1968 Saab Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Saab vehicles use two tire sizes across the full model range: 155R15 and 560-15. Both sizes fit the Saab 95 & 96, Saab 97, and Sonett, and both mount on 15-inch wheels. For 155R15, the accepted rim-width range reaches 4.00 to 5.50 inches. For 560-15, available fitments cover 4.5 inches and extend to 4.50 to 5.50 inches, depending on the tire.

That means a 1968 Saab owner usually does not need to sort by model before narrowing down the tire size. The more important choice is whether the car should wear a bias-ply tire for era-correct appearance and feel or a radial for a different road character. Before ordering, verify the actual wheel width on the car so the tire matches both the diameter and the wheel's usable width range.

On a 1968 Saab, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 560 number refers to the tire's nominal section width in the older numeric system, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is a traditional bias-ply designation rather than a modern metric radial code, so the size reflects an earlier measuring convention common on period cars.

That older format matters because it points you toward a tire with vintage construction and appearance, not just a certain wheel diameter. On a 1968 Saab, 560-15 is the route most owners consider when originality and period-correct visual character matter most. It is also the size where whitewall choices appear, which can influence the final look of a restoration even when the wheel diameter stays the same.

Yes. The 1968 Saab 95 & 96, Saab 97, and Sonett all use the same two tire sizes: 155R15 and 560-15. There is no model-exclusive tire size within this year and make, and both options are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That makes 1968 Saab simpler than many year-make combinations where one model uses a unique wheel or tire package.

Even though the fitment overlap is broad, the right choice can still vary by owner priorities. A Sonett restored for strong period presentation may lead you one way, while a Saab 96 driven regularly on modern roads may lead you another. Once you know the car is a 1968 Saab and confirm the wheel width, the next step is choosing the construction and sidewall style that suit the car's purpose.

For a 1968 Saab, the decision between 155R15 and 560-15 is primarily a decision between radial and bias-ply construction. The 155R15 is a radial size with blackwall offerings from Firestone and Michelin, while the 560-15 is a bias-ply size available from Firestone and US Royal with whitewall options. Both fit 15-inch wheels and both apply across the full 1968 Saab model range.

Owners aiming for a restoration with a distinctly period presentation often lean toward 560-15, while owners who prioritize regular driving manners often start with 155R15. Neither choice should be made by wheel diameter alone, since both share the same rim diameter. Match the tire to how the car will actually be used, then confirm the wheel width and the exact product details before making the final selection.

1968 Saab tires come in different sidewall presentations depending on size. The 155R15 radial offerings are blackwall tires, while the 560-15 bias-ply offerings include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives the year a clear visual split between a plainer European radial look and a more styled bias-ply whitewall appearance.

For many 1968 Saab owners, sidewall style is as important as the size code because it changes the car's character at a glance. Blackwalls generally align with the understated European feel many buyers associate with Saab, while whitewalls can push the car toward a more period accessory look. If authenticity for a particular market or event matters, compare the sidewall style to period photos and consult Saab marque resources before deciding.

1968 Saab coverage comes from four brands across the two available sizes. Firestone and Michelin supply the 155R15 radial size, while Firestone and US Royal supply the 560-15 bias-ply size. Within the radial group, Michelin appears in Michelin X, XAS, and XAS-FF forms, while Firestone offers the F560 Radial.

Brand choice often comes down to the kind of driving feel, visual style, and period character you want from the car rather than a simple fitment question. Some owners prefer to stay close to a classic European radial aesthetic, while others prioritize a traditional American-brand bias-ply look with whitewalls. Once you narrow the construction and appearance, the remaining comparison is usually sidewall style, tube status, and speed rating where those details differ.

Rim-width guidance for 1968 Saab tires varies by size and by product. The 155R15 radial size fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims on products where the range is stated. The 560-15 bias-ply size fits 4.5-inch rims on some offerings and 4.50 to 5.50-inch rims on others. In every case here, the wheel diameter is 15 inches.

That means wheel width deserves as much attention as wheel diameter when choosing between products. A tire may be correct in size code and still be a poor match for the actual wheel if the rim is outside the approved width range. Measure the wheel you plan to use, especially if the car has replacement rims or a long restoration history, and match that measurement to the specific tire rather than assuming all 15-inch Saab wheels are identical.

Inner-tube requirements on 1968 Saab tires depend on the exact product. Within the 155R15 radial size, tube status varies by product: Michelin X appears in a tubeless version, Michelin XAS appears as tube type, and Michelin XAS-FF appears as tubeless. The Firestone F560 Radial does not carry a tube-type or tubeless marker in its size designation, so the product details and wheel type should be checked together before installation.

That variation matters because tube choice is not something to guess at from tire size alone. On older cars, wheel design and condition also affect whether a tubeless setup is appropriate. If your 1968 Saab still wears original wheels, inspect them carefully for condition and sealing surface quality, and make sure the tire's sidewall marking agrees with the installation plan before mounting anything.

In terms of wheel diameter, yes: both tire sizes used on 1968 Saab vehicles are built for 15-inch rims. That means the same nominal wheel diameter works for both 155R15 and 560-15. Rim width still needs to be checked, since the acceptable width range can vary slightly between products even when the diameter stays constant.

