1967 Saab Tire Fitment Guide

1967 Saab vehicles use two tire sizes across the model range: 155R15 and 560-15. The 155R15 radial applies to the 1967 Saab 750 & 850 GT, Saab 95 & 96, and Sonett. The 560-15 bias-ply applies to the 1967 Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett. Both sizes mount on 15-inch rims, and rim-width coverage where stated runs from 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R15 and from 4.5 to 5.50 inches for 560-15, depending on the product.

That means a 1967 Saab owner should identify the model before choosing a tire, not rely on year and make alone. If you have a 750 or 850 GT, the path is straightforward because 155R15 is the fitment used across that model group. If you have a Saab 95, 96, or Sonett, you may be comparing a metric radial with an earlier numeric bias-ply size, so wheel width, driving goals, and restoration priorities all become part of the decision.

On a 1967 Saab, 155R15 is a metric radial tire size. The 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in this older metric style, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. In 1967 Saab applications, this size appears across the full model range, including the 750 & 850 GT, Saab 95 & 96, and Sonett.

For an owner, that code matters because it points to a tire with a more modern construction than the older 560-15 bias-ply option. Within 155R15, details still vary by product: some versions are tube-type, some are tubeless, and speed ratings can differ as well. If your priority is a radial fitment with strong period-European character, 155R15 is the key size to focus on before comparing brand, speed rating, and tube requirement.

On a 1967 Saab, 560-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The first number is the nominal section width expressed in the older inch-based numeric style, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. This size is used on the Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett, not on the 750 & 850 GT. Available versions are bias-ply tires with whitewall treatments rather than the blackwall look seen in the 155R15 radial offerings.

That makes 560-15 especially relevant for owners trying to preserve an earlier visual character on a Saab 95, 96, or Sonett. Numeric bias-ply sizing reads very differently from modern metric sizing, so it helps to decode it correctly before ordering. The fact that it shares the same 15-inch wheel diameter as 155R15 does not mean every wheel setup is interchangeable without checking width, especially when products within a size can have different approved rim-width ranges.

For a 1967 Saab, the choice depends first on model and then on construction preference. The 155R15 radial works across the full range, including the 750 & 850 GT, Saab 95 & 96, and Sonett. The 560-15 bias-ply is used on the Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett only. In practical terms, 560-15 leans toward an earlier-style visual presentation, while 155R15 gives you a radial construction in a period European size.

If the car is a Saab 95, 96, or Sonett, this is where your intended use starts to matter. A restoration-minded owner may prefer the bias-ply size for era-correct appearance, especially with whitewall options. A driver who wants to stay with a radial format in a 15-inch fitment will usually begin with 155R15. The 750 & 850 GT owner has a simpler path because 155R15 is the fitment used there, so comparison shifts toward brand, tube status, and speed rating.

1967 Saab tires come in noticeably different sidewall styles depending on size. The 155R15 radial options are blackwall tires from Firestone and Michelin. The 560-15 bias-ply options from Firestone and US Royal are offered in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. That gives the Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett owner a broader cosmetic range than the 750 & 850 GT owner, whose fitment stays with the blackwall radial look.

Sidewall style affects how the car reads visually long before anyone notices brand or tread pattern. On a late-1960s European Saab, blackwall radial tires usually align with the understated, functional look many owners expect. Whitewall bias-ply choices create a more vintage presentation and may appeal to owners emphasizing a period custom or restoration style. If appearance matters as much as construction, narrow versus wide whitewall is worth deciding before you compare individual products.

1967 Saab vehicles are covered by Firestone, Michelin, and US Royal. In 155R15, Firestone and Michelin are available, with Michelin appearing in Michelin X, XAS, and XAS-FF forms and Firestone in the F560 Radial line. In 560-15, Firestone and US Royal supply the bias-ply choices. Brand selection therefore depends partly on which size your Saab uses and partly on whether you want radial or bias-ply construction.

For many buyers, brand choice follows the broader tire strategy rather than coming first. A 155R15 shopper will be comparing radial products with a distinctly European flavor, including Michelin offerings with different speed ratings and tube configurations. A 560-15 shopper is usually choosing among classic American-style bias-ply presentations, including narrow and wide whitewalls. Once the size is settled, the brand decision becomes much easier because the field narrows quickly.

