The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron sits squarely in Chrysler’s late-1980s front-wheel-drive era, when personal luxury coupes, convertibles, and sport-oriented trims blended everyday drivability with distinct styling. Tire choice on this model is more configuration-specific than many buyers expect, because the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron uses three different primary radial sizes: 195/70R14, 205/60R15, and 205/55R16. That makes wheel diameter and sub-model identification the first steps before comparing tires. From blackwall touring-style choices to wide whitewall and raised white letter options in certain sizes, the right selection depends on whether the goal is stock-type road use, a restoration-minded appearance, or a changed wheel setup that needs careful verification.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron uses three primary tire sizes, and they do not all apply across every version of the car. Fitment varies by sub-model and wheel diameter, so the first thing to confirm is whether the car is equipped with 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheels. Once that is clear, the decision shifts to selecting the right radial tire style, series, and sidewall treatment within the correct size.
195/70R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, this size serves the radial fitment for certain sub-models equipped with 14-inch wheels. Available choices in this size are centered on a blackwall presentation, including the Dunlop Sport Classic series. It is the size to evaluate when the car retains its smaller-diameter wheel setup and the goal is to keep the intended overall proportions without stepping into a different rim diameter.
Fit(s): Base, GT, GTS, High Line, and Premium w/Performance Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
205/60R15 is a metric radial with a wider 205-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, and a 15-inch rim. This is one of the key 1989 Chrysler LeBaron fitments and appears across several sub-models that use 15-inch wheels. Product choice is broader here, with Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich offerings, plus blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewall styles. It is the size to focus on when matching a 15-inch LeBaron setup and comparing whether the car calls for a more traditional appearance or a more contemporary presentation.
205/55R16 is a metric radial that keeps the 205-millimeter nominal width but uses a lower 55-series profile on a 16-inch rim. On the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, this size belongs to the configurations equipped with 16-inch wheels rather than the more common 14-inch or 15-inch setups. Available tires include several BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall options, along with an American Classic wide whitewall alternative. This size matters most when the car is a 16-inch-wheel sub-model or when a wheel change has already been made and tire selection needs to follow the actual rim diameter.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron because tire size changes with the wheel package rather than staying uniform across the line. Confirming the exact sub-model and the actual rim diameter on the car prevents ordering a 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch tire for the wrong setup.
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1989 Chrysler LeBaron Base
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Base can use either a 195/70R14 radial or a 205/60R15 radial, depending on the wheel setup on the car. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before comparing blackwall, whitewall, or raised white letter choices.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron GT uses the 205/60R15 radial fitment on a 15-inch wheel. Tire selection here is more about choosing among the available series and sidewall treatments than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron GTC uses the 205/55R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. Choosing a tire for this sub-model starts with preserving that rim diameter and then deciding between blackwall performance-oriented offerings or a whitewall presentation.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron GTS uses the 205/60R15 radial fitment. That keeps the focus on comparing the available 15-inch tire options by appearance, series, and rim-width compatibility rather than questioning the basic size.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron High Line can use either 195/70R14 or 205/60R15, so it does not have a single universal tire size. The practical next step is to confirm which wheel diameter is actually on the car before narrowing down tire style and construction details.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Premium uses the 195/70R14 radial size. That makes selection relatively straightforward, with the main question shifting to whether the available blackwall option suits the car’s intended appearance and road use.
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Premium w/Performance Pkg. uses the 205/60R15 radial size. Tire choice then comes down to comparing the available 15-inch options by sidewall style, brand, and overall character while keeping the correct rim diameter.
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 Chrysler LeBaron Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tires vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall style. Depending on the wheel package, choices include Dunlop, Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich options, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter treatments appearing in the 15-inch and 16-inch fitments.
Common 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tire questions usually come down to exact size by sub-model, wheel diameter, available sidewall styles, and how to choose among the radial options for stock-type use, restoration-minded appearance, or a modified setup.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron?
The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron uses three primary radial tire sizes: 195/70R14, 205/60R15, and 205/55R16. The correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel package. Premium models use 195/70R14, several trims including GT and GTS use 205/60R15, and the GTC uses 205/55R16.
Some LeBaron versions, including Base and High Line, can use more than one size depending on wheel diameter. That means the safest first check is the actual rim size on the car, not just the model name on the title. A 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch wheel requires its matching tire size.
What size rim does a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron use?
A 1989 Chrysler LeBaron can use 14-inch, 15-inch, or 16-inch rims, depending on the sub-model and wheel setup. The 195/70R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim, 205/60R15 uses a 15-inch rim, and 205/55R16 uses a 16-inch rim.
