The 1987 Toyota Corolla sits at an interesting point in Corolla history, bridging everyday economy-car practicality with the sharper character of sport-oriented hatchback and coupe variants. Buyers looking at one today often care just as much about preserving the car’s period feel as they do about keeping it usable on modern roads. Tire fitment on the 1987 Toyota Corolla is entirely radial, but the exact size depends on the sub-model, ranging from 13-inch applications such as 155R13 and 175/70R13 to 14-inch sport-oriented sizes like 185/60R14 and 195/60R14. Available choices vary by brand, tire series, and, in some sizes, sidewall style, so matching the tire to the car’s trim, wheels, and intended use matters.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Toyota Corolla
The 1987 Toyota Corolla uses five different primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Some versions use 13-inch radial tires, while others step up to 14-inch fitments, so the first job is confirming both the specific Corolla variant and the wheels currently on the car. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to choosing the right tire style, series, and brand within the correct size.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size with a 155 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself and is commonly treated as an 80-series style radial. For the 1987 Toyota Corolla, this size suits a narrower, period-oriented small-car fitment, with blackwall options available from Michelin and Dunlop in established vintage radial series. It is the size to evaluate when the car uses the correct 13-inch wheel setup and a slimmer original-style tire profile is part of the goal.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size that spells out three key measurements: 175 millimeters of section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 13-inch rim diameter. It is a modern metric radial format that gives the 1987 Toyota Corolla a clear, contemporary sizing description while staying within the correct era of radial fitment for the car. Available choice in this size includes an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall tire, which gives buyers a distinct series option rather than a broad assortment of sidewall treatments. This size should be matched to the Corolla sub-model that used it, not assumed across every 13-inch application.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 185 millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Its lower-profile format gives it a different fitment character than the taller 13-inch sizes used elsewhere in the 1987 Toyota Corolla range, so wheel diameter confirmation is essential before choosing it. In this size, the available product is a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, making the selection more about using the correct fitment than sorting through multiple appearance treatments. It is the size to consider for the specific Corolla configuration that was built around a 14-inch wheel and a shorter sidewall profile.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size that combines a 195 millimeter section width with a 60-series aspect ratio on a 14-inch rim. Among the primary 1987 Toyota Corolla tire sizes, this is one of the broader 14-inch fitments and belongs to a more specialized sub-model application rather than the full Corolla line. The available choice in this size is a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A, so the key question is proper fitment and wheel match more than sidewall-style variation. It should be selected only after confirming that the car is the Corolla variant intended for this wider 14-inch radial setup.
185/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 185 millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. It is a 13-inch fitment, but it carries a broader section width than 155R13 or 175/70R13, which gives it a distinct place within the 1987 Toyota Corolla lineup. This size has the broadest product variety, including blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall choices from brands such as BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several tire series. It is the size to examine closely when both correct fitment and appearance choice matter, especially on a Corolla being tailored toward a more period-style visual presentation.
Tire fitment for the 1987 Toyota Corolla varies by sub-model, so the exact trim matters before a tire is selected. Several versions share 13-inch radial sizes, while sport-oriented models also introduce 14-inch fitments that should be matched to the wheel diameter already on the car.
1
1987 Toyota Corolla DLX
The 1987 Toyota Corolla DLX uses the 155R13 radial size, making it one of the narrower 13-inch applications in the lineup. Tire selection here is less about sorting through many fitments and more about choosing the right blackwall radial with the proper period-minded profile and wheel compatibility.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla FX uses the 175/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps the tire decision focused on using the correct metric radial size for the hatchback configuration and confirming the car has not been changed to a different wheel package over time.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 also uses the 175/70R13 radial size, sharing fitment with other 13-inch Corolla variants rather than the 14-inch sport applications. Choosing a tire here comes down to staying with the correct metric radial fitment and checking actual wheel setup if the car has been modified.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 GTS uses the 185/60R14 radial size, which sets it apart from the 13-inch Corolla trims. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important before buying, since this fitment depends on the proper 14-inch setup and a shorter-profile radial tire.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla LE uses the 175/70R13 radial size, placing it among the 13-inch metric radial fitments in the range. The main selection question is choosing an appropriate tire series for the car’s intended road use while keeping the wheel diameter and overall fitment consistent.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla Sport GTS uses the 195/60R14 radial size, one of the wider and lower-profile fitments in the lineup. Tire selection should start with confirming the car still carries the correct 14-inch wheels, then move to choosing the right blackwall radial within that exact size.
The 1987 Toyota Corolla Sport SR5 uses the 185/70R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. This sub-model has the widest visible range of tire choices, so buyers can weigh blackwall, redline, or wide whitewall presentation along with brand and tire-series preferences.
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 Corolla Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Toyota Corolla tires are all radial, but the range still covers several distinct buying paths. Depending on size, choices include Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Vredestein, with blackwall options throughout and redline or wide whitewall treatments available in 185/70R13.
Common 1987 Toyota Corolla tire questions usually come down to exact sub-model fitment, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel diameter, and how to choose among the available radial tire series and sidewall styles. The answers below focus on practical fitment and ownership checks for this specific Corolla year and model.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Toyota Corolla?
The 1987 Toyota Corolla uses five primary tire sizes: 155R13, 175/70R13, 185/70R13, 185/60R14, and 195/60R14. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model. DLX uses 155R13, FX, FX16, and LE use 175/70R13, Sport SR5 uses 185/70R13, FX16 GTS uses 185/60R14, and Sport GTS uses 195/60R14.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before choosing a tire. Wheel diameter matters just as much, because some Corollas in this range use 13-inch rims while others use 14-inch rims. On a car that has changed hands several times, it is worth checking the wheels actually on the vehicle rather than assuming every 1987 Corolla uses the same size.
