The 1987 Porsche 911 sits in the later air-cooled era, when the classic rear-engine shape was paired with sharper road manners and increasingly performance-focused wheel and tire packages. For many owners, tire choice on this car is not just about size, but about matching the correct front and rear setup to the exact Carrera or Turbo Carrera configuration. Primary fitments here are all radial, split across 15-inch and 16-inch applications, with staggered front and rear sizing depending on the version. Available choices range from blackwall performance tires to wide whitewall and redline styles in certain sizes. The right selection starts with confirming both sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing appearance, series, and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Porsche 911
The 1987 Porsche 911 uses five primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends first on whether the car is a Carrera or Turbo Carrera and whether you are selecting a front or rear tire. Fitment also spans both 15-inch and 16-inch wheels, so confirming wheel diameter is just as important as identifying the exact position before choosing among the available radial tire options.
195/65R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Porsche 911, this size serves as a front fitment within the Carrera setup. It reflects a modern radial sizing format rather than an older alphanumeric system. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the car uses the matching 15-inch front wheel arrangement, especially if wheels or suspension have been changed over time.
205/55R16 uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. It appears as a front fitment on the 1987 Porsche 911 in both Carrera and Turbo Carrera applications, making it one of the key sizes to verify by position rather than by model name alone. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic offerings, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles represented across several tire series. It is the right size to evaluate when your car carries a 16-inch front-wheel setup and you want to compare both performance-oriented and appearance-driven options.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Porsche 911, it serves as a rear fitment for certain Carrera configurations using 15-inch wheels. This size has the broadest visible product variety, including blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments from brands such as American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. It is the size to study closely when balancing period-style appearance, brand preference, and wheel compatibility on a 15-inch rear setup.
225/50R16 combines a 225-millimeter nominal section width with a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch wheel diameter. On the 1987 Porsche 911, this is a rear fitment used with certain 16-inch Carrera arrangements, pairing with a narrower front tire for a staggered setup. Product choices in this size are centered on blackwall performance-oriented tires from BFGoodrich and Michelin across several series. This is the size to confirm when the car has 16-inch rear wheels and the goal is to keep the proper front-to-rear relationship for the Carrera configuration.
245/45R16 is a metric radial size where 245 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, and 16 is the wheel diameter. On the 1987 Porsche 911, it is used as the rear tire size for the Turbo Carrera configuration, making position-specific verification especially important. The lower-profile format signals a wider, performance-oriented rear application compared with the narrower front fitment used alongside it. Before selecting this size, confirm that the car still has the correct 16-inch rear wheel setup and adequate clearance if any wheel or suspension changes have been made.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Porsche 911 is position-specific rather than one-size-fits-all, with distinct front and rear tire sizes across Carrera and Turbo Carrera applications. Checking the exact sub-model and whether you are working at the front or rear is essential before comparing tires.
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1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Front
The 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Front uses either a 195/65R15 or 205/55R16 radial, depending on the wheel package on the car. Tire selection here starts with confirming whether the front wheels are 15-inch or 16-inch before comparing brand, sidewall style, and series.
The 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Rear uses either 215/60R15 or 225/50R16 radial sizing, again tied to the wheel setup. That makes rear-wheel diameter the key check before choosing among period-style appearance options or more overtly performance-oriented tire lines.
The 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera Front uses a 205/55R16 radial tire. With this fitment, the main decision shifts from identifying size to selecting the right tire character, whether that means a blackwall performance presentation or a more distinctive wide whitewall look.
The 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera Rear uses a 245/45R16 radial tire. Because this is a rear-only fitment within the Turbo Carrera setup, wheel confirmation and front-to-rear pairing matter before replacing just one axle or changing tire series.
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 Porsche 911 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Porsche 911 tire choices center on radial construction, with BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein represented where product coverage exists. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several distinct tire series.
Common 1987 Porsche 911 tire questions usually come down to front-versus-rear sizing, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, and how to choose among the available radial tire styles and series for the exact setup on the car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Porsche 911?
The 1987 Porsche 911 uses several radial tire sizes rather than one universal fitment. Front sizes include 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and, for the Turbo Carrera front application, 205/55R16. Rear sizes include 215/60R15, 225/50R16, and, for the Turbo Carrera rear application, 245/45R16.
The key is to identify both the exact version of the car and the tire position before ordering. A Carrera and a Turbo Carrera do not share the same complete front-to-rear package, and 15-inch and 16-inch wheel setups are both present. Matching the tire to the correct axle and wheel diameter is more important here than searching for a single all-purpose 911 size.
What size rim does a 1987 Porsche 911 use?
The 1987 Porsche 911 uses both 15-inch and 16-inch rim diameters, depending on the specific front and rear application. The covered tire sizes are split between 15-inch fitments such as 195/65R15 and 215/60R15, and 16-inch fitments such as 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 245/45R16.
