The 1987 Subaru GL comes from the era when Subaru had firmly established its reputation for compact, practical cars with real all-weather appeal, especially in 4WD trim. Buyers looking after one today are often balancing originality, daily drivability, and the realities of an older imported chassis. Tire fitment centers on two radial 13-inch sizes, 175/70R13 and 185/70R13, with the correct size depending on the specific GL sub-model. That still leaves meaningful choice in brand character, sidewall treatment, and tire series, particularly in 185/70R13. Getting the size and construction right starts with confirming the exact GL configuration and the wheels currently on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Subaru GL
The 1987 Subaru GL uses two primary tire sizes, both in metric radial form on 13-inch rims. The key step is identifying the exact sub-model, because some GL versions use 175/70R13 while others use 185/70R13. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to choosing among the available radial tires by brand, series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility.
The 175/70R13 size uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Subaru GL, this is a primary fitment for selected sub-models and keeps the vehicle in a modern metric radial format rather than an older bias-ply system. Available choices in this size are more focused, with Avon CR6ZZ offered in a blackwall radial design. It is the right size to evaluate when your GL is one of the models built around the narrower 13-inch fitment and you want to keep sizing in line with that setup.
The 185/70R13 size follows the same metric radial format, but with a wider 185-millimeter nominal section width on a 13-inch rim. For the 1987 Subaru GL, this size is used on certain sub-models, so it should be chosen only after confirming which version of the car you have. This size brings the broadest product variety, including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall presentations across several tire series. It is the size to consider when your GL was equipped for the wider 13-inch radial fitment or now carries wheels matched to that specification.
Tire fitment for the 1987 Subaru GL is not the same across every sub-model. Checking the exact GL version matters first, because the car uses either 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 depending on the body style and drivetrain configuration.
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1987 Subaru GL Base
The 1987 Subaru GL Base uses the 175/70R13 radial tire size on a 13-inch rim. Tire selection here is mostly about staying with the correct metric radial size and choosing the product that best matches the car's road use and overall presentation.
The 1987 Subaru GL Hatchback (4WD) uses the wider 185/70R13 radial size. That opens up more choice in tire series and sidewall appearance, so the focus shifts from finding the size to comparing the available 13-inch radial options carefully.
The 1987 Subaru GL Sedan Hardtop uses 175/70R13 radial tires. Keeping that size correct is important before comparing tires, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years or is being brought back into regular road use.
The 1987 Subaru GL Turbo uses 185/70R13 radial tires. With several products available in that size, the choice often comes down to the look you want, the tire series you prefer, and whether the existing wheels match the tire's rim-width requirements.
The 1987 Subaru GL Wagon uses the 175/70R13 radial fitment. Buyers shopping this sub-model should confirm the current wheel setup, then choose within that size according to intended use rather than moving immediately to the wider GL tire size.
The 1987 Subaru GL Wagon (4WD) uses 185/70R13 radial tires. That gives access to a wider range of blackwall and specialty sidewall options, but the right starting point is still matching the tire to the wagon's actual 13-inch wheel setup.
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 Subaru GL Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Subaru GL tire choices focus on radial 13-inch fitments, with Avon covering both sizes and the broader 185/70R13 selection including BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles along with distinct tire series and rim-width ranges.
Common 1987 Subaru GL tire questions usually come down to sub-model-specific size fitment, 13-inch rim compatibility, and how to choose among the available radial tire styles and brands for an older Subaru still seeing road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Subaru GL?
The 1987 Subaru GL uses either 175/70R13 or 185/70R13, depending on the exact sub-model. The Base, Sedan Hardtop, and Wagon use 175/70R13, while the Hatchback (4WD), Turbo, and Wagon (4WD) use 185/70R13. Both are radial sizes built for 13-inch rims.
The practical decision is not choosing between two sizes at random, but matching the tire to the specific GL version and the wheels currently on the car. If the car has changed hands several times, check the sidewall on the existing tires and confirm wheel diameter before ordering a replacement.
What size rim does a 1987 Subaru GL use?
The 1987 Subaru GL uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. Whether the car takes 175/70R13 or 185/70R13, the final number in the size identifies a 13-inch wheel, so rim diameter stays consistent across the covered sub-models.