1967 Saab tire rim-width requirements depend on the size and sometimes the specific product. In 155R15, approved rim widths where stated run from 4.00 to 5.50 inches. In 560-15, some products are matched to a 4.5-inch rim, while others span 4.50 to 5.50 inches. Both sizes use a 15-inch rim diameter, but rim width still matters for proper tire profile and installation.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when choosing tires for a 1967 Saab. A Sonett or Saab 95/96 owner comparing 155R15 and 560-15 should verify the wheel's actual width before assuming either size is equally suitable. If the car has replacement wheels rather than original steel wheels, this step becomes even more important. Matching the tire to the wheel correctly helps preserve intended shape, ride quality, and bead seating characteristics.

Inner-tube requirements for 1967 Saab tires depend on the size and the exact product chosen. In 155R15, tube status varies by product: examples include tubeless Michelin X and Michelin XAS-FF, while Michelin XAS appears in tube-type form. The Firestone F560 radial does not carry a TT or TL suffix in its size marking here. The 560-15 bias-ply options do not show TT or TL markers in the size field, so the key point for buyers is that tube practice is not uniform across the 155R15 range.

Before finalizing a 1967 Saab tire choice, check the sidewall marking of the exact tire you want and then confirm that against the wheel you are using. Original wheel design, wheel condition, and restoration goals can all affect whether a tube-type or tubeless product makes sense. This is especially important when comparing older European radial patterns, where two tires in the same nominal size may not share the same tube requirement.

Original 1967 Saab wheels can potentially work with both year-correct tire sizes where the model allows both, because 155R15 and 560-15 each fit a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett, which connect to both sizes. The 750 & 850 GT uses 155R15 only. Rim width still has to be checked against the exact tire because the approved width range is not identical across every product.

In practical terms, a shared 15-inch diameter is encouraging but not a blanket green light. A wheel that suits one 560-15 product may not line up as cleanly with every 155R15 radial, and vice versa, if width falls near the edge of the approved range. On a restored Saab, wheel condition also matters because old rims can have corrosion, distortion, or bead-seat issues that affect fit. Confirm the wheel before assuming either size is automatically interchangeable.

A 1967 Saab should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires clean, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and maintain inflation so the carcass is not carrying a prolonged underinflated load. Because 1967 Saab fitments include both radial and bias-ply constructions, remember that bias-ply tires can flat-spot more readily during long static storage.

For seasonal storage, moving the car periodically or supporting it to reduce long-term load can help, especially with 560-15 bias-ply tires on a Saab 95, 96, or Sonett. If the car sits for months at a time, inspect sidewalls before returning it to service and look closely for early cracking around lettering and shoulder areas. Good storage habits matter as much on a lightly used collector Saab as annual mileage, because time and environment often age the tire faster than wear does.

On a 1967 Saab, tire age is usually a more useful guide than mileage. Collector vehicles often cover limited miles, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber has begun to harden with time. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires carefully once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age on newer production tires.

That approach is especially important for a vintage Saab that may be driven only on fair-weather weekends or to events. A tire can appear serviceable while still losing flexibility and reserve safety because of age. Owners of cars that spend long periods parked should be even more alert, since storage conditions can speed aging. If you are unsure whether age or wear is the bigger issue, start with the date code and then inspect the whole casing rather than relying on tread alone.

Tires on a 1967 Saab should be checked before every drive and given a more thorough inspection before any extended outing. Look for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and pressure loss. On any 155R15 tire where tube status differs by product, valve-stem condition also deserves attention because tube-type and tubeless assemblies can age differently around the stem area. A spare tire should be inspected too, since vintage spares often go untouched for years.

Regular inspections are part of sensible old-car ownership, not just tire care. A small issue that would be an inconvenience on a newer daily driver can become a trip-ending problem on a vintage Saab with limited roadside support options. Make pressure checks part of your pre-drive routine and recheck after long storage periods. If the car begins to wander, vibrate, or pull, stop and inspect the tires rather than assuming it is only a suspension or alignment issue.

The 1967 Saab 750 & 850 GT uses 155R15 in this year-and-make range, and that aligns with Saab's strong European connection to radial tire use during the 1960s. For the broader 1967 Saab family, radial 155R15 appears across every model group, while 560-15 bias-ply remains associated with the Saab 95 & 96 and Sonett. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from that alone, but the construction and size direction are clear enough to guide a restoration starting point.

