The 1986 Buick Regal sits at an interesting point in Buick history, bridging traditional personal-luxury coupe character with the sharper performance identity that defined the Grand National and T-Type. Tire fitment reflects that split, with 14-inch radial sizes used on many Regal configurations and a 15-inch radial size used on the turbo performance variants. That means the real decision is not only choosing the correct size, but also matching the car's sub-model and wheel package before comparing whitewall, redline, blackwall, raised white letter, or outline white letter options. For a stock restoration or a road-driven car, appearance, rim diameter, and the exact Regal configuration all matter.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Buick Regal
The 1986 Buick Regal uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Two sizes fit 14-inch rims, while the Grand National and T-Type configurations use a 15-inch size, so confirming the Regal's trim and actual wheel diameter should come first. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of appearance you want the car to carry.
Fit(s): Base, Limited, Limited w/aluminum wheels, and w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
195/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Buick Regal, this size suits 14-inch wheel applications and gives a more traditional passenger-car profile than the shorter 205/70R14 alternative. Available choices lean toward classic presentation, including wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. It is a useful size for owners focused on a softer period-style look on the correct 14-inch wheel setup.
205/70R14 is also a metric radial, with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1986 Buick Regal, this size remains a 14-inch fitment but introduces a broader mix of visual styles, including narrow whitewall, blackwall, redline, dual redline, and raised white letter options. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin series that shift the car's appearance from luxury-oriented to sportier. This size makes sense when the Regal already has the correct 14-inch wheels and the owner wants more variety in sidewall treatment.
Fit(s): Grand National, T-Type, and T-Type w/aluminum wheels
Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
215/65R15 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter. On the 1986 Buick Regal, this size belongs to 15-inch applications tied to Grand National and T-Type fitment. The selection includes outline white letter, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall styles from Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich across several series. It is the key size to evaluate when maintaining the proper 15-inch performance-oriented look on those specific Regal variants.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Buick Regal because tire size changes with trim and wheel package. Some versions can use either of the 14-inch sizes, while Grand National and T-Type models move to a 15-inch fitment, so the exact Regal configuration should be confirmed before choosing a tire.
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1986 Buick Regal Base
The 1986 Buick Regal Base uses 14-inch radial fitments and may be found with either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14. Tire choice here usually comes down to confirming the wheel setup first, then deciding whether the car's look should lean more toward traditional whitewall styling or a sportier sidewall treatment.
The 1986 Buick Regal Grand National uses the 215/65R15 radial size on a 15-inch wheel. That makes wheel diameter confirmation straightforward, and the main selection question becomes whether to keep the car's visual character with RWL or OWL styling or choose another available sidewall treatment.
The 1986 Buick Regal Limited uses 14-inch radial fitments and may wear either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14. Owners should verify which 14-inch wheel arrangement is on the car, then choose among whitewall, blackwall, or other style options based on whether the goal is a more formal or more athletic presentation.
The 1986 Buick Regal Limited w/aluminum wheels remains a 14-inch radial application with either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14. Once the installed wheel and current size are confirmed, the tire decision centers on maintaining the car's intended stance and selecting a sidewall style that complements the aluminum-wheel look.
The 1986 Buick Regal T-Type uses the 215/65R15 radial size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps fitment focused on one primary size, so selection usually comes down to comparing series and sidewall styles that match the car's performance-oriented personality and the wheel width already on the car.
The 1986 Buick Regal T-Type w/aluminum wheels also uses 215/65R15 radials on 15-inch wheels. Since the size itself is straightforward, the next step is choosing the tire presentation, whether that means a raised white letter look, a redline treatment, or another style suited to the car's overall finish.
The 1986 Buick Regal w/Gran Touring Pkg. uses 205/70R14 radials on a 14-inch wheel. That makes size selection simpler than on other 14-inch Regal variants, and the owner can focus more directly on available sidewall styles and tire series that support either a clean touring look or a sportier period-style appearance.
The 1986 Buick Regal w/Gran Touring Pkg. w/aluminum wheels also uses 205/70R14 radial tires. With the size already narrowed down, the real choice is how the tire should look on the car, especially when comparing blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styles against the aluminum wheel setup.
The 1986 Buick Regal w/aluminum wheels stays within the 14-inch radial group and may use either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14. The right tire starts with confirming the wheel and existing fitment, then choosing the profile and sidewall style that best suit the car's ride height, look, and intended use.
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 Regal Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Buick Regal tire choices cover all three primary sizes and span Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, Maxxis, Tornel, and Travelstar offerings. Depending on size, the product grid lets you compare whitewall, redline, dual redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL sidewall styles across several distinct radial series.
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Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1986 Buick Regal, how fitment changes by sub-model, and how to sort through rim diameter, sidewall style, brand, restoration appearance, and road-use checks before making a final choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Buick Regal?
A 1986 Buick Regal uses one of three radial tire sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15. The correct size depends on the exact Regal sub-model and wheel package. Base, Limited, Limited w/aluminum wheels, and Regal w/aluminum wheels can use 195/75R14 or 205/70R14, while Grand National, T-Type, and T-Type w/aluminum wheels use 215/65R15.
