The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro sits squarely in the late third-generation era, when the model balanced sharp wedge-era styling with a broader mix of street performance and everyday trim levels. That matters at the tire level, because this Camaro does not use one universal fitment across the board. Depending on sub-model, it runs radial sizes 205/70R14, 215/65R15, or 245/50R16, each tied to a different wheel diameter and a different visual and driving character. Available choices range from blackwall, redline, whitewall, and raised white letter styles to performance-oriented series. The right selection starts with the exact sub-model and wheel, then moves to appearance, intended use, and overall presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, and they vary by sub-model as well as rim diameter. The first step is confirming whether the car is an Iroc-Z, LT, Sport, or Z28, then verifying whether it carries 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheels. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the type of radial tire that suits the car's look and use, from performance blackwalls to traditional whitewall or redline treatments.
245/50R16 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, this size is tied to a 16-inch setup and gives the car a distinctly lower-profile, performance-oriented fitment. Available choices here center on BFGoodrich g-Force series tires in blackwall form. This size should be evaluated by owners who want to preserve the intended wheel diameter and sportier stance of the sub-models that use it.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This size gives the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro a taller-sidewall radial fitment than the 16-inch performance setup, which changes both the appearance and the wheel requirement. Product choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across several series. It is the right size to consider only when the car's specific sub-model and wheel diameter point to the 14-inch application.
215/65R15 is a metric radial size that combines a 215-millimeter nominal section width with a 65-series profile on a 15-inch wheel. For the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, it sits between the 14-inch and 16-inch fitments in overall character, pairing a moderate sidewall with a larger wheel diameter than the LT setup. Available options include Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich tires in OWL, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall styles across Eagle GT, Cobra Radial G/T, Radial T/A, and Silvertown Radial series. This size makes sense when the car's sub-model and actual wheel confirm the 15-inch fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro because tire size changes with the trim level, and those changes also bring different wheel diameters. Identifying the exact sub-model is the quickest way to avoid choosing a tire that matches the car's style but not its actual wheel setup.
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1987 Chevrolet Camaro Iroc-Z
The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro Iroc-Z uses the 245/50R16 radial fitment, which sets it apart with a 16-inch wheel requirement and a lower-profile presentation. Tire selection here centers on preserving that performance-oriented look while confirming wheel width and overall compatibility with the car's current setup.
The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro LT uses the 205/70R14 radial size, tied to a 14-inch wheel and a taller-sidewall look than the sportier trims. That opens the door to several appearance choices, including blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, once the wheel size is confirmed.
The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro Sport uses the 215/65R15 radial fitment on a 15-inch wheel. Choosing tires for this sub-model means balancing correct size with the kind of sidewall presentation desired, whether the goal is a more traditional look or a period-style muscle-era appearance.
The 1987 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 also uses the 215/65R15 radial size, sharing its basic fitment path with the Sport model. Selection usually comes down to matching the 15-inch wheel setup and deciding between available sidewall treatments such as OWL, RWL, redline, or wide whitewall.
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 Chevrolet Camaro Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Chevrolet Camaro tires span BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Cooper, Maxxis, and Michelin, with choices shaped by sub-model size. Depending on the fitment, the product grid includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, OWL, and RWL radials across g-Force, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, Eagle GT, Cobra Radial G/T, and XWX series.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used across 1987 Chevrolet Camaro sub-models, along with wheel diameter, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks that matter before road use on a stock or modified car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro?
A 1987 Chevrolet Camaro can use three different radial tire sizes, depending on sub-model: 245/50R16, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15. The Iroc-Z uses 245/50R16, the LT uses 205/70R14, and the Sport and Z28 use 215/65R15.
The key point is that there is no single universal size for every 1987 Camaro. Start by confirming the exact sub-model, then verify the wheel diameter actually on the car, since age, wheel swaps, and aftermarket changes can put a different setup on the vehicle than expected.
What size rim does a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro use?
A 1987 Chevrolet Camaro may use a 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The LT pairs with a 14-inch rim, the Sport and Z28 use a 15-inch rim, and the Iroc-Z uses a 16-inch rim.
