The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier sits squarely in the front-drive compact era that defined many American daily drivers of the late 1980s. Whether kept as a clean survivor, an honest commuter-era restoration, or a preserved Z24 sport coupe, this model depends on getting the right tire size for the exact trim and wheel setup. The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier uses radial tire fitments in three primary sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14. Available choices range from traditional whitewall radials for the 13-inch sizes to a raised white letter performance-style option for the Z24's 14-inch fitment. The key is matching the tire to the sub-model first, then selecting the sidewall look and specifications that suit the car's intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most versions use a 13-inch radial fitment in either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, while the Z24 moves to a 14-inch radial in 215/60R14. Before choosing a tire, confirm the specific trim and verify whether the car is still on its original wheel diameter.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size that uses a 175 millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, this size serves Base and CS applications that use the narrower 13-inch fitment. Available choices include classic-style whitewall radials from Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations offered in this size. It is a strong match for owners who want a more traditional late-1980s compact-car look while staying with the proper radial construction and 13-inch wheel setup.
195/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 195 millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. This fitment appears on the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier in Base, CS, and RS configurations, making it the broader 13-inch application within the model range. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Radial series with a narrow whitewall sidewall treatment, giving it a period-friendly appearance without changing construction type. It is the size to evaluate when the car uses the wider 13-inch setup and the goal is to stay close to the intended wheel diameter and profile.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size that combines a 215 millimeter section width with a 60-series profile and a 14-inch rim. For the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, this size is tied to the Z24 and reflects that trim's distinct wheel and tire package. The available product in this fitment is the BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, giving the car a more performance-oriented sidewall presentation than the whitewall 13-inch choices. It is the size to focus on when preserving the Z24's sportier stance and confirming that the car still carries the correct 14-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier because tire size is not the same across the full lineup. Base and CS models can use either of two 13-inch radial sizes, the RS uses one 13-inch radial size, and the Z24 steps up to a 14-inch radial fitment.
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1987 Chevrolet Cavalier Base
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier Base uses 13-inch radial fitments and can appear with either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13. That makes wheel confirmation important before choosing between traditional whitewall options and a slightly wider 13-inch radial setup.
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier CS also uses 13-inch radial fitments in either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13. Tire selection starts with confirming which wheel and size the car actually carries, then choosing the sidewall style and series that fit the car's appearance goals.
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier RS uses 195/70R13 radial tires on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the decision fairly straightforward, with the focus shifting from fitment identification to selecting the right radial style for the car's look and road use.
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 uses a 215/60R14 radial tire on a 14-inch wheel. Because this fitment differs in both size and rim diameter from the 13-inch Cavalier trims, verifying the wheel setup is the first step before choosing a performance-style replacement.
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 Cavalier Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier tire choices center on radial construction, with BFGoodrich and Maxxis options across the covered sizes. Buyers can compare Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Radial T/A offerings, along with narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewall styles.
These 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier tire FAQs focus on exact size selection by sub-model, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, sidewall and brand choices, and the checks worth making before putting a survivor or restored car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier uses three primary radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14. Base and CS models can use either 175/80R13 or 195/70R13, the RS uses 195/70R13, and the Z24 uses 215/60R14.
That means the right answer depends on the exact trim and wheel diameter on the car today. A Cavalier that has had wheel changes over the years may no longer match its original setup, so checking the current wheel size and comparing it with the correct sub-model fitment is the safest way to narrow the choice.
What size rim does a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier use?
A 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 215/60R14 fitment used on the Z24 requires a 14-inch rim.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before choosing a replacement tire because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. If the car has aftermarket wheels or has been changed from its original trim configuration, measure the wheel diameter directly and compare it with the intended tire size before moving further.
Why does the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier has more than one tire size because different sub-models used different wheel and tire packages. Base and CS versions can use two 13-inch radial sizes, the RS uses one of those 13-inch sizes, and the Z24 uses a separate 14-inch radial fitment.
The practical takeaway is that trim level matters just as much as the year, make, and model name. A buyer standing in front of a Cavalier should confirm the exact sub-model and check whether the wheels are still the correct diameter, since that determines whether the car belongs in a 13-inch whitewall-style fitment or the Z24's 14-inch setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact Cavalier sub-model, then look at wheel diameter, rim-width compatibility, construction, and the visual style of the tire. On this car, all primary fitments are radial, but the available choices still differ by size, sidewall treatment, load specification, and tire series.
A Base or CS model may need more fitment confirmation than an RS or Z24 because two different 13-inch sizes can apply. Once the size is settled, the decision becomes whether the car looks better with a narrow or wide whitewall, or in the Z24's case, whether a raised white letter performance-style radial suits the car's presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier tires?
Sidewall styles for the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and RWL, which is raised white letter. The 13-inch radial sizes are offered in whitewall form, while the 215/60R14 fitment for the Z24 is available as a raised white letter BFGoodrich Radial T/A.
That gives the Cavalier owner a meaningful appearance choice even when staying within the correct size. Whitewalls can suit a cleaner stock-era presentation on Base, CS, or RS applications, while raised white letters give the Z24 a more sporting look that matches its distinct 14-inch fitment and separates it visually from the rest of the lineup.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
BFGoodrich and Maxxis both offer tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier across the covered fitments. BFGoodrich appears in 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14, while Maxxis is available in 175/80R13 through the Classic Whitewall MA-1 series.
Brand choice matters most after the correct size has been confirmed. In this application, the stronger buying distinction is often not brand alone but how each product combines sidewall appearance, tire series, and rim-width specification, especially on 175/80R13 where more than one whitewall presentation is available.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
A period-style 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier tire starts with the correct original-type radial size for the specific sub-model. From there, Base, CS, and RS owners may gravitate toward whitewall radials in the proper 13-inch fitments, while Z24 owners may prefer the 215/60R14 raised white letter radial that better matches that trim's sportier presentation.
Appearance decisions should follow fitment, not replace it. If originality matters at a finer level, compare the car's trim, wheel package, and historical references before settling on a sidewall treatment, since a tire can look convincingly period-style without necessarily matching every car built in that model year.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
On a restored 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial across the model range. The visible difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall treatment, profile, and wheel diameter, especially when comparing the whitewall 13-inch options with the Z24's raised white letter 14-inch tire.
That makes size accuracy a major part of the car's finished look. A tire with the right rim diameter and profile family helps preserve the Cavalier's intended stance, while the sidewall style shapes whether the car reads as conservative, upscale, or sport-oriented within the visual language of the late 1980s.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, altered spring height, or body and brake changes can all affect which tire size clears properly, even when the size matches a known Cavalier fitment.
That matters most on a car that no longer wears its original wheels. A Base, CS, or RS moved away from a stock 13-inch setup, or a Z24 changed from its 14-inch wheels, should be checked for wheel diameter, width, steering clearance, and fender room before any tire is selected simply by the model name.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width match the tire, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It also helps to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, brake drag, and any sign that the old tires rubbed the body or steering components.
A collector-era compact that has been parked for long periods deserves extra attention before regular road use. Look for cracked rubber parts, worn struts, loose wheel hardware, and uneven wear patterns that might point to an underlying problem, since a fresh set of tires cannot correct a wheel or chassis issue by itself.
How often should tires on a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long stretches. Check for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of uneven wear, and give the tires a closer look before any longer trip or seasonal return to service.
Low-mileage older cars can hide tire aging because the tread still looks deep. A quick inspection routine helps catch condition problems early and also gives the owner a chance to verify that the tires are still clearing properly, particularly on cars with changed wheels, aging suspension parts, or long periods of storage.
