The 1987 Saab 900 sits in a distinctive part of the European sport-luxury era, combining Saab’s aircraft-influenced design thinking with the upright hatchback shape and turbocharged personality that gave the 900 its loyal following. For owners, tire choice matters because this car’s stance, steering feel, and period character are closely tied to the right 15-inch radial fitment. The 1987 Saab 900 uses 185/65R15 and 195/60R15 radial sizes, with fitment varying by sub-model. Available choices range from traditional whitewall and redline presentations to raised white letter and blackwall options. The right selection comes down to sub-model, intended appearance, and careful wheel-and-clearance confirmation on any altered car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Saab 900
The 1987 Saab 900 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for 15-inch rims. The first step is identifying the exact sub-model, since some versions use only one size while others are associated with both. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept in a more restoration-oriented look or a more contemporary road-use presentation.
A 185/65R15 tire uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On the 1987 Saab 900, this size suits buyers who want to stay with one of the car’s primary metric radial fitments while keeping the proportions tied to this application. Available choices include BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall or redline sidewall styling. This size is especially worth evaluating when the goal is to match the correct sub-model fitment and maintain compatibility with wheels in the appropriate width range.
A 195/60R15 tire is slightly wider in nominal section width than a 185/65R15, with a 60-series profile, radial construction, and the same 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Saab 900, this size appears on specific sub-model applications and brings the widest visible product variety within the covered fitments. Choices include BFGoodrich offerings in wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter form, along with a Michelin blackwall option. This is the size to review carefully when sub-model fitment points to it and the owner wants to compare appearance as well as tire-series character.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Saab 900 because tire size is not the same across every version. Some covered sub-models use one radial size, while others are associated with both 15-inch fitments, so confirming the exact model designation should come before comparing products.
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1987 Saab 900 Base
The 1987 Saab 900 Base uses a single radial tire fitment, which makes size selection more straightforward than on some other 900 variants. Once the Base model is confirmed, the main decision becomes choosing the preferred sidewall presentation and checking wheel width compatibility before installation.
The 1987 Saab 900 S is associated with both primary radial tire sizes used on this page. That makes it especially important to confirm the car’s actual wheel setup before choosing between a more traditional-looking 185/65R15 option and the broader product mix available in 195/60R15.
The 1987 Saab 900 SPG uses the 195/60R15 radial size. Tire selection here centers less on alternate primary fitments and more on choosing among available sidewall treatments and tire series while making sure the wheel dimensions still match the car’s current setup.
The 1987 Saab 900 Turbo is associated with both 15-inch radial fitments covered here. For a Turbo car, the smart next step is confirming which wheel-and-tire combination is actually on the vehicle, especially if it has seen wheel changes or other modifications 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 Saab 900 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Saab 900 tire options center on 185/65R15 and 195/60R15 radial fitments from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Buyers can compare Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3 choices across wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall sidewall styles.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 1.75 Inch Whitewall | 185/65R15
These 1987 Saab 900 FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used across the covered sub-models, 15-inch rim fitment, sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel, clearance, and maintenance checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Saab 900?
The 1987 Saab 900 uses two primary radial tire sizes: 185/65R15 and 195/60R15. The correct size depends on the sub-model, with the Base using 185/65R15, the SPG using 195/60R15, and the S and Turbo associated with both sizes.
That means the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and the actual wheel setup on the car. Many Saab 900s have been maintained, restored, or modified over time, so it is smart to verify the tire already on the vehicle, check the wheel width, and make sure the chosen size matches the car’s current fitment rather than assuming every 1987 900 uses the same tire.
What size rim does a 1987 Saab 900 use?
Both primary tire sizes used on the 1987 Saab 900 are built for a 15-inch rim. That applies to 185/65R15 and 195/60R15, so the key rim-diameter constant across these fitments is 15 inches even though the tire widths and profiles differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still matters when choosing among available products. A car with replacement wheels should be checked carefully, because a 15-inch diameter alone does not confirm that every tire in these sizes will suit the wheel or provide the right clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components.
