking tread wear patterns can help catch alignment or suspension issues early. Whether the car uses 215/60R15 or 225/50R15, routine inspection is essential before longer drives, especially after long periods of inactivity.
