The 1987 Bentley Continental came from an era when Bentley grand touring still emphasized long-distance comfort, formal styling, and effortless road manners over overt modern sport-sedan character. Owners tend to value these cars for their presence and refinement, which makes tire choice a visible and important part of the overall driving experience. This Bentley uses a 235/70R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, so the question is less about multiple factory sizes and more about selecting the right version of that fitment. Available choices include blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and raised white letter styles across several respected radial series. The best match depends on whether the goal is elegant touring presentation, restoration-minded appearance, or regular road use with careful wheel compatibility in mind.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Bentley Continental
The 1987 Bentley Continental uses one primary tire size: 235/70R15, a radial fitment for a 15-inch rim. The Bentley Continental Base shares that same size, so the main decision is not which size fits but which radial tire best matches the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended driving use.
A 235/70R15 size uses a 235-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On a 1987 Bentley Continental, that makes it a modern metric radial fitment suited to the car's luxury-touring character rather than an earlier bias-ply layout. Within this size, the available choices vary meaningfully by brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and raised white letter styles. Choosing among them comes down to the look you want on the car and confirming that the tire's rim-width requirements align with the wheels actually installed.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1987 Bentley Continental sub-models. The available sub-model shares the same primary size, so the focus shifts from identifying a different fitment to selecting the right radial tire style and specification within that size.
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1987 Bentley Continental Base
The 1987 Bentley Continental Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps size selection simple and puts the emphasis on choosing the right sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-compatible product for the way the car is presented and driven.
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 1987 Bentley Continental Tires for Sale
Available 235/70R15 choices for the 1987 Bentley Continental include Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin radials across Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and XVS lines. The main differences are sidewall style, series character, and rim-width compatibility.
These 1987 Bentley Continental tire FAQs focus on the 235/70R15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, available radial choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use or changes to wheels and suspension.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Bentley Continental?
The 1987 Bentley Continental uses a 235/70R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for the model and it carries a 15-inch rim diameter, which makes size selection much simpler than on vehicles that had multiple wheel and tire combinations.
Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes which 235/70R15 tire best suits the car. Sidewall styling, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility can all influence the final decision, so it is smart to verify the actual wheels on the car before choosing a restoration-oriented whitewall, a traditional blackwall, or a more performance-styled raised white letter option.
What size rim does a 1987 Bentley Continental use?
The 1987 Bentley Continental uses a 15-inch rim with its 235/70R15 tire fitment. The tire size itself confirms the 15-inch rim diameter, and the available radial products for this application are built around that same wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width matters too, because the available 235/70R15 tires do not all share the exact same approved width range. If the car has replacement wheels or any prior modifications, confirm the wheel dimensions before selecting a tire, especially when comparing different series or sidewall treatments within the same nominal size.
Does the 1987 Bentley Continental Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1987 Bentley Continental Base uses the same 235/70R15 radial tire size as the overall model fitment. That consistency removes much of the uncertainty that can come with trim-level variations on other collector vehicles.
Because the size stays the same, the selection process centers on appearance and specification rather than sub-model differences. A buyer can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter designs in the same size, then narrow the choice by rim-width compatibility and the type of road use the car is expected to see.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1987 Bentley Continental?
Start with the confirmed fitment: 235/70R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, compare the tire's approved rim-width range, load information where stated, sidewall style, and the overall character of the tire series so the choice matches both the car and the way it will be used.
A Bentley Continental can wear the same nominal size in very different visual ways. A blackwall or narrow whitewall can preserve a restrained touring look, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options create a more distinct visual statement. Matching the tire to the car's current wheels and intended presentation usually matters more than chasing the broadest product list.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Bentley Continental tires?
The 1987 Bentley Continental's 235/70R15 tire options include blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and raised white letter styles. Those choices give the car a wide spread of visual possibilities even though the core size and radial construction remain the same.
Sidewall style can noticeably change the car's presence. A blackwall or narrow whitewall tends to suit a more formal touring presentation, while a wide whitewall adds a stronger vintage luxury look. Redline and raised white letter treatments are more assertive visually, so owners should choose them for intentional appearance reasons rather than assuming they reflect the car's original delivery style.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Bentley Continental?
Available 235/70R15 tires for the 1987 Bentley Continental come from Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands appear across several distinct radial lines, including Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin XVS.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. Two tires in the same size can differ by sidewall treatment, wheel-width approval, stated load figure, and the overall style of the tire series. A better approach is to confirm the visual goal for the car first, then compare the products that match that look while remaining appropriate for the wheel setup in place.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Bentley Continental?
A period-style 1987 Bentley Continental usually starts with the correct 235/70R15 radial size and then narrows the choice by sidewall presentation. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available, and each gives the car a different visual tone while keeping the proper basic fitment.
For a more formal and understated appearance, many owners look first at blackwall or narrow whitewall radials. A wide whitewall creates a more pronounced traditional luxury look. If exact originality matters, the safest course is to compare the chosen tire style against marque-specific reference material, period photos, or restoration records before settling on a final presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Bentley Continental?
On the 1987 Bentley Continental, construction is straightforward because the primary fitment is already radial. That means the appearance differences come less from bias-ply versus radial shape and more from the chosen radial series and sidewall style, such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter.
A restored Bentley usually benefits from a tire that supports the car's formal proportions rather than competing with them. Even within one size, sidewall treatment can shift the look from restrained to attention-grabbing. Owners pursuing a restoration-oriented result should treat the tire as part of the exterior presentation, not just a mechanical replacement, and confirm the chosen style suits the car's finish and trim.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Bentley Continental?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 235/70R15, wheel and suspension changes can alter how that tire sits on the car. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offsets, lowered suspension, or body changes can all affect clearance and the range of products that remain suitable.
A modified Bentley should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement before assuming any 235/70R15 tire will behave the same way. Product dimensions and approved wheel widths can vary within the size, so confirming the actual wheel setup on the car is especially important when selecting among different radial series and sidewall styles.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Bentley Continental on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, confirm the 15-inch rim size, and make sure each tire is seated and inflated appropriately for the installation. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a new set of tires feels on a heavy luxury car.
A careful visual check should also include sidewall condition, valve stems, signs of rubbing, and even tread contact across the tire once the car has rolled a short distance. On a collector Bentley that may spend long periods parked, an alignment review and a short local shakedown drive can reveal issues before the car is taken on a longer outing.
How should 235/70R15 tires on a collector 1987 Bentley Continental be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 235/70R15 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as well as tread wear. A Bentley Continental that sees limited mileage can still develop problems from storage, heat cycles, and long periods of static load.
Good care includes looking for cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss, then storing the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Moving the car periodically can also help reduce flat spotting during long storage intervals. Maintenance habits matter just as much as mileage on a grand touring car that is driven seasonally rather than daily.
