The 1987 Buick Riviera came from a period when personal luxury coupes balanced traditional Buick comfort with increasingly modern styling and chassis choices. It remains a distinctive late-1980s GM car, and tire selection plays a big role in preserving both its stance and driving character. This Riviera uses radial tires, but fitment is split between 205/75R14 and 215/60R15 depending on sub-model. That means the decision is not just about brand, but also about matching the correct wheel diameter, profile, and sidewall presentation. Whitewall, redline, blackwall, and raised white letter options all change the car's look, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance or road-ready use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Buick Riviera
The 1987 Buick Riviera uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Luxury uses a 14-inch radial fitment, while the T-Type uses a 15-inch radial fitment, so confirming the sub-model and the wheels currently on the car is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
205/75R14 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Buick Riviera, this size is used on the Luxury sub-model and gives the car a taller-profile 14-inch fitment. Available choices include American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and Travelstar, with sidewall treatments such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. It is the right place to focus if the car retains its 14-inch wheel setup and you want to compare both appearance and rim-width compatibility.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Buick Riviera, this size is tied to the T-Type and uses a lower-profile 15-inch fitment than the Luxury model. Product choices include American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations. It deserves careful attention if the car is a T-Type or if the wheel package has changed over the years.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Buick Riviera because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is a Luxury or a T-Type prevents confusion between the 14-inch and 15-inch radial setups before any product comparison begins.
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1987 Buick Riviera Luxury
The 1987 Buick Riviera Luxury uses the 205/75R14 radial fitment on a 14-inch wheel. That points the tire search toward taller-profile touring-style choices, with several whitewall and redline options available for owners who want a more traditional Buick presentation.
The 1987 Buick Riviera T-Type uses the 215/60R15 radial fitment on a 15-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, then the focus shifts to choosing among blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, or raised white letter options that suit the car's intended look.
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 Buick Riviera Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Buick Riviera tires span both primary sizes and include brands such as American Classic, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare tire series, sidewall styles, and rim-width compatibility across whitewall, redline, blackwall, and raised white letter radial options.
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Radial Tires
American Classic Radial | 1 Inch Whitewall | 205/75R14
Common 1987 Buick Riviera tire questions usually center on choosing between the 205/75R14 and 215/60R15 fitments, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and narrowing the right radial by sidewall style, brand, and intended appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Buick Riviera?
A 1987 Buick Riviera uses one of two radial tire sizes: 205/75R14 or 215/60R15. The Luxury sub-model uses 205/75R14, while the T-Type uses 215/60R15, so both the sub-model and wheel diameter matter before selecting a tire.
The practical difference is that these sizes are tied to different wheel diameters, not just slightly different tire dimensions. Checking the badge, wheel size, and the size already mounted on the car helps avoid ordering a 14-inch tire for a 15-inch wheel or the reverse, especially on Rivieras that may have had wheels changed over time.
What size rim does a 1987 Buick Riviera use?
The 1987 Buick Riviera uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Luxury is associated with the 205/75R14 tire on a 14-inch wheel, while the T-Type uses the 215/60R15 tire on a 15-inch wheel.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a tire must match the rim diameter exactly. It also helps to verify wheel width on the actual car, since available tires within each size can carry different approved rim-width ranges, and many collector cars no longer wear their original wheel setup.
Why does the 1987 Buick Riviera have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Buick Riviera has more than one tire size because the covered sub-models use different wheel and tire packages. The Luxury uses 205/75R14, while the T-Type uses 215/60R15, so the fitment difference is built around configuration rather than a single universal Riviera tire size.
That means the right choice starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheels currently installed. Once that is settled, the decision becomes much easier because you can compare only the tires that belong to that specific setup, rather than trying to choose between two primary sizes that serve different Riviera versions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Buick Riviera tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact car: 205/75R14 for the Riviera Luxury or 215/60R15 for the Riviera T-Type. From there, compare radial construction details such as approved rim-width range, sidewall style, tire series, load figure where stated, and the overall look you want on the car.
A Riviera used for shows or restoration-minded cruising may call for a very different presentation than one built around everyday road use. Matching the tire to the car's current wheels, intended appearance, and how the coupe will actually be driven is more useful than choosing only by brand name or sidewall preference.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Buick Riviera tires?
1987 Buick Riviera tire choices include several sidewall styles, depending on size. Across the two fitments, available options include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, blackwall, and RWL, which is the raised white letter style seen on some 215/60R15 selections.
Sidewall style changes the car's visual character as much as the wheel itself, especially on a Riviera where trim and body lines respond strongly to tire presentation. Whitewalls lean toward a more formal luxury look, while blackwall, redline, or raised white letter choices can give the car a more assertive late-1980s performance-oriented feel.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Buick Riviera?
Tires for the 1987 Buick Riviera are available from American Classic, Coker Classic, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Tornel, Travelstar, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the tire size, so the 205/75R14 and 215/60R15 fitments do not share the exact same lineup.
That brand spread gives Riviera owners room to compare style and specification differences without leaving the correct size. A useful approach is to narrow the search first by sub-model and wheel diameter, then compare the brands that remain by sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width compatibility for the wheels actually on the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Buick Riviera?
A period-style 1987 Buick Riviera tire starts with using the correct primary size for the specific sub-model, then choosing a sidewall treatment that suits the car's intended appearance. The Luxury's 205/75R14 fitment offers several whitewall and redline choices, while the T-Type's 215/60R15 lineup includes blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and RWL options.
Appearance goals should guide the final choice once size and wheel diameter are confirmed. Buyers aiming for a restoration-oriented look often compare whitewall width, tread character, and overall sidewall presentation, while anyone chasing exact originality should also check marque references or surviving vehicle history before treating any one style as definitive.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Buick Riviera?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1987 Buick Riviera because both primary fitments are radial. That keeps the main appearance decision focused less on bias-ply versus radial and more on the tire's profile, sidewall style, and the visual relationship between the tire and either the 14-inch or 15-inch wheel package.
A restored Riviera can look noticeably different depending on whether it wears a formal whitewall treatment or a sportier blackwall, redline, or raised white letter tire. Keeping the correct size for the sub-model preserves the intended stance much better than chasing a look through the wrong wheel diameter or mismatched tire proportions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Riviera?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Riviera. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body modifications can all change how a 205/75R14 or 215/60R15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains during steering and suspension movement.
A Riviera that no longer has its original wheel package should be measured carefully before new tires are chosen. Confirming actual rim diameter is only the first step; wheel width, offset, and available clearance at the fender, frame, and steering components should also be checked so the selected tire matches the car as it sits now.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Buick Riviera on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Buick Riviera on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the correct tire size and inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect alignment or tire behavior. It also helps to verify that all lug hardware is correct and properly tightened.
A short initial road test is a smart way to confirm that the tires clear properly and that the car tracks as expected. Any vibration, rubbing, pulling, or uneven stance deserves attention early, especially on a collector-era coupe that may have seen long storage, previous repairs, or wheel changes during its life.
How should 1987 Buick Riviera tires be maintained?
1987 Buick Riviera tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and routine attention to age and condition. Even when tread looks usable, collector-era cars can sit for long periods, which makes sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and general aging just as important as tread depth.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use Riviera. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and occasional inspections for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear make it easier to catch problems before a longer drive or seasonal return to the road.
