The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum came from the era when small front-wheel-drive compacts were prized for practical transportation, efficient packaging, and easy daily use. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is less about nostalgia than getting the right 13-inch fitment and preserving the car’s light, balanced feel. The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum uses radial tires in two primary sizes, 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That gives you a meaningful choice between traditional whitewall-styled options in 155/80R13 and a blackwall performance-oriented Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13. The key is confirming which size is on the car now and matching it to the wheel setup and intended look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments for 13-inch wheels. Because the same two sizes appear across the covered sub-models, the first step is usually confirming which size is actually mounted on the car now, especially if wheels have been changed. From there, the decision becomes one of tire character, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility rather than choosing between unrelated fitments.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size where 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum, this size suits buyers looking for a more traditional compact-car profile on a 13-inch wheel. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. It is the stronger choice when appearance and classic whitewall styling matter as much as basic fitment.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum, it represents the other primary 13-inch fitment and carries a slightly different sizing profile than 155/80R13. The available product in this size is the Avon CR6ZZ, a blackwall radial in Avon’s CR6ZZ series. This size is worth evaluating when the car already uses this wheel-and-tire combination or when a blackwall presentation better suits the current setup and intended road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum sub-models because each one uses the same two radial tire sizes on 13-inch wheels. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the vehicle configuration, but the more important step is verifying which of the two sizes is actually on the car.
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1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Base
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Base uses the same two 13-inch radial fitments found across the broader Spectrum lineup. Tire selection usually comes down to confirming the current wheel-and-tire setup, then deciding whether a whitewall-style 155/80R13 or blackwall 175/70R13 better matches the car.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum CL follows the same basic tire-fitment pattern as the other covered sub-models, with both primary radial sizes used on 13-inch rims. That keeps replacement shopping simple once the actual size on the car is confirmed and the desired appearance is clear.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum CL Plus shares the same pair of radial tire sizes used throughout this Spectrum coverage. Because both sizes remain in play, owners should confirm the mounted size first, then compare sidewall style and rim-width suitability before choosing a replacement.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum CL w/aluminum wheels still uses the same two 13-inch radial fitments as the rest of the range. Aluminum-wheel cars make wheel confirmation especially worthwhile, since tire choice should match the actual wheel width as well as the preferred visual style.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Express uses the same two primary radial tire sizes as the other covered Spectrum sub-models. That means the practical decision is less about trim level and more about verifying which size the car carries today and choosing the sidewall treatment that suits it.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Express w/aluminum wheels follows the same 13-inch radial tire pattern seen across the model lineup. Once the current size is confirmed, the next step is comparing available product character, especially if wheel width or appearance preference influences the final choice.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo shares the same two primary radial tire sizes used by the other covered Spectrum versions. The important selection step is confirming which size is on the car now, then matching that fitment to the intended look and wheel specifications.
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum w/aluminum wheels uses the same pair of 13-inch radial tire sizes as the other sub-models here. Verifying the current wheel and tire combination remains the key step, especially before choosing between the whitewall-oriented 155/80R13 options and the blackwall 175/70R13 offering.
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 Spectrum Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum tires give you two distinct paths: 155/80R13 radials from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel with narrow or wide whitewall styling, or a 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ blackwall. The product grid is where rim-width fit, tire series, load details, and overall presentation become easier to compare.
These 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum tire FAQs focus on the two 13-inch radial sizes, how they relate to the covered sub-models, and what to check when comparing whitewall and blackwall options for road use today.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum uses two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tire fitments for 13-inch wheels, and both appear across the covered Spectrum sub-models, including Base, CL, CL Plus, Express, Turbo, and aluminum-wheel versions.
That means the main job is not identifying a trim-specific size split, but confirming which size is already on the car. Checking the sidewall on the existing tires and verifying wheel width will help you choose the right replacement, especially since the available products differ noticeably in sidewall style, brand, and intended visual character.
What size rim does a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum use?
