The 1989 Buick Regal sat at the tail end of Buick’s rear-wheel-drive midsize era, giving buyers a familiar G-body platform with trim-dependent personality ranging from comfortable street cruiser to more appearance-focused Gran Sport. Tire fitment on the 1989 Buick Regal is not one-size-fits-all, with radial sizes 205/70R14, 205/70R15, and 215/60R16 depending on sub-model and wheel package. That creates meaningful choice not only in wheel diameter, but also in sidewall presentation, tire series, and period-flavored options such as whitewalls, redlines, raised white letters, and blackwalls. The right selection starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel size, then matching the tire’s look and construction to the way the car is being restored, shown, or driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Buick Regal
The 1989 Buick Regal uses three radial tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Custom and Limited models can use either 205/70R14 or 205/70R15, while the Gran Sport uses 215/60R16. Before choosing a tire, confirm the Regal’s actual wheel size first, especially if the car has been updated with different factory-style wheels or later aftermarket replacements.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size that identifies a 205-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Buick Regal, this size suits models equipped with 14-inch wheels and keeps the selection rooted in modern radial construction rather than older bias-ply sizing. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles from brands such as Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across series including Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, and XWX. It is a strong fitment to evaluate when preserving a stock wheel diameter while tailoring the car’s appearance toward touring, sport, or restoration-style presentation.
205/70R15 uses the same 205-millimeter width and 70-series profile concept as the 14-inch version, but it is built for a 15-inch rim. For a 1989 Buick Regal running 15-inch wheels, this size opens the broadest range of product choices, all in radial construction, including traditional whitewalls, blackwalls, and specialty styling cues. Brands in this size include Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, American Classic, Coker Classic, Dunlop, Tornel, and Travelstar, with series ranging from touring-style whitewall lines to XWX, CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, and bias-look radial offerings. This size deserves a close look when wheel diameter is confirmed and the goal is to balance period flavor, sidewall appearance, and product variety.
215/60R16 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Buick Regal, this size is tied to the Gran Sport configuration, so it should be selected only after confirming that sub-model and its wheel setup. The lower-profile format gives this Regal fitment a different character than the 70-series tires used on other trims, making wheel and tire identification especially important before replacement. It is the right size to evaluate when maintaining the Gran Sport’s intended 16-inch wheel package rather than converting the car to one of the 14-inch or 15-inch Regal fitments.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Buick Regal because tire size changes with trim and wheel package. Custom and Limited models share the 205/70-series fitments on either 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, while the Gran Sport moves to a 16-inch radial size.
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1989 Buick Regal Custom
The 1989 Buick Regal Custom uses 205/70R14 or 205/70R15 radial tires, depending on the wheel diameter installed on the car. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the Custom has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best match the car’s intended appearance and use.
The 1989 Buick Regal Gran Sport uses the 215/60R16 radial size, setting it apart from the other Regal trims. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since the Gran Sport’s 16-inch fitment should be matched carefully rather than assumed to interchange with the 14-inch or 15-inch setups used elsewhere in the lineup.
The 1989 Buick Regal Limited uses 205/70R14 or 205/70R15 radial tires, with the correct choice determined by the wheel diameter on the car. Once the wheel size is confirmed, the decision shifts toward tire appearance, including whitewall, blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styles where available.
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 1989 Buick Regal Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Buick Regal tires vary widely by wheel diameter, brand, tire series, and sidewall style. Depending on size, choices include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Avon, American Classic, Coker Classic, Dunlop, Tornel, and Travelstar in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and RWL configurations.
These 1989 Buick Regal tire FAQs focus on the issues that matter most at this level: identifying the right size by sub-model and wheel diameter, comparing radial options, choosing among sidewall styles and brands, and checking fitment before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Buick Regal?
A 1989 Buick Regal can use 205/70R14, 205/70R15, or 215/60R16, depending on the sub-model and wheel diameter. Custom and Limited models use the 205/70-series sizes on either 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, while the Gran Sport uses 215/60R16 on a 16-inch rim.
The key is to match the tire to the wheel diameter actually on the car, not just the model name on the decklid. Many Regals have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the existing rim size before ordering tires helps avoid choosing a correct Regal size that is wrong for that specific car.
What size rim does a 1989 Buick Regal use?
