The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am sits squarely in the front-drive, late-1980s era when domestic coupes and sedans blended everyday comfort with a more contemporary sport-sedan look. Buyers searching tires for this exact model usually need to sort out more than one factory-type size, because the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am uses 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14 radial fitments depending on configuration. That makes wheel diameter and the exact sub-model especially important before choosing a replacement. Available options range from traditional whitewall presentations in 13-inch sizes to blackwall and raised white letter choices, giving the car a noticeably different appearance depending on the tire selected.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, and they do not all use the same wheel diameter. Both 13-inch and 14-inch rim fitments appear here, so the first step is confirming the actual wheel size on the car, then matching that to the correct sub-model or existing setup. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, brand, and overall presentation within the proper radial size.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, it is one of the 13-inch radial fitments and suits buyers staying with a taller-profile look on the correct wheel diameter. Product choices in this size include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. It is a useful size to evaluate when appearance matters as much as fitment and the car is equipped with 13-inch wheels.
205/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, this size remains part of the 13-inch fitment group but presents a different width-and-profile combination than 185/80R13. The available product in this size is a Michelin XDX-B blackwall radial, giving it a distinctly more understated and European-style appearance than the whitewall options found in other Grand Am sizes. This size is worth considering when the car already wears 13-inch wheels and the goal is to preserve the proper diameter while choosing a different visual character.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, this is the 14-inch radial fitment and it is the only size tied to the SE sub-model. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Radial T/A series with raised white letters, giving the car a more assertive late-1980s performance look than the whitewall or blackwall 13-inch options. It should be evaluated only after confirming the car uses 14-inch wheels, since rim diameter changes the fitment picture immediately.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am is partly shared and partly configuration-specific. Base and LE models can use the same group of radial sizes, while the SE is tied to one 14-inch fitment, so confirming the exact trim and wheel setup helps narrow the correct choice quickly.
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1987 Pontiac Grand Am Base
The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am Base can use all three of the covered radial sizes, which means selection starts with confirming whether the car carries 13-inch or 14-inch wheels. After that, the real choice becomes sidewall style, overall look, and the specific tire series that best matches the car's intended use.
The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am LE shares the same broad tire-size coverage as the Base model, including both 13-inch and 14-inch radial fitments. That makes wheel verification especially important, followed by deciding whether a whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter presentation best suits the car.
The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am SE uses the 215/60R14 radial fitment, making it the most straightforward sub-model on this page. Tire selection for the SE is less about sorting between multiple primary sizes and more about matching the 14-inch wheel setup and choosing the right visual style within that 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 Pontiac Grand Am Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Pontiac Grand Am tire choices span Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin, with differences in tire series and sidewall presentation. Depending on size, that includes narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter radial options across both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments.
Common 1987 Pontiac Grand Am tire questions usually center on which of the three sizes applies, whether the car uses 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, and how to choose between whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter radial options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am?
The 1987 Pontiac Grand Am uses three radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. Base and LE models can use all three of those covered sizes, while the SE uses 215/60R14.
Choosing the right one starts with the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the car. Since both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments appear on this application, the safest next step is checking the wheel size stamped on the rim or verifying the existing tire size before selecting a replacement.
What size rim does a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am use?
A 1987 Pontiac Grand Am can use either 13-inch or 14-inch rims, depending on the tire size and configuration. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 sizes use 13-inch rims, while 215/60R14 uses a 14-inch rim.
That matters because tire size selection begins with rim diameter, not appearance alone. A 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 13-inch wheel, so checking the actual wheels on the car is the first fitment step before comparing brands or sidewall styles.
Do all 1987 Pontiac Grand Am sub-models use the same tire size?
No, not all 1987 Pontiac Grand Am sub-models use the same tire-size pattern. Base and LE models are associated with 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14, while the SE is associated with 215/60R14.
That difference means the trim badge alone may not tell the whole story if the car has had wheel changes over the years. It helps to confirm both the sub-model and the wheel diameter currently installed, especially on older vehicles that may have been updated, restored, or modified since new.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am tire?
Start with the correct tire size and wheel diameter for the specific 1987 Pontiac Grand Am configuration. This application includes 13-inch and 14-inch radial fitments, so identifying the right size comes before comparing brands, sidewall treatments, or tire series.
Once fitment is confirmed, focus on how you want the car to look and be used. A whitewall can give the Grand Am a more traditional presentation, while blackwall or raised white letter options lean more toward a sporty late-1980s appearance. Rim-width compatibility and load figures are also worth comparing when choices exist within a size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Pontiac Grand Am tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter styles, depending on the tire size selected. Those visual differences are spread across the available 13-inch and 14-inch radial offerings.
That means appearance can change quite a bit even when the tire is otherwise the correct size. A whitewall tends to create a more traditional look, blackwall keeps the presentation understated, and raised white letters give the car a more performance-oriented character. The first filter is still the proper size, since sidewall style is tied to specific fitments.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am?
Tire options for the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. Brand availability depends on the size, with the broadest variety appearing in 185/80R13 and single-product choices in 205/70R13 and 215/60R14.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and the overall look you want on the car. That approach keeps the focus on the exact size and wheel setup first, then narrows the selection by style and product characteristics.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Pontiac Grand Am?
A period-style choice for a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am starts with using the correct size for the car's actual wheel and trim setup. From there, the available radial options allow very different visual directions, including whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter presentations.
The best appearance match depends on how the car is being presented rather than on a single universal answer. A buyer focused on a clean, restoration-oriented look may lean toward one of the whitewall 13-inch options, while a sportier late-1980s theme may point toward blackwall or RWL styling. Exact originality questions should be checked against vehicle-specific historical references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Pontiac Grand Am?
Construction is straightforward on the 1987 Pontiac Grand Am because all of the primary fitments here are radial tires. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from size, profile, and sidewall treatment within the available radial choices.
That gives a restored Grand Am some flexibility without moving away from the basic construction type used for these fitments. A taller 13-inch whitewall radial creates a different impression than a lower-profile 14-inch raised white letter tire, even though both are radials. Matching the wheel diameter and the intended character of the car will shape the final result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, or body modifications can all influence whether a given 13-inch or 14-inch tire setup still has proper clearance.
That is especially important on a car with more than one original wheel diameter in circulation. A Grand Am that has been changed from its original wheel setup should be checked for rim diameter, rim width, and clearance at the fender and steering components before a replacement tire is chosen simply by model year and trim.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, then confirm proper inflation and look for any obvious clearance concerns. It also helps to make sure the suspension, steering, and alignment are in sound condition.
Collector-era and lightly used cars often sit for long periods, so a quick road-use check is worthwhile even with fresh tires installed. Look over the existing wheel hardware, confirm there is no rubbing at full steering lock, and recheck air pressure after the first drives. Those steps help the new tires work as intended on the car's actual setup.
How should 1987 Pontiac Grand Am tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and routine attention to tread and sidewall condition. Even when mileage is low, age, storage conditions, and long idle periods can affect the condition of tires on an older vehicle.
A practical routine includes checking for cracks, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss before regular use and before longer drives. Storage also matters on a collector or hobby car, since prolonged exposure to sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources can shorten tire life. Good maintenance starts with condition, not mileage alone.
