The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet carried the familiar open-top Volkswagen formula into the mid-1980s, blending compact European character with everyday drivability in a convertible that still feels distinct today. For owners keeping one on the road, tire choice matters because this Cabriolet appears with two radial fitment paths: 175/70R13 and 185/60R16. That makes wheel diameter the first thing to confirm before looking any further. In the available product range, the 13-inch fitment includes an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial with a sport-oriented presentation. Whether the goal is stock-style road use or a modified wheel setup, matching the tire to the actual wheel and overall stance is the key decision.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments. Because those sizes are built for different rim diameters, the first step is confirming whether the car is running a 13-inch or 16-inch wheel. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to selecting the right tire within that size and checking how the wheel and tire combination suits the car's current setup.
A 175/70R13 size uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this is a traditional modern metric radial fitment that suits owners staying with the car's smaller wheel diameter. Available choices in this size include the Avon CR6ZZ in a blackwall sidewall style, giving the buyer a distinct brand and series to consider rather than a broad range of cosmetic variations. This size makes the most sense after confirming that the car still uses 13-inch wheels and that the intended look and stance remain consistent with that setup.
A 185/60R16 size uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. For a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this fitment points to a different wheel package than the 13-inch option, so it should be approached as its own wheel-and-tire combination rather than a casual substitution. The lower-profile metric format gives the buyer a clearly different fitment direction from the 175/70R13 size. This size is the one to evaluate only after verifying that the car actually carries 16-inch wheels and that clearance, ride height, and overall proportions work with that configuration.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base is the covered configuration. The real point to verify is not trim level, but which wheel diameter the car is using, since this Cabriolet appears with both 13-inch and 16-inch radial tire sizes.
1
1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base
The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base appears with both 175/70R13 and 185/60R16 radial tire fitments. That means tire selection starts with confirming the actual wheels on the car, then choosing the size that matches the wheel diameter and suits the vehicle's present appearance and driving 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 Volkswagen Cabriolet Tires for Sale
Available product choice centers on the 175/70R13 fitment, where the Avon CR6ZZ offers a blackwall radial option. Comparing products here is less about sidewall variety and more about confirming the correct wheel diameter, rim-width compatibility, and overall fitment direction.
These FAQs focus on the key tire decisions for a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, including size identification, rim diameter, product selection, and the wheel, clearance, and maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet appears with two tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/60R16. Both are radial tire fitments, but they are built for different wheel diameters, so they are not interchangeable choices in the way two tires on the same rim size might be.
The practical next step is to confirm the actual wheels on the car before selecting a tire. A Cabriolet still using 13-inch wheels needs the 175/70R13 path, while a car with 16-inch wheels requires the 185/60R16 size. On an older convertible, it is also wise to check for prior wheel changes, suspension alterations, and clearance at full steering lock.
What size rim does a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet use?
A 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses either a 13-inch rim with 175/70R13 tires or a 16-inch rim with 185/60R16 tires. The tire size itself tells you the wheel diameter, and that final number is the most important fitment detail to verify before comparing tire options.
Seeing the car in person matters because many older Volkswagens have been modified over time. Check the wheel diameter directly, and confirm wheel width as well if you are comparing available products. That helps prevent choosing a tire that matches the vehicle name but not the actual wheel package currently installed on the Cabriolet.
Does the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base use the same tire size?
The 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base does not narrow the fitment to a single tire size. It appears with both 175/70R13 and 185/60R16 radial tires, so the sub-model name alone does not answer the tire question without checking the wheel diameter on the car.
That means Base owners should treat the wheels as the deciding factor rather than assuming one standard size applies to every car. A Cabriolet that has stayed close to a smaller-wheel setup may use the 13-inch size, while another may carry 16-inch wheels. Matching the tire to the actual wheels and verifying clearance is more important than relying on trim name alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 175/70R13 tire for a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Start with the basics: the correct size, radial construction, and compatibility with the wheel width on the car. In 175/70R13, the available choice includes the Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, so the decision is less about many cosmetic variations and more about whether this size matches the Cabriolet's actual 13-inch wheel setup.
