The 1986 Buick Century sits squarely in the front-wheel-drive midsize era, when Buick balanced practical family transportation with trim-specific styling that could range from conservative wagons to the sportier T-Type. Tire fitment on this Century stays within 14-inch radial construction, but the exact size depends on the sub-model, with 185/75R14, 195/75R14, and 215/60R14 all in the mix. That creates a real choice between traditional whitewall presentation on sedan and wagon applications and raised white letter styling on the T-Type. The key is matching the tire to the exact Century configuration, then choosing the sidewall look and series that best suits restoration goals or regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Buick Century
The 1986 Buick Century uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model. All three are radial tires for 14-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Custom, Custom Wagon, Estate Wagon, Limited, or T-Type before comparing sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
Fit(s): Custom, Custom Wagon, Estate Wagon, and Limited
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
185/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Buick Century, this size is used on several wagon and sedan applications where a traditional full-profile radial is appropriate. Available choices center on narrow whitewall styling, with options from Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar across series such as Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and UN106. This size is the one to evaluate when the goal is maintaining the correct overall fitment character for the Century configurations that use it.
195/75R14 follows the same metric radial sizing system, but with a slightly wider nominal section width than 185/75R14 while keeping a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Buick Century, this size appears on certain Custom and Limited applications, making sub-model confirmation important before selection. Product choices include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations, with offerings from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar in series such as Star Series, Coker Classic Radial, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and UN106. This size is especially useful when appearance matters, because the available sidewall treatments can change the car's overall period-style look.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Buick Century, this size is tied to the T-Type, giving that sub-model a distinctly different tire profile from the sedan and wagon fitments that use 75-series tires. The available product uses BFGoodrich's Radial T/A series with raised white letter sidewalls, which creates a more performance-oriented presentation than the whitewall options found in the other Century sizes. This is the size to focus on when matching a genuine T-Type setup and preserving the stance and look associated with that trim.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Buick Century because the tire size is not the same across the full range. The wagons stay straightforward, while the Custom, Limited, and especially the T-Type require closer attention to the exact configuration before choosing a tire.
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1986 Buick Century Custom
The 1986 Buick Century Custom can use either 185/75R14 or 195/75R14 radial tires, so this trim needs more than a quick glance before replacement. Checking the current wheel and tire setup helps narrow the choice, after which the decision usually comes down to whitewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
The 1986 Buick Century Custom Wagon uses 185/75R14 radial tires, keeping fitment more straightforward than the sedan trims with multiple size possibilities. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing among the available narrow whitewall options while confirming the wheel remains a 14-inch setup.
The 1986 Buick Century Estate Wagon also uses 185/75R14 radial tires on a 14-inch rim. That makes the buying decision less about size changes and more about selecting the whitewall presentation, series, and rim-width specification that suit the wagon's intended look and use.
The 1986 Buick Century Limited can use either 185/75R14 or 195/75R14 radial tires, so the exact wheel-and-tire combination should be confirmed before ordering replacements. Once the size is settled, the available choices include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, which can noticeably change the car's visual character.
The 1986 Buick Century T-Type uses 215/60R14 radial tires, separating it clearly from the other Century sub-models. That means tire selection is centered on preserving the T-Type's distinct 14-inch performance-style fitment and confirming the car still carries the wheel setup intended for that lower-profile size.
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 Buick Century Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Buick Century tires are all radial 14-inch options, with meaningful differences in brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification. Choices range from narrow and wide whitewalls by Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar to a BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised white letter option for the 215/60R14 T-Type fitment.
These 1986 Buick Century tire FAQs focus on the exact size for each sub-model, 14-inch rim fitment, whitewall versus raised white letter choices, and the checks worth making before putting a restored or regularly driven Century back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Buick Century?
A 1986 Buick Century can use 185/75R14, 195/75R14, or 215/60R14, depending on the sub-model. The Custom uses 185/75R14 or 195/75R14, the Custom Wagon uses 185/75R14, the Estate Wagon uses 185/75R14, the Limited uses 185/75R14 or 195/75R14, and the T-Type uses 215/60R14. All of these are radial sizes for 14-inch rims.
The practical question is not just model year, but exact trim and current wheel setup. On a Century Custom or Limited, there can be more than one correct primary size, so it helps to confirm what is on the car now and verify the wheel diameter before choosing a replacement. That keeps the tire search focused on the right fitment rather than comparing sizes meant for another Century configuration.
What size rim does a 1986 Buick Century use?
The 1986 Buick Century uses 14-inch rims across its primary tire fitments. The three applicable tire sizes, 185/75R14, 195/75R14, and 215/60R14, all share the same 14-inch rim diameter even though their section width and profile differ. That means the basic wheel diameter stays consistent throughout the Century range covered here.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when comparing actual tire choices. Product specifications for these Century sizes show different rim-width requirements depending on the tire and series. If the car has replacement wheels or has changed hands over the years, checking the wheel dimensions before ordering helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the diameter but not the wheel's usable width.
