The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia came from an era when compact sport coupes blended everyday usability with sharper styling and a more modern road feel than many economy cars of the decade. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice has a real effect on both stance and character because this Cordia uses 13-inch radial fitments in two sizes: 165/80R13 and 185/70R13. That gives room to choose between a taller, narrower traditional-looking size and a wider lower-profile alternative, with options that include blackwall, whitewall, and redline presentations. The right decision starts with the actual wheel setup and the kind of appearance or driving use the car is being kept for.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires for a 13-inch rim. Because the covered sub-models share these same sizes, the key step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car, then choosing between the narrower 165/80R13 and the wider 185/70R13 based on appearance, rim compatibility, and intended road use.
Fit(s): Base, L, L w/aluminum wheels, LS, LS w/aluminum wheels, and w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
165/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 165 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia, this size represents the taller-profile of the two primary 13-inch fitments and keeps the decision in a fully radial format. Available choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis offerings, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments. It is a useful size to evaluate when maintaining a more traditional narrow-tire look on the correct wheel setup.
Fit(s): Base, L, L w/aluminum wheels, LS, LS w/aluminum wheels, and w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
185/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with a 185 millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia, it is the wider and lower-profile primary fitment, giving buyers a broader range of tire styles within the same rim diameter. This size is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline presentations across several tire series. It deserves a close look when wheel width, appearance, and a more substantial footprint are all part of the decision.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia sub-models because each one uses the same two radial tire sizes on 13-inch rims. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car has its original wheel arrangement or an aluminum-wheel configuration that may influence the final tire choice.
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1983 Mitsubishi Cordia Base
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia Base uses the same two primary radial sizes found across the covered Cordia range. That means the real choice is confirming which 13-inch wheel setup is on the car and then selecting the tire style, profile, and sidewall treatment that best matches its use and presentation.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia L shares the same 13-inch radial tire fitment pattern as the other covered sub-models. Tire selection comes down to whether the car is using the narrower 165/80R13 or the wider 185/70R13 arrangement, along with the preferred look in blackwall, whitewall, or redline form.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia L w/aluminum wheels follows the same two-size radial fitment pattern used across the covered lineup. Aluminum-wheel cars still merit a quick wheel-width check before ordering, especially when moving between the narrower 165/80R13 and the wider 185/70R13 options.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia LS uses the same pair of 13-inch radial tire sizes as the other covered Cordia sub-models. That keeps fitment selection focused on the actual wheels installed and on whether the car is better served by a traditional whitewall presentation or a sportier blackwall or redline look.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia LS w/aluminum wheels shares the same primary radial sizes as the rest of the covered Cordia range. Choosing between them is less about trim level and more about verifying wheel dimensions, then matching the tire’s width, profile, and sidewall style to the car’s current setup.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia w/aluminum wheels uses the same 13-inch radial size choices as the other covered sub-models. Tire selection is mainly a matter of confirming wheel compatibility and deciding whether the car should lean toward a narrower traditional look or a wider, lower-profile presentation.
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 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia Tires for Sale
Available 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia tires center on 165/80R13 and 185/70R13 radial fitments, with choices from BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline styles across series such as Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, and Sprint Classic.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Common 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia tire questions usually come down to choosing between its two 13-inch radial sizes, understanding how those sizes differ, and sorting through sidewall, brand, wheel-fitment, and road-use considerations before mounting a set.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia?
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia uses two primary tire sizes: 165/80R13 and 185/70R13. Both are radial sizes for 13-inch rims, and both appear across the covered Cordia sub-models, including Base, L, LS, and the aluminum-wheel versions.
That means the first step is not choosing by trim alone, but confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car now. A Cordia that still has its original-style wheels may follow either size, while a car with replacement wheels or past changes should have its wheel width, tire clearance, and overall stance checked before selecting between the two.
What size rim does a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia use?
The 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The two fitments, 165/80R13 and 185/70R13, share that same rim diameter, so the difference between them is in tire width and profile rather than wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a car with age, wheel changes, or mixed replacement parts over time. It is worth confirming the actual wheel width as well, since the available 165/80R13 and 185/70R13 tires do not share the same width ranges and that can influence both appearance and proper mounting.
