The 1984 Buick Skylark sits squarely in the front-drive GM compact era, when midsize comfort, cleaner packaging, and appearance packages all shaped how buyers equipped their cars. For today’s owner, that matters because tire fitment on the 1984 Buick Skylark is not one-size-fits-all. This model uses three primary radial sizes—185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14—depending on sub-model and package, with both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters in the mix. Available choices also vary by brand, sidewall treatment, and tire series, from traditional whitewall presentations to blackwall and raised white letter styles. The first step is matching the exact sub-model and wheel size before choosing the look and driving character that suits the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1984 Buick Skylark
Three tire sizes apply to the 1984 Buick Skylark, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes fit 13-inch wheels, while the T-Type uses a 14-inch setup, so confirming the car’s trim and actual wheel size comes first. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the overall appearance you want from the car.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1984 Buick Skylark, this size serves sub-models that use the standard 13-inch wheel setup and keeps the fitment in a distinctly 1980s passenger-car format. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic across series such as Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series. This size makes sense when preserving the proper wheel diameter and selecting a more traditional sidewall presentation matters most.
Fit(s): Custom w/S Touring Pkg. and Limited w/S Touring Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
205/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1984 Buick Skylark, this size is tied to Touring Package applications, giving those sub-models a different fitment than the standard 185/80R13 cars even though both use 13-inch wheels. The available product in this size is a Michelin XDX-B blackwall radial, which gives this fitment a distinct European-influenced performance-touring character in appearance and construction. This is the size to evaluate when the car is a Touring Package model and the wheel diameter remains the original 13-inch format.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1984 Buick Skylark, this size belongs to the T-Type and stands apart because it uses a 14-inch wheel rather than the 13-inch setups found on other sub-models. The available tire in this fitment is a BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, giving it a more assertive period performance look than the whitewall and blackwall 13-inch choices. This size should be chosen only after confirming the car is a T-Type or is still equipped with the correct 14-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1984 Buick Skylark because tire size changes with package and model line. Standard Custom and Limited versions share one size, Touring Package cars use another 13-inch fitment, and the T-Type moves to a different size on a 14-inch wheel.
1
1984 Buick Skylark Custom
The 1984 Buick Skylark Custom uses the standard radial fitment for this model line rather than the Touring Package or T-Type setup. That makes tire selection more about choosing among available whitewall styles and tire series while keeping the correct 13-inch wheel format in place.
The 1984 Buick Skylark Custom w/S Touring Pkg. uses a different 13-inch radial size than the standard Custom. Tire selection here starts with confirming the Touring Package fitment, then choosing the available blackwall radial option that matches the package’s distinct setup.
The 1984 Buick Skylark Limited shares the same basic radial tire fitment as the standard Custom. That gives the owner room to focus on appearance and series choice, especially if a traditional narrow or wide whitewall presentation suits the car’s style.
The 1984 Buick Skylark Limited w/S Touring Pkg. uses the Touring Package radial size rather than the standard Limited fitment. Choosing tires for this sub-model means matching that package-specific 13-inch setup first, then confirming wheel width and desired driving character within the available option.
The 1984 Buick Skylark T-Type stands apart with its own radial tire size on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, and it also gives the car a different visual direction through the available raised white letter performance-style tire.
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 1984 Buick Skylark Tires for Sale
Available 1984 Buick Skylark tires span several distinct styles depending on size, including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin options. The product grid shows traditional whitewall radials for 185/80R13 applications, a blackwall Michelin XDX-B in 205/70R13, and a raised white letter BFGoodrich Radial T/A for 215/60R14.
Common 1984 Buick Skylark tire questions usually come down to identifying the right sub-model, confirming 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, and choosing between whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter radial options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1984 Buick Skylark?
The 1984 Buick Skylark uses three primary radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model. Custom and Limited models use 185/80R13, Custom w/S Touring Pkg. and Limited w/S Touring Pkg. use 205/70R13, and the T-Type uses 215/60R14.
The most important step is matching the tire to the actual trim level and wheel on the car. Two Skylark sizes fit 13-inch rims, while the T-Type moves to a 14-inch rim, so checking the wheel diameter before ordering helps avoid choosing the right-looking tire in the wrong size.
What size rim does a 1984 Buick Skylark use?
A 1984 Buick Skylark uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 tire sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, while the 215/60R14 size uses a 14-inch wheel on the Skylark T-Type.
