The 1983 Plymouth Colt came from an era when compact imports and captive-import models were judged as much by efficiency and everyday usability as by price. Light, practical, and unmistakably early-1980s in character, the Colt makes tire selection more about getting the right size and profile than chasing oversized modern substitutes. This model uses 13-inch radial tire fitments, with either 175/70R13 or 155R13 depending on sub-model. That gives owners a choice between a later-style metric radial profile and a classic Euro-metric radial presentation, with available tires from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. The key is matching the correct sub-model first, then choosing the tire style that suits your driving plans and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1983 Plymouth Colt
The 1983 Plymouth Colt uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction on 13-inch rims. Tire choice depends on the exact sub-model, and one hatchback configuration can use either size, so the first step is confirming both the model designation and the wheel setup currently on the car before selecting a tire.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1983 Plymouth Colt, this size represents a lower-profile metric radial fitment on a 13-inch rim. Available choices include Avon in the CR6ZZ series with a blackwall sidewall treatment. This size is worth evaluating when your Colt sub-model calls for it or when an existing 13-inch wheel setup matches the required dimensions and intended stance.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size where 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated, and it is commonly understood as an 80-series style radial. For the 1983 Plymouth Colt, this size supports a more traditional narrow-tire presentation and is available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop across different series. It is the right size to consider when preserving the car's original compact proportions and matching the sub-model's fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1983 Plymouth Colt because tire size is not the same across the full range. Most versions are straightforward once the trim is confirmed, but the Custom Hatchback deserves an extra wheel and size check because it can use either primary radial fitment.
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1983 Plymouth Colt Custom
The 1983 Plymouth Colt Custom uses the 175/70R13 radial fitment. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right product character within that size, while still confirming that the car retains its correct 13-inch wheel setup.
The 1983 Plymouth Colt Custom Hatchback can use either 155R13 or 175/70R13, both in radial construction. Tire selection starts with verifying which wheel and size combination is on the car now, then choosing the tire style that best suits its appearance and road use.
The 1983 Plymouth Colt Deluxe uses the 155R13 radial size. That points the buyer toward classic Euro-metric radial choices and makes it especially important to keep the car's narrow-tire proportions and 13-inch wheel compatibility in mind.
The 1983 Plymouth Colt Hatchback uses the 155R13 radial fitment. Selection within that size centers on product series and brand preference rather than construction changes, while still checking wheel condition and actual wheel width before road use.
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 Plymouth Colt Tires for Sale
Available 1983 Plymouth Colt tires center on the two 13-inch radial sizes, with blackwall choices from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. The product mix gives buyers a useful comparison across tire series, sizing style, and rim-width compatibility within the correct Colt fitments.
Common 1983 Plymouth Colt tire questions usually come down to sub-model size differences, 13-inch rim fitment, and how to choose between 155R13 and 175/70R13 radial options. The details below focus on practical selection, appearance, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1983 Plymouth Colt?
The 1983 Plymouth Colt uses two primary tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 155R13. Both are radial tires, but they do not apply across every sub-model in the same way. The Custom uses 175/70R13, the Deluxe and Hatchback use 155R13, and the Custom Hatchback can use either 155R13 or 175/70R13.
That means the right starting point is the exact sub-model and the wheel setup currently on the car. A Colt that has been changed over the years may no longer match its original trim-based fitment, so checking the sidewall size already installed and confirming the 13-inch wheel before ordering is a smart step.
What size rim does a 1983 Plymouth Colt use?
The 1983 Plymouth Colt uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That remains true whether the car is fitted with 155R13 or 175/70R13, so the wheel diameter itself is consistent even though the tire profile and width can vary by sub-model.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a smaller car where tire width and wheel width both matter. It helps to confirm the actual wheel width as well, particularly if the Colt has aftermarket wheels or if the current setup differs from the original trim configuration.
Why does the 1983 Plymouth Colt have more than one tire size?
The 1983 Plymouth Colt has more than one tire size because fitment changes across the covered sub-models. Some versions use the narrower 155R13 radial, while the Custom uses 175/70R13. The Custom Hatchback adds another layer by appearing with either of those two primary 13-inch radial sizes.
