The 1987 Hyundai Excel arrived during a period when affordable front-wheel-drive compacts were becoming a bigger part of the American market, and its straightforward packaging still makes it a practical survivor today. For many owners, the appeal is simplicity: light weight, modest dimensions, and an honest economy-car character that deserves careful fitment when it comes time for tires. The 1987 Hyundai Excel uses radial tires in two 13-inch sizes, 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That opens the door to different visual and driving presentations, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices. The key is matching the exact wheel setup and deciding whether the goal is everyday road use, a more traditional look, or a restoration-oriented appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Hyundai Excel
The 1987 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for a 13-inch rim. Because the covered sub-models share these sizes, the first step is usually confirming which wheel setup is on the car now, then choosing the tire size and style that best matches its appearance, intended road use, and wheel width.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1987 Hyundai Excel, this size keeps the fitment centered around a narrow, traditional compact-car tire profile. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with blackwall-free whitewall options ranging from narrow whitewall to wide whitewall across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. It is the size to evaluate when preserving a more stock-looking footprint or comparing among several appearance-oriented radial options.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with 175 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 70 showing the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 13 for the wheel diameter. For the 1987 Hyundai Excel, it remains a 13-inch fitment but uses a wider, lower-profile sizing convention than 155/80R13. The available offering in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving it a more performance-oriented presentation than the whitewall choices found in the other primary size. This size deserves a closer look when the car already has wheels suited to it and the goal is a sportier tire style within the correct rim diameter.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Hyundai Excel sub-models because each one is associated with the same two radial tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car retains its original wheel arrangement or has aluminum wheels that make wheel-width verification especially worthwhile.
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1987 Hyundai Excel Base
The 1987 Hyundai Excel Base uses the same pair of 13-inch radial tire sizes found across the rest of the covered lineup. That means the real selection work centers on confirming the wheels on the car and deciding between a narrower traditional fitment or a wider, lower-profile alternative.
The 1987 Hyundai Excel GL shares the same overall tire-fitment pattern as the other covered Excel sub-models, with both primary sizes remaining in play. Tire choice comes down to wheel setup, visual style, and whether the car is being kept closer to an everyday compact presentation or given a more assertive stance.
The 1987 Hyundai Excel GL w/aluminum wheels is still associated with the same two 13-inch radial sizes used elsewhere in the range. Aluminum-wheel cars make wheel-width confirmation especially important before choosing between the available tire styles and the two different metric size profiles.
The 1987 Hyundai Excel GLS follows the same basic tire-fitment pattern as the rest of the covered Excel models. Selection is less about trim level and more about confirming the actual wheels on the car, then choosing the size and sidewall presentation that best suits the intended look and use.
The 1987 Hyundai Excel GLS w/aluminum wheels uses the same primary 13-inch radial tire sizes as the other covered sub-models. Since wheel material and width can influence the most suitable tire choice, this version benefits from checking the current wheel dimensions before settling on a specific size or sidewall treatment.
The 1987 Hyundai Excel w/aluminum wheels shares the same two radial tire sizes used across the covered Excel range. For this sub-model, the practical question is not a different fitment pattern but whether the wheels on the car today are the ones the chosen tire size was intended to work with.
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 Hyundai Excel Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Hyundai Excel tires span two 13-inch radial sizes with clearly different buying choices. The 155/80R13 selections include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel in narrow and wide whitewall styles, while 175/70R13 is represented by the Avon CR6ZZ blackwall performance-style radial.
Common 1987 Hyundai Excel tire questions usually center on choosing between 155/80R13 and 175/70R13, confirming 13-inch rim fitment, comparing whitewall and blackwall options, and checking wheel condition, tire age, and clearance before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Hyundai Excel?
The 1987 Hyundai Excel uses two primary radial tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both sizes are built for a 13-inch rim, and both appear across the covered Excel sub-models, including Base, GL, GLS, and the aluminum-wheel versions.
That means the decision is usually not about trim-specific sizing as much as confirming the wheel setup currently on the car. A surviving Excel may no longer have its original wheels, so checking the mounted rim width, the existing tire size, and visible clearance around the fenders and suspension is the best next step before choosing between these two sizes.
