The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron sits squarely in Chrysler’s late-1980s front-wheel-drive lineup, a period when the name covered everything from practical sedans to stylish coupes and convertibles. That broad model range makes tire selection more configuration-specific than the badge alone suggests. Depending on sub-model, a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron uses 185/70R14, 195/70R14, or 205/60R15 radial tires, so the first step is confirming both the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Available choices also vary by brand, sidewall treatment, and tire series, from blackwall touring-style radials to wide whitewall and raised white letter options. That makes it important to balance appearance, wheel compatibility, and how the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, and they are tied to different sub-models and wheel diameters. Two sizes use a 14-inch rim and one uses a 15-inch rim, so confirming the exact sub-model and checking the actual wheel diameter on the car should come before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
195/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, this is one of the primary modern radial fitments and suits cars using a 14-inch wheel. In this size, the available product choice centers on a blackwall Dunlop Sport Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car already carries 14-inch wheels and you want to stay with the correct metric radial format for that setup.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, this size belongs to configurations using a 15-inch wheel and gives a distinctly different fitment path than the 14-inch sizes. Product selection is broader here, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options from Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich. This size deserves close attention if the car is equipped with 15-inch wheels and appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter. On the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, this size applies to certain 14-inch-wheel configurations and should not be confused with the wider 195/70R14 simply because both share the same rim diameter. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across several classic-oriented series. It is the right size to consider when preserving the intended 14-inch fitment for the sub-model that uses it.
Tire fitment varies across the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron range, so the exact sub-model matters before any tire is selected. Some versions share more than one possible size, while others use only a single 14-inch fitment, making wheel confirmation especially important on cars that may have been changed over time.
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1988 Chrysler LeBaron Coupe & Convertible
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron Coupe & Convertible uses either a 195/70R14 radial or a 205/60R15 radial, depending on wheel setup. That means tire selection starts with confirming whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch rims before comparing available blackwall, whitewall, or raised white letter options.
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron GTS has the widest fitment spread, with 185/70R14, 195/70R14, and 205/60R15 radial sizes associated with it. Choosing correctly depends on identifying the exact wheel diameter already on the car and then narrowing the decision to the tire style and series that best match its intended use.
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron Premium uses either 195/70R14 or 205/60R15 radial tires. The practical difference is straightforward: confirm whether the car is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then compare the available product styles within that size rather than assuming every Premium uses the same tire.
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron Sedan uses 185/70R14 radial tires. With only one primary size attached to the Sedan, the real choice becomes which brand, sidewall treatment, and classic-oriented series best suit the car’s appearance goals and road use.
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 1988 Chrysler LeBaron Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Chrysler LeBaron tires span Dunlop, Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter choices depending on size. The biggest product variety appears in 205/60R15 and 185/70R14, where series, sidewall style, and rim-width specifications become meaningful comparison points.
These FAQs for the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron focus on exact tire size selection, rim diameter, sub-model differences, product-style choices, and the maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
A 1988 Chrysler LeBaron can use 185/70R14, 195/70R14, or 205/60R15 radial tires, depending on the sub-model and wheel setup. The Sedan uses 185/70R14, while Coupe & Convertible and Premium versions can use 195/70R14 or 205/60R15. The GTS is associated with all three sizes.
That means the badge alone is not enough to choose a tire. The most practical first step is to confirm the exact sub-model and then check whether the car has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels. On older cars, wheel changes are common, so the tire should match the actual wheel diameter and the intended fitment rather than assumptions based on model name alone.
What size rim does a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron use?
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. Both 185/70R14 and 195/70R14 are 14-inch fitments, while 205/60R15 is a 15-inch fitment. All of the primary sizes for this car are radial constructions.
Wheel diameter should be verified before ordering tires, especially on collector or used vehicles that may have received replacement wheels over the years. A 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch wheel, and the reverse is equally true. After confirming diameter, it also helps to compare wheel width against the tire’s rim-width specifications where those product details are available.
Why does the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron have more than one tire size?
