The 1987 Volkswagen Golf sits in the sweet spot of the hot hatch and compact-car era, when Volkswagen gave the familiar Golf platform a wide spread of personalities ranging from everyday transportation to sharper GTI performance. Tire fitment on this model is not one-size-fits-all, because the GL, GT, GTI, and GTI 16-Valve use different radial sizes on 13-inch and 14-inch rims. That makes the first decision a fitment decision rather than a brand decision. Once the correct size is confirmed, the remaining choice centers on the available radial tire offering and how it suits a stock driver, a well-kept survivor, or a period-minded enthusiast car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Volkswagen Golf
The 1987 Volkswagen Golf uses three primary tire sizes, and they vary by sub-model as well as rim diameter. Before choosing a tire, identify whether the car is a GL, GT, GTI, or GTI 16-Valve, then confirm whether it is on the correct 13-inch or 14-inch wheel, since that determines which radial size belongs on the car.
A 175/70R13 uses a 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Volkswagen Golf, this size is used on the GL and reflects the smaller-wheel fitment within the lineup. Available product coverage in this size includes a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ radial, giving the buyer a clear modern radial option without moving away from the original sizing format. This size should be chosen only after confirming the car still has the correct 13-inch wheel package.
A 185/60R14 measures 185 millimeters in section width, uses a 60-series profile, and fits a 14-inch rim with radial construction. This is the primary size for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf GT and GTI, so it covers the middle performance-oriented fitment in the range. The available product in this size is a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, which gives the buyer a straightforward radial choice in the proper sizing format. It is the right direction for owners who have confirmed a 14-inch wheel and want to stay with the intended GT or GTI tire size.
A 205/55R14 combines a 205-millimeter section width with a lower 55-series profile on a 14-inch radial tire. On the 1987 Volkswagen Golf, this size belongs to the GTI 16-Valve and represents the widest primary fitment used across the covered sub-models. Even though it shares the same rim diameter as 185/60R14, it is a distinct size and should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the actual wheel and vehicle setup. This size matters most to buyers preserving the GTI 16-Valve's specific stance and handling balance.
Tire fitment for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf changes with the sub-model, so identifying the exact trim is essential before selecting a tire. The biggest distinction is whether the car uses the GL's 13-inch setup or one of the 14-inch performance-oriented fitments used on the GT, GTI, and GTI 16-Valve.
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1987 Volkswagen Golf GL
The 1987 Volkswagen Golf GL uses the 175/70R13 radial size, which is the smaller-wheel fitment in this model range. Tire selection starts with confirming the car still has its 13-inch wheels, then choosing a radial that suits stock driving character and the overall presentation of the car.
The 1987 Volkswagen Golf GT uses the 185/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important on cars that may have seen later wheel swaps, and it keeps the tire search focused on the correct lower-profile 14-inch fitment.
The 1987 Volkswagen Golf GTI also uses the 185/60R14 radial size, sharing its primary fitment with the GT. Once that size is confirmed, the practical decision becomes choosing a tire that matches the car's intended road use and preserves the look of the 14-inch GTI setup.
The 1987 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16-Valve uses 205/55R14, a different 14-inch fitment from the standard GTI and GT. That means the buyer should verify both the exact sub-model and the actual wheel width before comparing tire choices or considering any change from the original size.
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 Golf Tires for Sale
Available products for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf focus on radial fitments, with Avon covering 175/70R13 and Michelin covering 185/60R14. The current choices are blackwall tires, and they differ by tire series as well as rim-width compatibility within their respective sizes.
The most common 1987 Volkswagen Golf tire questions center on identifying the correct sub-model size, confirming 13-inch versus 14-inch wheels, and choosing the right radial tire for stock fitment, appearance, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Volkswagen Golf?
A 1987 Volkswagen Golf can use 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14, depending on the sub-model. The GL uses 175/70R13, the GT uses 185/60R14, the GTI uses 185/60R14, and the GTI 16-Valve uses 205/55R14. All of these are radial tire fitments.
The key is matching the tire to the exact version of the car rather than treating every 1987 Golf the same. Start by confirming the sub-model and then checking the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if it has been modified over the years or fitted with later Volkswagen wheels.
What size rim does a 1987 Volkswagen Golf use?