A good selection process also includes checking how the car will be used. A low-mileage convertible kept for fair-weather driving may prioritize traditional proportions and fitment consistency, while a regularly driven car may place more emphasis on condition, matching tires at all four corners, and making sure the tire suits the wheel and suspension condition already on the vehicle.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The available product range for the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet includes Avon in the 175/70R13 size. That fitment is represented by the Avon CR6ZZ, a radial blackwall tire sized for a 13-inch rim and aimed at buyers who have confirmed the smaller wheel package on their car.
Brand selection should still follow fitment confirmation, especially on a car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Once the correct size is established, compare brand and series details in the context of the car's intended use, the wheel width, and whether the goal is a straightforward road tire choice or a more appearance-conscious vintage presentation.
What tire series are available for the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
For the available 175/70R13 product fitment, the tire series is Avon CR6ZZ. Series names matter because they help distinguish one tire's character from another when size alone does not tell the whole story, especially on an enthusiast car where appearance and intended road use both influence the final decision.
A tire series should be considered alongside the correct size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style rather than in isolation. On a 1986 Cabriolet, the first filter remains whether the car is on 13-inch or 16-inch wheels. After that, the series becomes part of the buyer's evaluation of presentation, rim-width suitability, and how closely the tire choice matches the car's current setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
A period-style choice starts with using the tire size that matches the actual wheels on the car. For a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, that means confirming whether it is set up for 175/70R13 or 185/60R16, then selecting a radial tire that preserves proportions and visual balance rather than chasing an unrelated modern size.
Appearance-minded buyers should think about more than tread alone. Wheel diameter has a major effect on how the Cabriolet sits and looks, and sidewall treatment can subtly change the overall presentation. If strict originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific restoration references are the right way to verify the most historically appropriate combination.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
For the 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about keeping the right size and wheel relationship. A radial that matches the intended wheel diameter helps preserve the car's proportions, sidewall shape, and overall visual stance.
Restoration-oriented owners should pay attention to how the tire fills the wheel opening and whether the chosen wheel package suits the car's era and condition. A 13-inch setup and a 16-inch setup create noticeably different impressions even before the car moves. Staying disciplined about size and wheel match usually does more for appearance than chasing cosmetic details alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Yes. Modifications can change what fits on a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet, especially when wheel diameter shifts from the 13-inch 175/70R13 setup to a 16-inch 185/60R16 combination. Changes to wheels, ride height, springs, or body clearance can all affect whether a tire works cleanly through steering travel and suspension movement.
That is why the car should be inspected as it sits now rather than judged only by model year. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance around the fenders and inner suspension areas. A modified Cabriolet may still use one of the recognized sizes, but the overall combination needs to be verified against the current hardware on the car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires?
Inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire condition before putting a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet into regular road use. It also helps to verify that all four tires match in size and construction, that inflation is set properly for the installed tires, and that there are no visible cuts, bulges, or mounting issues.
A short shakedown drive should include listening for rubbing and checking steering response, especially on a car with older suspension parts or non-stock wheels. Convertibles that spend long periods stored can hide age-related issues, so look over sidewalls for cracking and recheck air pressure after the first few drives to make sure the new installation is settling in normally.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet be maintained?
Collector-car tire maintenance begins with regular visual inspection and steady inflation checks. On a 1986 Volkswagen Cabriolet that may not see daily use, the important concerns are air loss, sidewall aging, tread condition, and signs of weather exposure from storage, even when the tires still look presentable at a quick glance.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keep the Cabriolet away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, and move the car periodically if it sits for long stretches. Before each driving season, confirm that the tires still match the car's wheel setup and that no rubbing or clearance issue has developed from suspension settling or prior modifications.
