The 1987 Ford Taurus arrived during a major shift in American car design, bringing a rounded, front-wheel-drive midsize sedan shape that stood apart from the square family cars it replaced. Today, that first-generation Taurus appeals to owners who want a distinctly 1980s Ford with real collector interest and practical road manners. Tire fitment for the 1987 Ford Taurus is fully radial, with four primary sizes used across the range: 195/70R14, 205/65R15, 205/70R14, and 215/70R14. That leaves room to choose among blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles in several series. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before deciding on appearance or driving character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ford Taurus
The 1987 Ford Taurus uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most Taurus trims share 195/70R14, 205/70R14, and 205/65R15 fitments, while the Police Sedan uses 215/70R14. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels and make sure the trim level matches the intended size.
A 195/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Ford Taurus, it is one of the standard radial fitments and suits owners who want to stay with the narrower end of the original size range. In this size, the available choice centers on a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic rather than multiple appearance treatments. It is a sensible fitment to evaluate when the car retains its 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is straightforward road use with a period-appropriate overall look.
A 205/65R15 uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Ford Taurus, this size matters because it is the only primary fitment here built around a 15-inch wheel, making wheel confirmation especially important before selection. Available choices focus on BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial products with either a wide whitewall or redline sidewall treatment. This size is worth considering when the car is equipped with 15-inch wheels and the owner wants a more appearance-driven radial choice without moving away from the correct primary sizing format.
A 205/70R14 is a metric radial with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On a 1987 Ford Taurus, it represents one of the most varied 14-inch fitments, giving buyers several ways to tailor both look and character while staying within the proper primary size family. Available options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, and raised white letter styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across series such as Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, and Michelin XWX. It is a useful size to compare when appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
A 215/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Ford Taurus, this size is tied to the Police Sedan, so it should not be treated as universal across every Taurus trim even though it shares the same rim diameter as other 14-inch options. Product choices are broad, including blackwall, pin-white-stripe, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles from Cooper, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin. This size deserves a close look when preserving the Police Sedan's specific setup or comparing more assertive sidewall presentations.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Ford Taurus is mostly straightforward, but it is not identical across the full lineup. GL, L, LX, and MT5 share the same group of primary sizes, while the Police Sedan uses its own dedicated tire size, so trim identification matters before ordering.
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1987 Ford Taurus GL
The 1987 Ford Taurus GL shares the common Taurus fitment pattern, with multiple radial sizes used depending on wheel configuration. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has a 14-inch or 15-inch setup, then narrowing the choice by sidewall style, tire series, and intended appearance.
The 1987 Ford Taurus L follows the same basic tire-fitment path as the other mainstream Taurus trims, using several primary radial sizes rather than one universal option. That means the most important step is matching the actual wheel diameter before comparing blackwall, whitewall, redline, or other available treatments.
The 1987 Ford Taurus LX uses the shared Taurus radial fitments rather than a stand-alone size unique to the trim. Choosing the right tire comes down to confirming the wheel package on the car and then deciding whether the goal is simple road use, a more upscale sidewall look, or a stronger period-style presentation.
The 1987 Ford Taurus MT5 uses the same general group of radial tire sizes found on the regular Taurus trim range. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the decision shifts to comparing the available product families and sidewall styles that best suit the car's intended use and visual character.
The 1987 Ford Taurus Police Sedan stands apart from the other Taurus sub-models by using 215/70R14 as its dedicated primary tire size. That makes trim confirmation especially important, and it also opens up a broad mix of blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter radial choices in the correct size.
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 Taurus Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Ford Taurus tires are all radial, with options from Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Michelin, and Cooper. Depending on size, the product grid lets you compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual redline, pin-white-stripe, and raised white letter styles across several classic-oriented tire series.
These 1987 Ford Taurus tire FAQs focus on the exact sizes used by each trim, 14-inch versus 15-inch wheel fitment, available radial styles, and the practical checks worth making before putting a restored or lightly driven Taurus back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ford Taurus?
A 1987 Ford Taurus uses one of four primary radial tire sizes: 195/70R14, 205/65R15, 205/70R14, or 215/70R14. GL, L, LX, and MT5 models use the shared Taurus size group, while the Police Sedan uses 215/70R14.
The most important step is matching the tire to the exact trim and wheel diameter on the car. A 14-inch Taurus setup should not be treated the same as a 15-inch setup, and a Police Sedan should not be assumed to use the same size as other trims just because the body looks similar.