The 1988 Chrysler LeBaron name covered several distinct sub-models, including Coupe & Convertible, GTS, Premium, and Sedan, and those configurations did not all share the same wheel and tire package. That is why 185/70R14, 195/70R14, and 205/60R15 all appear within the same model year.
Multiple sizes do not mean they are all interchangeable on every LeBaron. The useful takeaway is to identify the exact version of the car and inspect the wheels currently installed. Once that is settled, selection becomes much simpler, because the decision shifts from broad fitment uncertainty to choosing the right brand, sidewall style, and tire series within the proper size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 185/70R14, 195/70R14, or 205/60R15. From there, the most important comparison points are wheel diameter, available rim-width specifications, sidewall style, brand, and whether the tire’s look suits a sedan, coupe, convertible, or GTS presentation.
A practical choice depends on how the LeBaron is used and how you want it to appear. A blackwall tire gives a more understated modern look, while wide whitewall or raised white letter options create a more distinct period-style presentation in sizes where those styles are available. On a car that sees regular road miles, condition and wheel compatibility matter at least as much as appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Chrysler LeBaron tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter, depending on size. Blackwall options appear in 195/70R14, 205/60R15, and 185/70R14. Wide whitewall is available in 205/60R15 and 185/70R14, while raised white letter appears in 205/60R15.
That variety makes sidewall style one of the biggest appearance decisions on this car. A whitewall can give the LeBaron a more formal restoration-oriented look, while raised white letters lean toward a more assertive late-classic performance style. The key is to narrow the tire size first, since not every sidewall treatment is offered across every LeBaron fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
Tires for the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron are available from Dunlop, Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the size: 195/70R14 has a narrower selection, while 205/60R15 and 185/70R14 have broader product coverage across multiple series and sidewall styles.
Brand choice should be filtered through the correct size and the look you want on the car. A buyer choosing 205/60R15 can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter offerings, while someone using 185/70R14 can compare several blackwall classic-series radials and a wide whitewall option. It helps to compare rim-width specs and load figures where those details are published.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
A period-style 1988 Chrysler LeBaron starts with using the correct primary size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then choosing a tire whose sidewall treatment matches the look you want. Depending on size, that may mean a blackwall, a wide whitewall, or a raised white letter radial.
Because the LeBaron range covered several body and trim configurations, appearance goals can differ quite a bit from one car to another. A formal sedan may suit a whitewall presentation, while a coupe, convertible, or GTS may look more natural on blackwall or raised white letter tires. When strict originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-specific historical references before deciding.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
For the 1988 Chrysler LeBaron, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction itself already aligns with the era of the car. The visible appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the size selected, the sidewall style, and the specific tire series available in that size.
That makes presentation a matter of proportion and sidewall treatment rather than a construction conversion decision. A 205/60R15 with raised white letters creates a different visual effect than a 205/60R15 wide whitewall, even though both are radials. On a restoration-minded car, choosing the correct size first helps preserve the intended stance before fine-tuning the cosmetic details.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, spring replacement, or body alterations can change the wheel width, offset, and available clearance around the tire. Those changes matter even when the tire size appears close to one of the original LeBaron fitments.
A modified car should be checked at the wheel and at the vehicle, not just by size code. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and actual rim dimensions deserve attention before mounting new tires. On a LeBaron that no longer has its original wheel setup, matching the tire to the current hardware is usually more important than relying on the stock fitment range alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and suitable width, then confirm that each tire is seated properly and inflated appropriately for its application. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components.
A short initial drive should be followed by another quick inspection. Watch for rubbing, uneven stance, vibration, or signs that the tires are too close to suspension or body parts. On older cars, worn bushings, alignment issues, or bent wheels can show up only after fresh tires are installed, so an early recheck is a smart part of putting the car back into service.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Chrysler LeBaron be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Chrysler LeBaron should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of long-term aging. Even on a low-mileage car, tires can deteriorate from time, storage conditions, and extended periods of sitting without showing major tread wear.
Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and serviceability. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can slow visible aging, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce flat spotting. Before any longer drive, inspect the tires closely and confirm that the condition of the rubber still matches the way the LeBaron will be used.
