The 1986 Buick Skylark came from a period when Buick's compact front-wheel-drive cars balanced everyday practicality with a more upscale look than many rivals. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is less about vintage bias-ply concerns and more about matching the exact sub-model setup and preserving the car's intended stance. The 1986 Buick Skylark uses radial tires in either 185/80R13 or 205/70R13, both on 13-inch rims. That creates a clear split between standard configurations and Gran Touring Package cars, with differences in section width, profile, and available sidewall presentation. Identifying the exact trim first is the key step before comparing whitewall or blackwall options.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Buick Skylark
The 1986 Buick Skylark uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model. Both sizes are radial tires for 13-inch rims, but standard Custom and Limited models use a different size than Skylarks equipped with the Gran Touring Package. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a regular trim or a Gran Touring Package version so the size, profile, and available tire styles match the vehicle correctly.
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 1986 Buick Skylark, this size belongs to non-Gran Touring Custom and Limited models and reflects the standard radial fitment for those trims. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall designs from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic in series such as Maxxis Radial, Silvertown Radial, and Star Series. This size suits owners who want to stay with the standard trim fitment and then choose the sidewall look that best matches the car's presentation.
Fit(s): Custom w/Gran Touring Pkg. and Limited w/Gran Touring Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
205/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Buick Skylark, this size is used on Custom and Limited models equipped with the Gran Touring Package rather than the standard-trim setup. The available offering in this fitment uses a blackwall presentation in the Michelin XDX-B series, giving this size a more focused product selection than the whitewall-oriented 185/80R13 choices. This is the size to evaluate when the car is a Gran Touring Package Skylark and the wheel setup remains true to that configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Buick Skylark because the Gran Touring Package changes the tire size even though all versions use 13-inch radial tires. Confirming the exact trim is the first step, since standard Custom and Limited models do not share the same primary size as Gran Touring Package cars.
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1986 Buick Skylark Custom
The 1986 Buick Skylark Custom uses the standard radial fitment rather than the Gran Touring Package size. That keeps tire selection focused on matching the regular Custom setup and then choosing among the available whitewall styles and radial series that suit the car's look.
The 1986 Buick Skylark Custom with Gran Touring Package uses the wider, lower-profile radial size assigned to that package. Tire selection starts with confirming the Gran Touring wheel and tire setup, then choosing a product that matches the package's 13-inch rim fitment and blackwall appearance.
The 1986 Buick Skylark Limited shares the standard radial tire fitment used on non-Gran Touring versions of the car. That gives owners a restoration-friendly choice among narrow whitewall and wide whitewall tires while staying with the Limited model's regular 13-inch tire setup.
The 1986 Buick Skylark Limited with Gran Touring Package uses the package-specific radial size instead of the standard Limited fitment. Selecting tires for this version means confirming the car still carries the Gran Touring wheel arrangement before comparing products in the correct 13-inch blackwall radial 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 Skylark Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Buick Skylark tires vary by trim-specific size, brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification. Buyers comparing products will see whitewall radial choices from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic in 185/80R13, while 205/70R13 is represented by a blackwall Michelin XDX-B radial.
These 1986 Buick Skylark tire FAQs focus on the two correct radial sizes, how Gran Touring Package fitment changes the choice, what sidewall and brand options exist, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Skylark back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Buick Skylark?
A 1986 Buick Skylark uses one of two radial tire sizes: 185/80R13 or 205/70R13. The standard Custom and Limited models use 185/80R13, while Custom and Limited models equipped with the Gran Touring Package use 205/70R13. Both fitments are built around a 13-inch rim.
The important step is matching the tire to the exact trim and wheel setup on the car rather than choosing by year and model name alone. Gran Touring Package cars use a different section width and profile, so owners should confirm the package, wheel diameter, and any past wheel changes before selecting a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1986 Buick Skylark use?
The 1986 Buick Skylark uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. Whether the car is fitted with 185/80R13 on standard Custom and Limited trims or 205/70R13 on Gran Touring Package versions, the wheel diameter remains the same at 13 inches.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment question, because the two tire sizes also differ in width and profile. Checking the actual wheel width is worthwhile before choosing a tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels, since the available 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 products do not share the same rim-width range.