That means wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before a tire is selected, especially on a car that may have changed wheels over the years. Tire size markings already include the rim diameter, so the final number in the size is the quick visual check. Once the wheel diameter is verified, the next step is making sure the size also matches the correct front or rear position.
Why does the 1987 Porsche 911 have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Porsche 911 has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model, tire position, and wheel package. Carrera front and rear applications use different sizes from each other, and the Turbo Carrera uses its own front-and-rear combination, including a wider 245/45R16 rear tire.
This is a staggered-fitment situation, so the car should not be approached as though one size belongs everywhere. Front and rear tires serve different roles, and the difference between 15-inch and 16-inch wheel packages also changes the proper size. Checking the exact configuration on the car helps prevent choosing a correct-looking size that belongs to the opposite axle or another version of the 911.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Porsche 911?
Start with the exact fitment basics: sub-model, front or rear position, and wheel diameter. The 1987 Porsche 911 uses multiple radial sizes, so the right tire begins with matching the proper size to the correct axle rather than selecting by overall appearance or brand alone.
After size is confirmed, compare the tire's intended character and visual presentation. Some available choices lean toward blackwall performance styling, while others introduce wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter treatments in certain sizes. Rim-width compatibility is also worth checking, particularly if the car has non-original wheels or if the goal is to keep a specific handling balance front to rear.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Porsche 911 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Porsche 911 include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL, depending on the tire size. The broadest appearance variety appears in 215/60R15, while 205/55R16 also includes both blackwall and wide whitewall options. Other covered sizes are more performance-focused in presentation.
Sidewall style is not just cosmetic, because it can help steer the car toward a more restoration-oriented or more contemporary look. The right choice still has to begin with the correct size for the wheel and axle position. Once fitment is settled, sidewall treatment becomes a useful way to shape the final appearance without changing the underlying tire size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Porsche 911?
Available brands for the 1987 Porsche 911 include BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein, depending on the tire size. Brand coverage is not identical across every fitment, so the choice at one axle size may be broader than the choice at another.
That makes it helpful to narrow the search by exact size first, then compare the brands represented in that fitment. A 215/60R15 rear Carrera setup, for example, opens more variety than some other sizes. Once the correct size is established, compare sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width suitability rather than assuming the same brand lineup will appear across the full 911 range.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Porsche 911?
A period-style 1987 Porsche 911 tire choice starts with keeping the correct front and rear size relationship for the exact Carrera or Turbo Carrera setup. From there, the appearance decision depends on whether the goal is a straightforward blackwall performance look or a more distinctive presentation such as wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter in the sizes where those styles exist.
A strong period-style result usually comes from preserving the proper proportions and wheel diameter first. Brand and sidewall details can then fine-tune the look, but exact originality should be checked against marque references and vehicle-specific history if concours-level accuracy matters. A visually appealing tire in the wrong size can change the stance more than a subtle sidewall difference ever will.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Porsche 911?
All primary fitments covered for the 1987 Porsche 911 are radial, so construction choice here is less about switching from bias-ply to radial and more about selecting the visual style within radial offerings. The appearance difference comes mainly from profile, sidewall treatment, and the way the chosen front and rear sizes work together on the car.
A restored 911 can look notably different depending on whether it wears plain blackwalls or a more stylized sidewall treatment in the sizes where those options are available. Even so, the cleanest result usually comes from maintaining the intended staggered setup and correct wheel diameter. A matching visual theme matters, but preserving the proper fitment relationship matters more to the overall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Porsche 911?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Porsche 911, especially because the car already uses position-specific sizes and more than one wheel diameter. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body modifications can all change how much room is available for the proper front and rear tire sizes.
That makes a physical check worthwhile before replacing tires on a car that has changed from stock form. Wheel diameter is only the starting point; wheel width and the space around the tire matter too. On a staggered 911 setup, changes at one end of the car can also upset the intended front-to-rear balance if the replacement size is chosen without checking the full package.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Porsche 911 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Porsche 911 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and general condition, and confirm that the new tires are mounted in the correct front and rear positions. Tire pressure, valve condition, and clearances at the fenders and suspension should also be checked before any serious road use.
A short, careful test drive is useful to confirm that nothing rubs and that the car tracks properly. On an older 911, it also helps to look over suspension components and alignment condition, since fresh tires can reveal problems that worn tires were masking. Position-specific fitment means even a correct tire can feel wrong if it ends up on the wrong axle.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Porsche 911 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Porsche 911 should be checked regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of uneven wear between the front and rear axle positions. Because this car uses staggered sizing in many configurations, each tire should be monitored as part of its assigned location rather than treated as interchangeable.
Storage habits matter on low-use cars, so keeping the 911 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition. It is also wise to inspect the tires before longer drives, even if tread depth looks fine. Age, storage history, and underuse can matter just as much as mileage on a collector-era Porsche.
