The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion sits at an interesting point in early 1980s sport-coupe design, when turbocharged imports were beginning to establish their own identity in the U.S. market. Its sharp styling and enthusiast following make tire choice more than a routine maintenance decision, especially on cars that still wear original-style wheel setups. This model uses radial tires, but fitment is not the same across every Starion sub-model, with both 215/60R15 and 195/70R14 applications in play. Available choices range from blackwall sport radials to wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options in the larger size. The right selection starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before focusing on appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. One setup uses a 15-inch rim and the other uses a 14-inch rim, so the first step is confirming the Starion's exact trim and wheel size before comparing tread style, sidewall treatment, or available tire series.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion, this size belongs to 15-inch-wheel applications and suits buyers who need the larger-wheel fitment rather than the 14-inch setup. Product choice is broad here, with American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein options, along with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls. It is the size to evaluate carefully when appearance matters as much as maintaining the correct wheel-based fitment.
Fit(s): LE, LE w/aluminum wheels, LS, and LS w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
195/70R14 is a metric radial size where 195 represents nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion, this size applies to the 14-inch-wheel configuration rather than the larger 15-inch application. Available product choice centers on a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic, which gives this fitment a more focused selection than the 215/60R15 size. This size should be chosen only after confirming that the car still uses the proper 14-inch wheel setup for its specific sub-model.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion because the covered trims do not all share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Confirming whether the car is an ES, LE, or LS configuration is the key first step before selecting a tire.
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1983 Mitsubishi Starion ES
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion ES uses the 215/60R15 radial fitment. That points the tire decision toward 15-inch-wheel options, where buyers can compare blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter presentations depending on the car's appearance and driving goals.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion ES w/aluminum wheels also uses the 215/60R15 radial size. Tire selection stays focused on the 15-inch application, so the main variables become brand, tire series, sidewall style, and confirming that the wheel width remains suitable for the chosen tire.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion LE uses the 195/70R14 radial fitment. That makes the choice more straightforward than the ES setup, but wheel diameter still needs to be confirmed first so the 14-inch application is not confused with the larger 15-inch Starion fitment.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion LE w/aluminum wheels uses the same 195/70R14 radial size as the standard LE. Tire shopping therefore centers on maintaining the correct 14-inch fitment and choosing a product that matches the car's intended road use and overall presentation.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion LS uses 195/70R14 radial tires. This keeps fitment tied to the 14-inch-wheel configuration, so the practical priority is preserving the proper size and checking that the car has not been changed to a different wheel package over time.
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion LS w/aluminum wheels also uses the 195/70R14 radial fitment. The selection process is mainly about confirming the existing wheel setup and choosing the right tire within that size, rather than comparing multiple primary sizes for the same sub-model.
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 Starion Tires for Sale
Available 1983 Mitsubishi Starion tires span two primary sizes and several distinct product styles. In 215/60R15, choices include American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein options across Asymmetrical Tread, Radial T/A, Sport Classic, CR6ZZ, and Sprint Classic lines, while 195/70R14 centers on a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic.
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Radial Tires
American Classic Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 215/60R15
These FAQs focus on 1983 Mitsubishi Starion tire size by sub-model, 14-inch versus 15-inch rim fitment, radial tire selection, sidewall and brand choices, and the basic checks that matter before putting a collector-era Starion back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
A 1983 Mitsubishi Starion uses either 215/60R15 or 195/70R14 radial tires. The 215/60R15 size applies to the ES and ES w/aluminum wheels, while the LE, LE w/aluminum wheels, LS, and LS w/aluminum wheels use 195/70R14.
The key is matching the tire size to the car's actual sub-model and wheel diameter rather than assuming every 1983 Starion uses the same setup. Many surviving cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the trim level and measuring the installed wheel before ordering tires helps avoid mixing a 14-inch application with a 15-inch one.
What size rim does a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion use?
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion uses either a 15-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. ES models use a 15-inch rim with 215/60R15 tires, while LE and LS models use a 14-inch rim with 195/70R14 tires.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because it determines which primary tire size even belongs on the car. Wheel width also matters once the correct diameter is known, especially on 215/60R15 applications where available tires have different approved rim-width ranges among the product choices.
