The 1983 Peugeot 505 sits in the era when Peugeot sedans were known for combining long-distance comfort with distinctly European road manners. For many owners today, the appeal is not just the car’s design and chassis balance, but keeping its tire fitment true to the way a 505 is meant to feel on the road. Tire choice on the 1983 Peugeot 505 centers on two radial sizes, 175R14 and the metric-millimetric 190/65R390, with fitment changing by sub-model. That creates a meaningful choice between conventional 14-inch radial options and the specialized Michelin TRX format. The first step is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before comparing tire series and rim compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1983 Peugeot 505
The 1983 Peugeot 505 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. Most versions use 175R14 radial tires on 14-inch rims, while STI-based versions use 190/65R390 radial tires in the specialized TRX millimetric format. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is an S or standard Sedan configuration or an STI variant, and verify the wheel type currently on the car.
Fit(s): S (Diesel), S (Diesel) w/alloy wheels, S Sedan, S Sedan (Gas), S Sedan (Gas) w/alloy wheels, S Sedan w/alloy wheels, Sedan (Gas), and Sedan (Gas) w/alloy wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
175R14 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 175 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1983 Peugeot 505, this is the conventional radial fitment used across the S, S Sedan, and Sedan variants. Available choices include Michelin and Vredestein options, all in blackwall form, with series such as Michelin XAS, Vredestein Sprint Plus, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. This size is the practical path for owners whose car retains the standard 14-inch wheel setup and who want to compare traditional European-style radial choices within that fitment.
Fit(s): STI Sedan, STI Sedan Silver (Diesel), STI Sedan Silver (Diesel) w/alloy wheels, and STI Sedan w/alloy wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 390mm in
190/65R390 is a metric radial size that uses a 190 millimeter section width, a 65-series profile, and a 390 millimeter rim diameter rather than a conventional inch-based wheel size. On the 1983 Peugeot 505, this fitment is tied to STI-based versions that use the TRX system. The available product is a Michelin TRX-B blackwall radial, which keeps the car in its specialized metric wheel format. This size should be chosen only after confirming that the car still has the correct millimetric TRX wheels rather than a later wheel conversion.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1983 Peugeot 505 because the tire size changes between the standard 14-inch radial setup and the TRX millimetric arrangement used on STI-based cars. Identifying the exact sub-model, and confirming which wheels are actually on the car, is the key first step before comparing tires.
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1983 Peugeot 505 S (Diesel)
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S (Diesel) uses the 175R14 radial size. Tire selection here centers on choosing among conventional 14-inch blackwall radial options while keeping wheel-width compatibility and the car’s intended driving character in mind.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S (Diesel) w/alloy wheels also uses the 175R14 radial size. The alloy-wheel designation makes it especially worthwhile to confirm actual wheel dimensions before selecting among the available Michelin and Vredestein 14-inch radials.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S Sedan uses 175R14 radial tires. That keeps tire selection in the conventional 14-inch range, where the main decision is choosing the tire series that best suits the car’s appearance and regular road use.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S Sedan (Gas) uses the 175R14 radial fitment. For this sub-model, the important choice is not between primary sizes, but between the available blackwall radial offerings in the proper 14-inch format.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S Sedan (Gas) w/alloy wheels uses 175R14 radial tires. Because alloy-wheel cars are often changed over time, it helps to confirm the wheel setup before choosing among the available 14-inch radial series.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 S Sedan w/alloy wheels remains on the 175R14 radial size. That means the tire search stays focused on conventional 14-inch fitment, with attention paid to rim compatibility and the preferred look of a blackwall radial.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 STI Sedan uses the 190/65R390 radial size in the TRX metric wheel system. Tire selection starts with confirming that the car still wears its millimetric wheels, since this is not the same fitment as a standard 14-inch Peugeot 505.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 STI Sedan Silver (Diesel) uses the 190/65R390 TRX radial fitment. That places tire choice within the specialized Michelin TRX format, so wheel verification matters before any purchase decision is made.
1983 Peugeot 505 STI Sedan Silver (Diesel) w/alloy wheels
The 1983 Peugeot 505 STI Sedan Silver (Diesel) w/alloy wheels uses 190/65R390 radial tires. Since this size belongs to the TRX millimetric system, the practical priority is confirming the metric wheel arrangement rather than assuming interchangeability with 14-inch tires.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 STI Sedan w/alloy wheels uses the 190/65R390 TRX radial size. This sub-model calls for careful wheel confirmation first, then evaluation of the correct Michelin TRX-style tire for that specialized setup.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 Sedan (Gas) uses the 175R14 radial size. That gives the owner access to several conventional 14-inch blackwall radial choices without moving into the specialized TRX wheel system.
The 1983 Peugeot 505 Sedan (Gas) w/alloy wheels also uses 175R14 radial tires. The main selection factors are confirming the wheel dimensions and comparing the available European-style blackwall radial options in that size.
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 Peugeot 505 Tires for Sale
Available 1983 Peugeot 505 tires focus on radial construction, with Michelin and Vredestein choices in 175R14 and a Michelin TRX-B option in 190/65R390. The main product differences are tire series, blackwall presentation, and wheel-format compatibility between conventional 14-inch fitment and the specialized TRX setup.
Common 1983 Peugeot 505 tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, understanding the difference between 175R14 and 190/65R390, and checking wheel compatibility before selecting a radial tire for road use or preservation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1983 Peugeot 505?