What size rim does a 1987 Ford Taurus use?
The 1987 Ford Taurus uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size. The 195/70R14, 205/70R14, and 215/70R14 sizes mount on 14-inch rims, while 205/65R15 uses a 15-inch rim.
Wheel diameter is the first fitment detail to confirm before choosing a tire. A quick check of the existing size on the sidewall can help, but many older cars have had wheels changed over time, so it is smart to verify the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming the original trim still has its original setup.
Do all 1987 Ford Taurus sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Ford Taurus GL, L, LX, and MT5 share the same group of primary radial sizes, but the Police Sedan uses 215/70R14 as its sole listed tire size. That makes the Police Sedan the clear outlier in the range.
This matters because tire selection on a Taurus is not only about make and model; the sub-model can change the correct fitment. Identifying the trim first helps avoid ordering around the wrong wheel package, and it also narrows the visual choices available once the proper size has been confirmed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Ford Taurus tire?
Start with the correct primary tire size for the exact 1987 Ford Taurus trim and wheel diameter, then compare the available radial choices within that size. On this vehicle, the decision is often less about bias-ply versus radial and more about matching the right size, sidewall treatment, and tire series.
Once the fitment is narrowed down, compare details that affect both appearance and compatibility, such as rim-width range, load capacity, and whether the tire presents as blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter. That approach helps keep the tire choice aligned with both the car's setup and the owner's visual goals.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ford Taurus tires?
Sidewall choices for 1987 Ford Taurus tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual redline, pin-white-stripe, and raised white letter, depending on the size selected. The broadest variety appears in 205/70R14 and 215/70R14, while other sizes are more limited.
That makes sidewall selection an important part of the buying decision once the fitment is confirmed. A blackwall usually gives the cleanest understated look, while whitewall, stripe, redline, or raised white letter treatments can push the car toward a more styled 1980s presentation without changing the vehicle's primary tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ford Taurus?
1987 Ford Taurus tire options include Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Michelin, and Cooper, depending on the size. Some sizes have only a single brand choice, while 205/70R14 and 215/70R14 open up a wider mix of brands and tire series.
Brand becomes more meaningful after the fitment question is settled. In practical terms, buyers should compare each brand's available sidewall style, series character, rim-width range, and load specification within the correct size instead of trying to choose a brand first and forcing the size decision afterward.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ford Taurus?
A period-style 1987 Ford Taurus tire starts with the correct primary radial size for the trim and wheel diameter, then moves to appearance. For a more understated original-era feel, blackwall options make sense, while whitewall, stripe, redline, and raised white letter choices can shift the car toward a more styled late-1980s presentation.
The best choice depends on whether the goal is a clean commuter-era look or a more distinctive show-oriented appearance. Exact originality can vary by trim, region, and individual car history, so owners aiming for high-level restoration accuracy should compare the tire choice with period photos, build records, or marque-specific guidance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Ford Taurus?
On a restored 1987 Ford Taurus, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are all radial. That means the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial shape and more from sidewall treatment, brand styling, and the proportions created by the correct 14-inch or 15-inch fitment.
Keeping the proper size family helps the car retain the stance and visual balance expected of a first-generation Taurus. Once that is established, sidewall style becomes the main appearance decision, especially in the broader 205/70R14 and 215/70R14 selections where blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options are available.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ford Taurus?
Yes. Modifications can change how a tire fits a 1987 Ford Taurus even when the size seems close to an original application. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all affect clearance at the fender, strut, or steering components.
That is especially important on a car with multiple primary sizes and both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel setups. Before choosing a replacement tire, check the actual wheel diameter on the car and make sure the intended size matches the available space through the full steering range and normal suspension travel.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ford Taurus on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Ford Taurus on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the tire size matches the trim and wheel diameter. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering for worn parts that could affect tire wear or road behavior.
After installation, confirm proper inflation, check for any rubbing at full steering lock, and watch for vibration during the first miles. On a collector-era car that may have sat for long periods, it is wise to look beyond the tires themselves and make sure the brake, alignment, and wheel-bearing condition are road-ready as well.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Ford Taurus be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Ford Taurus should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread depth. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and persistent air loss matter on a low-mileage hobby car even if the tires still appear to have plenty of tread.
Storage conditions also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and moving or driving the vehicle periodically helps avoid long-term flat spotting. A quick inspection before each outing is a sensible habit for any lightly used Taurus that spends much of its time parked.
