The 1987 Dodge Lancer came from an era when front-wheel-drive American sedans were blending everyday practicality with increasingly European-influenced tire sizing and road manners. It is a vehicle where trim level and package matter, because this year uses three different primary radial sizes: 185/70R14, 195/70R14, and 205/60R15. That means the real decision is not just finding a tire for a Lancer, but matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter first. Available choices also vary in character, from blackwall touring-style radials to wide whitewall and raised white letter options in certain sizes. For a stock car, an appearance-minded build, or a regularly driven survivor, getting the size and wheel setup right is the starting point.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Lancer
The 1987 Dodge Lancer uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes fit 14-inch rims, while one uses a 15-inch rim, so the first step is confirming both the trim and the wheels currently on the car before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or product series.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Dodge Lancer, this is a primary 14-inch fitment used on certain Base applications. Product choice is broad in this size, with blackwall options as well as a wide whitewall offering, and available series include Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. This size is worth evaluating carefully if the car retains its original-style 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is to balance appearance with the kind of road use the car actually sees.
195/70R14 follows the same metric radial format, with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. It is another primary fitment for the 1987 Dodge Lancer and appears on both Base and ES applications, making it an important size to confirm before purchasing. The available product selection here centers on a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic, giving this size a more focused choice than the other Lancer fitments. It is the right path to consider when the car has the correct 14-inch wheel diameter and this specific size matches the sub-model or existing wheel-and-tire setup.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a lower 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Dodge Lancer, this size is tied to the Performance Package and brings a different wheel diameter into the fitment decision. Product options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewall treatments across series such as Michelin Primacy 3, American Classic Radial, Star Series, and BFGoodrich Radial T/A. This size deserves extra attention when choosing tires for a car that emphasizes period performance character or has retained its 15-inch package-specific wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Dodge Lancer because tire size is not the same across the full lineup. The Base model can use two 14-inch sizes, the ES uses one 14-inch size, and the Performance Package moves to a 15-inch fitment.
1
1987 Dodge Lancer Base
The 1987 Dodge Lancer Base is the most flexible fitment in the range, using either of the two 14-inch radial sizes. That makes wheel verification especially important, and it also opens up more choice in period-style blackwall or whitewall tire selection depending on the look and use planned for the car.
The 1987 Dodge Lancer ES uses the 195/70R14 radial size, keeping fitment focused around a 14-inch wheel. Tire selection is more straightforward here, with the main task being confirmation that the car still carries the correct wheel diameter and an unchanged stock-type setup.
The 1987 Dodge Lancer w/Performance Pkg. uses the 205/60R15 radial size, separating it from the 14-inch fitments used elsewhere in the lineup. That changes both wheel-diameter requirements and appearance options, especially for buyers considering blackwall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter presentations.
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 Dodge Lancer Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Dodge Lancer tire choices vary by size, brand, sidewall treatment, and series. Depending on fitment, options include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles represented.
Showing 6 of 10
Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
These 1987 Dodge Lancer tire FAQs focus on the fitment questions that matter most: identifying the correct size by sub-model, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and comparing available radial tire styles, brands, and road-use considerations.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Lancer?
The 1987 Dodge Lancer uses three primary radial tire sizes: 185/70R14, 195/70R14, and 205/60R15. The Base model can use 185/70R14 or 195/70R14, the ES uses 195/70R14, and the Performance Package uses 205/60R15.
Finding the right tire starts with confirming the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the car. Since this Lancer range includes both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments, the tire size should match the wheel first, then the car's configuration, especially if wheels may have been changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Lancer use?
A 1987 Dodge Lancer uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 185/70R14 and 195/70R14 fitments use 14-inch rims, while the 205/60R15 fitment uses a 15-inch rim.
That makes rim diameter one of the first things to verify before ordering tires. A Lancer that has had wheels swapped at some point may not still match its original sub-model fitment, so checking the stamped wheel size or the current tire sidewall helps prevent choosing a tire for the wrong rim.
Why does the 1987 Dodge Lancer have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Dodge Lancer has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and package. Base cars can use two 14-inch sizes, the ES is tied to one 14-inch size, and the Performance Package uses a different size on a 15-inch wheel.
That variation means a Lancer owner should not assume that every tire offered for the model fits every version of the car. The safest approach is to confirm the exact trim and wheel setup first, then compare tires within the correct size rather than trying to choose from the full Lancer range at once.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Dodge Lancer tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact 1987 Dodge Lancer sub-model and wheel diameter, since this car uses both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments. From there, compare radial tire choices by sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any useful specification differences such as rim-width compatibility or load figures where they are stated.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how original-looking the finished result should be. A stock-style driver may point toward a straightforward blackwall radial, while an appearance-focused build may lean toward a wide whitewall or raised white letter option in the correct size and wheel format.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Lancer tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size chosen for the 1987 Dodge Lancer. Blackwall tires are available across all three fitments, while wide whitewall options appear in 185/70R14 and 205/60R15, and raised white letter styling is available in 205/60R15.
That gives the Lancer owner room to shape the car's presentation without moving away from the proper size. The key is to choose sidewall appearance after the fitment has been narrowed down, because the most visually distinctive options are not offered in every one of the Lancer's three tire sizes.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Lancer?
Brands represented for 1987 Dodge Lancer tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, Vredestein, American Classic, and Coker Classic. The exact brand selection depends on the tire size, with broader variety in 185/70R14 and 205/60R15 than in 195/70R14.
Brand choice is only part of the decision, since sidewall style and tire series often matter just as much on a car from this era. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available brand options within that size rather than assuming every brand shown for the Lancer applies to every sub-model.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Lancer?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Lancer tire choice starts with using the correct size for the sub-model: 185/70R14, 195/70R14, or 205/60R15. After that, the look can be tailored through available radial offerings that range from simple blackwall designs to wide whitewall and raised white letter presentations in certain sizes.
Appearance goals should be balanced against how closely the car follows its original wheel setup and intended use. For a more historically grounded result, compare the tire's sidewall character and overall presentation with period photos, marque references, and the specific trim level rather than choosing by size alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Lancer?
On a 1987 Dodge Lancer, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial across all three sizes. That means the visual differences come less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from sidewall treatment, profile, wheel diameter, and the specific tire series available in the correct size.
A restored car can look noticeably different with blackwalls, wide whitewalls, or raised white letters even when the fitment remains proper. Keeping the correct size and matching the tire's visual style to the car's trim, stance, and era is usually more important here than chasing a construction change that does not belong to the original fitment story.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Lancer?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Lancer. Wheel swaps, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body and fender work can all change the space available for the original 185/70R14, 195/70R14, or 205/60R15 fitments.
A car that has been changed from stock should be checked carefully before choosing tires by model year alone. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance around the struts, steering components, and fender openings all matter, especially since this Lancer family includes both 14-inch and 15-inch factory-type fitment paths.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Lancer on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Lancer on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper inflation, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear. It also helps to make sure the tires have even seating on the rims and adequate clearance through the full steering range.
An older car can reveal alignment, brake, or suspension issues once fresh tires are installed. A short initial drive followed by another visual check for rubbing, air loss, or unusual wear patterns is a sensible way to catch setup problems early and protect the new tires from avoidable damage.
How should tires on a 1987 Dodge Lancer be inspected and maintained?
Tires on a 1987 Dodge Lancer should be checked regularly for inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of uneven wear. Low-use cars deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition even when tread depth still looks acceptable.
Consistent maintenance starts with keeping the tires properly inflated and the car aligned, then watching for changes in steering feel or vibration. Storage also matters on an older collector-era sedan, so keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives.