That does not mean every 13-inch wheel is automatically suitable. Rim width still matters, especially when comparing products within 175/70R13 and 185/70R13. On a car this age, it is smart to confirm the actual wheel size and condition before selecting a tire, particularly if aftermarket wheels may have been installed.
Why does the 1987 Subaru GL have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Subaru GL has more than one tire size because fitment changes by sub-model. Some GL versions use 175/70R13, while others use 185/70R13. The difference follows the specific body style and drivetrain configuration rather than representing interchangeable choices for every GL.
That means the first step is identifying whether the car is a Base, Sedan Hardtop, Wagon, Hatchback (4WD), Turbo, or Wagon (4WD). Once the sub-model is confirmed, tire shopping becomes much simpler, because you can focus on the correct size and compare the available radial options within that exact fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Subaru GL tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact 1987 Subaru GL sub-model, since the car uses either 175/70R13 or 185/70R13. From there, compare radial construction details that matter to your use, including brand, tire series, sidewall style, and the wheel-width range supported by the tire.
A lightly restored GL that is driven occasionally may call for a different presentation than a car meant for regular road use. It also helps to look at load figures where available, tire weight if that matters to your selection process, and whether the current 13-inch wheels still match the tire you plan to install.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Subaru GL tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Subaru GL include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product selected. The broader variety appears in 185/70R13, where blackwall options are joined by BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions with redline and 2-inch whitewall styling.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision, but it should always come after confirming the correct size for the car. A blackwall tire keeps a more understated look, while redline or wide whitewall options can shift the car toward a more customized or restoration-oriented presentation without changing the underlying radial fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Subaru GL?
Tires for the 1987 Subaru GL are available from Avon, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Avon covers both primary sizes, while the largest spread of brand choice appears in 185/70R13, where multiple series and sidewall treatments are available across several manufacturers.
Brand should be considered alongside the correct size, the tire series, and the kind of appearance you want from the finished car. Rather than treating brand alone as the deciding factor, compare how each tire suits the GL's sub-model, the wheel width on the car, and whether the car is driven regularly or kept for occasional use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Subaru GL?
A period-style 1987 Subaru GL starts with using the correct sub-model tire size, either 175/70R13 or 185/70R13, in radial construction. From there, the right choice depends on the look you want, since the available options range from straightforward blackwall designs to more distinctive redline and wide whitewall versions in 185/70R13.
For many GL owners, a blackwall radial preserves the most natural late-1980s appearance. Redline or whitewall treatments create a more personalized visual statement, but they are appearance choices rather than automatic restoration standards. When exact originality matters, compare the tire against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references for your sub-model.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Subaru GL restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Subaru GL restoration because size influences both stance and how naturally the car presents on its 13-inch wheels. Using 175/70R13 where that sub-model belongs, or 185/70R13 where applicable, keeps the tire choice aligned with the GL's intended fitment pattern.
Restoration-minded buyers should look beyond appearance alone and confirm that the tire also suits the wheel width and the car's current setup. A GL that has been modified over the years may no longer carry its original wheels, so verifying the actual hardware on the car helps prevent a visually convincing tire choice from becoming a fitment problem.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Subaru GL?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Subaru GL even though the primary sizes are straightforward. Wheel changes, altered ride height, suspension work, or body modifications can change the space available for a 175/70R13 or 185/70R13 tire and may also affect whether the wheel width suits the tire properly.
A GL that still has its original-style 13-inch setup is usually simpler to match than one that has been updated over time. Before choosing a tire, check the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall suspension condition so the selected tire matches the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Subaru GL on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Subaru GL on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the sub-model, and make sure inflation pressure is set correctly for the chosen tire and vehicle use. It also helps to check alignment condition, valve stems, and any signs of uneven wear from the old tires.
On an older Subaru, tire installation is also a good time to look over suspension and steering components that may affect how the car tracks and wears its tires. A short road test should be followed by another visual check for clearance, air loss, or any rubbing, especially if the car has had wheel or suspension changes.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Subaru GL be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Subaru GL should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age as well as tread depth. A car that is driven infrequently can still develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss, even when the tires show relatively little wear.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older collector car. Keeping the GL away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally reduces stress from long stationary periods. Any sign of bulges, cuts, or persistent pressure loss deserves closer inspection before road use.
