The 1987 Ford Escort sits in the heart of the front-wheel-drive compact era, when small domestic cars were expected to cover daily-driver duty with better fuel economy, easier packaging, and more modern road manners than the subcompacts that came before them. That matters here because tire fitment varies within the 1987 Ford Escort lineup. GL and Pony models use 13-inch radial sizes, while the Escort GT steps up to a 195/60R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. Available choices range from whitewall treatments on the 13-inch sizes to whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall options in 195/60R15, so the right selection depends on whether appearance, trim level, and wheel setup matter most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ford Escort
The 1987 Ford Escort uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. GL and Pony configurations use 13-inch radial sizes in 165/80R13 or 175/80R13, while the Escort GT uses 195/60R15 on a 15-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car still has its correct wheel size and whether appearance or driving style is guiding the decision.
165/80R13 is a metric radial size with a 165 millimeter section width, an 80-series aspect ratio, and a fitment for a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Ford Escort, it serves the GL and Pony range where a traditional narrow-section compact-car tire is appropriate. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis options, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles that give this size a more restoration-oriented presentation. It is the right starting point when the car retains its 13-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with the slimmer original-type footprint.
175/80R13 follows the same metric radial format, but with a slightly wider 175 millimeter section width and the same 80-series profile on a 13-inch rim. For the 1987 Ford Escort, this size also applies to GL and Pony models and keeps the car in the correct 13-inch radial family. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Maxxis tires with either wide whitewall or narrow whitewall styling, giving the buyer some visual flexibility within the proper size range. This size deserves a closer look when the car is a 13-inch-wheel Escort and the wheel and existing tire markings point to the wider of the two stock-type options.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 195 millimeter section width, a lower 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim requirement. On the 1987 Ford Escort, this size belongs to the GT and reflects a sportier wheel-and-tire package than the 13-inch fitments used elsewhere in the line. Available products include BFGoodrich and Michelin choices, with wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall sidewall styles across several tire series. It is the size to evaluate when the car is an Escort GT or when the vehicle clearly carries the correct 15-inch wheel setup.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1987 Ford Escort because tire fitment is not the same across the lineup. GL and Pony models stay within the 13-inch radial sizes, while the GT uses a separate 15-inch radial fitment, so confirming the exact version and wheel diameter comes first.
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1987 Ford Escort GL
The 1987 Ford Escort GL uses 13-inch radial tire fitments, with either 165/80R13 or 175/80R13 depending on the car’s setup. That keeps selection focused on confirming the exact 13-inch size already on the car and then choosing between wide whitewall or narrow whitewall product styles.
The 1987 Ford Escort GT uses the 195/60R15 radial size on a 15-inch rim, separating it clearly from the 13-inch GL and Pony fitments. Tire selection here centers on preserving the GT’s proper wheel diameter while choosing among blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentations.
The 1987 Ford Escort Pony uses the same 13-inch radial size family as the GL, with 165/80R13 or 175/80R13 fitments. The key step is confirming which of those two sizes matches the car’s actual wheel-and-tire setup before narrowing the choice by sidewall style and brand.
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 Ford Escort Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Ford Escort tire choices span BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin products across 13-inch and 15-inch radial sizes. The main points of comparison are tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility, with whitewall-focused options on the 13-inch sizes and whitewall, redline, RWL, and blackwall choices in 195/60R15.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
Common 1987 Ford Escort tire questions usually center on identifying the correct size by sub-model, confirming 13-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and choosing the right radial tire style for the way the car is used and presented.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ford Escort?
A 1987 Ford Escort can use 165/80R13, 175/80R13, or 195/60R15, depending on the sub-model and wheel package. GL and Pony models use the 13-inch radial sizes, while the Escort GT uses 195/60R15 on a 15-inch rim. All of these are radial tire fitments, but they are not interchangeable across the lineup without confirming the wheel setup first.
The first step is to identify whether the car is a GL, GT, or Pony, then confirm the wheel diameter actually on the vehicle. A modified Escort may no longer have its original wheels, so the sidewall size on the current tire and the wheel itself should be checked before choosing a replacement.
What size rim does a 1987 Ford Escort use?
The 1987 Ford Escort uses either a 13-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 165/80R13 and 175/80R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 195/60R15 fitment uses a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter difference is one of the most important separators in the Escort lineup.
Rim diameter should be verified before anything else because a 13-inch tire will not mount on a 15-inch wheel, and a 15-inch tire will not mount on a 13-inch wheel. If the car has aftermarket wheels, confirm the wheel diameter and width before matching the tire to the vehicle’s trim level.