Wheel diameter is the first fitment check because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch rim, and the reverse is equally true. Once diameter is confirmed, compare wheel width as well, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been changed from its original package-specific setup.
Do all 1984 Buick Skylark sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1984 Buick Skylark does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Custom and Limited models share 185/80R13, Touring Package versions use 205/70R13, and the T-Type uses 215/60R14 on a different wheel diameter.
That variation means the model name alone is not enough when selecting tires. A Skylark that has been repainted, rebadged, or modified can easily be mistaken for another version, so confirming both the exact sub-model and the wheel currently on the car is the safest way to narrow the correct fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1984 Buick Skylark?
Start with the correct tire size for the specific 1984 Buick Skylark sub-model, then confirm the wheel diameter and rim-width compatibility for the tire being considered. From there, the real choice becomes visual style and product character, since this model can wear whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter radial tires depending on size.
A standard Custom or Limited often points buyers toward a traditional whitewall appearance, while Touring Package and T-Type cars have more specialized fitments. It also helps to compare tire series, construction details, and load figures when available so the chosen tire suits both the car’s setup and how it will actually be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1984 Buick Skylark tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size used on the 1984 Buick Skylark. In 185/80R13, available choices include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall. The 205/70R13 fitment appears as a Blackwall, while the 215/60R14 T-Type fitment is available with RWL, or raised white letters.
That sidewall variation can change the personality of the car as much as the size itself. Whitewalls tend to suit a more traditional passenger-car presentation, blackwalls keep things understated, and raised white letters lean toward a sportier 1980s performance look, so the right choice depends on the sub-model and the appearance you want.
What brands offer tires for the 1984 Buick Skylark?
Tires for the 1984 Buick Skylark are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin, depending on the size. The 185/80R13 fitment has the broadest variety, while 205/70R13 and 215/60R14 each have a more focused set of choices tied to their specific applications.
Brand selection should still begin with the correct size and wheel rather than with the name on the sidewall. Once fitment is confirmed, comparing brand offerings by sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and overall presentation is a practical way to narrow the right tire for the exact Skylark configuration.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1984 Buick Skylark?
A period-style choice for a 1984 Buick Skylark starts with the correct size for the specific sub-model. From there, the available presentation changes noticeably by fitment: 185/80R13 offers narrow and wide whitewall radials, 205/70R13 comes in blackwall form, and 215/60R14 for the T-Type is available with raised white letters.
That means appearance should follow the car’s package and overall character rather than a one-style-fits-all approach. Owners chasing exact restoration details should compare their car against marque literature, original photos, or other model-specific references, while drivers seeking the right era feel can use the proper size and sidewall style as the foundation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1984 Buick Skylark?
On the 1984 Buick Skylark, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from profile, sidewall treatment, and wheel diameter. A whitewall 185/80R13 gives a very different impression than a blackwall 205/70R13 or an RWL 215/60R14 on a T-Type.
Restoration-minded buyers should pay attention to how the tire fills the wheel opening and how the sidewall style matches the trim level. Keeping the correct size and wheel diameter for the sub-model usually does more for an authentic-looking result than chasing a particular brand name without first confirming the fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1984 Buick Skylark?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1984 Buick Skylark even when the nominal tire size seems close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, and body modifications can all affect whether a 13-inch or 14-inch setup still has the clearance and compatibility the car needs.
That is especially important on this Skylark because both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments exist across the model line. A car that has been converted from one package look to another should be checked carefully for wheel diameter, width, steering clearance, and fender room before selecting replacement tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1984 Buick Skylark on new tires?
Before driving a 1984 Buick Skylark on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the sub-model and rim diameter, and make sure each tire is inflated properly for its intended use. It also helps to check for uneven suspension wear, brake drag, and any signs of rubbing at full steering lock.
A short initial road test is a smart follow-up, especially on a collector or low-use car. Listen for contact noises, note any pull or vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first drive so the new tires are being evaluated with the rest of the car’s mechanical condition in mind.
How often should tires on a 1984 Buick Skylark be inspected?
Tires on a 1984 Buick Skylark should be inspected regularly, with extra attention on cars that are stored for long periods or driven only occasionally. Monthly pressure checks are useful, and visual inspection should include tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any sign that one tire is losing air faster than the others.
Collector-era cars often age their tires by time as much as by mileage, so appearance alone is not enough. Looking over the tires before longer drives, seasonal use, or highway trips can catch problems early and also helps confirm that the car’s alignment, wheel condition, and suspension are not creating abnormal wear.
