The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II came at the end of Chevrolet’s first front-wheel-drive compact era, a period when practical packaging, lighter weight, and modern road manners mattered as much as styling. For buyers keeping one on the road today, tire choice is closely tied to the exact setup on the car, because the Citation II uses three radial sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. Those sizes span both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel applications, and the available tires also vary in character, from whitewall-oriented radials to blackwall and raised white letter choices. The right selection starts with the sub-model and wheel diameter, then moves to appearance, driving use, and overall fitment condition.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II
Three tire sizes apply to the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II, and they do not all serve the same configurations. Fitment varies by sub-model and wheel diameter, so the first step is confirming whether the car uses a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel and whether it is a Base, X-11, or Sport Suspension version. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right radial tire style and product character within the correct size.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II, this size suits 13-inch wheel applications and maintains a tall-profile radial look that fits the car’s compact front-drive era. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic across the Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series lines. This size is worth considering when the goal is to stay with the proper 13-inch fitment while also choosing a more traditional or restoration-oriented appearance.
205/70R13 is a metric radial size, with 205 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 70 identifying the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 13 for the rim diameter. On the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II, this size appears across more than one sub-model and keeps the car on a 13-inch wheel while using a wider, lower-profile format than 185/80R13. The available product is a Michelin XDX blackwall in the Michelin XDX-B series, giving this fitment a distinctly road-oriented, European-style radial presentation. This size becomes the right one to evaluate when the Citation II already has the corresponding 13-inch wheel setup and calls for that specific profile.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II, this size belongs to 14-inch wheel applications and gives certain configurations a shorter-profile, wider radial than the 13-inch sizes. The available choice is a BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, a sidewall style that changes the car’s appearance as much as the wheel diameter does. This size should be evaluated only after confirming the car’s wheel and sub-model setup, since moving to a 14-inch application involves more than tire width alone.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II because tire choice changes with both trim and wheel diameter. Some versions stay within 13-inch sizes, while others can use either a 13-inch or 14-inch setup, so identifying the exact sub-model is the starting point.
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1985 Chevrolet Citation II Base
The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II Base uses 13-inch radial fitments, with both 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 associated with this version. That means the key decision is confirming which 13-inch wheel setup is actually on the car, then choosing between whitewall-oriented and blackwall-style radial options.
The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II X-11 is associated with both 205/70R13 and 215/60R14 radial sizes. Tire selection therefore starts with wheel diameter confirmation, then moves to whether the car’s look and use call for the 13-inch blackwall presentation or the 14-inch raised white letter style.
The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II w/Sport Suspension also uses either 205/70R13 or 215/60R14 radial fitment depending on the wheel setup. That makes wheel verification especially important before comparing products, since the available choices change not just in size but also in sidewall appearance and overall presentation.
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 Citation II Tires for Sale
Available 1985 Chevrolet Citation II tires span several distinct looks and uses, including Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin options. Depending on size, the product grid includes narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter radials across series such as Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, Star Series, Michelin XDX-B, and Radial T/A.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II, how sub-model and wheel diameter affect fitment, and how to compare available radial, sidewall, and appearance choices before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II uses three radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup, because Base versions are associated with 185/80R13 and 205/70R13, while X-11 and Sport Suspension versions are associated with 205/70R13 and 215/60R14.
That makes identification more important than simply ordering by vehicle name alone. Confirm the sub-model, then verify whether the car actually has a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel before selecting a tire. On older cars, wheels may have been changed over time, so the size on the sidewall and the wheel diameter on the car should both agree with the intended fitment.
What size rim does a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II use?
A 1985 Chevrolet Citation II uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size and vehicle configuration. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 sizes use 13-inch rims, while 215/60R14 uses a 14-inch rim. The Citation II does not stay on one wheel diameter across every covered sub-model.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm before comparing tires, because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. It also helps to confirm wheel width, especially if the car has replacement wheels, since available products in these sizes call for different rim-width ranges depending on the exact tire.
Why does the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II have more than one tire size?