That rim diameter needs to match the tire size exactly, so a 205/70R14 belongs on a 14-inch wheel, a 215/65R15 on a 15-inch wheel, and a 245/50R16 on a 16-inch wheel. Checking the actual wheel before ordering is especially important on cars that may have had replacement wheels installed over the years.
Do all 1987 Chevrolet Camaro sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1987 Chevrolet Camaro sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The LT uses 205/70R14, the Sport and Z28 use 215/65R15, and the Iroc-Z uses 245/50R16, so both tire size and rim diameter vary within the model line.
That variation affects more than the numbers on the sidewall. It changes the available tire styles, wheel requirements, and the overall look of the car, so choosing by model year alone is not enough. Matching the tire to the exact trim and wheel setup is the safest starting point.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro tire?
Start with the correct size for the sub-model and the correct wheel diameter on the car, since the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro uses 205/70R14, 215/65R15, or 245/50R16 depending on trim. After that, compare radial construction details such as sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width compatibility, and load specifications where shown.
The best choice depends on how the Camaro is used and how it should look. A blackwall performance tire gives a different presentation than a redline, whitewall, OWL, or raised white letter tire, so the selection should support both the car's current setup and the appearance the owner wants.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Chevrolet Camaro tires?
Sidewall choices for a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro include Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, Wide Whitewall, Redline, Dual-Redline, OWL, and RWL, depending on the tire size. Not every style appears in every fitment, so the available look changes with the sub-model and wheel diameter.
That makes sidewall style a secondary decision after size and wheel confirmation. Once the correct fitment is established, the sidewall becomes an appearance choice that can push the car toward a cleaner performance look, a more traditional touring presentation, or a stronger period-style muscle-car feel.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro?
Tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro are available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Cooper, Maxxis, and Michelin across the covered sizes. Brand availability depends on fitment, with some sizes concentrating on one maker and others offering a broader mix of series and sidewall treatments.
Brand should be compared alongside the actual tire type rather than in isolation. A Camaro owner may find that the deciding factor is not the name on the sidewall, but whether the tire is offered in the correct size, the preferred series, and the visual style that suits the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Chevrolet Camaro?
A period-style 1987 Chevrolet Camaro tire should start with the correct sub-model size, because the car used three distinct radial fitments. Once that size is settled, the choice usually comes down to whether the goal is a performance-oriented blackwall look, a raised white letter treatment, or a more stylized redline or whitewall presentation.
For a restoration-minded owner, appearance should work with the car's trim, wheels, and intended character rather than fight them. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque references and vehicle-specific history, but staying within the proper size and wheel diameter keeps the visual foundation of the car on track.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Chevrolet Camaro?
On a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial rather than bias-ply. That means the appearance difference comes less from construction choice and more from profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment such as blackwall, RWL, OWL, redline, or whitewall.
For a restored or preservation-minded Camaro, the visual effect of a 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch fitment can be just as important as the tire's branding. Keeping the proper size for the specific sub-model helps preserve the stance and proportion, then the sidewall style can fine-tune the final presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro even when the tire size itself is correct for the original sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, and body or brake changes can all influence clearance, wheel width, and the way the tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Camaro with non-original parts should be checked at the wheel and car level before choosing a replacement tire. Confirm the actual rim diameter and width, then inspect turning clearance, fender clearance, and any signs that the tire may contact suspension or body components under load or steering input.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect tire wear or handling. Lug hardware, valve stems, and basic alignment condition also deserve attention.
A road test should follow only after checking for adequate clearance at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement. It is also smart to recheck air pressure and look for any rubbing, vibration, or uneven seating after the first miles, especially on a car that has spent long periods parked.
How should 1987 Chevrolet Camaro tires be maintained?
1987 Chevrolet Camaro tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to tread wear and age. Even on a low-mile collector car, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, bulges, cuts, and general aging matter as much as the remaining tread depth.
Storage conditions also affect tire life on an older Camaro. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspections remain important because collector vehicles often age out of their tires before they wear them out.