Do all 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia sub-models share the same two primary tire sizes: 165/80R13 and 185/70R13. That includes Base, L, LS, and versions noted with aluminum wheels, so there is no separate trim-specific size split within this group.
Even with shared fitment across the sub-models, the actual car should still be checked before ordering tires. After decades of use, many compact coupes have seen wheel swaps, suspension work, or simple owner preference changes, and those details can affect whether the narrower 165/80R13 or the wider 185/70R13 is the better match for the Cordia currently in front of you.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia tire?
Start with the correct primary size, since the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia uses either 165/80R13 or 185/70R13, both in radial construction on a 13-inch rim. From there, the decision moves to wheel-width compatibility, tire profile, sidewall appearance, and how the car is expected to be used.
A narrower 165/80R13 can suit a more traditional visual balance, while 185/70R13 opens up more brand and style variety. It also helps to compare rim-width ranges, load figures where stated, and the overall look you want, whether that means a subtle blackwall, a whitewall presentation, or a redline treatment that changes the Cordia’s character noticeably.
What sidewall styles are available for 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and blackwall, depending on the tire size selected. The 165/80R13 offerings focus on whitewall styles, while 185/70R13 opens the door to blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline presentations.
That variety matters because sidewall treatment changes the car’s visual tone even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A whitewall can push the Cordia toward a more formal or restoration-oriented look, while blackwall and redline options feel more sport-focused, so the best choice depends on whether the goal is period-style presentation, understated road use, or a more distinctive 1980s appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia?
Tires for the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia are available from BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on size, with 165/80R13 centered on BFGoodrich and Maxxis, while 185/70R13 includes a broader mix of BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision, since those options also differ by tire series and sidewall presentation. A smarter comparison looks at the exact size needed, the intended look of the car, the wheel-width requirements, and whether the Cordia is being kept close to a period-style appearance or used more regularly on the road with a sportier tire presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia?
For a period-style 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia, the right starting point is one of its primary radial sizes: 165/80R13 or 185/70R13 on a 13-inch rim. The choice between them depends on the wheel setup already on the car and the visual character you want, since the narrower size reads differently than the wider 70-series option.
Appearance then comes down to sidewall treatment and overall presentation rather than trim name alone. Whitewall options can support a more formal, traditional look, while blackwall or redline choices can give the Cordia a sportier 1980s feel, and owners chasing exact originality should compare those details against marque-specific references before settling on a final tire style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia?
On the 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia, the primary fitments are already radial tires, so the visual effect comes less from switching construction types and more from the shape and sidewall style of the tire itself. A 165/80R13 presents a taller, narrower look, while 185/70R13 gives the car a wider, lower-profile stance on the same rim diameter.
That means restoration appearance is influenced by proportion as much as by brand choice. Wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and blackwall treatments can all change how the Cordia sits visually, so the best result comes from matching the tire’s profile and sidewall presentation to the specific wheels, ride height, and era-correct look you want the finished car to carry.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia even when the tire still carries one of the correct 13-inch sizes. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, lowering, suspension wear, or body repairs can all influence how a 165/80R13 or 185/70R13 sits in the wheel opening.
That is why an older Cordia should be checked as it exists today rather than judged only by model year. Looking at steering clearance, fender space, and the actual wheel dimensions helps prevent problems that may not show up until the car is loaded, turned fully, or driven over uneven pavement.
What should I inspect before driving a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia on new tires?
Before driving a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim size, and make sure the tires are mounted in one of the correct 13-inch sizes. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, inflation pressure, and the overall condition of suspension and steering components.
A short visual inspection should continue to the tire itself by looking for any rubbing marks, uneven seating, or interference at full steering lock. Once the car is on the ground, a careful road test can confirm that the Cordia tracks properly, clears the body and suspension, and does not show vibration or air loss after the first few miles.
How should 165/80R13 or 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1983 Mitsubishi Cordia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven sparingly. Whether the car uses 165/80R13 or 185/70R13 radials, tread depth alone is not enough if sidewalls show cracking, cuts, bulges, or signs of prolonged underinflation.
Storage conditions matter just as much on a lightly used Cordia. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving or driving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting that sometimes develops when a collector vehicle sits in one position for extended periods.