The 1989 Buick Regal appears with 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch rim diameters, depending on sub-model and wheel package. The two 205/70 sizes belong to 14-inch and 15-inch rims, while the 215/60R16 size belongs to a 16-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm because none of these tire sizes cross over between wheel diameters. A 205/70R14 cannot mount on a 15-inch wheel, and a 215/60R16 is tied to the Gran Sport’s 16-inch setup, so measuring the wheel or reading the existing tire sidewall is the safest starting point.
Do all 1989 Buick Regal sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1989 Buick Regal sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Custom and Limited models use either 205/70R14 or 205/70R15, while the Gran Sport uses 215/60R16.
That difference matters because the Regal’s trims are tied to different wheel diameters and tire profiles. Anyone replacing tires should identify the exact sub-model and then confirm the actual wheel on the car, especially if the vehicle has been restored, updated, or fitted with wheels from another Regal or GM application.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Buick Regal tire?
Start with the correct size for the car’s sub-model and wheel diameter, then compare construction, sidewall style, and the tire’s overall character. On a 1989 Buick Regal, all primary fitments are radial, but the available choices still vary a great deal in appearance and intended presentation.
A Custom or Limited with 14-inch or 15-inch wheels may call for a different visual approach than a Gran Sport on 16-inch wheels. Once size is confirmed, compare the available rim-width specifications, load figures where shown, and sidewall treatments so the tire suits both the wheel and the way the Regal is being restored or driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Buick Regal tires?
1989 Buick Regal tires are available in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and RWL. The exact mix depends on the tire size, with the broadest styling variety appearing in the 205/70R14 and 205/70R15 fitments.
That makes sidewall choice an important part of the buying decision, especially for a Regal that is being restored to a certain period look or personalized for show use. Whitewalls create a more formal presentation, while redlines and raised white letters lean sportier, so appearance should be considered alongside wheel diameter and fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Buick Regal?
Brands available for 1989 Buick Regal tire sizes include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Avon, American Classic, Coker Classic, Dunlop, Tornel, and Travelstar. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with the 205/70R15 fitment offering the widest spread of choices across different tire series and sidewall styles.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to narrow the field by correct size first, then compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, construction style, and intended visual character so the finished setup fits both the Regal’s wheel package and the owner’s goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Buick Regal?
A period-style 1989 Buick Regal tire starts with the correct radial size for the car’s actual trim and wheel diameter, then moves to the right visual treatment. For Custom and Limited models, 205/70R14 and 205/70R15 offer the broadest restoration-oriented choices, including whitewalls, blackwalls, redlines, dual-redlines, and RWL styles.
The best appearance depends on how the Regal is being presented rather than a one-answer rule for every car. A more formal build may lean toward whitewalls, while a sportier street look may favor blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling, and exact originality should be checked against Buick-specific historical references when that matters.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Buick Regal?
Construction matters visually even on a car like the 1989 Buick Regal, where the primary fitments are radial tires. Tread pattern, sidewall shape, and sidewall treatment all influence whether the finished car looks more formal, more performance-oriented, or more in line with late-1980s touring and sport styling.
That is why the tire should be chosen as part of the car’s full presentation, not just by size. On 205/70R15 in particular, the available range includes whitewalls, blackwalls, and even a bias-look radial, giving Regal owners room to fine-tune the look while still staying within an appropriate radial fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Buick Regal?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Buick Regal even when the tire size is correct for the model line. Aftermarket wheels, altered offset, suspension changes, lowering, or brake upgrades can change the space available around the tire and alter which size works cleanly on the car.
That is especially important on a Regal with swapped wheels, since this year uses 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch rim diameters across different trims. Any car that has been modified should have wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and space around the fender and suspension checked before committing to a replacement tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Buick Regal on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Buick Regal on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and basic suspension health along with the tires themselves. The tires should be inflated properly, seated correctly on the rims, and checked for adequate clearance around the fenders, steering components, and chassis.
A roadworthy setup also depends on the rest of the car. Older Regals can have worn shocks, sagging springs, alignment issues, or brake components that affect how a fresh set of tires behaves, so a short shakedown drive and a follow-up inspection are smart before settling into regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Buick Regal be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Buick Regal should be checked regularly for pressure loss, uneven wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age-related hardening. Even a lightly driven Regal needs routine inspection because stored vehicles often accumulate tire issues from time, environment, and long periods of sitting.
Good maintenance also includes keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, and moving it often enough to avoid long-term flat spotting. A Regal that is driven only occasionally still benefits from pressure checks before each outing and a close look at tread and sidewalls before any longer trip.