Do all 1986 Buick Century sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Buick Century range uses more than one tire size, and the fitment changes by sub-model. The Custom Wagon and Estate Wagon use 185/75R14, the T-Type uses 215/60R14, and the Custom and Limited can use either 185/75R14 or 195/75R14. Every one of those sizes is radial and built for a 14-inch rim.
That variation means sub-model identification should come before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A whitewall radial that suits a wagon or Limited may have a very different look and profile from the raised white letter 215/60R14 used on the T-Type. Matching the exact Century trim first keeps the tire choice in line with the car's stance, appearance, and intended road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Buick Century tire?
Start with the exact tire size used by the sub-model, since a 1986 Buick Century may need 185/75R14, 195/75R14, or 215/60R14. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel diameter, and the product's rim-width specification. Sidewall style also matters, because some Century tires are offered as narrow or wide whitewalls, while the T-Type size is available with raised white letters.
The right choice depends on how the car is used and presented. A wagon or sedan kept in a restoration-oriented look may call for a whitewall treatment that suits the car's character, while a T-Type owner may want to preserve the sportier visual effect of RWL sidewalls. It also helps to compare load ratings, tire series, and the actual wheel setup on the car before settling on a final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Buick Century tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Buick Century include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and RWL, or raised white letter, depending on the tire size. The 185/75R14 and 195/75R14 options center on whitewall styling, with 195/75R14 offering both narrow and wide whitewall choices. The 215/60R14 fitment used on the T-Type is available with raised white letters.
That sidewall difference can change the car's appearance as much as the brand name on the tire. Whitewalls generally suit the more formal look of Century sedans and wagons, while raised white letters reinforce the T-Type's sport-oriented personality. Before choosing strictly by appearance, make sure the sidewall style is available in the exact size the sub-model uses, since not every style appears across all three Century fitments.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Buick Century?
Tires for the 1986 Buick Century are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, and BFGoodrich, depending on size. The 185/75R14 and 195/75R14 fitments include several whitewall choices from Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Coker Classic, while the 215/60R14 T-Type fitment is represented by BFGoodrich in the Radial T/A series.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and sidewall presentation for the specific Century trim. On 195/75R14, for example, the available options span different series and whitewall treatments, so appearance and wheel compatibility may matter as much as the name on the sidewall. Looking at rim-width specifications and load figures helps separate options that look similar at first glance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Buick Century?
A period-style 1986 Buick Century tire choice starts with the correct sub-model size, then moves to the sidewall presentation that matches the car's character. For Custom, Limited, and wagon applications, the available 185/75R14 and 195/75R14 radial tires emphasize traditional whitewall styling. The T-Type's 215/60R14 fitment with raised white letters creates a distinctly different look.
That means appearance should be chosen within the right size rather than by style alone. A wide whitewall can give a Limited a more formal visual impression, while a narrow whitewall keeps things more restrained. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, or vehicle-specific documentation, because a restoration-oriented look is not automatically the same as a factory-delivered one.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Buick Century?
On the 1986 Buick Century, the primary fitments are all radial, so the appearance differences come more from size, profile, and sidewall style than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. A 75-series whitewall tire gives the sedan and wagon fitments a fuller traditional look, while the 215/60R14 T-Type size presents a shorter-profile, more athletic stance.
That makes trim-specific sizing especially important on a restoration-minded Century. A wagon or Limited fitted with the wrong profile can change the car's visual balance even if the rim diameter is still 14 inches. Matching the correct size first, then selecting narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling, usually has the biggest impact on keeping the finished car visually believable for its era.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Century?
Yes. Even when a 1986 Buick Century uses one of the correct primary tire sizes, modifications can change whether a particular tire works well on the car. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body and fender changes can all affect clearance and overall compatibility, especially when comparing the taller 75-series sizes with the lower-profile 215/60R14 T-Type fitment.
A Century that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension travel before finalizing a tire choice. It is also worth confirming the wheel's actual width, since the available products do not all share the same rim-width specification. Those checks are especially important on older cars that may have been changed long after they left the showroom.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Buick Century on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Buick Century on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 14-inch diameter, verify the wheel width suits the chosen tire, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for the application. It also helps to check for any rubbing at the fenders or suspension, particularly if the car uses a different trim-specific size or has had previous wheel changes.
Beyond the tire itself, an older Century benefits from a broader road-readiness check. Look over steering and suspension condition, confirm there are no obvious alignment issues, and make sure the car is not sitting on aged components that could affect tracking or tire wear. A short test drive followed by another quick inspection can reveal contact marks, air loss, or handling issues before longer trips.
How should 1986 Buick Century tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1986 Buick Century should be checked regularly for inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of air loss. Because many surviving Century models see occasional use rather than daily mileage, age and storage condition can matter just as much as tread depth. That applies whether the car wears a whitewall 75-series radial or a 215/60R14 raised white letter tire.
Good maintenance also means protecting the car from long periods of sun, heat, moisture, and ozone exposure when stored. Moving the vehicle occasionally helps avoid flat spotting on cars that sit for extended periods, and pressure should be rechecked before road use after storage. A visual inspection before every outing is a smart habit on collector-era cars that may look fine but spend much of their time parked.
