The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet carried the familiar open-top Volkswagen formula into the mid-1980s, blending compact European character with everyday usability in a way that still appeals to vintage import enthusiasts. Because these cars often survive as drivers as well as collectibles, tire choice affects both appearance and the way the car feels on the road. The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses radial tires, with fitment centered on either 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 depending on the wheel setup. Available choices stay focused on blackwall radial designs from Avon and Michelin. The key is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car before choosing between period-appropriate sizing and modern road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming whether the car is on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels. Both fitments are radial, but they are tied to different rim diameters, so the real decision starts with the actual wheel on the car and then moves to the available tire choice within that size.
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 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this size suits a 13-inch wheel and keeps the car in a compact, modern radial format rather than an older numeric system. The available option in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial. It is the right place to start when the car retains a 13-inch setup and the goal is staying with the proper primary fitment.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch wheel diameter. For a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet equipped with 14-inch wheels, this is the primary fitment and it represents a lower-profile radial than the 175/70R13 option. The available choice in this size is the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in a blackwall design. This size deserves careful attention when the car has been changed from its original wheel setup, because the wheel diameter must match before any further tire comparison matters.
The covered sub-model fitment is straightforward, but wheel diameter still matters. The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base uses both primary tire sizes, so selecting the correct tire starts with confirming whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels.
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1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base
The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base can use either of the two primary radial sizes, depending on the wheel diameter fitted to the car. That makes wheel confirmation more important than trim identification, followed by choosing the blackwall radial option that matches the intended road use 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 Volkswagen Cabriolet Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet focus on two blackwall radial fitments: Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in 185/60R14. The main comparison points are size, wheel diameter, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within each fitment.
Common questions for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet usually center on the two tire sizes, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, and what to inspect before putting a lightly used convertible back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/60R14. Both are radial sizes, and each one corresponds to a different wheel diameter, so they are not interchangeable without the matching rim.
The practical next step is to confirm which wheels are actually on the car before choosing a tire. Many older Cabriolets have seen wheel changes over time, so checking the installed rim diameter prevents ordering the right tire size for the wrong wheel.
What size rim does a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet use?
A 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on which of its two primary tire sizes applies. The 175/70R13 fitment belongs on a 13-inch wheel, while the 185/60R14 fitment belongs on a 14-inch wheel.
Wheel diameter is the first fitment checkpoint because the tire bead must match the rim exactly. After that, it helps to confirm wheel width as well, especially on a car that may have aftermarket wheels or a long history of replacement parts.
Does the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base use the same tire size?
The 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base is associated with both 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 radial tire sizes. That means the Base model does not point to just one tire size by itself, because wheel diameter still determines which fitment applies.
For an owner, that shifts the decision away from trim name and toward the actual wheels on the car. A quick check of the installed rim diameter makes tire selection much more straightforward and avoids confusion between the 13-inch and 14-inch setups.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Start with the correct primary size for the wheels on the car: 175/70R13 for a 13-inch rim or 185/60R14 for a 14-inch rim. From there, compare the available radial tire by tire series, rim-width compatibility, and how closely it matches the way the Cabriolet will actually be used.
A lightly driven collector car may call for a different emphasis than a Cabriolet that sees regular road miles. It also helps to think about the car’s current setup, since aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or long-stored components can affect how confidently a chosen tire works with the vehicle.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet tires?
The available tires for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet use a blackwall sidewall style in both primary fitments. That keeps the visual presentation simple and contemporary, whether the car is running the 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ or the 185/60R14 Michelin option.
Because there is no sidewall-style split in the current selection, the buying decision is less about cosmetic stripe treatment and more about choosing the correct size and wheel match. That can be helpful on a Cabriolet where fitment accuracy matters more than decorative sidewall variety.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The current choices for the 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet come from Avon and Michelin. Avon covers the 175/70R13 fitment with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin covers the 185/60R14 fitment with the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 series.
Brand comparison only makes sense after confirming which wheel diameter the car has, because each brand is tied to a different primary size here. Once that is settled, attention can shift to tire series character, rim-width suitability, and the kind of driving the Cabriolet is expected to see.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
A period-style choice starts with using the correct primary size for the wheel diameter on the car, either 175/70R13 or 185/60R14. Since both available options are blackwall radials, the visual effect stays in line with the Cabriolet’s mid-1980s character without moving into older bias-ply styling.
Owners focused on restoration should make wheel confirmation part of the appearance decision, not just the fitment decision. A tire that suits the wrong rim diameter can disrupt both stance and authenticity, so matching the car’s actual wheel setup is the most important first step.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet restoration because the tire size and wheel diameter shape the car’s visual balance as much as its road manners. On this model, the key distinction is between the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 radial fitments.
Restoration-minded owners should verify the wheels currently on the car rather than assuming every Cabriolet Base uses one setup. If originality is especially important, the tire decision should be checked against vehicle-specific references so the finished car reflects the intended presentation as closely as possible.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet, especially when they involve wheels, ride height, or suspension components. The car already has two primary sizes tied to different rim diameters, so any change in wheel setup can alter which tire is appropriate.
A Cabriolet with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual diameter and width before a tire is chosen. Clearance at the fenders and during steering travel also deserves attention, since an older car may no longer sit or track exactly as it did when new.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the installed rim diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It is also wise to look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could affect how the car responds.
An older convertible often spends time parked, so a broader pre-drive check is worthwhile. Tread condition, visible sidewall damage, air retention, and basic brake function all deserve attention, because a fresh set of tires cannot compensate for underlying mechanical issues elsewhere on the car.
How should tires on a collector 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet should be checked regularly for pressure, cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage use can hide age-related problems, so condition matters just as much as remaining tread.
Storage habits also make a difference on a lightly used Cabriolet. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic inspections before each driving season reduce the chance of discovering a problem only after the car is back on the road.
