The 1986 Bentley Continental belongs to an era when Bentley coupes balanced traditional coachbuilt luxury with understated grand touring presence. Buyers drawn to these cars today usually care as much about stance and sidewall appearance as they do about correct road manners. The 1986 Bentley Continental uses one primary tire size, 235/70R15, in radial construction on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, there is meaningful variety in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several well-known tire series. That makes tire choice less about finding a size and more about matching the car’s presentation, wheel setup, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Bentley Continental
The 1986 Bentley Continental uses one primary tire size: 235/70R15, a radial fitted to a 15-inch rim. The Base model shares that same fitment, so the main decision is not which size fits the car, but which version of that size best suits its appearance, tire series preference, and intended road use.
235/70R15 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1986 Bentley Continental, that sizing reflects a modern radial format rather than an older bias-ply or alphanumeric system. Available choices in this size include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments from brands such as Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin. The real choice is selecting the presentation and product character that best matches the car while staying within the correct size and wheel range.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1986 Bentley Continental sub-models. The key point is confirming that the car still uses its 15-inch wheel setup, then choosing the right 235/70R15 radial for the look and use you want.
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1986 Bentley Continental Base
The 1986 Bentley Continental Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial fitment as the core model range. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall style, brand, and rim-width compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 1986 Bentley Continental Tires for Sale
Available 235/70R15 choices for the 1986 Bentley Continental include Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin radials, with series such as Turbosteel, Silvertown Radial, Cobra Radial G/T, XVS, and Radial T/A. Sidewall treatments range from blackwall and whitewall styles to redline and raised white letter designs.
These FAQs focus on the 1986 Bentley Continental’s 235/70R15 fitment, 15-inch wheel compatibility, available radial styles, restoration-minded appearance choices, and the basic checks worth making before putting a collector luxury coupe back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Bentley Continental?
The 1986 Bentley Continental uses a 235/70R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so there is no split fitment to sort through within this application.
Once the size is confirmed, the choice shifts to the style of tire in that size. Available 235/70R15 options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter versions, so the next step is matching the tire’s appearance and specifications to the car’s wheels and the way the car will be used.
What size rim does a 1986 Bentley Continental use?
The 1986 Bentley Continental uses a 15-inch rim with its 235/70R15 tire fitment. That rim diameter is built into the tire size itself, with the final number in 235/70R15 indicating a 15-inch wheel.
Rim diameter is only the first check, especially on an older luxury car that may have seen wheel changes over time. It is also worth confirming actual wheel width before choosing among available tires, since product fitment ranges vary, with some 235/70R15 options intended for wheels as narrow as 6.0 inches and others starting at 6.5 inches.
Does the 1986 Bentley Continental Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1986 Bentley Continental Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial tire size as the main model listing. That makes fitment straightforward at the sub-model level, without a second primary size to compare.
Even with shared sizing, owners still benefit from checking the actual wheel setup on the car before selecting a tire. A Bentley that has been fitted with different wheels, altered ride height, or replacement suspension components may need closer review of wheel width, sidewall style clearance, and overall presentation before settling on a specific 235/70R15 product.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1986 Bentley Continental?
Start with the correct size and construction: 235/70R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and product specifications such as load figures and overall product character rather than treating every 235/70R15 as the same tire.
A Bentley Continental often rewards a tire choice that matches the car’s visual tone as much as its basic dimensions. A blackwall or narrow whitewall can preserve a restrained grand touring look, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options change the presentation noticeably, so choose with both wheel fit and the car’s finished appearance in mind.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Bentley Continental tires?
In 235/70R15, the 1986 Bentley Continental has access to several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter designs. That variety gives the car owner room to lean toward a more formal luxury look or a more assertive period-style presentation.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of the car even when the tire size stays the same. Because this Bentley is a large, formal coupe, the sidewall choice tends to stand out, so it helps to decide early whether the goal is understated touring appearance, restoration-oriented elegance, or a more personalized period look before comparing individual tires.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Bentley Continental?
The 1986 Bentley Continental’s 235/70R15 fitment is available from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin. Those brands appear across different tire series and sidewall presentations, giving the buyer several ways to stay within the correct size while choosing a tire that suits the car.
Brand alone should not be the only filter. It is smart to compare the specific series, sidewall treatment, wheel-width range, and any load information attached to the tire you are considering, since two tires from different makers may suit very different goals such as formal touring appearance, traditional whitewall styling, or a sportier raised white letter look.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Bentley Continental?
A period-style choice for a 1986 Bentley Continental starts with the correct 235/70R15 radial size, then narrows by sidewall treatment and overall presentation. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions can all make sense depending on how the car is being finished and which visual direction best matches the build.
Exact originality questions are more specific than size alone, so a restoration-focused owner should compare the car against marque references, archival photos, or other authoritative documentation if authenticity matters closely. For many drivers, the practical decision is selecting a tire that keeps the proper size and overall character while complementing the Bentley’s formal late-classic luxury appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Bentley Continental?
On a 1986 Bentley Continental, construction is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial than it would be on an earlier car, because the primary fitment is already a radial. The visible difference usually comes from sidewall treatment and tire series styling rather than a change in fundamental construction type.
That means appearance decisions should focus on whether the restoration calls for a restrained blackwall look, a more formal whitewall presentation, or another period-style sidewall treatment such as redline. Keeping the correct 235/70R15 size helps preserve the car’s stance, while the sidewall finish does most of the visual work in the completed restoration.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Bentley Continental?
Yes. Even though the correct size is 235/70R15, modifications can still affect whether a particular tire works well on a 1986 Bentley Continental. Wheel changes, altered suspension height, replacement springs, brake conversions, or body repairs can all influence clearance and how the tire sits in the wheel opening.
A car with aftermarket wheels should have both wheel diameter and actual wheel width confirmed before choosing among available tires. It also helps to check steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension travel with the car at normal ride height, especially when selecting among products with different sidewall styles or wheel-width requirements in the same nominal size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Bentley Continental on new tires?
Before putting a 1986 Bentley Continental back into regular road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm valve stem condition, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 235/70R15 size for the car. It is also wise to check for obvious suspension wear, uneven ride height, and any signs that the previous tires were rubbing or wearing irregularly.
After installation, verify inflation, look for adequate clearance at full steering lock, and recheck the tires after the first few drives. On a collector Bentley that may spend long periods parked, it also pays to watch for air loss, sidewall cracking on older tires elsewhere on the car, and any vibration that suggests wheel, balance, or chassis issues need attention.
How should 235/70R15 tires on a collector 1986 Bentley Continental be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 235/70R15 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly, and protected from long idle periods that encourage flat spotting and unnoticed deterioration. On a 1986 Bentley Continental, maintenance matters because low annual mileage can hide age-related issues even when tread still looks serviceable.
Routine checks should include tread wear, sidewall condition, cuts, bulges, and any slow air loss. Storage also matters: keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving or driving the car periodically can be beneficial compared with leaving the same contact patch loaded in one spot for extended periods.