A 1987 Volkswagen Golf uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The GL uses a 13-inch rim with 175/70R13, while the GT, GTI, and GTI 16-Valve use 14-inch rims with either 185/60R14 or 205/55R14.
Rim diameter is the first fitment checkpoint because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel, and vice versa. On a car that has changed hands several times, the safest approach is to read the wheel size directly and compare it to the intended sub-model fitment before choosing tires.
Do all 1987 Volkswagen Golf sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1987 Volkswagen Golf does not use one shared tire size across all sub-models. The GL uses 175/70R13, the GT and GTI use 185/60R14, and the GTI 16-Valve uses 205/55R14. The fitment split involves both tire size and wheel diameter.
That difference matters because two tires can share a 14-inch rim diameter and still be separate fitments. A GTI 16-Valve owner should not assume the same tire used on a standard GTI is appropriate, and a GL owner should verify that the car still has the proper 13-inch wheel package.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Volkswagen Golf?
Begin with the correct sub-model size, because the 1987 Volkswagen Golf uses three different radial fitments. After that, compare the wheel diameter, the tire's rim-width compatibility, and how the tire's overall character suits the car, whether it is a stock GL, a GT, a GTI, or a GTI 16-Valve.
Appearance and use both matter once fitment is settled. A blackwall radial may suit a clean original-style presentation, while series differences can matter to buyers who want a more sporting feel in keeping with a GT or GTI. Any car with altered wheels or suspension should be checked carefully before final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Volkswagen Golf tires?
The available products for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf are blackwall radials. That applies to the Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 and the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in 185/60R14, so the visible sidewall presentation remains simple and understated within the current offerings.
For many 1980s European cars, a blackwall tire fits the clean, functional look buyers often want. The more important distinction on this Golf is getting the correct size and wheel diameter first, then choosing the tire whose series and intended use line up with how the car will actually be driven.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf?
Current product coverage for the 1987 Volkswagen Golf includes Avon and Michelin, depending on the tire size. Avon covers the 175/70R13 fitment used on the GL, while Michelin covers the 185/60R14 fitment used on the GT and GTI.
Brand choice should come after fitment confirmation, not before it. The useful comparison is whether the available tire in the correct size matches the wheel width on the car, the way the car is driven, and the kind of appearance the owner wants to maintain on an original or lightly modified Golf.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Volkswagen Golf?
A period-style 1987 Volkswagen Golf starts with the correct original-size format for the exact sub-model: 175/70R13 for the GL, 185/60R14 for the GT and GTI, or 205/55R14 for the GTI 16-Valve. Staying with the proper size and wheel diameter does more for the car's visual authenticity than chasing an incorrect but similar-looking tire.
The available products are blackwall radials, which suit the understated late-1980s European look well. For a more exact restoration standard, tire choice should also be checked against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references, especially if the goal is to match a particular market presentation or showroom-era appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Volkswagen Golf restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Volkswagen Golf restoration because the model range did not use one universal size. The GL, GT, GTI, and GTI 16-Valve each have their own fitment pattern, and the visual balance of the car changes noticeably when the wrong size or wrong wheel diameter is used.
Proper fitment affects more than appearance. It also influences stance, wheel-to-fender proportion, and whether the restored car reads as true to its intended configuration. On a Golf with replacement wheels, the restoration decision should begin with confirming what sub-model is being represented before selecting the final tire size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Golf?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Golf. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and brake or hub conversions can all change the space available for the original tire size, even when the car still looks close to stock from the outside.
A Golf that has been altered should be checked for actual wheel diameter, width, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension travel. That is especially important when comparing 14-inch GT or GTI fitments, because a tire that matches the sub-model on paper may still need closer verification on a modified car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Golf on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Golf on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the car's sub-model, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also smart to check alignment, valve stems, and whether the wheels turn freely without rubbing.
A short road test should follow, with attention to vibration, pull, and any contact at the fender or suspension. Older Golfs can have worn bushings, tired dampers, or prior modifications that affect how a fresh set of tires behaves, so the tire installation should be treated as part of a broader roadworthiness check.
How often should tires on a 1987 Volkswagen Golf be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Volkswagen Golf should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Check tread wear, air pressure, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues.
Collector-era cars often age their tires by time as much as by mileage, so visual inspection matters even when the tread looks usable. A Golf that sits for long periods should also be checked before every meaningful drive, since low pressure and age-related deterioration can appear long before the tire looks worn out.
