The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette came at the tail end of a long run as Chevrolet’s compact, economy-minded hatchback and sedan, prized today for its simplicity, light weight, and unmistakable small-car character. For owners keeping one on the road or refreshing its appearance, tire choice matters because this exact model uses 13-inch radial fitments in either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. That creates a decision centered less on vintage bias-ply authenticity and more on confirming the right size, sidewall presentation, and intended use. Available choices range from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall radials, making it possible to balance period-style looks with practical road manners.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette
The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires for 13-inch rims. Because both the Base and CS sub-models can use either size, the first step is confirming which size is actually on the car or which wheel-and-tire setup you intend to keep. From there, the decision shifts to appearance, brand, and whether a blackwall or whitewall radial better suits the car.
A 155/80R13 tire uses a 155-millimeter section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette, this size reflects a narrow modern metric radial format that suits the car’s compact proportions and everyday small-car character. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. This size makes sense for owners focused on maintaining the Chevette’s lighter, narrower tire presentation while still choosing among several restoration-friendly radial styles.
A 175/70R13 tire uses a 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. For the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette, it represents an alternate radial fitment in the same wheel diameter, but with a different width-and-profile combination than 155/80R13. The available product in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving it a more performance-oriented visual character than the whitewall-heavy 155/80R13 offerings. This size is worth evaluating when the car already uses that setup and wheel compatibility, clearance, and the overall look are all consistent with the vehicle as equipped.
Tire fitment for the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette is fairly straightforward because both the Base and CS sub-models can use the same two radial sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps, but confirming the tire size already fitted to the car is the more important step before choosing a replacement.
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1985 Chevrolet Chevette Base
The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette Base can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, both in radial construction on 13-inch rims. That means tire selection comes down to matching the actual wheel-and-tire setup on the car and then choosing the sidewall style, brand, and tire character that best suit its intended look and road use.
The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette CS also uses either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 radial tires on 13-inch rims. For this sub-model, the key is verifying which size is already in service, then deciding whether a whitewall or blackwall presentation better matches the car’s appearance and how it will be driven.
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 1985 Chevrolet Chevette Tires for Sale
Available 1985 Chevrolet Chevette tire choices center on radial 13-inch fitments from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. The product range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, with series differences that matter as much as the size itself.
Chevette owners usually need to sort out which 13-inch radial size is on the car, whether both sub-models share the same fitment, and how whitewall, blackwall, and brand choices affect the final selection.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette uses two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tires built for 13-inch rims, and both sizes are used on this model rather than one single universal fitment across every car you may see today.
Choosing between them starts with confirming what is already mounted on the car, because both the Base and CS can use either size. The safest next step is to check the sidewall of the current tires and verify the wheel diameter before selecting a replacement, especially if the Chevette has had wheels or suspension parts changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette use?
The tire fitments used on the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 share that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the main fitment difference is in tire width and profile rather than rim size.
That common rim diameter simplifies replacement, but the actual wheel width still matters when comparing tire options. Looking at the wheel itself and matching it to the tire’s rim-width specification helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but less suitable for the wheel currently on the car.
Do all 1985 Chevrolet Chevette sub-models use the same tire size?
The 1985 Chevrolet Chevette Base and 1985 Chevrolet Chevette CS share the same two tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both sub-models use radial construction and the same 13-inch rim diameter, so fitment is consistent across the covered sub-models.
Even with that shared fitment range, it is still important to verify the exact size on the car before replacing tires. A Chevette may already be set up on one of the two sizes, and staying with the existing wheel-and-tire combination is usually the clearest path unless a broader change in appearance or setup is being considered.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
A 155/80R13 choice for a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette starts with confirming that this is the size already fitted to the car and that the wheel is a 13-inch rim with compatible width. In this size, the biggest differences are brand, sidewall treatment, tire series, and the rim-width range each product is built around.
This is also the size with the broadest appearance range, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials. Owners chasing a traditional small-car look may focus on sidewall style first, while others may compare brand and rim-width specifications more closely to match the wheel already on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Chevrolet Chevette tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The 155/80R13 fitment carries the whitewall options, while the available 175/70R13 product is a blackwall radial, giving the two sizes noticeably different visual directions.
That matters because sidewall treatment changes the car’s presentation even when the rim diameter stays the same. A whitewall can lean toward a more period-style or restoration-oriented appearance, while a blackwall keeps the look simpler and sportier, so the right choice depends on how the Chevette is being finished and used.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
Tires for the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. Most of that brand variety appears in the 155/80R13 size, while the 175/70R13 fitment is represented by Avon in the CR6ZZ series.
Brand selection should be considered alongside size, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than by brand name alone. A buyer comparing these options will usually get more value from looking at the visual style and fitment details first, then narrowing the field to the brand and series that best match the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
A period-style 1985 Chevrolet Chevette usually starts with choosing the correct 13-inch radial size already used on the car, then selecting a sidewall treatment that supports the look you want. In practice, 155/80R13 offers the strongest restoration-oriented appearance choices because it is available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling.
That does not automatically make whitewall the right answer for every Chevette, since different owners prefer different presentations. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against photos, literature, or marque-specific references for the way your particular car is being restored, then confirm wheel compatibility before finalizing the selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
Tire construction is simple on the 1985 Chevrolet Chevette because the primary fitments here are radial rather than bias-ply. The visual difference comes less from construction type and more from the sizing profile and sidewall treatment, especially when comparing a whitewall 155/80R13 to a blackwall 175/70R13.
That means a restored Chevette’s final look is shaped by proportion and sidewall presentation more than by a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. Owners trying to preserve a traditional small-car appearance should pay close attention to the narrower 155/80R13 options, while still checking wheel width and overall setup before making a change.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette even though both primary sizes use the same 13-inch rim diameter. Wheel-width changes, aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, and suspension work can all influence whether a 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 remains the more appropriate choice on the car.
A Chevette that has been changed from stock should be checked for wheel width, tire clearance at full steering lock, and space around the fender and suspension. Those details matter more than the catalog size alone, especially when moving between the narrower 155-section tire and the wider 175-section alternative.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the intended setup, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic suspension condition so the new tires are not being asked to work around other problems.
After installation, look for any rubbing during turning and over suspension movement, especially if the car uses a different size than before. A short local drive followed by a recheck of pressure and visual condition is a smart way to catch clearance or mounting issues before putting the Chevette into regular use.
How should 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1985 Chevrolet Chevette be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1985 Chevrolet Chevette should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic driving or movement so the tires do not sit in one position for long stretches. Sidewall cracking, tread wear, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve attention even if the car is driven only occasionally.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a low-use Chevette. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, while routine inspections before each drive make it easier to catch aging or damage early and avoid surprises once the car is back on the road.
