1987 Dodge Charger Tires

A 1987 Dodge Charger uses one of two radial tire sizes, depending on sub-model. The Base model uses 165/80R13, while the Shelby uses 205/50R15. Those are not interchangeable primary fitments, because they are tied to different wheel diameters and different vehicle configurations within the same model year.

The most important step is identifying whether the car is a Base or Shelby before ordering tires. It also helps to verify the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if a previous owner changed wheels or tires. Matching the tire to the correct sub-model prevents confusion between the 13-inch Base setup and the 15-inch Shelby setup.

The 1987 Dodge Charger uses either a 13-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Base model's 165/80R13 tire is built for a 13-inch wheel, while the Shelby's 205/50R15 tire is built for a 15-inch wheel. Rim diameter is part of the tire size itself and has to match exactly.

Wheel diameter should be confirmed before any replacement tire is chosen, especially on a car that may have been modified over the years. A 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch rim, and a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 13-inch rim. Checking the wheel itself helps prevent ordering the right tire size for the wrong wheel setup.

The 1987 Dodge Charger has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. The Base model uses 165/80R13, while the Shelby uses 205/50R15. Those sizes reflect different wheel diameters and different tire profiles, so the correct fitment depends on the exact version of the car rather than the Charger name alone.

That difference matters because a buyer cannot choose by year, make, and model alone on this page. The car's trim identification and wheel setup need to be confirmed first. If the car has aftermarket wheels, the current hardware may not match the original-style sub-model fitment, so the mounted wheel diameter becomes just as important as the badge.

For a 1987 Dodge Charger Base, the first consideration is staying with the correct 165/80R13 radial size and confirming that the wheel is a 13-inch rim. From there, the visible differences come from brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation, with BFGoodrich and Maxxis options available in whitewall styles.

The two 165/80R13 products also share the same 4.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range, 1069@35 psi maximum load capacity, and radial construction, so appearance becomes a major part of the decision. A buyer choosing for a more traditional presentation may focus on whitewall width first, then confirm wheel width and general condition before installation.

For the 1987 Dodge Charger Base fitment in 165/80R13, available sidewall styles include Wide Whitewall and Narrow Whitewall. The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial uses a 2.25 Inch Whitewall, while the Maxxis option uses a 0.625 Inch Whitewall. Both are radial tires, but they create very different visual results on the car.

Choosing between them depends mostly on the appearance you want rather than a change in basic tire construction. A wider whitewall gives the car a stronger vintage visual cue, while a narrower whitewall is more restrained. Before deciding by style alone, it still makes sense to confirm that the car is a Base model using the 165/80R13 fitment.

In the 165/80R13 Base-model size, available brands include BFGoodrich and Maxxis. The BFGoodrich offering is part of the Silvertown Radial series, while the Maxxis option is from the Classic Whitewall MA-1 series. Both are radial tires built for a 13-inch rim and aimed at buyers who want a whitewall presentation.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series and sidewall style at the same time, because those differences are more visible on the finished car. The practical starting point is still correct fitment: verify that the Charger is a Base model with the proper 13-inch wheel before comparing appearance details.

A period-style choice starts with using the correct tire size for the exact sub-model. The 1987 Dodge Charger Base uses 165/80R13, while the Shelby uses 205/50R15. On the Base model, available BFGoodrich and Maxxis radial options let you stay with the proper size while choosing between different whitewall presentations.

Appearance goals matter, but they should follow fitment rather than replace it. A restoration-oriented Base car may call for more attention to whitewall width and overall visual balance, while a Shelby owner first needs the proper 15-inch performance-style size. When exact originality is important, vehicle-specific historical references can help guide the final appearance decision.

On the 1987 Dodge Charger, the primary fitments covered here are radial tires, so the appearance question is less about switching between bias-ply and radial and more about choosing the right radial size and sidewall treatment. For the Base model's 165/80R13 fitment, whitewall width creates the biggest visual difference among the available options.

That means the restored look can change noticeably even when the tire size stays correct. A wide whitewall creates a more pronounced vintage impression, while a narrow whitewall gives a subtler presentation. The Shelby fitment is a separate case because its lower-profile 205/50R15 size shapes the stance differently, making wheel and tire proportion especially important.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Charger. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, lowering, and body or brake changes can all alter the space available for a tire and may also change the wheel diameter on the car. That matters here because the Charger already has different factory-type fitments between Base and Shelby versions.

A car with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and wheel width before any replacement is chosen. Steering clearance and fender clearance are worth confirming as well, especially on the 205/50R15 Shelby setup. Even when the tire size sounds familiar, the current hardware on the car is what ultimately has to be matched.

Before driving a 1987 Dodge Charger on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the correct rim diameter, and make sure the tires are mounted in the proper size for the sub-model. It also helps to check valve stems, inflation pressure, lug hardware, and general suspension and steering condition before putting the car back into regular use.

Collector-era cars often sit for long periods, so a quick tread glance is not enough. Look for uneven wear patterns, air loss, sidewall cracking on any older tires being removed, and signs that alignment or suspension issues may still be present. A short, careful road test after installation helps confirm that the car tracks properly and clears everywhere it should.

165/80R13 tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Charger Base should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car so the tires do not sit in one position for long stretches. Storage conditions also matter, because heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can shorten tire life on low-mileage collector vehicles.

Routine inspection should include checking for cuts, bulges, cracking, uneven wear, and slow air loss. The wheel should remain within the tire's 4.50- to 6.00-inch rim-width range, and the car should be examined more closely before any longer drive after extended storage. Ongoing maintenance is especially important when appearance-focused whitewall tires are part of the vehicle's presentation.