1987 Buick Skylark Tires

The 1987 Buick Skylark uses three radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. Two of those sizes fit 13-inch wheels, while 215/60R14 fits a 14-inch wheel. Both Skylark Custom and Skylark Limited use this same fitment range, so the tire choice does not change by those sub-model names alone.

The practical step is to confirm the actual wheels on the car before choosing a tire. A Skylark that currently has 13-inch wheels cannot use the 14-inch size without a matching wheel, and a modified car may no longer match its original setup. Checking the sidewall on the existing tires and measuring wheel diameter helps narrow the correct size quickly.

A 1987 Buick Skylark uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the tire size on the car. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 sizes are both for 13-inch wheels, while 215/60R14 requires a 14-inch wheel. That means rim diameter is one of the main fitment checkpoints for this model.

Wheel width matters too, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a wider tire package. Some Skylarks may have had wheel changes over the years, so it is smart to verify both diameter and width before ordering. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car avoids problems with mounting, sidewall shape, and clearance.

185/80R13 is a metric radial tire size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1987 Buick Skylark, it is one of the primary 13-inch tire fitments and appears in several whitewall radial choices.

Understanding the code helps separate tire size from tire style. Two tires can share 185/80R13 sizing but look very different if one is a narrow whitewall and another is a wide whitewall. It also helps when checking whether the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels, since the final number must match the rim diameter.

Start with the correct size and wheel diameter, since the 1987 Buick Skylark can use either 13-inch or 14-inch radial fitments. After that, compare the tire’s overall style and intended use. This model has options ranging from whitewall radials in 185/80R13 to a blackwall 205/70R13 and a raised white letter 215/60R14.

Once the size is settled, look at wheel-width compatibility, construction, and the kind of presentation you want the car to have. A more traditional street look may point toward the whitewall choices, while a sportier period-style appearance may lead toward the raised white letter 14-inch option. Cars with replacement wheels should be checked especially carefully.

Sidewall choices for the 1987 Buick Skylark include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and RWL, which is raised white letter. Those styles are spread across the available radial sizes rather than appearing in every fitment. The 185/80R13 options focus on whitewall presentations, 205/70R13 is available as a blackwall, and 215/60R14 appears as a raised white letter tire.

That variation means sidewall style can influence size selection only after wheel diameter is confirmed. A buyer trying to preserve a softer late-1980s boulevard look may prefer one of the whitewall 13-inch tires, while a more assertive appearance may favor the 14-inch raised white letter option. The car’s current wheels and overall look should guide that choice.

Tires for the 1987 Buick Skylark are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. Brand availability depends on the specific size, so the choice is broader in some fitments than others. The 185/80R13 size has the widest spread of brands, while 205/70R13 and 215/60R14 each have a more focused product selection.

That makes size confirmation important before comparing brands. Once the correct fitment is established, the real comparison is not simply brand name but also tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility. A buyer choosing among the 185/80R13 options, for example, can compare whitewall style and product character more closely than someone shopping one of the single-option sizes.

A period-style 1987 Buick Skylark tire choice starts with the wheel diameter already on the car, then moves to the look you want to preserve. In 13-inch fitments, 185/80R13 offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall radial choices that suit a more traditional late-1980s passenger-car presentation. The 14-inch 215/60R14 option brings a different visual tone with raised white letters.

For a restoration-oriented street car, appearance often matters as much as the size itself. A whitewall can give the Skylark a more formal look, while blackwall or raised white letter styling changes the personality noticeably. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, original paperwork, or marque-specific references before settling on one sidewall treatment.

On a restored 1987 Buick Skylark, construction is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about selecting the right radial size and sidewall presentation. All primary fitments for this model are radial, so the visual differences come from profile, width, wheel diameter, and sidewall style. Whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter options each give the car a distinct period-style impression.

A taller 13-inch whitewall tire can make the car look more formal and comfort-oriented, while the lower-profile 14-inch raised white letter option creates a sportier stance. Since this Skylark uses more than one radial fitment, the wheel package influences appearance just as much as the tire itself. Matching tire style to the car’s trim, wheels, and intended presentation usually produces the best result.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Skylark even when the tire size itself is one of the correct model-year options. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can all change how a 185/80R13, 205/70R13, or 215/60R14 tire sits on the car. That is especially important because this Skylark uses both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments.

A modified car should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension before a new tire is chosen. Even a size that belongs on the model range may not suit a particular altered setup. Looking at the current tire and wheel combination on the car is the best starting point before making any change.

Before driving a 1987 Buick Skylark on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the tire-to-body clearance with the car at normal ride height. Check that the tires match the wheel diameter and that there is no interference during steering or suspension movement. A quick look at alignment-related wear on the old tires can also reveal issues worth correcting first.

After installation, monitor inflation pressure, recheck lug torque as appropriate, and watch for any rubbing or unusual behavior on the first few drives. Older cars that have sat for long periods may also need attention to shocks, bushings, and steering components. New tires perform best when the rest of the chassis is in sound condition and properly adjusted.

Tires on a collector 1987 Buick Skylark should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age and storage conditions. Even low-mileage radials can deteriorate from time, sunlight, ozone exposure, or long stationary periods. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, repeated air loss, and uneven tread wear all deserve attention before the car returns to road use.

Collector cars benefit from clean, dry storage and occasional movement to avoid long-term flat spotting. It also helps to inspect the spare and confirm that all four road tires remain the same size and type. Before a longer drive, give the tires a careful once-over and make sure the car’s wheel and suspension condition still supports the chosen fitment.