The 1987 Subaru RX came from an era when Subaru was building compact turbocharged cars with a distinct rally-bred reputation and a loyal enthusiast following. For owners restoring one or keeping an original-style driving feel intact, tire choice matters because the car’s character depends heavily on maintaining the right proportions on its 13-inch wheels. The primary fitment is a 185/70R13 radial, which keeps the page focused less on size uncertainty and more on choosing the right tire within that size. Available options range from blackwall performance-oriented radials to redline and wide whitewall treatments. The right pick depends on whether the goal is stock-style road use, period-inspired appearance, or a more specialized vintage performance presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Subaru RX
The 1987 Subaru RX uses one primary tire size: 185/70R13, and it is a radial fitment for a 13-inch rim. The RX Turbo sub-model uses that same size, so the main decision is not between multiple primary fitments, but between tire styles, brand and series differences, and the kind of appearance or road feel that suits the car.
In a 185/70R13 size, 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. That makes it a straightforward modern metric radial format, which suits the 1987 Subaru RX without requiring buyers to decode an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices include blackwall designs from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options in redline and wide whitewall form. Choosing within this size comes down to matching the tire’s look, intended use, and wheel-width compatibility to the car’s actual setup.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1987 Subaru RX sub-model. The key point is that the RX Turbo uses the same primary tire size, so selection centers on tire type, appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than sorting through different factory size groups.
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1987 Subaru RX Turbo
The 1987 Subaru RX Turbo uses the same 185/70R13 radial fitment as the model line covered here, keeping tire selection fairly simple. That lets the focus shift to choosing between blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall presentations and confirming that the wheel width still matches the tire being considered.
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 RX Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R13 choices span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, radial construction details, rim-width ranges, and the appearance each tire gives the 1987 Subaru RX.
Common questions for the 1987 Subaru RX usually come down to the 185/70R13 size, 13-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, appearance differences, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Subaru back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Subaru RX?
The 1987 Subaru RX uses a 185/70R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the RX Turbo sub-model uses the same size, so most owners are not sorting through multiple factory tire sizes before choosing a replacement.
What matters next is making sure the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels and that wheel width falls within the tire’s usable range. If the car has been modified with different wheels or suspension changes, confirm clearance at the fenders and steering components before settling on a specific 185/70R13 tire.
What size rim does a 1987 Subaru RX use?
The 1987 Subaru RX uses a 13-inch rim with its 185/70R13 tire size. The tire code itself confirms that diameter, and the available tires in this fitment are built for 13-inch wheels rather than larger or smaller rim sizes.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though, because wheel width also affects which tires are appropriate. Several 185/70R13 options work across different width ranges, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel before ordering, especially if the RX has aftermarket wheels or a replacement wheel set from another Subaru.
What does 185/70R13 mean on a 1987 Subaru RX?
The 185/70R13 code is a modern metric radial size. The 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches used on the 1987 Subaru RX.
That sizing format is easier for many buyers to interpret than older alphanumeric or numeric bias-ply sizes, but it still helps to verify the actual wheel on the car. A correct-looking 13-inch wheel can still vary in width, and that can influence which 185/70R13 tire series is most appropriate for appearance, clearance, and general road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R13 tire for a 1987 Subaru RX?
Start with the correct 185/70R13 size and confirm that the tire is appropriate for the 13-inch wheel on the car. From there, the real choices are radial tire series, sidewall style, brand, and whether the car is being kept close to a stock-style appearance or given a more specialized vintage performance look.
Wheel width matters here because not every 185/70R13 tire carries the same approved rim-width range. It also helps to compare load figures when they are given, along with the tire’s overall character, since a blackwall touring or sport-oriented radial can present the RX very differently than a redline or wide whitewall option.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Subaru RX tires?
The available 185/70R13 tires for the 1987 Subaru RX include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall is the most common presentation in this size, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options add redline and 2-inch wide whitewall choices for a more customized or restoration-oriented visual effect.
Sidewall style does not change the required tire size, but it can change the way the car reads visually from a few feet away. A blackwall keeps the look restrained and closer to many period import and sport-compact presentations, while redline or wide whitewall options suit owners building a more personalized vintage look.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Subaru RX?
The 1987 Subaru RX has 185/70R13 tire options from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover several tire series in the correct size, including Silvertown Radial, CR6ZZ, SP Sport Aquajet, Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice should be treated as part of the overall selection process rather than the only decision. It makes sense to compare each tire’s series character, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width range first, then narrow the options based on how the RX will actually be used and the kind of period-style presentation the owner wants.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Subaru RX?
A period-style 1987 Subaru RX starts with the correct 185/70R13 radial size and a 13-inch wheel. From there, the best choice depends on what kind of period look is being recreated, since the available tires range from understated blackwall radials to BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions with redline or wide whitewall styling.
For many restorations, blackwall tires preserve the cleanest late-1980s sport-compact appearance. Redline or wide whitewall options create a more custom presentation, which may appeal to some owners but should not be assumed original to every car. When exact authenticity matters, compare the tire choice against photos, brochures, or marque-specific references for the vehicle.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Subaru RX?
On a 1987 Subaru RX, construction is relatively simple because the primary fitment is already a radial. That means the visual difference in a restoration is influenced less by bias-ply versus radial and more by the tire series, tread style, and sidewall treatment chosen within the correct 185/70R13 size.
A blackwall radial usually keeps the car looking closest to a restrained late-1980s road-going presentation, while redline or wide whitewall choices change the visual emphasis immediately. Even with the right size, the wrong sidewall style can alter the character of the car, so appearance-minded buyers should weigh that decision as carefully as the basic fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Subaru RX?
Yes. Even though the 1987 Subaru RX uses a 185/70R13 tire on a 13-inch wheel, modifications can change whether that fitment still works the same way. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel offset, suspension changes, or body modifications can all influence clearance at the fenders, struts, and steering components.
A car that still appears stock can have wheel changes that are not obvious at first glance, so it helps to measure the wheel and inspect spacing before choosing a tire. Clearance should be checked with the steering turned and the suspension loaded, especially on an older turbo Subaru that may have seen years of owner upgrades.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Subaru RX on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Subaru RX back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify the 13-inch diameter, and make sure the wheel width suits the tire being installed. It also makes sense to look over alignment condition, suspension wear, and any signs of rubbing from a previous tire setup.
The rest of the check should focus on safe road use rather than the new tires alone. Confirm proper air pressure, look for play in steering and wheel bearings, and inspect brakes, shocks, and CV-related hardware in the wheel area. On a collector or lightly used RX, age-related deterioration elsewhere can matter as much as the tires themselves.
How should 185/70R13 tires on a collector 1987 Subaru RX be maintained?
185/70R13 tires on a collector 1987 Subaru RX should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of harsh sunlight or ozone exposure. Low-mileage collector cars can have aging tires that look acceptable at a glance but still deserve close attention.
Regular inspections are especially important when the car is stored for extended periods and driven only occasionally. Move the vehicle enough to avoid prolonged flat spotting, keep the tires clean and dry, and examine the sidewalls before every outing. A short local drive is still road use, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.
