The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird came from an era when compact American cars balanced economy, everyday drivability, and increasingly sporty trim distinctions. By this point in the model’s run, tire fitment could vary noticeably depending on whether the car was a Base, SE, GT, or handling-package configuration. That matters here, because the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird uses three different primary radial sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14. Available choices range from traditional whitewall presentations to a raised white letter performance-style option, depending on size. The key is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before narrowing the choice by appearance and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two of the sizes mount on 13-inch rims, while the GT uses a 14-inch setup, so confirming both the trim and the actual wheel on the car is the first step before comparing sidewall style, series, or overall tire character.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, this size suits the more standard 13-inch-wheel fitment used on certain sub-models. Available choices include whitewall presentations from Maxxis and BFGoodrich, with both narrow and wider whitewall treatments represented. This size is the one to evaluate when the goal is preserving a more traditional late-1980s compact-car appearance on the correct 13-inch wheel.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, this size belongs to the GT configuration and reflects a distinctly different wheel-and-tire setup from the 13-inch-fitment cars. The available product in this size uses BFGoodrich’s Radial T/A series with raised white letter sidewalls, giving it a more performance-oriented visual character. This is the size to confirm carefully when the car wears GT wheels or any wheel change has already been made.
195/70R13 is a metric radial size where 195 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 identifies the aspect ratio, R means radial, and 13 marks the wheel diameter. On the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, this size is tied to the handling-package configuration rather than the standard 175/80R13 setup. The available option in this size uses BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Radial series with a narrow whitewall, offering a more restrained traditional look. This size is worth confirming against the actual wheel and package details when the car is not a Base, SE, or GT model.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird because tire size is not the same across the full lineup. Identifying whether the car is a Base, SE, GT, or handling-package version is the quickest way to avoid choosing the wrong rim diameter or tire profile.
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1987 Pontiac Sunbird Base
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird Base uses the 175/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the tire decision centered on whitewall style, brand, and overall presentation rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird GT uses the 215/60R14 radial size, making it the only covered sub-model here with a 14-inch wheel fitment. Tire selection starts with confirming that larger wheel diameter, then moves to the performance-style appearance of the available product.
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird SE shares the 175/80R13 radial fitment with the Base model. That makes selection fairly straightforward once the 13-inch wheel is confirmed, especially if the goal is choosing between narrow and wide whitewall styling.
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird w/Handling Pkg. uses 195/70R13 radial tires, separating it from the standard 175/80R13 13-inch fitment. That difference makes package identification important before choosing a replacement, especially on cars that may have had wheels swapped over the years.
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 Sunbird Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Pontiac Sunbird tire choices are all radial, with BFGoodrich and Maxxis offerings depending on size. Buyers can compare whitewall treatments in the 13-inch sizes and a BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised white letter option in 215/60R14 for the GT fitment.
Common questions for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird usually come down to sub-model-specific tire sizing, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, radial tire selection, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era compact back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird uses three primary tire sizes: 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 215/60R14. The Base and SE use 175/80R13, the GT uses 215/60R14, and the Sunbird with Handling Pkg. uses 195/70R13. All of these are radial tire fitments.
The practical step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. A Sunbird may now wear replacement wheels from another trim level, so checking the actual 13-inch or 14-inch rim matters just as much as knowing the badge on the car.
What size rim does a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird use?
A 1987 Pontiac Sunbird uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 175/80R13 and 195/70R13 sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, while the 215/60R14 size used on the GT mounts on a 14-inch wheel.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before choosing a replacement tire because the Sunbird does not use a single wheel size across the lineup. Looking at the existing tire sidewall and measuring the wheel can prevent ordering a 13-inch tire for a car that has a GT-style 14-inch setup, or the reverse.
Why does the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes by sub-model. Base and SE cars use 175/80R13, the handling-package version uses 195/70R13, and the GT uses a different 215/60R14 setup with a larger wheel diameter.
That variation means replacement tires should be chosen by exact configuration rather than by model name alone. Cars that have been modified, restored, or fitted with take-off wheels from another Sunbird trim can blur the original fitment, so the safest approach is to verify both the sub-model and the wheel currently on the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1987 Pontiac Sunbird sub-model, since this car can use 175/80R13, 195/70R13, or 215/60R14. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel-diameter match, rim-width suitability, load capacity, and the overall style of the tire being considered.
Appearance and intended use matter next. A whitewall tire gives a more traditional presentation on the 13-inch fitments, while the GT’s raised white letter option creates a sportier late-1980s look. A weekend cruiser, preserved original-style car, and frequently driven driver-quality car may all point toward different product choices within the correct size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Pontiac Sunbird tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size used on the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird. The 13-inch sizes include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall options, while the 215/60R14 GT fitment is available with an RWL, or raised white letter, sidewall treatment.
That makes sidewall choice part of the visual decision once the correct size is confirmed. A whitewall can suit a more formal or restoration-oriented presentation, while raised white letters lean toward a sporty period look. The important part is choosing the sidewall style only after matching the tire to the proper Sunbird wheel and sub-model fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
BFGoodrich and Maxxis offer tires for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird within the covered sizes. BFGoodrich appears in all three fitments here, while Maxxis is available in 175/80R13. Tire series include Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Radial T/A, depending on size.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside size, sidewall style, and how the car will be presented. Some Sunbird owners may focus on a simple whitewall look for a Base or SE, while a GT owner may want the more performance-oriented raised white letter treatment. The correct fitment still comes first, then the brand and series decision follows.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
A period-style 1987 Pontiac Sunbird tire choice starts with the correct original-size fitment for the exact sub-model. After that, the visual direction becomes clearer: whitewall radials suit the 13-inch Base, SE, and handling-package paths, while the GT’s 215/60R14 raised white letter option reflects a sportier late-1980s presentation.
The best appearance choice depends on how the car is being finished rather than on a single universal answer. A stock-looking driver may benefit from a restrained whitewall, while a GT with the proper 14-inch wheels may look more at home with an RWL sidewall. For exact originality, vehicle-specific literature and marque references are still worth checking.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
On the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, the primary fitments here are all radial, so construction does not create a bias-ply-versus-radial appearance decision. The visual difference instead comes from the tire’s profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment, such as narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling.
That means a restored Sunbird’s overall look can change noticeably even when the construction type stays the same. A Base or SE on 175/80R13 whitewalls presents differently from a GT on 215/60R14 RWL tires. Matching the correct size to the correct wheel is what keeps the stance and visual balance closer to the car’s intended character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird?
Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or bodywork changes can all change the clearance picture, especially because this model already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel diameters depending on sub-model.
A car that originally used 175/80R13 may no longer match that setup if the wheels were swapped years ago, and a GT may no longer retain its original wheel package either. Checking actual rim diameter, rim width, steering clearance, and fender room on the car itself helps prevent choosing a tire solely by trim badge or memory.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Pontiac Sunbird on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the correct rim diameter, and make sure lug hardware and valve stems are in good condition. It also helps to check alignment, steering components, and suspension wear so the new tires are not immediately affected by an existing chassis problem.
A short post-installation check is worthwhile as well. Verify tire pressure, look for any rubbing at full steering lock, and pay attention to vibration, pulling, or uneven stance on the first drive. On an older Sunbird that has spent time parked, those simple checks often reveal issues that the old tires were hiding.
How should tires on a collector-era 1987 Pontiac Sunbird be maintained?
Tires on a collector-era 1987 Pontiac Sunbird should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, and signs of slow air loss, especially on a car that spends long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a lower-use car. Keeping the Sunbird away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber over time. It is also smart to recheck the tires before any longer drive, since age-related condition can matter even when tread still looks usable.
