The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet carried the open-top character of Volkswagen’s compact front-drive lineup into the late 1980s, blending everyday drivability with the relaxed feel that made these cars popular weekend cruisers and preserved classics. For tire selection, this exact model year uses radial construction in two primary sizes, 175/70R13 and 185/60R14, so the first step is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car. Current choices stay firmly in the modern radial world, with blackwall options from Avon and Michelin in the appropriate sizes. That makes the decision less about vintage construction and more about matching the car’s actual wheel setup, intended use, and preferred tire character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments. The key difference is wheel diameter: one size is built for a 13-inch rim and the other for a 14-inch rim. Before choosing a tire, confirm which wheels are actually on the car, since both the Base and Wolfsburg Edition can appear with either size.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size where 175 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this size supports the car’s original-style compact-wheel fitment approach with a 13-inch rim. Available choices in this size include an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial, giving the buyer a focused option rather than a broad mix of sidewall treatments. This size is the right place to start when the Cabriolet still wears 13-inch wheels and the goal is to keep overall fitment aligned with that setup.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this size corresponds to a 14-inch wheel setup and carries a slightly different tire profile than the 13-inch option. The available product in this fitment is a Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 blackwall radial, which gives this size a distinct modern performance-oriented character. This is the size to evaluate when the car is already equipped with 14-inch wheels and tire choice depends on matching that wheel diameter correctly.
Tire fitment is straightforward in one sense and still worth checking closely in another. Both covered sub-models can use the same two radial tire sizes, so the real job is confirming whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before choosing a tire.
1
1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base
The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base can be equipped with either of the two primary radial tire sizes used on this model year. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, then choosing the tire that matches the intended road use and overall presentation.
The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet Wolfsburg Edition shares the same fitment pattern, with both primary radial tire sizes appearing within this sub-model. That means wheel diameter matters more than trim name, and the right tire choice depends on verifying the actual wheel setup already on the car.
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 Volkswagen Cabriolet Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet tires are all radial blackwalls, with Avon covering 175/70R13 in the CR6ZZ series and Michelin covering 185/60R14 in the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. The product grid is most useful for comparing size-specific brand, series, and rim-width compatibility.
These FAQs focus on the two tire sizes used on the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet, the difference between its 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments, and the practical checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/60R14. Both are radial sizes, and both the Base and Wolfsburg Edition can appear with either fitment. The deciding factor is not simply the trim name, but which wheel diameter is actually on the car.
That makes wheel confirmation the first step before purchasing tires. A 175/70R13 mounts on a 13-inch rim, while a 185/60R14 mounts on a 14-inch rim. On a Cabriolet that has changed hands over the years, wheels may have been swapped, so checking the existing tire sidewall and measuring wheel diameter helps avoid ordering the wrong size.
What size rim does a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet use?
A 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet can use either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on which of its two tire sizes is on the car. The 175/70R13 size is built for a 13-inch wheel, and the 185/60R14 size is built for a 14-inch wheel.
Rim diameter should be verified before anything else because the two tire sizes are not interchangeable across different wheel diameters. It is also smart to confirm wheel width while comparing products, since the available 13-inch and 14-inch tires each carry their own recommended rim-width ranges. That matters especially on cars with replacement wheels or long-ago cosmetic upgrades.
Do all 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet sub-models use the same tire size?
The 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base and Wolfsburg Edition share the same fitment pattern, but that does not mean every car uses one single tire size. Both sub-models can use 175/70R13 or 185/60R14, and both sizes are radial. In other words, the sub-model does not eliminate the need to verify the wheels.
For an owner, that means trim level alone is not enough to choose tires with confidence. A careful look at the current wheel and tire setup is still necessary, especially on an older Cabriolet that may have had wheels changed during its life. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the tire decision becomes much more straightforward.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Start with the basics: confirm whether the car uses 175/70R13 or 185/60R14, then make sure the tire matches the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. Both sizes are radial, so the choice is not about bias-ply versus radial construction here. It is mainly about selecting the correct fitment first.
After size is settled, compare the available tire series, brand, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility for that exact size. A Cabriolet kept as a weekend car may lead to different priorities than one driven more regularly. Matching the intended use to the actual wheel setup is more important than choosing by brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet tires?
The available tires for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet use a blackwall sidewall style in both primary sizes. That gives the car a clean, understated appearance consistent with many later compact-car tire presentations. There is not a broad mix of whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options within the current fitments shown here.
For most buyers, that means the appearance decision is simpler and shifts toward choosing the right size, brand, and tire series. Blackwall styling also tends to suit a Cabriolet that is being preserved as a tidy original-style driver rather than styled around a more dramatic period sidewall treatment. Wheel design will have a strong effect on the finished look.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The available brands for the 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet are Avon and Michelin. Avon covers the 175/70R13 fitment with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin covers the 185/60R14 fitment with the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. Each brand is tied to a specific primary size rather than both sizes at once.
That means brand choice follows size choice on this page, not the other way around. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the product comparison becomes more focused because each fitment has its own brand and series character. It is also worth checking rim-width compatibility so the selected tire matches the wheel as well as the sidewall size marking.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
A period-style choice for a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet begins with using the correct primary size for the wheel on the car: 175/70R13 for 13-inch rims or 185/60R14 for 14-inch rims. Because this model year uses radial construction, staying with a radial tire keeps the overall fitment approach aligned with the car’s original-era tire type.
Appearance then comes down to how the complete wheel-and-tire package presents on the car. The available products use blackwall styling, which gives a restrained late-1980s look. For buyers chasing exact restoration accuracy beyond size and construction, original vehicle literature, marque resources, and surviving reference cars can help confirm how a specific Cabriolet was equipped.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet restoration because tire size strongly affects the car’s stance, wheel appearance, and overall visual balance. On this model year, the main fitment distinction is between 175/70R13 and 185/60R14, both of which are radial sizes tied to different wheel diameters.
Using the wrong diameter tire for the wheel is an obvious mismatch, but even a broadly similar-looking substitute can change how the car sits and how the wheel opening is filled. Restoration-minded buyers usually get the best result by verifying the actual wheel setup first, then selecting a tire that supports the intended look of the finished car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet even when the tire size itself appears correct. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, and altered ride height can all influence how a 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 tire sits on the car. Clearance at the fender, strut, and steering range can change with those updates.
That is why a modified Cabriolet should be checked as an actual wheel-and-tire package, not just by model year and trim. Wheel diameter still has to match the tire size, but width and overall positioning matter too. A careful inspection at full steering lock and under suspension compression is worthwhile before putting the car into regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and make sure the tires seat and inflate properly. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic tire-to-body clearance. On an older car, these surrounding components deserve as much attention as the tires.
A short initial drive should be followed by another look at pressure, wheel fastener tightness, and any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. Steering feel can also reveal whether the car has an unexpected wheel or suspension issue. Catching those problems early helps protect both the new tires and the overall drivability of the Cabriolet.
How should 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1987 Volkswagen Cabriolet should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic attention to tread wear and sidewall condition. Because many Cabriolets are seasonal or occasional-use cars now, age-related deterioration can become a bigger issue than tread depth alone. Cracking, bulges, cuts, or recurring air loss all deserve prompt attention.
Storage conditions matter too, especially for a collector car that spends long periods parked. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition. It also helps to inspect the tires before any longer drive, since a car that looks fine at rest can still reveal age or pressure issues once road use resumes.
