The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant came from a period when compact and midsize imports were becoming more refined, more aerodynamic, and more tailored to specific trim-level driving character. By this point, the Galant had a distinctly modern tire profile compared with earlier decades, and that matters when choosing replacements today. This model uses radial fitments in either 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, depending on the sub-model and wheel package. That opens the door to meaningful choices in blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several tire series. The key is matching the exact sub-model and rim diameter first, then choosing the look and road-use character that suits the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant
The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base model uses a 14-inch radial fitment, while the Special Suspension uses a 15-inch radial fitment. Before comparing tread style, sidewall appearance, or brand, the first step is confirming which sub-model the car is and whether it still has the correct wheel diameter.
A 185/70R14 tire is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a fitment for a 14-inch rim. On the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant, this size is the primary radial fitment for the Base model and reflects the car's original-era modern metric sizing. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. This size suits buyers who need to stay with the 14-inch wheel setup while choosing between a more understated look or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
A 195/60R15 tire is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a fitment for a 15-inch rim. On the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant, this size belongs to the Special Suspension sub-model and represents a different wheel and tire package than the 14-inch setup. Product choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewalls, with BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings in several series. This size is the one to evaluate when the car retains its 15-inch configuration and the goal is to balance sub-model-correct fitment with the preferred appearance.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Identifying whether the car is a Base or Special Suspension model is the first step before comparing tire styles, brands, or appearance options.
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1987 Mitsubishi Galant Base
The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Base uses a 185/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch wheel package. That keeps tire selection centered on staying with the correct metric radial size while choosing among blackwall or wide whitewall options and confirming the car still carries the proper 14-inch rims.
The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant Special Suspension uses a 195/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel package. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important, then tire choice becomes a matter of selecting the preferred sidewall style and series within the correct 15-inch metric radial fitment.
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 Mitsubishi Galant Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Mitsubishi Galant tire choices span 185/70R14 and 195/60R15 radial sizes with BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewalls along with series differences and rim-width compatibility.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Common 1987 Mitsubishi Galant tire questions usually come down to the correct size for the Base or Special Suspension model, the difference between the 14-inch and 15-inch wheel packages, and how to choose the right radial tire style for appearance and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant uses two different radial tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Base model uses 185/70R14, while the Special Suspension model uses 195/60R15. Both are modern metric radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters and should not be treated as the same fitment choice.
The practical first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car still has its original 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. Many older cars have had wheels changed over time, so checking the actual rim diameter before selecting tires helps prevent ordering the right size for the wrong setup.
What size rim does a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant use?
A 1987 Mitsubishi Galant uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The Base model is paired with 185/70R14 on a 14-inch rim, while the Special Suspension uses 195/60R15 on a 15-inch rim. Rim diameter is part of the tire size itself, so it is a basic fitment checkpoint.
Wheel width also matters when comparing specific tire products, since individual tires in these sizes can call for different rim-width ranges. Measuring the wheel and reading the wheel stamp, if available, is a smart step on any Galant that has changed hands, been modified, or no longer wears its original wheels.
Why does the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Mitsubishi Galant has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes by sub-model. The Base model uses 185/70R14, while the Special Suspension model uses 195/60R15. Those sizes correspond to different wheel diameters and different tire profiles, so the choice is driven by configuration rather than personal preference alone.
That distinction matters because a Galant owner needs to match the tire to the wheel package actually on the car. Even though the two sizes have very similar overall diameters, the 14-inch and 15-inch rim requirement changes the fitment path immediately, making sub-model and wheel confirmation more important than appearance at the start.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
Start with the correct size for the specific 1987 Mitsubishi Galant sub-model: 185/70R14 for Base or 195/60R15 for Special Suspension. After that, compare the tire's construction, approved rim-width range, sidewall style, and overall presentation. Since both fitments are radial, the main decision is not construction type but how the tire suits the car's wheel setup and intended look.
A buyer restoring a clean street car may prefer a traditional blackwall or whitewall presentation, while another owner may want redline or RWL styling on the 15-inch setup. It also helps to compare load figures where listed and make sure the wheel width falls within the tire's specified range before making a final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Mitsubishi Galant tires?
1987 Mitsubishi Galant tire options include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles, depending on the tire size and product selected. The 185/70R14 fitment is available in blackwall and wide whitewall, while the 195/60R15 fitment adds redline and RWL choices alongside blackwall and wide whitewall options.
That variety allows the tire to influence the car's finished character more than many owners expect. Blackwall generally keeps the look understated, while wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling can push the car toward a more customized or period-inspired presentation without changing the underlying tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
Tires for the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant are available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across the two applicable sizes. Brand availability varies by size, with the 185/70R14 fitment offering the broadest spread of brands and the 195/60R15 fitment centered mainly on BFGoodrich and Michelin options.
Brand is only one part of the decision. It makes sense to compare each brand's available series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width compatibility in the correct size for the car. On a sub-model-sensitive fitment like this one, getting the correct dimensions and wheel match matters more than choosing a name first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
A period-style 1987 Mitsubishi Galant tire choice starts with using the correct sub-model size: 185/70R14 for Base or 195/60R15 for Special Suspension. From there, the visual character comes from the available tire series and sidewall treatment rather than from changing to a different fitment. Both sizes are radial, which suits the car's late-1980s design era.
For a restrained restored look, blackwall options usually keep the presentation closest to a clean original-era street car. Owners aiming for a more styled appearance may look at wide whitewall, redline, or RWL treatments where available, but exact originality should still be checked against model-specific reference material if that level of detail matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
On a restored 1987 Mitsubishi Galant, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial rather than bias-ply. That means the appearance differences usually come from the tire's sidewall style, series design, and overall profile within the correct size, not from choosing between two fundamentally different construction types.
The visual effect can still be substantial. A blackwall radial can keep the car looking clean and era-appropriate, while a wide whitewall, redline, or RWL treatment can shift the presentation toward a more personalized period-style result. Matching the tire to the wheel diameter and sub-model remains the foundation of any restoration-minded decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant. If the car has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, non-original springs, or body changes, the original size guidance may no longer tell the whole story. This matters especially here because the Galant already has two different factory-type fitments tied to two different rim diameters.
A modified car should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components before choosing a tire. Even when staying with 185/70R14 or 195/60R15, the setup on the car can change how comfortably that size works in real road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim diameter matches the tire size, and make sure the wheel width is suitable for the specific tire chosen. It is also wise to check lug hardware, valve stems, and general wheel condition so the new tires are mounted on sound components.
Once the tires are installed, verify pressure, look for proper clearance at full steering lock, and recheck for any rubbing after a short drive. On an older Galant, suspension wear can also affect how the tires sit and behave, so uneven ride height or loose front-end parts should be addressed before regular road use.
How often should tires on a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Mitsubishi Galant should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. A quick visual check before use and a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals helps catch cracking, bulges, tread wear, air loss, or irregular wear patterns before they become a larger issue.
Collector-era cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions as much as by mileage. Looking after inflation pressure, keeping the car away from prolonged heat and sunlight, and checking the sidewalls for age-related deterioration are sensible habits whether the Galant runs the 14-inch Base fitment or the 15-inch Special Suspension setup.