For the buyer, that means trim name alone may not settle the issue on every car still on the road. A quick check of the wheel and the size currently mounted can prevent ordering the wrong profile, and it also helps preserve the look and stance that suit the specific Colt configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155R13 or 175/70R13 tire for a 1983 Plymouth Colt?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1983 Plymouth Colt sub-model, then compare the available tires within that size. Both Colt fitments are radial and use 13-inch wheels, but 155R13 and 175/70R13 represent different proportions, so the choice should match the car's intended fitment rather than personal preference alone.
After size is settled, compare factors such as brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility. A restoration-minded owner may prefer the narrower traditional look of 155R13, while another owner may simply need the tire that matches the wheel setup already on the car and supports the way it will be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1983 Plymouth Colt tires?
The available tire choices for the 1983 Plymouth Colt are offered in blackwall form. That applies to the Avon 175/70R13 option as well as the Michelin and Dunlop offerings in 155R13. There is no sidewall-style split here, so selection is shaped more by size, series, and brand than by whitewall or lettered-sidewall appearance.
That makes visual planning fairly straightforward on this car. A blackwall tire suits the Colt's compact early-1980s presentation, but the final look will still change with the tire's profile and width, so choosing between 155R13 and 175/70R13 remains more important than sidewall treatment alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1983 Plymouth Colt?
Tires for the 1983 Plymouth Colt are available from Avon, Michelin, and Dunlop. Avon covers the 175/70R13 fitment through the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin and Dunlop both offer 155R13 choices. Those brand options give Colt owners a useful spread across the two primary radial sizes used on this model.
The practical next step is to compare each brand within the correct size rather than trying to compare across mismatched fitments. A 155R13 buyer is deciding between Michelin and Dunlop, while a 175/70R13 buyer is evaluating the Avon offering and making sure the wheel width and overall setup suit that size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1983 Plymouth Colt?
A period-style 1983 Plymouth Colt starts with using the correct primary size for the exact sub-model. On this car, that means choosing between 155R13 and 175/70R13, both in radial construction. The narrower 155R13 gives a classic Euro-metric small-car look, while 175/70R13 presents a later-style metric radial profile.
Appearance on a compact car is strongly influenced by tire proportion, so preserving the proper width and profile matters as much as brand selection. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare the car against marque-specific references and surviving examples, especially if the wheels or trim designation have changed over time.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1983 Plymouth Colt restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1983 Plymouth Colt restoration because the car's size, stance, and overall visual balance are closely tied to relatively small 13-inch tires. Using the proper radial size for the sub-model helps the car look right and keeps the wheel opening relationship closer to its intended compact proportions.
Fitment also affects how convincing the restoration feels in use, not just how it looks at a glance. A tire that is wider or different in profile than the intended setup can change the car's visual character, so checking both sub-model fitment and actual wheel dimensions is worth doing before finalizing the restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1983 Plymouth Colt?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1983 Plymouth Colt even when the tire still uses the correct 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change the space available around the tire and may also alter which wheel widths work comfortably with 155R13 or 175/70R13.
That matters most on compact cars, where small changes can have noticeable effects on clearance during turning or suspension movement. A modified Colt should be checked at the wheel, not just by trim name, and it is wise to confirm clearance at the fender, inner wheelhouse, and steering range before regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1983 Plymouth Colt on new tires?
Before driving a 1983 Plymouth Colt on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify the tire size matches the car's actual setup, and confirm that the tires seat properly on the 13-inch rims. It also helps to check inflation, valve stems, lug hardware, and whether the tires clear the body and suspension through full steering travel.
A collector or long-stored Colt deserves extra attention because aging components around the tire can create problems even when the tires are new. Brake condition, alignment, wheel bearings, and suspension wear all influence how the car feels on the road, so a careful once-over is worthwhile before settling into normal driving.
How should 155R13 and 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1983 Plymouth Colt be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1983 Plymouth Colt should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage habits. Whether the car uses 155R13 or 175/70R13, watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Low-mileage use does not prevent rubber from aging, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Storage plays a major role on lightly used cars. Keeping the Colt away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tire casing over time. It is also smart to inspect the tires before each driving season and before any longer trip, even if the car was parked in a climate-controlled space.