The 1985 Chevrolet Citation II has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model and wheel package. Base models use 13-inch radial sizes, while X-11 and Sport Suspension versions can also move into a 14-inch application with 215/60R14. Even within 13-inch fitment, the Citation II appears with both 185/80R13 and 205/70R13.
That variation means the right tire is tied to the actual configuration of the car rather than the model name alone. A surviving Citation II may also have had wheel changes during its life, so checking the current wheel diameter and the size already mounted is a smart step before choosing between whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
Start with the exact tire size and wheel diameter used on the car, since the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II can require 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14. From there, compare the tire’s radial construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and overall presentation. The available choices range from whitewall-oriented 13-inch tires to blackwall and raised white letter options.
The best choice depends on how the car is being used and how it should look. A restoration-minded Base model may lean toward one of the whitewall 185/80R13 options, while a sportier setup may point toward the 205/70R13 or 215/60R14 applications already associated with the car. Always confirm wheel size and clearance before changing to a different fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Chevrolet Citation II tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter styles, depending on tire size. The 185/80R13 size has the most appearance variety, while 205/70R13 is available as a blackwall Michelin XDX and 215/60R14 is available as a raised white letter BFGoodrich Radial T/A.
That gives the Citation II owner a meaningful appearance decision in addition to a fitment decision. Whitewalls create a more traditional presentation, blackwalls keep the look cleaner and more understated, and raised white letters add a more performance-oriented visual character. Sidewall style should always be chosen after the correct size and wheel diameter have already been confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
Tires for the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin across the covered sizes. Brand choice is tied closely to tire size, since 185/80R13 has options from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic, 205/70R13 is available from Michelin, and 215/60R14 is available from BFGoodrich.
That means brand comparison is not always a simple side-by-side exercise across every fitment. The first step is selecting the proper size for the car, then comparing the brands and series that exist within that size. It also helps to look at sidewall style and rim-width specification, since those details shape both appearance and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
A period-style 1985 Chevrolet Citation II starts with the correct size for the car’s sub-model and wheel diameter, then moves to the sidewall look that best matches the intended presentation. In 13-inch fitment, 185/80R13 offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radial choices, while 205/70R13 is available as a blackwall. The 14-inch 215/60R14 option uses raised white letters.
For a restoration-oriented car, appearance often matters as much as dimensions. Whitewalls can suit a more formal, showroom-inspired look, while blackwall or raised white letter styles can shift the character noticeably. If exact originality is important, compare the finished look against marque literature, surviving examples, or model-specific reference material before settling on a sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1985 Chevrolet Citation II because the covered primary fitments are all radial. That keeps the car in a distinctly modern-for-its-era presentation, and the biggest visual differences come from size, sidewall treatment, and wheel diameter rather than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
Appearance still changes noticeably across the available combinations. A tall-profile 185/80R13 whitewall creates a different impression than a blackwall 205/70R13, and both look quite different from a 215/60R14 raised white letter tire on a 14-inch wheel. For a restored Citation II, tire choice should support the stance and character already established by the wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II. Wheel changes, suspension alterations, lowering, or body and fender work can all change how 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 sits in the car. That matters even more here because the Citation II already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel applications.
A Citation II with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width before any tire is chosen. Clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension should also be reviewed, especially when moving between the 13-inch and 14-inch setups. On an older compact, small changes in wheel package can alter both appearance and usable space around the tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the selected tire size, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the application. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, uneven ride height, and any rubbing marks that could point to past clearance problems.
A short collector-car test drive should include attention to steering feel, pull, vibration, and any contact noise over turns or bumps. Older cars that have sat for long periods can hide issues that only appear once fresh tires are mounted. Rechecking air pressure and visual condition after the first few drives helps catch mounting or fitment concerns early.
How often should tires on a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II be inspected?
Tires on a 1985 Chevrolet Citation II should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Collector-era cars can accumulate age-related issues even when tread wear is low, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss deserve just as much attention as the remaining tread.
A quick visual check before each drive is a smart habit, with a more careful inspection at routine service intervals and before any longer trip. Storage conditions also matter, since heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can shorten tire life over time. Keeping pressures consistent and watching for uneven wear can also reveal alignment or suspension problems early.
