The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza came from a period when compact front-wheel-drive domestic cars were balancing everyday practicality with sharper trim distinctions and more modern road manners. In Firenza form, that meant a lineup that could range from straightforward commuter duty to a sportier GT presentation. Tire fitment follows that split, with most 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza sub-models using 13-inch radial sizes while the GT moves to a 205/60R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. Within the 13-inch sizes, available choices include different whitewall treatments and tire series. The key is matching the tire size to the exact sub-model and wheel setup before focusing on appearance or replacement style.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza
Three tire sizes are used on the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, and the right choice depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most Firenza versions use 13-inch radial sizes, either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, while the GT uses a 14-inch radial, 205/60R14. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car still has its original wheel diameter and identify the specific Firenza sub-model, since that determines which size belongs on the car.
The 175/80R13 size uses modern metric radial sizing: 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, this size is one of the 13-inch radial fitments used across several sub-models. Available choices include Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments in different tire series. This size suits buyers who are confirming a 13-inch wheel and want to balance proper fitment with a traditional whitewall look.
The 195/70R13 size is also a modern metric radial, with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, it is another 13-inch fitment used on non-GT versions, so it should be selected only after confirming the actual wheel and sub-model. In available product choices, this size appears in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial series with a narrow whitewall. It is the right size to evaluate when the car uses the wider 13-inch fitment rather than the taller 175/80R13 option.
The 205/60R14 code indicates a modern metric radial with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, this size is tied to the GT, making wheel diameter confirmation especially important before treating it as a replacement target. Its lower-profile 14-inch format gives it a different fitment role than the 13-inch Firenza sizes used elsewhere in the lineup. This is the size to focus on when the car is a GT or when the vehicle clearly carries the 14-inch wheel setup associated with that sub-model.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza because most versions share the 13-inch sizes, while the GT uses a different 14-inch setup. Identifying the exact Firenza sub-model is the first step, especially if the car has changed hands or may have had its wheels swapped over time.
1
1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Base
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Base uses one of the two 13-inch radial sizes shared across much of the Firenza lineup. Tire selection starts with confirming which 13-inch wheel and size the car actually carries, then choosing the preferred whitewall treatment and tire series where available.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Cruiser follows the same 13-inch radial fitment pattern used by most non-GT Firenza sub-models. That makes wheel confirmation important first, with the final decision centered on whether the car calls for 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 and which available appearance style fits the car's presentation.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Cruiser LX uses the same 13-inch radial tire sizing family as the other non-GT Firenza versions. Once the actual 13-inch wheel setup is verified, the remaining choice is usually between the applicable size and the available whitewall or tire-series treatment for the look you want.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza GT stands apart from the rest of the lineup by using the 205/60R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. That makes the GT the sub-model where wheel diameter is the most important check before replacement, especially on cars that may have received later wheel changes.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza LC shares the same 13-inch radial fitment pattern found on most Firenza sub-models outside the GT. For replacement, the practical task is verifying which 13-inch size is on the car now and then choosing among the available radial options that match the wheel.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza LX uses the familiar 13-inch radial sizing shared across the broader non-GT Firenza range. Tire selection is straightforward once the installed 13-inch size is confirmed, after which sidewall appearance and series become the main points of comparison where choices exist.
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza S also uses the 13-inch radial fitment family rather than the GT's 14-inch arrangement. A replacement decision here is mainly about confirming whether the car uses 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 and selecting a tire style that matches the desired look for the vehicle.
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 Oldsmobile Firenza Tires for Sale
Available 13-inch Firenza tire choices center on radial construction from Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with Silvertown Radial and Classic Whitewall MA-1 series options. Buyers comparing products will mainly be looking at size, whitewall treatment, and rim-width specification within the correct 13-inch fitment.
Common 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, confirming whether the car uses a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel, and choosing between the available radial sizes, whitewall styles, and product series.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza?
