The 1989 Ford Mustang sits at an interesting point in Fox-body history, when the Mustang had become both an everyday performance coupe and a platform that owners continue to restore, modify, and preserve. Tire fitment on this year depends on the exact model, with the GT using 225/60R15 radials and the LX using 195/75R14 radials. That split means the first step is confirming whether the car is a GT or LX, then matching the wheel diameter before comparing tire choices. Available options range from traditional blackwalls to whitewalls, redlines, and raised white letter styles. For a clean street driver or a more appearance-focused car, the right choice comes down to fitment, presentation, and how original or personalized the Mustang needs to look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ford Mustang
The 1989 Ford Mustang uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the sub-model and wheel diameter. GT models use a 15-inch radial fitment, while LX models use a 14-inch radial fitment, so identifying the exact model and confirming the wheel size are the first steps before comparing sidewall style, tire series, and brand options.
225/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ford Mustang, this size is the 15-inch radial fitment used on GT models. Available choices include Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and Avon products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations across series such as Eagle Gatorback, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and CR6ZZ. It is the right size to evaluate when the car is a GT and the goal is matching the proper 15-inch setup with the appearance and character that suits the build.
195/75R14 is a metric radial size where 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ford Mustang, this size is the 14-inch radial fitment used on LX models. Product choices lean toward a more traditional presentation, with Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar offerings in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles across several classic radial series. It is the size to focus on when the car retains its 14-inch LX wheel setup and the priority is preserving proper fitment while choosing the sidewall treatment that best matches the car.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1989 Ford Mustang because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or rim diameter. Confirming whether the car is a GT or LX is the key first step before choosing a tire, since each uses its own radial fitment.
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1989 Ford Mustang GT
The 1989 Ford Mustang GT uses a 225/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel. That opens the door to several product personalities, from blackwall performance-oriented styles to redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options, depending on whether the car is being kept sporty, restored with a period-style look, or customized.
The 1989 Ford Mustang LX uses a 195/75R14 radial tire on a 14-inch wheel. Tire selection here centers on maintaining the correct 14-inch fitment and choosing among classic-style whitewall presentations that can shift the car toward a cleaner stock-style appearance or a more personalized look.
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 Ford Mustang Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ford Mustang tire choices vary by sub-model, with 225/60R15 options from Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and Avon and 195/75R14 options from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar. Across both sizes, buyers can compare radial tire series, sidewall styles, and rim-width specifications where stated.
These 1989 Ford Mustang tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most once the exact model is known, including tire size, wheel diameter, brand and sidewall choices, restoration appearance, and the checks to make before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ford Mustang?
A 1989 Ford Mustang uses one of two radial tire sizes, depending on the sub-model. The Mustang GT uses 225/60R15, while the Mustang LX uses 195/75R14. Those are different sizes on different rim diameters, so they are not the same fitment decision dressed in two formats.
The practical first step is identifying whether the car is a GT or LX and then confirming the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle. Many Fox-body Mustangs have been changed over the years, so an owner should check the wheels on the car before choosing between 14-inch and 15-inch tires.
What size rim does a 1989 Ford Mustang use?
The 1989 Ford Mustang uses either a 15-inch rim or a 14-inch rim, depending on the model. GT applications use the 225/60R15 size on a 15-inch wheel, while LX applications use the 195/75R14 size on a 14-inch wheel.
That wheel-diameter difference is important because a 14-inch tire and a 15-inch tire do not interchange simply by being close in overall height. Before selecting a tire, measure the wheel or read the wheel marking so the tire matches the actual rim diameter and intended model configuration.
Do all 1989 Ford Mustang sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the covered 1989 Ford Mustang sub-models do not use the same tire size. The GT uses 225/60R15 radial tires, and the LX uses 195/75R14 radial tires, so fitment changes with the specific model rather than staying uniform across the lineup.
That difference affects more than the size stamp on the sidewall. It also changes the wheel diameter, the style of tire options available, and the type of appearance the car will have once the tires are installed, so the sub-model should be confirmed before comparing brands or sidewall treatments.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1989 Ford Mustang?
Start with the correct sub-model fitment, since the 1989 Ford Mustang GT uses 225/60R15 and the LX uses 195/75R14. From there, the choice comes down to radial tire series, sidewall style, brand, and whether the car is being kept closer to a stock-style look or given a more personalized appearance.
Wheel diameter should be verified first, then compare product details that matter to your setup, such as rim-width range where stated, sidewall treatment, and load information. A Mustang used mostly for shows or occasional cruising may call for a different visual presentation than one built around a sportier street look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ford Mustang tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Ford Mustang vary by size. In 225/60R15, available styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter. In 195/75R14, the available options center on wide whitewall and narrow whitewall designs.
That variety means the sidewall can change the personality of the car almost as much as the wheel itself. A GT can stay closer to a late-1980s sporty presentation with blackwall or raised white letter styling, while an LX can take on a more traditional look with whitewall options.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ford Mustang?
Brand choices depend on the tire size used on the car. The 225/60R15 fitment is available from Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and Avon, while the 195/75R14 fitment is available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar.
Brand selection should be part of a broader comparison rather than the only deciding factor. Once the correct size is confirmed, it helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-compatibility details so the finished result matches both the car’s appearance and the way it will be used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ford Mustang?
A period-style choice starts with the correct model-specific size: 225/60R15 for a 1989 Ford Mustang GT or 195/75R14 for an LX. After that, the visual direction matters. Blackwall and raised white letter options suit a sportier late-1980s look, while whitewall and redline options create a more customized or restoration-oriented presentation.
For an appearance-focused car, the best approach is to decide what era-correct feel you want the Mustang to project before choosing the tire series. Owners seeking exact originality should compare the selected tire style against vehicle-specific historical references, while others may simply want a size-correct tire that matches the car’s character.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Ford Mustang?
On the 1989 Ford Mustang, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from sidewall treatment and tire series. A blackwall, raised white letter, redline, or whitewall changes the look of the car immediately even when the size remains correct.
That makes appearance selection especially important on a restoration or preservation-minded Fox-body. A tire can keep the proper overall fitment for the car while still moving the finished look in a sport-performance direction or toward a more traditional custom presentation, so sidewall style should be chosen as carefully as the size itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Mustang?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1989 Ford Mustang even when the original model-specific size is known. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, and body or brake modifications can all affect how a 225/60R15 or 195/75R14 tire sits on the car.
A modified Mustang should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension before new tires are installed. That matters most on cars that no longer retain their original wheel package, because the correct stock size does not automatically confirm compatibility with a changed setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ford Mustang on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, verify tire pressure, and make sure the tires match the wheel diameter actually on the car. It also helps to check for rubbing at full steering lock, uneven suspension movement, and any signs that old alignment or chassis issues could affect the new tires.
A collector or lightly used Mustang also deserves a close look beyond the tires themselves. Worn shocks, tired bushings, loose steering parts, or neglected brakes can make a fresh set of tires feel less stable than expected, so the safest approach is to evaluate the car as a complete running and rolling package.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ford Mustang be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ford Mustang should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection, and attention to age even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, or slow air loss, and inspect both the tread and sidewall before taking the car out.
Storage habits matter on a low-mileage Mustang. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and occasional inspection of wheel balance and alignment can prevent wear from developing unnoticed while the vehicle spends long periods parked.
