The 1986 Toyota Celica sits at an interesting point in the model’s evolution, when sharp 1980s styling, front-wheel-drive Celica variants, and the Celica Supra’s more specialized personality all shared the same model-year umbrella. Tire fitment on this year is not one-size-fits-all, with five radial sizes used across different Celica and Celica Supra sub-models on 13-, 14-, and 15-inch rims. That makes the real choice less about broad brand preference and more about matching the correct size first, then deciding among blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter options where available. For restoration-minded owners and regular drivers alike, wheel diameter and exact sub-model are the key starting points.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Toyota Celica
The 1986 Toyota Celica uses five different tire sizes, and they vary by sub-model as well as rim diameter. Some versions use 13-inch wheels, others use 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, so confirming the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter on the car comes before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series. Every primary fitment here is radial, but the character of the available tires changes noticeably from one size to another.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Toyota Celica, this is a primary radial fitment used on certain sub-models with 13-inch wheels. Available choices in this size include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles from brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. It is a useful size for owners balancing period-style appearance with a broad range of radial product choices.
205/60R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Its lower-profile radial format gives the 1986 Toyota Celica a distinctly more modern performance-era sizing character than the taller 70-series and Euro-metric alternatives used on other sub-models. This size’s role is mainly about matching the exact configuration rather than choosing among many appearance treatments, since the first priority is getting the correct 14-inch fitment for the right sub-model. It should be evaluated carefully against the car’s actual wheel setup before moving on to product selection.
175R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is stated in the size itself, this format is commonly understood as a taller-profile Euro-metric radial rather than a modern low-profile metric size. Available products in 175R14 are blackwall radials from Michelin and Vredestein in series such as XAS, Sprint Plus, and Sprint Classic. It appeals to owners who want a more traditional radial presentation while staying with the proper size category for the applicable Celica sub-model.
225/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch wheel diameter. On the 1986 Toyota Celica line, this size is tied to a specific sub-model rather than the range as a whole, so it should not be treated as a universal Celica fitment. The available product choice in this size centers on a BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letter sidewalls, giving it a distinctly period-performance appearance. That makes it especially relevant for buyers who want the correct size first and then a tire presentation that suits an unmistakably 1980s look.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size that combines a 205-millimeter nominal section width with a 60-series profile on a 15-inch rim. Within the 1986 Toyota Celica family, it belongs to a specific sub-model using the larger wheel diameter, so wheel confirmation matters before any comparison beyond size. Product choices in this size include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options from Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich, with series such as Primacy 3, Star Series, American Classic Radial, and Radial T/A. It suits buyers who want a correct-size radial with meaningful appearance differences among the available tires.
Tire fitment on the 1986 Toyota Celica changes significantly by sub-model, and some versions also use different wheel diameters. Checking the exact badge on the car matters here, because a Celica GT, ST, GTS, or Celica Supra variant may call for a different primary tire size and a different style of replacement tire.
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1986 Toyota Celica GT
The 1986 Toyota Celica GT uses a single primary radial tire size, making fitment fairly straightforward once the 13-inch wheel setup is confirmed. Tire selection then becomes a matter of choosing the look and character you want, with available options that range from blackwall sport-oriented radials to redline and wide whitewall styles.
The 1986 Toyota Celica GTS uses its own 14-inch radial fitment, separate from the other Celica sub-models in this model year. That makes exact size confirmation especially important before comparing products, since the right tire starts with matching the GTS-specific wheel and profile combination.
The 1986 Toyota Celica ST can use more than one primary radial tire size, so this sub-model needs extra attention before a replacement is chosen. Wheel diameter on the car should be verified first, then the decision can move to whether a traditional blackwall radial or another available style best suits the vehicle’s use and appearance.
The 1986 Toyota Celica Supra 3 Dr. Liftback uses a wider 14-inch radial fitment that stands apart from the standard Celica variants. Tire choice here is less about sorting through multiple size possibilities and more about confirming that exact Supra setup, then deciding whether the available raised white letter presentation fits the look of the car.
The 1986 Toyota Celica Supra L uses a 15-inch radial tire size, which immediately separates it from the 13-inch and 14-inch Celica fitments in the same year. Once that wheel diameter is confirmed, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options to match either a cleaner touring look or a more period-flavored presentation.
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 Toyota Celica Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Toyota Celica tires vary widely by size, with brands including BFGoodrich, Michelin, Vredestein, Dunlop, Avon, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Depending on the fitment, the product grid may include blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter radials across several tire series.
The most common 1986 Toyota Celica tire questions come down to exact sub-model fitment, wheel diameter, and choosing the right radial tire style for how the car is restored, shown, or driven.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Toyota Celica?
The 1986 Toyota Celica does not use one universal tire size across the whole model line. Primary sizes include 185/70R13, 205/60R14, 175R14, 225/60R14, and 205/60R15, all in radial construction, with the exact size depending on the specific Celica or Celica Supra sub-model.