Why does the 1987 Ford Escort have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Ford Escort has more than one tire size because different sub-models were equipped with different wheel-and-tire combinations. GL and Pony versions use 13-inch radial sizes, while the GT moves to a 15-inch radial setup with 195/60R15. Even within the 13-inch group, two metric sizes appear, so the correct choice depends on the individual car.
That means tire replacement should not start with brand or sidewall style alone. It makes more sense to confirm the exact sub-model, then check the wheel diameter and the existing tire markings so the replacement matches the car’s actual setup rather than another Escort configuration from the same year.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Ford Escort tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact 1987 Ford Escort sub-model and wheel diameter, because the lineup spans both 13-inch and 15-inch radial fitments. After that, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility within the proper size. That keeps the decision focused on what actually belongs on the car before appearance or brand preferences come into play.
A GL or Pony owner may be deciding between 165/80R13 and 175/80R13 whitewall-style options, while a GT owner has more visual variety in 195/60R15. It also helps to think about how the car will be used, whether as a restoration-minded cruiser, a preserved survivor, or a regularly driven compact from the late 1980s.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ford Escort tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Ford Escort vary by size. In 165/80R13 and 175/80R13, the available styles are wide whitewall and narrow whitewall. In 195/60R15, the available styles expand to wide whitewall, redline, RWL, and blackwall. That gives the GT fitment a broader appearance range than the 13-inch Escort sizes.
The right sidewall depends on the look the car is meant to carry. Whitewalls can suit a more restoration-oriented Escort presentation, while redline, raised white letter, or blackwall choices may better match a sportier 15-inch setup. Sidewall style should be chosen only after the correct tire size and wheel diameter are confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ford Escort?
BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin all offer tires for the 1987 Ford Escort across its supported sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both the 13-inch and 15-inch fitments, Maxxis covers the 13-inch sizes, and Michelin is available in 195/60R15. Brand choice sits alongside tire series and sidewall styling as part of the overall selection process.
Brand alone should not drive the decision unless the size and wheel match have already been settled. Once the proper fitment is confirmed, it becomes easier to compare whether a particular Escort needs a whitewall presentation, a sportier RWL or redline look, or a more understated blackwall radial for everyday road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ford Escort?
A period-style 1987 Ford Escort tire choice starts with the correct size for the sub-model, then moves to a sidewall treatment that matches the car’s overall presentation. The 13-inch sizes offer wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options, while 195/60R15 adds wide whitewall, redline, RWL, and blackwall choices. Each creates a different visual character even within the proper fitment.
Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance should first match the tire size to the car’s actual wheel setup, especially because Escort fitment changes between GL, Pony, and GT versions. When exact originality matters, comparing the car to period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references is more useful than choosing by style alone.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Ford Escort?
On the 1987 Ford Escort, construction is less of a visual dividing line than it is on older collector vehicles because the primary fitments are already radial. Appearance is shaped more by the size itself and by the sidewall treatment, such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, RWL, or blackwall. Those details influence whether the car looks more formal, sporty, or understated.
The most important visual step is staying with the right size family for the sub-model, since a GL or Pony on 13-inch tires presents differently from a GT on 195/60R15. Even a well-chosen sidewall style can look out of place if the wheel diameter or tire proportions no longer match the Escort’s intended stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Escort?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Escort, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations. Because Escort fitment already spans 13-inch and 15-inch wheel diameters, even a mild change can move the car away from its original tire size range. That is especially important when replacing tires on a car with an uncertain history.
A modified Escort should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and basic clearance before a replacement tire is chosen. Steering travel, fender room, and suspension condition also matter, since a size that belongs on one Escort trim does not automatically suit another setup that has been altered over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ford Escort on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Ford Escort on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, then make sure the installed tire size matches the sub-model and clears properly at full steering lock. It also helps to check the valve stems, confirm inflation pressure, and look over the suspension and alignment basics so the new tires start out on a sound platform.
Roadworthiness involves more than fresh rubber, especially on an older compact car that may have seen long storage or intermittent use. Uneven wear, cracking on old tires, loose steering components, or worn shocks can all affect how the Escort behaves once the new tires are mounted and put back into service.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 1987 Ford Escort?
Before a longer drive in a 1987 Ford Escort, confirm that the car is wearing the correct tire size for its sub-model and wheel diameter, then inspect inflation, tread condition, and any signs of cracking, bulges, or slow air loss. On an older Escort, it is also smart to look at the spare and verify that all four road tires are in comparable condition.
A longer trip puts more emphasis on consistency and basic condition than a short local run. Checking wheel fasteners, steering response, and any rubbing or vibration during an initial test drive can help catch fitment or maintenance issues early, particularly if the car has recently changed wheels or tires.