Do all 1983 Mitsubishi Starion sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion has split fitment across its sub-models. ES versions use 215/60R15 radial tires, while LE and LS versions, including aluminum-wheel variants, use 195/70R14 radial tires.
That difference matters because the two sizes also correspond to different wheel diameters. A buyer who is restoring an ES, replacing worn tires on an LE, or checking an LS with changed wheels should confirm the car's exact configuration first, then choose within the correct size instead of selecting by appearance or brand alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/60R15 tire for a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
Start with the correct fitment: 215/60R15 belongs on 1983 Mitsubishi Starion ES applications that use the 15-inch wheel setup. Within that size, available choices differ by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification, and approved rim-width range.
That means the real decision is less about size and more about how the tire suits the car's look and use. A blackwall sport radial gives a different presentation than a redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter tire, and wheel width should be checked so the selected 215/60R15 matches the rim already on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1983 Mitsubishi Starion tires?
Sidewall choice is much broader in 215/60R15 than in 195/70R14. The 15-inch Starion fitment is available with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls, while the 14-inch 195/70R14 fitment is available in blackwall form.
Sidewall style changes the car's visual character even when the size stays the same. A buyer trying to keep a more sporting 1980s look may lean toward blackwall or raised white letter options, while a more customized or restoration-oriented presentation may point toward redline or whitewall choices in the 15-inch application.
What brands offer tires for the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion has tire options from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein, though not every brand appears in both primary sizes. The 215/60R15 fitment has the broadest brand spread, while 195/70R14 centers on Dunlop.
Brand comparison matters most after the correct size and wheel diameter are established. Once that is settled, the buyer can look at tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility to narrow the choices, especially on ES models where the larger 15-inch fitment offers the widest range of product character.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
A period-style choice starts with keeping the correct primary size for the car's sub-model: 215/60R15 for ES versions and 195/70R14 for LE and LS versions. From there, the appearance decision depends on whether the goal is a clean blackwall sport look, raised white letters, or a more distinctive redline or wide whitewall presentation in the 15-inch size.
For a restoration-minded Starion, size and wheel diameter matter before visual details do. Buyers chasing exact historical accuracy should compare tire appearance against marque references, photos, or original vehicle documentation, since an available sidewall style can suit the era visually without necessarily matching every individual car's original delivery look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
On the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion, primary fitment remains radial, so the visual difference comes more from sidewall treatment and tire series than from a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. Blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall choices can give the car a much different stance and character within the same basic fitment.
That makes appearance planning especially important on ES models with the 215/60R15 size, where the available range is wider. A restoration-oriented buyer should view construction as settled here and focus instead on choosing a sidewall and tread presentation that matches the Starion's intended look without straying from the proper size and wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion?
Yes. Modifications can change what works on a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion even when the original tire size is known. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can affect clearance and may also change whether the car still matches its original 14-inch or 15-inch fitment.
A Starion that has been lowered, widened, or converted to different wheels should be checked at the wheel and vehicle level before selecting tires by catalog size alone. Verifying rim diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance around the fenders and steering components helps prevent choosing a correct-on-paper size for the wrong current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1983 Mitsubishi Starion on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the 1983 Mitsubishi Starion's wheels for damage, confirm the correct rim diameter, and make sure the new tires are mounted in the proper size for the sub-model. It also helps to check inflation, valve stems, and whether the tires clear the suspension and body through full steering travel.
A collector-era car deserves a wider look-over than tires alone. Brake condition, alignment, wheel fastener torque, and any age-related wear in suspension components can all affect how the car behaves once fresh tires are installed, especially if the Starion has been parked for long periods or recently returned to service.
How should 215/60R15 and 195/70R14 tires on a collector 1983 Mitsubishi Starion be maintained?
Collector-use Starion tires should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources when the car sits for extended periods. Low annual mileage does not stop a tire from aging.
Regular maintenance also means checking the car often enough that problems are caught before a longer drive. Even a Starion that looks lightly used can develop flat spotting, age-related hardening, or pressure loss while parked, so periodic inspections and a close look before each outing are just as important as tread depth.