The practical first step is confirming the car's actual wheel diameter and current configuration rather than choosing by appearance alone. A 14-inch Regal and a 15-inch Grand National do not share the same primary size, and even within the 14-inch group the car may be set up for either of two radial sizes.
What size rim does a 1986 Buick Regal use?
The 1986 Buick Regal uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. Both 195/75R14 and 205/70R14 are 14-inch fitments, while 215/65R15 is a 15-inch fitment used on Grand National and T-Type applications. Rim diameter is the first fitment detail to verify before comparing tire choices.
Wheel diameter should be checked on the car itself, especially if the Regal has had wheel changes over the years. Once that is confirmed, rim-width compatibility becomes the next comparison point, since available products in these sizes call for different width ranges depending on the tire series and sidewall style.
Do all 1986 Buick Regal sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1986 Buick Regal sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Many 14-inch Regal configurations use 195/75R14 or 205/70R14, while the Grand National and T-Type family use 215/65R15 on 15-inch rims. The Gran Touring Package versions narrow the 14-inch choice further by using 205/70R14.
That difference matters because a buyer cannot choose only by year and model name. The exact sub-model, wheel package, and actual wheel diameter on the car should be confirmed first, especially on vehicles that may have been modified, restored, or converted to a different wheel and tire combination over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Buick Regal tire?
Start with the correct size for the specific Regal configuration: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15. After that, compare the tire's sidewall style, brand, tire series, and rim-width requirements. On this car, those details have a real effect on how the Regal looks, whether the goal is a formal whitewall presentation or a sportier raised white letter or redline appearance.
Intended use also matters. A restoration-oriented Limited may call for a different visual treatment than a Grand National that is being kept in a more performance-themed presentation. It also helps to compare product load figures, pressure references, and wheel-width suitability so the chosen tire matches both the car's setup and its planned road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Buick Regal tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Buick Regal include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, blackwall, redline, dual redline, RWL, and OWL, depending on the tire size. The 14-inch sizes offer the broadest range for traditional and sporty looks, while the 15-inch 215/65R15 size includes OWL, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall options.
That variety lets the same Regal body take on very different character depending on the tire selected. A whitewall can support a more formal, luxury-oriented presentation, while RWL, OWL, or redline treatments can push the look toward a sharper 1980s performance style. The best choice depends on the sub-model, wheels, and restoration direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Buick Regal?
Tires for the 1986 Buick Regal are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Goodyear, and Cooper, depending on size. Brand availability changes across the three fitments, so a 195/75R14 Regal will see a different mix than a 205/70R14 car or a 215/65R15 Grand National or T-Type.
Brand choice should be considered alongside size, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than by name alone. Some offerings emphasize a traditional whitewall look, others focus on blackwall or raised white letter presentation, and some sizes have more visual variety than others. That makes size confirmation the first step before narrowing the field.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Buick Regal?
A period-style 1986 Buick Regal tire starts with the correct primary size for the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the visual direction depends on the car itself. Whitewall radials suit the more formal side of the Regal lineup, while redline, RWL, or OWL choices can better match the sharper performance image associated with Grand National and T-Type applications.
For a restoration-minded car, the safest approach is to match the tire's overall appearance to the Regal's trim, wheel style, and intended presentation rather than assuming one sidewall treatment fits every version. If exact originality matters, compare the car against marque references, period photos, or build-specific documentation before making the final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Buick Regal?
Construction is straightforward on the 1986 Buick Regal because its primary fitments are radial sizes across all covered configurations. That means the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire's profile, sidewall style, and series. A whitewall radial gives a different visual message than a blackwall, redline, or raised white letter radial in the same basic fitment family.
On a restored Regal, those styling choices influence how formal, sporty, or performance-focused the finished car appears. The tire should complement the wheel diameter and trim level already on the car, since a Grand National and a Limited do not project the same look even when both are kept within correct period-style radial fitment practice.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Regal?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Regal even when the tire size matches one of the known factory-style applications. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, lowering, or body changes can all influence how a 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Regal that has been changed from its original setup should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, and fender clearance before a new set is chosen. That is especially important when moving between 14-inch and 15-inch combinations or when trying to preserve the intended stance and visual balance of the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Buick Regal on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Buick Regal on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure lug hardware seats properly, and confirm that the tires clear suspension and body components through full steering travel. It also helps to check alignment condition, valve stems, and the general state of the car's suspension if it has been sitting for long periods.
Once the tires are mounted, maintain the pressure appropriate to the chosen tire and watch for rubbing, vibration, or uneven wear during the first miles. Collector cars often spend time parked, so it is wise to recheck air pressure, tread condition, and sidewalls regularly rather than assuming a lightly driven car needs less attention.
How should 1986 Buick Regal tires be maintained?
1986 Buick Regal tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and periodic review of tread and sidewall condition. Even on a low-mileage collector car, aging matters. Cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, or slow air loss deserve attention whether the Regal is running a 14-inch whitewall setup or a 15-inch Grand National-style performance tire.
Storage conditions also influence tire life. A Regal kept away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources will usually preserve its tires better than one left exposed for long periods. Before a longer drive, inspect the spare if equipped, confirm pressure in all tires, and look closely for age-related changes that may not show up in tread depth alone.