What size rim does a 1987 Hyundai Excel use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1987 Hyundai Excel use a 13-inch rim diameter. Whether the car is running 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the tire is intended for a 13-inch wheel rather than a larger or smaller rim.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to confirm wheel width as well before selecting a tire. The available products show different approved rim-width ranges depending on tire size and series, which matters even when the wheel diameter is correct and the car appears unchanged from the outside.
Do all 1987 Hyundai Excel sub-models use the same tire size?
Across the covered 1987 Hyundai Excel sub-models, the same two tire sizes appear: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That shared fitment applies to Base, GL, GL w/aluminum wheels, GLS, GLS w/aluminum wheels, and Excel w/aluminum wheels.
Because the sub-models share the same overall size choices, tire selection comes down to the actual wheels on the individual car and the kind of presentation you want. An Excel set up with narrower wheels may point you toward 155/80R13, while another car may already be arranged around the wider 175/70R13 size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Hyundai Excel?
Start with the correct primary size, since the 1987 Hyundai Excel uses either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 on a 13-inch rim. From there, compare construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the overall character of the available tire series.
A 155/80R13 choice gives access to several whitewall-oriented options, while 175/70R13 is represented by a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ. It helps to match the tire to the car’s actual wheel dimensions, visual goal, and intended use, whether that means a restoration-minded compact look or a more sporting presentation for weekend driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Hyundai Excel tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1987 Hyundai Excel tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. In the 155/80R13 size, the current choices lean toward whitewall presentations, while the 175/70R13 offering is a blackwall radial.
Sidewall style can change the personality of a small 1980s car more than many owners expect, especially on compact 13-inch wheels. A whitewall can give the Excel a more period-style or restoration-oriented appearance, while a blackwall keeps the look simpler and more performance-minded, assuming the chosen size and wheel combination are appropriate.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Hyundai Excel?
Tires for the 1987 Hyundai Excel are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. Most of the brand variety appears in 155/80R13, while 175/70R13 is represented by Avon in the CR6ZZ series.
Brand choice should be evaluated alongside size, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and the overall look you want from the car. Rather than treating the brand name alone as the deciding factor, it is more useful to compare what each option offers in the correct size for your wheel setup and the way the Excel will actually be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Hyundai Excel?
A period-style 1987 Hyundai Excel usually starts with choosing the correct 13-inch radial size and then selecting the visual treatment that best suits the car. In practical terms, 155/80R13 offers the broadest appearance range here, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options from several brands.
That does not make every whitewall automatically right for every restoration goal, but it does give you more room to shape the car’s presentation. If originality matters closely, compare the tire’s size, sidewall style, and overall look against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references before settling on a final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Hyundai Excel?
For the 1987 Hyundai Excel, the primary fitments are already radial, so construction choice is less about switching from bias-ply and more about how different radial styles present on the car. The biggest visual difference comes from sidewall treatment and size profile rather than a change in basic construction type.
A 155/80R13 whitewall can give the Excel a softer, more period-minded compact-car appearance, while a 175/70R13 blackwall reads more modern and sporting. Restored cars often look most convincing when the tire size, wheel proportions, and sidewall style all work together instead of chasing a single feature in isolation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Hyundai Excel?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Hyundai Excel even when the tire still uses the correct 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or bodywork repairs can all change how comfortably 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 fits on the car.
An older Excel may also have had wheel swaps over the years, especially on aluminum-wheel cars, so the tire size should be matched to the wheel actually installed. Checking wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender and suspension points is a smart step before choosing a new set for regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Hyundai Excel on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Hyundai Excel on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the bead seats are in good condition, and make sure the chosen tire size matches the mounted rims. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic alignment-related tire wear patterns.
Roadworthiness depends on more than fresh rubber, especially on an older compact that may sit for long periods. A short inspection of brakes, suspension bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, and tire-to-body clearance can prevent problems that look like tire issues but actually come from the rest of the chassis.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Hyundai Excel be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1987 Hyundai Excel should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long idle periods on rough or damp surfaces. Occasional-use cars can show age and air-loss issues even when the tread still looks serviceable.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a light, older car like this. Keeping the Excel away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, while periodic movement and routine pressure checks help the tires maintain their shape and remain ready for safe weekend use.