The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza uses three radial tire sizes across the lineup: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14. Most Firenza sub-models use one of the two 13-inch sizes, while the Firenza GT uses 205/60R14 on a 14-inch rim.
The practical step is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and the actual wheels on the car. Many Firenzas are old enough that wheel changes are possible, so it helps to confirm both the trim level and the installed rim diameter before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza use?
A 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model and tire size. The 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 sizes use 13-inch rims, while the 205/60R14 size uses a 14-inch rim on the Firenza GT.
That makes wheel diameter the first thing to verify before ordering tires, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or mixed replacement parts from earlier ownership. Reading the size on the current tire and measuring the wheel can help prevent confusion between the non-GT 13-inch fitments and the GT's 14-inch setup.
Do all 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Base, Cruiser, Cruiser LX, LC, LX, and S use the 13-inch radial fitment family, with 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 used across those versions. The 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza GT is different, using 205/60R14.
That difference matters because it changes both the tire size and the rim diameter. A buyer working with a GT should not assume the 13-inch sizes apply, and a buyer with a non-GT Firenza should confirm which of the two 13-inch sizes is on the car before narrowing product choices.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. A 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza may use 175/80R13, 195/70R13, or 205/60R14, so size confirmation comes before comparing tire series, sidewall style, or brand.
Once the fitment is settled, compare the details that affect how the car will look and sit on the wheel. Rim-width range, load capacity, whitewall style, and tire series can all shape the final choice, especially on a car kept in collector use or maintained with a period-style presentation in mind.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tires?
Available sidewall styles for 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tires include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall, depending on the size and product selected. In 175/80R13, both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options are available, while 195/70R13 is offered with a narrow whitewall.
That gives the buyer some visual flexibility without changing away from the correct size family. A narrow whitewall usually creates a more restrained appearance, while a wide whitewall gives the tire a more pronounced traditional look, so the better choice often depends on the car's overall restoration style and trim presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza?
Available brands for 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tires include Maxxis and BFGoodrich. The 175/80R13 size is available from both brands, while the 195/70R13 option appears in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial line.
Brand is only one part of the decision, since the size, rim-width range, sidewall styling, and tire series can differ within the same fitment. It makes sense to compare the tire's presentation and specifications alongside the brand name so the replacement matches both the wheel setup and the look you want on the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza?
A period-style 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza tire starts with the correct original fitment family for the exact sub-model: 175/80R13 or 195/70R13 for most versions, and 205/60R14 for the GT. From there, a whitewall radial can help preserve a traditional 1980s presentation without moving away from the proper size category.
Appearance should be matched to the car's trim, wheels, and restoration goals rather than chosen by style alone. If historical accuracy matters at a higher level, comparing the car against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references can help narrow whether a narrower or wider whitewall presentation makes the most sense.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza?
On a restored 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial sizes. That means the visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire's profile, sidewall treatment, and series styling within the correct radial size.
A narrow whitewall can give the car a cleaner, later-1980s look, while a wider whitewall creates a more traditional visual emphasis around the wheel. Keeping the correct size and rim diameter is still important, since a mismatched tire can alter the car's stance and make an otherwise careful restoration look out of proportion.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or body changes that reduce clearance. Those changes matter even more on a Firenza because the lineup already uses both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups.
A car that has been lowered, fitted with wider wheels, or changed from its original rim diameter should be checked carefully before replacement. Confirm wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and the space around suspension components so the selected tire matches the vehicle as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify the wheel diameter matches the intended tire size, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It also helps to check that the valve stems, lug hardware, and overall wheel mounting condition are sound.
After installation, turn the steering from lock to lock and look for any rubbing, especially if the car has non-original wheels or suspension changes. A short initial drive followed by a second inspection can reveal contact marks, air loss, or mounting issues before the car is put into regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza should be kept at the proper pressure and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and signs of air loss. Low-mileage cars deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits also affect long-term condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle periodically can reduce flat spotting during long idle periods. Any tire that shows visible deterioration should be evaluated before road use, even if it still has substantial tread.