The tire fitments used on the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 share that same wheel diameter, so the final number in each size marks the same 13-inch wheel fitment.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Before replacing tires, it helps to confirm the wheel width as well, because the available products are not all built around the same rim-width range. That is especially important if the car has aluminum wheels or has been fitted with replacement wheels at some point.
Do all 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum sub-models share the same two primary tire sizes rather than splitting into separate trim-specific fitments. Base, CL, CL Plus, CL w/aluminum wheels, Express, Express w/aluminum wheels, Turbo, and Spectrum w/aluminum wheels all use 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 radial sizes.
That makes sub-model identification less critical than confirming the actual wheel-and-tire combination on the car today. A Spectrum that has been maintained over decades may no longer wear the same size it left service with, so checking the mounted tire size and wheel width is the safest starting point before selecting a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
A 155/80R13 tire for a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum should first match the car’s actual mounted size and 13-inch wheel setup. After that, the key differences are brand, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. In this size, choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel.
The strongest distinction in 155/80R13 is appearance, since this size is available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling. Rim-width range also varies by product, so a careful buyer should compare the wheel on the car against the individual tire’s rim-width specification before deciding which whitewall treatment and product series best fit the intended look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum tires?
Sidewall style depends on which of the Spectrum’s two tire sizes you are shopping. In 155/80R13, the available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. In 175/70R13, the available option is a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ radial.
That gives the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum owner a clear appearance choice. A whitewall can create a more traditional compact-car presentation, while blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated. Because sidewall style is tied to available tire size and product assortment, it helps to confirm the correct size first rather than choosing by appearance alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
Tires for the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. The 155/80R13 size carries the broader selection, while 175/70R13 is represented here by the Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial.
Brand choice matters mainly because it affects the combination of series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width specification available in the size you need. It is smarter to narrow the search by correct size and wheel setup first, then compare the brand-specific options that remain, rather than starting with a brand and forcing the fitment to match.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
A period-style 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum usually starts with matching the correct 13-inch tire size already used on the car, then choosing a sidewall treatment that suits the era. In this fitment range, 155/80R13 offers the most restoration-oriented visual choices because it is available with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling.
Appearance should still follow fitment rather than override it. A buyer restoring a specific trim or presentation should verify wheel width and compare the overall look wanted from the car before choosing between the available whitewall options or moving to the blackwall 175/70R13 alternative. Exact originality is best checked against marque-specific historical references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
On a restored 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum, construction is less of a visual dividing line than sidewall style, because the primary fitments here are radial tires. The more visible difference comes from whether the car wears a whitewall 155/80R13 or a blackwall 175/70R13, along with the character of the individual tire series.
That makes size and sidewall treatment the main appearance decisions for a Spectrum restoration. A wider whitewall can create a more traditional presentation, while blackwall keeps the car visually simpler. Since all of these choices still depend on the actual wheel setup, appearance decisions should be made only after confirming the mounted size and wheel dimensions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?
Yes. A 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum may originally use 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 on 13-inch wheels, but aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension modifications, or body alterations can change what works on the car now. Even when the rim diameter stays the same, fitment can shift in practical ways.
A modified Spectrum should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, and fender or suspension room before new tires are chosen. That matters especially when comparing products with different rim-width ranges. Looking at the car as it sits today is more useful than assuming any replacement tire will suit a setup that has changed over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and suspension through normal steering travel. It also helps to verify that the size mounted on the car matches the intended replacement size.
A road-ready check should include valve stems, lug-nut torque, visible air loss, and any signs of rubbing after installation. Older compact cars can hide alignment or suspension wear that becomes more noticeable with fresh tires, so watching for uneven stance, vibration, or steering pull during the first miles is a sensible follow-up.
How often should tires on a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Low-mileage collector and survivor cars can still develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or age-related deterioration even when tread depth appears acceptable.
A good routine is to look over the tires before road use and give them a closer inspection at regular intervals during the driving season. Check tread wear, sidewall condition, pressure retention, and any change in ride or steering feel. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources also helps preserve tire condition between drives.