Do all 1987 Saab 900 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1987 Saab 900 does not use one universal tire size across all covered sub-models. The Base is associated with 185/65R15, the SPG uses 195/60R15, and the S and Turbo are associated with both primary radial sizes.
That variation matters because two cars that both say Saab 900 on the body can still call for different tire dimensions. Owners should confirm the exact sub-model and inspect the wheels currently on the car before ordering tires, especially on examples that may have changed hands several times or received aftermarket wheels during restoration, routine replacement, or enthusiast ownership.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Saab 900 tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the exact 1987 Saab 900 sub-model, since this car uses both 185/65R15 and 195/60R15 depending on application. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall presentation, and whether the tire’s look suits a stock-style driver, a restoration-oriented car, or a more contemporary setup.
Available choices make appearance a real part of the decision, especially with wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall options in the mix. It also helps to look at tire series and any stated load figures where available, then confirm that the selected tire matches the actual wheel dimensions and intended road use of the specific car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Saab 900 tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1987 Saab 900 tires include wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall, depending on the tire size and product chosen. Those options create very different visual results even when the tire size itself remains correct for the car.
A wide whitewall or redline can push the Saab toward a more custom or period-inspired presentation, while raised white letter and blackwall choices keep a sportier or more understated look. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct size is confirmed, since not every sidewall treatment appears in both primary fitments used on the 1987 Saab 900.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Saab 900?
BFGoodrich and Michelin both offer tires in the primary sizes used on the 1987 Saab 900. BFGoodrich appears in both 185/65R15 and 195/60R15 applications, while Michelin is available in 195/60R15 with a blackwall presentation in the Primacy 3 series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the exact size, sidewall style, and tire series rather than on name alone. Some owners will focus on a traditional-looking Silvertown Radial or a Radial T/A appearance, while others may want a more modern blackwall look, so comparing the visible product differences is more useful than treating the brands as interchangeable.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Saab 900?
A period-style 1987 Saab 900 tire choice starts with using the correct primary size for the exact sub-model, then selecting a radial that supports the appearance you want. In this application, BFGoodrich choices in Silvertown Radial form offer traditional-looking options in both 185/65R15 and 195/60R15 fitments.
The final look can change significantly depending on whether the car wears a wide whitewall, redline, or a simpler blackwall-style presentation. Owners aiming for strict historical accuracy should confirm period references for their specific car, but for most enthusiasts, staying with the proper size and a sympathetic sidewall style is the best starting point.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Saab 900?
On the 1987 Saab 900, the primary fitments covered here are radial tires, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about the details within radial choices. Sidewall treatment, tread presentation, and tire series do more to shape the restored look than construction type alone on this application.
That makes size accuracy especially important, because a Saab 900 can look noticeably different when the proportions drift away from its intended fitment. A restored car usually benefits from the right 15-inch radial size first, followed by a sidewall style that complements the body and era without assuming every visual treatment was used on every original car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Saab 900?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Saab 900 even when the car still uses a 15-inch wheel. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body alterations can all influence whether 185/65R15 or 195/60R15 remains the most appropriate size for the car.
A modified Saab should be checked for wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender and suspension before changing tires. That is especially important on S and Turbo cars associated with both primary sizes, because the right choice may depend as much on the car’s present configuration as on its original sub-model designation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Saab 900 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Saab 900 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size for the sub-model, and check inflation carefully. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components for wear that could affect how the new tires track and wear.
A short clearance check at full steering lock can prevent surprises, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a different ride height than stock. After the first miles, recheck pressure and confirm there is no rubbing, air loss, or unusual wear pattern developing as the tire settles into regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Saab 900 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Saab 900 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and close attention to age and condition. Even a low-mileage car can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or air loss if it sits for long periods, so appearance alone should not be the only measure of roadworthiness.
Storage conditions matter on a car like this, especially if it spends long stretches parked between events or weekend drives. Keeping the Saab away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and periodic inspections before each outing are a sensible habit for any older enthusiast vehicle.