Rim diameter is the first fitment detail to confirm because these tire sizes are not interchangeable across different wheel diameters. Base and High Line models deserve an extra look since they can appear with either 14-inch or 15-inch fitment. Checking the wheel itself avoids choosing the right tire size for the wrong rim.
Do all 1989 Chrysler LeBaron sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1989 Chrysler LeBaron sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The line is split among 195/70R14, 205/60R15, and 205/55R16 radial fitments. GT, GTS, and Premium w/Performance Pkg. use 205/60R15, GTC uses 205/55R16, and Premium uses 195/70R14.
Base and High Line versions are the ones most likely to create confusion because they can use either 195/70R14 or 205/60R15. For those cars, identifying the exact wheel setup matters more than assuming one size covers every LeBaron. Once the size is confirmed, comparing available tire styles becomes much easier.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 195/70R14, 205/60R15, or 205/55R16. After that, compare the tire’s construction, sidewall style, rim-width suitability where stated, and the overall character of the available series. On this LeBaron, every primary fitment is radial, so the main choice is not construction type but the right specification within the correct size.
Appearance and intended use matter next. A blackwall tire keeps a more understated modern look, while wide whitewall or raised white letter options can change the car’s visual personality. Buyers should also check whether the car still has its original wheel diameter, since later wheel changes can make the right tire for the model wrong for the vehicle in front of them.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter depending on tire size. The 195/70R14 offering is blackwall, while 205/60R15 adds wide whitewall and RWL choices. The 205/55R16 size includes blackwall options and a wide whitewall alternative.
That means sidewall selection is tied to the correct fitment, not just personal preference. A buyer looking for a restoration-minded whitewall presentation will have more flexibility in the 15-inch and 16-inch sizes than in the 14-inch size. It also helps to view sidewall style as an appearance decision first, then confirm that the tire still matches the LeBaron’s wheel and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron?
Available brands for 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tire fitments include Dunlop, Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich. Brand choice varies by size, with the broadest spread appearing in 205/60R15 and multiple BFGoodrich and Michelin options appearing in 205/55R16.
The practical value in comparing brands here is not ranking one above another, but understanding how each one aligns with the tire’s presentation and series character. Some choices lean toward blackwall road use, while others bring in whitewall or raised white letter styling. Matching the right brand starts with matching the correct size, then narrowing by appearance and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Chrysler LeBaron?
A period-style 1989 Chrysler LeBaron tire starts with the correct primary size for the car’s sub-model and wheel diameter. After size is settled, the most appearance-driven choices are in 205/60R15 and 205/55R16, where wide whitewall options are available alongside blackwall and, in 205/60R15, a raised white letter treatment.
The best visual match depends on how the car is being presented. A more restrained late-1980s look may point toward blackwall, while a whitewall can create a more formal restoration-oriented presentation. Exact originality is a separate question, so owners pursuing a highly precise restoration should compare the tire choice against marque references and the car’s specific equipment history.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Chrysler LeBaron?
On the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, the primary fitments are already radial, so construction choice is less about switching between bias-ply and radial than it is about how the finished tire looks on the car. The visible difference comes more from sidewall treatment and overall tire profile within the correct size than from a construction change.
That makes details like blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styling especially important on a restoration-minded LeBaron. A tire can support a traditional or more contemporary presentation without changing the correct fitment category. The cleanest result usually comes from choosing a sidewall style that suits the car’s trim level, wheels, and intended visual character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron. The factory fitments already span 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch wheel diameters, so aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations can move the car away from its original tire setup. That changes which size should even be considered first.
A LeBaron with replacement wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before selecting tires by model name alone. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the car’s ride height also matter once changes have been made. The goal is to match the tire to the vehicle’s current configuration, not assume the original catalog size still applies.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter, visible damage, and proper bead-seat condition. The tires themselves should be checked for correct inflation, even seating, and any obvious shipping or mounting issues. A quick look at valve stems and lug hardware is also worthwhile.
Roadworthiness depends on more than fresh rubber. The car should also be checked for alignment-related wear patterns, suspension looseness, and enough clearance during full steering travel. On a collector-era car that may sit for long periods, it helps to recheck pressure after the first few drives and keep an eye on any early signs of rubbing or uneven wear.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Chrysler LeBaron be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Chrysler LeBaron should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic movement of the car so the same part of the tread is not loaded continuously. Even low-mileage tires deserve close attention for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a hobby vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. It is also smart to inspect the spare, if present, and to review the tires before any longer trip rather than assuming a lightly used set is road-ready.