What size rim does a 1987 Toyota Corolla use?
A 1987 Toyota Corolla uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 155R13, 175/70R13, and 185/70R13 fitments use 13-inch rims, while the 185/60R14 and 195/60R14 fitments use 14-inch rims. All of these are radial tire applications rather than bias-ply fitments.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before looking at tread style or brand, because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. It also helps to compare wheel width against the tire being considered, especially when shopping among different product lines. If the car has aftermarket wheels, measure the wheel directly instead of relying only on the tire currently mounted.
Why does the 1987 Toyota Corolla have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Toyota Corolla has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel-and-tire combinations. The lineup includes narrower 13-inch applications such as 155R13, common 13-inch metric sizes such as 175/70R13, a broader 185/70R13 fitment, and 14-inch sport-oriented sizes including 185/60R14 and 195/60R14.
That means tire choice is tied to the exact Corolla version rather than the model name alone. Sport-oriented trims can have a different wheel diameter and tire profile than other Corollas from the same year. The safest approach is to confirm the specific sub-model, then verify the wheels currently on the car so the selected tire matches both the intended fitment and the actual hardware.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Toyota Corolla tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact 1987 Toyota Corolla sub-model, then confirm whether the car uses a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel. After size is settled, compare the available tire series, construction details within the radial category, and any visible differences such as sidewall treatment where that size offers more than one presentation.
It also helps to look at rim-width compatibility, load figures when they are given, and how the car will be used. A restoration-minded owner may focus on maintaining a period-style look, while a regularly driven Corolla may place more emphasis on staying with the right profile and series for road use. Modified cars should always be checked against the wheels actually installed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Toyota Corolla tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size. Blackwall options are available across the 1987 Toyota Corolla range, while 185/70R13 also opens up more appearance-focused choices such as redline and wide whitewall. Those added sidewall treatments appear in BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial offerings, while other sizes remain primarily blackwall applications.
That makes sidewall style less of a Corolla-wide decision and more of a size-specific one. A buyer trying to preserve a restrained original-era look may stay with blackwall, while someone building a stronger period-style presentation may prefer the extra visual character of a redline or whitewall. The key is choosing the style only after confirming the correct tire size for the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Toyota Corolla?
Tires for the 1987 Toyota Corolla are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Vredestein, depending on the size. Some sizes have only one brand choice, while others have broader coverage. The richest assortment appears in 185/70R13, where multiple brands and several tire series are available in the same primary fitment.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter for the specific Corolla sub-model. Once fitment is right, compare what each brand offers in that size, including sidewall style, rim-width range where stated, and the tire series itself. A narrow size with one or two offerings creates a different buying decision than a size with broader product variety.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Toyota Corolla?
A period-style 1987 Toyota Corolla tire choice starts with the exact size used by the car’s sub-model. Since every primary fitment for this Corolla is radial, maintaining the proper radial size is the first step toward keeping the car’s overall stance and visual balance in line with its era. From there, the available tire series in that size shape the final appearance.
For many owners, blackwall is the most natural visual direction, especially in sizes such as 155R13, 175/70R13, 185/60R14, and 195/60R14. In 185/70R13, there is room for a more expressive period-style look through redline or wide whitewall options. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references or vehicle history before settling on a specific presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Toyota Corolla?
On a restored 1987 Toyota Corolla, tire construction affects appearance mainly through profile and sidewall presentation rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. This Corolla’s primary fitments are radial throughout, so the visual character comes from selecting the correct radial size and, where available, the sidewall treatment that best suits the car’s intended look.
A mismatched profile can make the car look too tall, too short, or simply out of character for the wheel-and-fender relationship the sub-model was built around. That is especially important when comparing 13-inch and 14-inch applications across the Corolla range. On 185/70R13, appearance choice expands with blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall options, while other sizes remain more restrained.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Corolla?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1987 Toyota Corolla even when the tire size sounds close to the original one. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offsets, lowered suspension, replacement springs, or body changes can all affect how a 13-inch or 14-inch tire sits in the wheel opening and clears during turning or suspension movement.
That matters because the Corolla range already uses several different factory-style sizes, so a modified car may no longer match its original sub-model setup. Before choosing tires, confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then inspect steering and fender clearance carefully. Any change in stance or wheel hardware deserves a fresh fitment check instead of assuming the original size still applies unchanged.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Toyota Corolla on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Toyota Corolla on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car’s sub-model and rim diameter, and make sure each tire is seated and inflated properly. It is also smart to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that the previous tires rubbed or wore unevenly.
A short test drive should include attention to vibration, pull, steering response, and clearance during turns and bumps. On a collector or lightly used Corolla, the rest of the car may have aged more than the new tires, so cracked bushings, weak shocks, or neglected alignment can quickly affect how the tires behave. Catching those issues early helps the new set wear more evenly.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Toyota Corolla be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Toyota Corolla should be checked regularly for pressure, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, even if the car is not driven often. Low-use collector cars can age tires quietly, so condition matters just as much as mileage. That applies whether the Corolla runs narrow 13-inch tires or one of the wider sport-oriented fitments.
Storage habits make a real difference. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as running electric motors or shop equipment. It also helps to move the vehicle occasionally so the tires are not left sitting in one position for long periods. Before a longer drive, inspect air pressure and general condition again rather than assuming stored tires are road-ready.
