The 1987 Toyota Camry came from the period when midsize Japanese sedans were earning a reputation for tidy packaging, everyday comfort, and durable road manners. For many owners today, that makes this generation Camry less about nostalgia alone and more about keeping a well-kept survivor driving as it should. Tire fitment centers on two radial sizes, 185/70R13 and 195/60R14, so the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is actually on the car. Available choices range from blackwall touring-style radials to redline and wide whitewall presentations in 13-inch fitment. That makes this page especially useful for balancing stock-style road use, appearance, and wheel-specific compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Toyota Camry
The 1987 Toyota Camry uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference starts with wheel diameter: one size fits a 13-inch rim and the other fits a 14-inch rim. Both are radial metric sizes, and both appear across the covered DLX and LE sub-models. Before choosing a tire, confirm which wheels are on the car, then compare the available brands, sidewall styles, and tire character within that exact size.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Toyota Camry, it suits owners staying with the smaller wheel diameter and wanting a conventional radial construction. Product choices in this size are broad, with BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein options, plus blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. It is the stronger choice to evaluate when the car retains 13-inch wheels and appearance or brand variety matters as much as basic fitment.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size that uses a wider 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim. For a 1987 Toyota Camry equipped with 14-inch wheels, this is the size to match before comparing tire options. The available selection here is more focused, centered on a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A radial rather than a wide spread of brands and sidewall styles. This size makes the most sense when the car already has the 14-inch wheel setup and the goal is staying with the proper wheel-specific fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward in one sense and still worth checking carefully in another: both covered sub-models can use the same two radial sizes. The real point of verification is not trim level alone, but whether the car is wearing 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before a tire is selected.
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1987 Toyota Camry DLX
The 1987 Toyota Camry DLX can use either of the two primary radial tire sizes offered for this model year. That means tire selection starts with confirming the wheel diameter on the car, then choosing among the available brand, sidewall, and series options within the matching size.
The 1987 Toyota Camry LE shares the same two radial tire-size paths as the DLX rather than using a unique fitment of its own. The practical step is checking whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, since that determines both the correct size and the range of product choices.
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 Toyota Camry Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Toyota Camry tire choices are all radial, with the broadest selection in 185/70R13. Buyers can compare BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein offerings across blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles, while 195/60R14 remains a more focused Michelin blackwall option.
Common 1987 Toyota Camry tire questions usually come down to wheel diameter, correct metric size, available radial choices, and how to choose between appearance-driven and road-use-focused options. The answers below also cover maintenance and fitment checks before regular driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Toyota Camry?
The 1987 Toyota Camry uses two primary tire sizes: 185/70R13 and 195/60R14. Both are radial metric sizes, and both appear on the covered DLX and LE sub-models rather than being limited to one trim alone.
The key step is confirming which wheel diameter is actually on the car before ordering tires. A Camry wearing 13-inch wheels needs 185/70R13, while a car on 14-inch wheels needs 195/60R14. If the car has been modified over the years, check the wheel itself rather than assuming the original setup is still in place.
What size rim does a 1987 Toyota Camry use?
A 1987 Toyota Camry can use either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on which of its two primary tire sizes applies. The 185/70R13 tire fits a 13-inch rim, and the 195/60R14 tire fits a 14-inch rim.
That difference matters because tire choice starts with rim diameter, not just the model name on the car. Before selecting a tire, inspect the wheels already installed and confirm the stamped or measured diameter if there is any doubt. Once the rim size is settled, the correct tire-size path becomes much clearer.
Do all 1987 Toyota Camry sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1987 Toyota Camry DLX and LE sub-models share the same two tire-size possibilities: 185/70R13 and 195/60R14. Neither sub-model is restricted to a single unique tire size in the covered fitment range.
That makes wheel confirmation more important than trim-name confirmation in most cases. A DLX or LE with 13-inch wheels should stay within the 185/70R13 fitment, while a car with 14-inch wheels should use 195/60R14. Since older cars are often changed over time, checking the actual wheel and current tire markings helps avoid ordering the wrong size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Toyota Camry?
Start with the correct size and wheel diameter, because the 1987 Toyota Camry uses either 185/70R13 or 195/60R14. After that, compare radial construction details such as brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility where stated, and any load figures that matter for the way the car is used.
The 185/70R13 fitment offers the widest spread of choices, including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options. The 195/60R14 fitment is more limited, so the decision is more about staying with the proper wheel setup than choosing among many visual treatments. Keeping the tire matched to the wheel and intended use is more important than chasing appearance alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Toyota Camry tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size you are using. In 185/70R13, available sidewall treatments include blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall. In 195/60R14, the available option is a blackwall Michelin radial.
That means the smaller-wheel fitment gives much more room to shape the car's visual presentation. A blackwall keeps a restrained, original-era daily-driver look, while redline or wide whitewall can push the appearance in a more customized or period-inspired direction. The first step is still confirming the wheel diameter, since sidewall choice follows from the correct size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Toyota Camry?
Available tire brands for the 1987 Toyota Camry include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Most of that brand variety appears in the 185/70R13 size, while the 195/60R14 fitment is represented by Michelin.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. Some buyers will want a straightforward blackwall radial, while others may prefer a redline or wide whitewall presentation available in 13-inch fitment. Matching the brand and series to the correct size remains the most important starting point.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Toyota Camry?
A period-style 1987 Toyota Camry tire choice starts with keeping the correct wheel diameter and size pairing in place: 185/70R13 on 13-inch wheels or 195/60R14 on 14-inch wheels. From there, a blackwall radial usually gives the most restrained and era-appropriate overall presentation.
The 185/70R13 size also opens the door to redline and wide whitewall alternatives, which can change the visual character significantly. For a restoration-focused car, appearance should be weighed against how closely the finished look matches the way the vehicle is intended to be presented. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque-specific historical references and surviving examples.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Toyota Camry?
On a 1987 Toyota Camry, construction is simpler than on many older collector cars because the primary fitments are radial tires. The visual difference is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about the tire series and sidewall treatment chosen within the correct radial size.
A blackwall radial keeps the car looking clean and understated, while redline or wide whitewall options in 185/70R13 create a much more stylized presentation. For a restoration-minded owner, the main appearance decision is choosing a sidewall style that suits the car without losing sight of the proper wheel diameter and the intended use of the vehicle.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Camry?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Camry even when the car still looks close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body clearance differences can all affect whether the original 185/70R13 or 195/60R14 fitment remains appropriate.
A car that has been lowered, fitted with different-offset wheels, or converted between 13-inch and 14-inch rims should be checked carefully before new tires are chosen. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel diameter all matter. Measuring the actual wheel setup on the car is more reliable than relying on trim level or old assumptions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Toyota Camry on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the wheel, and look over the rest of the chassis for obvious issues that could affect the way the car tracks. Lug hardware, valve stems, and basic tire pressure should also be checked.
Older cars benefit from a broader once-over before regular driving resumes. Pay attention to alignment behavior, suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of rubbing once the new tires are installed. A short test drive followed by another visual inspection can catch contact issues, air loss, or vibration before the car is used more confidently.
How often should tires on a 1987 Toyota Camry be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Toyota Camry should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Check for air loss, uneven wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and tread-condition changes rather than waiting for mileage alone to tell the story.
Collector-era and low-use cars often age tires out before they wear them out. A quick visual check before each drive and a more careful inspection at regular intervals helps catch problems early. Proper inflation, clean storage conditions, and attention to signs of aging are just as important as choosing the right 185/70R13 or 195/60R14 size.