A 1983 Peugeot 505 uses one of two radial tire sizes: 175R14 or 190/65R390. The 175R14 size applies to the S, S Sedan, and Sedan variants, while STI-based versions use 190/65R390 in the Michelin TRX millimetric format.
The important next step is matching the tire size to the exact sub-model and wheel setup on the car. A standard 14-inch wheel takes the 175R14 fitment, while the TRX system requires the matching 390 millimeter wheel, so checking the car before choosing a tire avoids mixing two very different wheel formats.
What size rim does a 1983 Peugeot 505 use?
Most 1983 Peugeot 505 models covered here use a 14-inch rim with the 175R14 tire size. STI-based versions use the 190/65R390 size, which belongs to a millimetric TRX wheel system rather than a conventional 14-inch rim.
That difference matters because a 390 millimeter TRX wheel is not the same as a 14-inch wheel, even though the dimensions may seem close at a glance. Measuring the wheel, checking wheel markings, and confirming whether the car still has its original style of wheel is the safest way to choose the correct tire format.
Why does the 1983 Peugeot 505 have more than one tire size?
The 1983 Peugeot 505 has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. Standard and S-based sedans use the conventional 175R14 radial size, while STI variants use the 190/65R390 TRX radial size tied to a different wheel system.
This is not just a matter of choosing between two similar tire options. The two sizes belong to different wheel formats, so the correct decision starts with identifying the exact version of the car and confirming whether the wheels on it today are original-style units or a later change.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175R14 tire for a 1983 Peugeot 505?
Choosing a 175R14 tire for a 1983 Peugeot 505 starts with confirming that the car is one of the non-STI versions using the standard 14-inch radial setup. Within that size, available choices include Michelin XAS, Vredestein Sprint Plus, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, all with a blackwall sidewall presentation.
After size confirmation, compare the tire series and wheel-width suitability for the car’s actual wheels. Some 175R14 products include rim-width guidance in the 4.5 to 6.0 inch range, so matching the tire to the wheel matters just as much as choosing the right brand or preserving the right period-style appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1983 Peugeot 505?
Michelin and Vredestein offer tires for the 1983 Peugeot 505. Michelin covers both the conventional 175R14 fitment with the XAS and the specialized 190/65R390 TRX setup with the TRX-B, while Vredestein offers 175R14 options through the Sprint Plus and Sprint Classic lines.
The best way to use that brand choice is to narrow the search by the car’s actual tire size first. Once the correct fitment is established, the remaining comparison becomes one of tire series, wheel compatibility, and the kind of traditional European radial presentation that suits the particular 505.
What tire series are available for the 1983 Peugeot 505?
The 1983 Peugeot 505 is served by several distinct tire series, depending on size. In 175R14, available series include Michelin XAS, Vredestein Sprint Plus, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, while the 190/65R390 fitment uses the Michelin TRX-B series.
Those series matter because they separate the conventional 14-inch radial choices from the dedicated TRX millimetric option. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing series helps narrow the decision to the tire’s intended presentation, wheel compatibility, and whether the goal is preserving a specialized TRX setup or using the standard 14-inch Peugeot fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1983 Peugeot 505?
A period-style 1983 Peugeot 505 tire choice begins with retaining the correct original fitment format for the specific sub-model. Most cars in this range use 175R14 radial tires, while STI-based models use the 190/65R390 Michelin TRX format, so keeping that distinction intact is central to the car’s visual and mechanical character.
Within the 175R14 fitment, series such as Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic offer traditional European radial character in blackwall form. For an STI, preserving the TRX wheel-and-tire arrangement keeps the car aligned with its specialized setup, and exact originality questions are best settled against marque-specific historical references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1983 Peugeot 505?
Tire construction affects the appearance of a restored 1983 Peugeot 505 by shaping the overall stance and visual character of the sidewall. In this case, both primary fitments are radial, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about choosing the correct size format and the right series within that radial presentation.
A restored 505 looks most coherent when the wheel and tire format match the intended sub-model. A standard 14-inch car benefits from a proper 175R14 blackwall radial, while an STI restoration depends on maintaining the TRX-style 190/65R390 setup rather than substituting a different wheel system without careful thought.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1983 Peugeot 505?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1983 Peugeot 505. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, body alterations, or previous conversions between TRX and standard wheel systems can change what tire size the car can actually use, even when the original sub-model fitment is known.
That is especially important on the 505 because 175R14 and 190/65R390 are tied to different wheel formats. A careful check of wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and the space around the fenders and suspension helps confirm whether the car still matches its intended tire size before selecting a replacement.
What should I inspect before driving a 1983 Peugeot 505 on new tires?
Before driving a 1983 Peugeot 505 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall wheel condition, then confirm that the tire size matches the car’s actual setup. It also helps to check alignment-related wear points, verify that the tires are seated properly, and look for any interference at full steering lock.
Collector and lightly used cars deserve extra attention because age-related issues may show up elsewhere even after fresh tires are installed. A short initial road test, followed by a recheck of tire pressure and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear, is a sensible way to confirm the setup before regular driving.
How should tires on a collector 1983 Peugeot 505 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1983 Peugeot 505 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, unusual air loss, and uneven tread wear, especially on cars that spend long periods parked between drives.
Good collector-car tire care also includes storing the Peugeot away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or compressors. Occasional movement helps reduce flat spotting, and any sign of age-related deterioration should be evaluated before putting the car back into normal road use.