For an owner comparing bias-ply and radial options, that shared 15-inch diameter makes experimentation much simpler than a fitment change that would require new wheels. The important part is not to assume every 15-inch wheel is suitable for every tire version. Confirm the wheel width, inspect the wheel's condition, and make sure the chosen tire's mounting requirements align with the actual rim before moving ahead.

A 1968 Saab should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the car periodically if it will remain parked for long stretches. Bias-ply tires such as 560-15 are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during extended static storage than radial 155R15 tires.

If the car will sit for months, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous loading on one contact patch. Clean, dry floors are preferable to damp ground, and breathable indoor storage is better than trapping moisture around the tire. These habits help preserve sidewalls, maintain casing shape, and reduce the chance of discovering weathering or pressure loss right before the next drive.

On a 1968 Saab, tire age matters more than mileage because collector vehicles often accumulate far fewer miles than modern daily drivers. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat the ten-year mark as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that age check.

Low annual mileage can make an older tire look healthier than it really is, especially if the tread remains deep but the rubber has hardened or developed small sidewall cracks. Age, storage conditions, inflation habits, and long idle periods all influence service life. For a 1968 Saab that sees occasional road use, replacing an aged tire before it becomes visibly distressed is usually wiser than trying to use every last bit of tread.

Tires on a 1968 Saab should be inspected before every drive and especially before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, low pressure, and signs that the tire has been losing air while parked. If a tube-type setup is in use, pay close attention to valve-stem condition and any slow loss of pressure that could point to a tube or stem issue.

A quick inspection takes only a few minutes and often catches age-related problems before they turn into a roadside interruption. Collector cars can sit long enough for pressure changes and minor cracking to develop between outings, so waiting for an annual service interval is not enough. Include the spare in the same routine, because the tire you rely on in an emergency is often the one that has been checked the least.

For a 1968 Saab Saab 95 & 96, both 155R15 radial and 560-15 bias-ply sizes are associated with the year and model range. By the late 1960s, Saab was operating in a European market where radial technology was well established, so radial fitment is entirely in character for the marque and period, while bias-ply remained part of the broader replacement-tire landscape. Original-equipment brand choice should be confirmed through period literature or Saab marque specialists if a highly exact restoration is the goal.

That distinction is important because originality can mean different things depending on whether you are restoring to a delivery-era European specification, a regional market variation, or simply the look most enthusiasts associate with the car. Start with the correct size and construction family, then compare sidewall appearance to period photos and surviving examples. For show judging, club knowledge and factory literature matter more than general assumptions about what a 1968 small European car 'must have' worn.

Correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1968 Saab, especially in classes that reward authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall presentation fit the era and the character of the specific model. A radial-versus-bias-ply mismatch or an obviously out-of-period sidewall style can change the visual impression even if the tire technically fits the wheel.

For a casual local show, the difference may only affect how convincing the car looks. In stricter concours or marque judging, those details can become part of the score or at least part of the conversation around the restoration. If the event has serious originality standards, check its judging rules and compare your tire choice against period photos, factory publications, and Saab club guidance before committing to a final setup.

For a 1968 Saab in the 155R15 radial size, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share a 155HR15 82H specification, a 15-inch rim diameter, a 4.00 to 5.50-inch rim-width range, blackwall styling, and an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling. The practical difference here is tube status: Michelin XAS appears as a tube-type tire, while Michelin XAS-FF appears as tubeless. Both weigh 20 pounds in the available specifications.

That means the choice is less about size or speed capability and more about how the tire will be mounted and what kind of wheel you are using. On an older Saab with original wheels, that distinction can matter just as much as the size code itself. Confirm the wheel condition and the intended tube setup before choosing between them, especially if your goal is a tidy, era-appropriate installation rather than simply matching the nominal size.

1968 Saab tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within their ratings. In the 155R15 radial size, available speed ratings include T at 118 mph and H at 130 mph, which comfortably cover normal U.S. highway speeds. The 560-15 bias-ply options here do not carry speed letters, so their use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a traditional bias-ply collector tire.

In real-world collector driving, the tire is only one part of the highway equation. A 1968 Saab's brakes, steering, suspension condition, alignment, and overall mechanical freshness are just as important as the tire's rating. If the car will be used regularly on faster roads, many owners prefer to start with the radial size, while any tire choice should still be paired with conservative speeds and a vehicle-wide safety inspection.

Inflation pressure for a 1968 Saab should not be guessed from size alone. Among the available tires, the 155R15 Firestone F560 Radial carries a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 44 psi, while the 560-15 bias-ply tires carry a maximum load of 970 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not blanket operating pressures for every 1968 Saab application.

The best approach is to begin with the original vehicle recommendation from the owner's manual or factory tire placard, then compare that to the reproduction tire maker's guidance for the exact product you are using. Do not transfer a pressure figure from the radial to the bias-ply size or vice versa. The correct working pressure depends on the vehicle, the tire construction, and how closely the setup matches the original intended application.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Saab, inspect all four road tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Confirm that the valve stems are sound, and if a tube-type tire is installed, pay extra attention to slow air loss and stem condition. Also check that the tread is clean and that no tire has aged out, even if it still looks deep and barely worn.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip routine that also includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, fluid levels, and lighting. Older cars often reveal problems only after they have been sitting, so a tire that looked acceptable months ago may not be ready for a long run today. A careful once-over before departure is especially worthwhile on a lightly used collector Saab that spends more time parked than driven.