If originality matters, begin with the model-specific size before worrying about brand details. A 750 or 850 GT owner should focus on the 155R15 fitment and then confirm market-specific expectations through Saab clubs, factory literature, or period road tests. European-market and export-market details can differ on vintage cars, and show judging may care about those distinctions. Starting with the correct size and construction keeps the restoration on sound footing before finer authenticity questions are resolved.

Correct tire fitment does matter when a 1967 Saab is judged for authenticity. On most vintage-car show fields, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall appearance suit the period and the specific model. A radial blackwall 155R15 and a whitewall 560-15 create very different visual and historical signals, even though both belong somewhere within the 1967 Saab range. The right combination depends on the exact model and the standard of originality being pursued.

For a car entered in preservation, concours, or marque-specific classes, tire details can influence the overall impression more than many owners expect. A modern-looking construction or sidewall treatment can stand out immediately on an otherwise well-restored Saab. Before a major event, compare your tires against period photos and then check with Saab club judges or event organizers about class expectations. That extra step is worthwhile because show rules often value correctness in small visual details as much as overall cleanliness.

For the 1967 Saab in 155R15 fitment, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share the same basic size and H speed rating to 130 mph, and both are blackwall radial tires matched to 15-inch rims with a 4.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width range. The practical difference visible here is tube status: Michelin XAS appears as 155HR15 82H TT, while Michelin XAS-FF appears as 155HR15 82H TL. Both carry the same 82 load index and the same period-style Michelin family identity.

That means the deciding factor is usually wheel setup rather than nominal size or speed capability. If your 1967 Saab restoration or wheel configuration calls for a tube-type assembly, the XAS is the more natural fit from these two. If you are using a compatible tubeless arrangement and want to stay in the same Michelin performance family, the XAS-FF is the relevant comparison. Confirm the wheel condition and intended assembly method before choosing between them.

1967 Saab tires can be suitable for highway use when the tire is in good condition, correctly installed, and used within its construction and speed rating. In 155R15, available speed ratings include T at 118 mph and H at 130 mph, depending on the product. The 560-15 bias-ply offerings shown here do not carry a speed letter in the size marking. On a vintage Saab, the tire's speed capability is only part of the picture because brakes, suspension condition, alignment, and overall mechanical health matter just as much at sustained road speeds.

For most real-world vintage Saab driving, the limiting factor is often the car's age and setup rather than the nominal top-end number printed on a radial tire. A properly sorted 155R15 radial is the more straightforward highway choice for many owners, while a 560-15 bias-ply setup asks for the usual old-car awareness about steering feel and road-following behavior. Before any highway trip, check pressures, inspect the casings, and make sure the rest of the car is as ready as the tires are.

Inflation pressure on a 1967 Saab should follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidance for the model and the tire maker's own rated limits for the exact tire. Within these sizes, load-and-pressure figures shown here include 155R15 at 1045 pounds at 44 psi for the Firestone F560 radial and 560-15 at 970 pounds at 32 psi for several Firestone and US Royal bias-ply products. Those figures describe the tire's rated load at a stated pressure, not a universal operating pressure for every 1967 Saab.

The safest approach is to begin with the factory recommendation for your exact Saab model and then make sure the chosen reproduction tire is being used within its own pressure range. Do not transfer a 560-15 pressure figure to a 155R15 radial or assume two tires in the same size always use the same inflation target. If the car's manual and the tire's published specifications seem to conflict, pause and confirm the intended application before driving on the set.

Before a longer drive in a 1967 Saab, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is usable. If your tire setup involves a tube-type assembly, pay close attention to valve stems and any sign of leakage at the stem base. On 155R15 products, tube status can differ by product, so it helps to know exactly what is mounted on the car before a trip. Wheel condition and lug security deserve a quick check as well.

Tires are only one part of preparing a vintage Saab for distance, but they are one of the easiest areas to inspect before trouble starts. A long trip also calls for a broader mechanical review that includes brakes, fluids, charging system, and steering components. If the car has been parked for an extended period, drive it locally first and reassess the tires after a short run. Heat, load, and speed can reveal issues that a garage inspection alone may not show.