That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A Celica GT, ST, GTS, or Celica Supra variant may use a different rim and tire profile, so choosing by year and model alone can lead to the wrong size if the car has a different factory configuration or later wheel changes.
What size rim does a 1986 Toyota Celica use?
A 1986 Toyota Celica can use 13-inch, 14-inch, or 15-inch rims depending on the sub-model and tire size. The covered fitments pair 185/70R13 with a 13-inch rim, 205/60R14, 175R14, and 225/60R14 with 14-inch rims, and 205/60R15 with a 15-inch rim.
Rim diameter should be checked before anything else because it immediately narrows the correct tire choices. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the next checks are the exact sub-model, the tire size already on the car, and whether the wheels are original or aftermarket, since later changes can alter what size should be considered.
Why does the 1986 Toyota Celica have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Toyota Celica uses more than one tire size because the model-year range includes several distinct sub-models, including Celica and Celica Supra variants, with different wheel diameters and tire profiles. Some use narrower 13-inch or 14-inch fitments, while others use wider 14-inch or 15-inch radial sizes.
That variation makes exact identification important before ordering or comparing tires. It also affects the kind of products available, since one size may offer blackwall sport radials, another may include redline or wide whitewall styles, and another may center on a raised white letter performance look tied to a different wheel setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1986 Toyota Celica tire?
Start with the exact tire size and rim diameter for the specific 1986 Toyota Celica sub-model, because this model year uses several different radial fitments. After that, compare the available construction details within the correct size, including sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and load figures where they are relevant to your intended use.
Appearance and driving purpose usually shape the final decision. A restoration-minded owner may prefer a redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter style in the proper size, while a road-use owner may focus on a blackwall radial from a particular series. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheels remains more important than choosing by appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Toyota Celica tires?
Sidewall choices for a 1986 Toyota Celica include blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and RWL, or raised white letter, depending on the tire size. Not every style appears in every fitment, so the available presentation changes with the exact size used by the specific Celica or Celica Supra sub-model.
That makes sidewall selection a second-step decision rather than the first one. Once the correct size is confirmed, the sidewall style can help steer the look toward a sportier 1980s presentation, a cleaner touring appearance, or a more restoration-oriented visual approach. The best choice is the one that suits the car’s setup without stepping outside the proper size category.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Toyota Celica?
Available tire brands for the 1986 Toyota Celica include BFGoodrich, Michelin, Vredestein, Dunlop, Avon, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Brand availability depends on the exact tire size, so some sub-model fitments have a broad selection while others are limited to only one product or one general style.
Brand comparison makes the most sense after the correct size has been pinned down. From there, it helps to look at the tire series, sidewall treatment, and any stated rim-width or load details that matter to the vehicle’s use. A smaller product pool in one size does not make it less correct; it simply means the fitment is more specialized.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Toyota Celica?
A period-style 1986 Toyota Celica tire starts with the exact size used by the car’s sub-model, then narrows to the type of presentation that suits the vehicle. Depending on size, that may mean a blackwall radial for a clean factory-era look, a redline treatment, a wide whitewall, or a raised white letter radial with stronger 1980s visual character.
The most convincing result comes from balancing size, wheel diameter, and appearance instead of choosing by style alone. For a restoration where originality matters down to the details, marque references and vehicle-specific documentation are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment, since a period-style tire is not automatically the exact original presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Toyota Celica?
On a 1986 Toyota Celica, construction is simpler than on many older collector vehicles because all primary fitments here are radial. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial questions and more from the tire’s profile, sidewall treatment, and series character within the correct radial size for the car.
A lower-profile 60-series fitment can give the car a more purposeful late-1980s stance, while a taller Euro-metric radial creates a more traditional look. Sidewall choice then refines the presentation further, whether that means blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letters. Matching the proper size remains the foundation of any restoration-oriented tire decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Toyota Celica?
Yes, modifications can change what works on a 1986 Toyota Celica even when the original size is known. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, or body modifications can affect which tire size clears properly, especially on a model year that already used multiple wheel diameters across different sub-models.
That is why the current setup on the car should be checked before selecting replacement tires. Wheel diameter is only the first step; wheel width, steering clearance, and room at the fender and suspension also matter. A tire that is correct for one Celica configuration should not be assumed correct for another if the car has been modified.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Toyota Celica on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Toyota Celica on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that the tire size matches the car’s sub-model, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It also helps to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and whether the tires seat properly on the rims.
A short road test should be preceded by a look at clearance during steering and suspension movement, especially if the car has non-original wheels. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and watch for any rubbing, vibration, or uneven stance. On a collector car, those basic checks matter just as much as choosing the right brand or sidewall style.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Toyota Celica be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Toyota Celica should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as well as tread. Even a low-mileage car can develop cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, or air loss over time, especially if it spends long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an enthusiast car. Keeping the Celica away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the tires when the car is not in use. Before a longer drive, inspect all four tires closely and confirm that the tire size and wheel setup still match the car’s current configuration.