Why does the 1986 Buick Skylark have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Buick Skylark has more than one tire size because the Gran Touring Package uses a different radial fitment than the standard trims. Custom and Limited models without that package use 185/80R13, while Gran Touring Package versions use 205/70R13. Both remain 13-inch applications, but they are not the same tire.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the exact sub-model and package, not just the basic model name. A Skylark that has been modified over the years may no longer wear its original wheel setup, so it is smart to verify the current wheel width, installed size, and body or suspension clearance before ordering replacements.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Buick Skylark?
Start with the correct size for the exact Skylark trim: 185/80R13 for standard Custom and Limited models, or 205/70R13 for Gran Touring Package versions. From there, compare radial construction, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. The standard-size products lean toward whitewall presentation, while the Gran Touring fitment is represented by a blackwall Michelin radial.
Appearance matters on a collector-era Buick, but wheel compatibility matters just as much. Standard 185/80R13 options are built for a different rim-width range than the 205/70R13 fitment, so checking the actual wheel on the car helps avoid choosing a tire that suits the trim in theory but not the wheel now installed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Buick Skylark tires?
The available sidewall styles for a 1986 Buick Skylark depend on the tire size tied to the trim. In 185/80R13, choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radials. In 205/70R13, the available product uses a blackwall sidewall treatment rather than a whitewall design.
That makes sidewall selection part fitment question and part appearance decision. Standard Custom and Limited models have more room for a traditional Buick-style presentation, while Gran Touring Package cars are tied to a sportier blackwall offering in the correct size. Owners trying to preserve a certain look should confirm the trim before deciding on sidewall style.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Buick Skylark?
Tires for the 1986 Buick Skylark are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin, depending on the size. The 185/80R13 fitment includes Maxxis, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, and Coker Classic Star Series options, while the 205/70R13 fitment is represented by Michelin in the XDX-B series.
Brand choice should come after confirming which of the two sizes belongs on the car. Once the fitment is settled, compare the available series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width specifications within that size. That approach keeps the decision centered on an appropriate tire for the Skylark rather than simply choosing a familiar brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Buick Skylark?
A period-style 1986 Buick Skylark tire choice starts with the correct trim-based size, then moves to sidewall appearance. Standard Custom and Limited models using 185/80R13 have the broadest period-style presentation, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radial options. Gran Touring Package cars use 205/70R13, where the available fitment is a blackwall radial.
The best visual match depends on how the car is being presented. A preservation-minded standard Skylark may look more at home with a whitewall radial, while a Gran Touring Package car typically points toward the blackwall route. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, build paperwork, or marque-specific references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Buick Skylark?
On a restored 1986 Buick Skylark, construction is less of a visual dividing line than it would be on an older bias-ply-era car because both primary fitments are radial. The appearance difference comes more from size, profile, and sidewall treatment, especially the contrast between whitewall 185/80R13 options and the blackwall 205/70R13 Gran Touring fitment.
That means a restoration-oriented choice should focus on matching the car's actual trim and the look the owner wants to preserve. A standard Skylark fitted with the wrong Gran Touring size can change the visual impression just as much as the wrong sidewall style. Checking both the trim package and wheel setup keeps the finished presentation more coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Skylark?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Buick Skylark even though both original sizes use a 13-inch rim. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence whether the original trim-based tire size still makes sense for the car's present setup.
A Skylark that started life as a standard Custom or Limited may no longer have its original wheel package, and the same is true for Gran Touring cars. Checking current wheel width, installed tire size, steering clearance, and fender room is a smart step before replacing tires, especially when a car has passed through several owners over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Buick Skylark on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Buick Skylark on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the chosen tire size matches the trim or package. It is also wise to look at suspension wear, alignment condition, and basic brake health so the new tires are not being asked to work around unrelated problems.
Once the tires are installed, recheck inflation pressure, lug torque, and clearance at full steering lock. A short local drive can reveal rubbing, vibration, or pull before the car is taken on longer trips. Collector-era cars often spend time parked, so seals, shocks, and bushings deserve attention along with the tires themselves.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Buick Skylark be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Buick Skylark should be kept at the proper inflation pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of heat and direct sunlight. Cars that are driven infrequently also benefit from periodic movement so they do not sit in one position for extended stretches.
Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on an older Skylark. Keeping the car in a clean, dry space away from ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the rubber, and a pre-drive inspection remains important even when the tread still looks good. Low annual mileage does not prevent age and storage conditions from affecting tire condition.
