The 1987 Plymouth Horizon came at the end of a long-running front-wheel-drive compact line that earned its place as practical transportation for everyday American driving. Surviving examples today often appeal to owners who appreciate honest 1980s economy-car design and want to preserve the car’s original character on the road. Tire fitment for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon is straightforward, with a single 165/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. Within that size, the real choice shifts to sidewall presentation, including wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. For a stock-style Horizon, the focus is less about size hunting and more about matching appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Plymouth Horizon
The 1987 Plymouth Horizon uses one primary tire size: 165/80R13, a radial tire designed for a 13-inch rim. The Horizon America uses that same size, so the main decision is not which primary fitment applies, but which radial tire best matches the car’s appearance, wheel width, and expected road use.
A 165/80R13 size uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Plymouth Horizon, that means a modern metric radial fitment consistent with the car’s original compact front-wheel-drive era rather than an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis Classic Whitewall MA-1 options, with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Choosing within this size comes down to wheel compatibility, the visual character you want, and whether the car is being preserved as a clean stock-style driver.
Sub-model fitment is simple for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon because the covered configuration uses the same primary tire size throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but in this case it mainly confirms that tire selection is about style and product choice rather than a different fitment.
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1987 Plymouth Horizon America
The 1987 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial tire fitment as the core Horizon listing. That keeps selection focused on details such as whitewall style, brand, and rim-width compatibility instead of sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 Plymouth Horizon Tires for Sale
Available 165/80R13 tires for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon center on radial construction from BFGoodrich and Maxxis. The main comparison points are tire series and sidewall appearance, with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options offered for the stock-size 13-inch fitment.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 165/80R13
These FAQs focus on the 1987 Plymouth Horizon’s 165/80R13 fitment, 13-inch rim use, available radial tire choices, whitewall styling options, and the wheel, clearance, and maintenance checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
The 1987 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial tire. That size combines a 165-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter, making it a straightforward modern metric fitment rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric vintage size.
Because there is one primary size, the main task is confirming that the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels and enough wheel-width compatibility for the tire being considered. Selection then comes down to the kind of look you want, such as wide whitewall or narrow whitewall, along with general condition, intended use, and overall wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1987 Plymouth Horizon use?
The 1987 Plymouth Horizon uses a 13-inch rim with its 165/80R13 tire fitment. Available tires in this size are built around that 13-inch diameter, so confirming the wheel diameter is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or other product details.
Wheel width matters too, especially on a car that may have seen replacement wheels over the years. Tires in this fitment are offered for rim widths from 4.50 to 6.00 inches, so checking the actual wheel on the car helps avoid a mismatch even when the diameter is correct.
Does the 1987 Plymouth Horizon America use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1987 Plymouth Horizon America uses the same 165/80R13 radial tire size as the core 1987 Plymouth Horizon fitment. That means there is no separate primary tire-size decision between the Horizon America and the covered Horizon listing here.
With the size staying the same, the buying decision shifts to product style and wheel verification rather than hunting for a different fitment. It is still smart to confirm that the car retains its proper 13-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel package or aftermarket setup over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165/80R13 tire for a 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
Start with the basics: the 1987 Plymouth Horizon uses a 165/80R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim. From there, the important comparison points are rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept as a stock-style driver or given a more distinct period presentation.
A Horizon that is meant to look clean and traditional may lead you toward one whitewall treatment over another, while a regularly driven car still needs proper wheel match and sound overall tire condition. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheels matters more than choosing by appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Plymouth Horizon tires?
The available 165/80R13 tires for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Those two presentations give the car a noticeably different look even though the primary tire size, radial construction, and 13-inch rim fitment remain the same.
A wide whitewall creates a more traditional, dressier appearance, while a narrow whitewall keeps the visual treatment subtler. Since sidewall style does not change the underlying fitment, the better choice usually depends on how original-looking, understated, or era-flavored you want the Horizon to appear.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
Current 165/80R13 options for the 1987 Plymouth Horizon include BFGoodrich and Maxxis. In this fitment, BFGoodrich appears in the Silvertown Radial series, while Maxxis is offered in the Classic Whitewall MA-1 series, giving buyers two established radial choices within the same primary size.
Since both brands cover the correct size, the decision is less about finding basic fitment and more about comparing sidewall appearance, series character, and wheel-width compatibility. Looking at the complete tire specification alongside the car’s intended role usually leads to a better choice than focusing on brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
For a period-style 1987 Plymouth Horizon, staying with the correct 165/80R13 radial size is the right starting point. Within that fitment, the visual choice comes from the available tire series and whitewall presentation, including BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Maxxis Classic Whitewall MA-1 options.
The best match depends on how the car is being presented. A cleaner stock-style Horizon may suit a restrained narrow whitewall, while a more intentionally styled survivor or show car may benefit from the stronger visual statement of a wide whitewall. Exact originality should be checked against model-specific historical references if that level of detail matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
On a restored 1987 Plymouth Horizon, tire construction is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about choosing the right radial in the proper 165/80R13 size. Since the Horizon uses radial construction, appearance differences come primarily from sidewall treatment and the overall character of the tire series you select.
That makes details like wide whitewall or narrow whitewall more important to the finished look than a construction change. Even on an economy car, tire appearance has a real effect on stance and presentation, so the most convincing result usually comes from matching the sidewall style to the car’s trim, wheel covers, and intended era feel.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Plymouth Horizon?
Yes. Even though the 1987 Plymouth Horizon uses a straightforward 165/80R13 fitment, modifications can change whether that size still suits the car’s actual wheel and body setup. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body work can all influence tire compatibility and clearance.
A Horizon that has been lowered or fitted with replacement wheels should be checked carefully before a new tire is chosen. Verifying wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering range helps confirm that the stock-size tire still makes sense for the car now sitting in front of you.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Plymouth Horizon on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Plymouth Horizon on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and overall condition, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, obvious alignment issues, and any signs that the old tires may have been rubbing or wearing unevenly.
A short, careful road test can reveal pull, vibration, or steering issues that are not caused by the tires themselves. Since many surviving Horizons have spent long periods parked, checking brakes, wheel bearings, and general undercar condition at the same time helps make the car more roadworthy overall.
How should 165/80R13 tires on a collector 1987 Plymouth Horizon be maintained?
Collector-use 165/80R13 tires on a 1987 Plymouth Horizon should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss. A low-mileage car can still have tire aging issues, especially if it sits for long stretches instead of being driven often.
Storage conditions matter more than many owners expect. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, while periodic inspection before each outing helps catch age-related problems early. On a lightly used Horizon, calendar age deserves as much attention as tread depth.
