1973 Saab Tire Fitment Guide

1973 Saab vehicles use four tire sizes across the range: 155R15, 560-15, 165R15, and 175/70R15. The 95 & 96, 97, and Sonett use either 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply tires, while the Saab 99 uses 165R15 or 175/70R15 radials. All four sizes mount on 15-inch wheels. Rim-width coverage varies by size, with 155R15 commonly fitting 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-15 fitting 4.5 to 5.5-inch rims depending on brand, and the Saab 99 radial sizes covering roughly 4.5 to 6.0 inches.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1973 Saab tire choice. You need to identify whether you have a 95 & 96, 97, Sonett, or 99 first, then confirm which of that model's sizes matches your wheels and the look you want. That matters especially if your car has been restored, modified, or converted from one construction type to another at some point in its life.

On a 1973 Saab, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not include an aspect ratio in the size itself, and the construction is bias-ply rather than radial. On 1973 Saab applications, that size belongs to the 95 & 96, 97, and Sonett models rather than the Saab 99.

That matters because a 560-15 carries an older-style feel and appearance that suits a restoration-minded car, especially if you want the sidewall shape and period presentation associated with earlier European fitments. It also comes with whitewall variations that create a more vintage visual statement than the radial sizes. Before fitting one, verify that your wheels match the tire's approved rim width and that you want bias-ply behavior rather than a radial road feel.

On a 1973 Saab, 155R15 is a classic Euro-metric radial size. The 155 indicates section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the size, it follows the traditional convention generally understood as an 80-series profile. For 1973 Saab fitment, 155R15 is used on the 95 & 96, 97, and Sonett rather than on the Saab 99.

For a buyer, 155R15 is often the more familiar choice if you want a radial construction on Saab's smaller models without moving to a noticeably lower-profile look. It also comes in blackwall form from multiple series, with tube-type, tubeless, T-rated, and H-rated examples depending on the tire. That makes it important to read the exact sidewall marking of the product you choose instead of assuming every 155R15 shares the same setup details.

For a 1973 Saab 95 & 96, 97, or Sonett, the choice between 155R15 and 560-15 is mainly a question of construction type and presentation. The 155R15 is a radial and comes in blackwall form, while the 560-15 is a bias-ply size offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Both fit 15-inch wheels, but they deliver different period character. The 155R15 leans toward a classic European radial look, while the 560-15 speaks more directly to older bias-ply authenticity.

Choose 560-15 if your priority is a restoration-oriented visual impression and an earlier-style driving character. Choose 155R15 if you want a radial construction while keeping the car in a size family appropriate to Saab's smaller 1970s models. The right answer depends less on which tire is universally better and more on how original you want the car to feel, look, and respond on the road.

1973 Saab tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 155R15 and 175/70R15 offerings are blackwall radials, while 560-15 bias-ply tires are available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. Saab 99's 165R15 radial size has the broadest visual range, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. That means sidewall appearance changes not only by brand, but also by which Saab model and size family you are working with.

For most 1973 Saab buyers seeking a European-market look, blackwall radials are the most natural visual match, especially on the 99 and sporting models. Whitewall options can still make sense for a car restored to a specific regional style or owner preference, but they change the visual tone immediately. If originality matters for judging or marque correctness, confirm what was typical for your market and model before choosing a whitewall treatment.

1973 Saab tire coverage spans several brands depending on size. The 155R15 radial is available from Firestone and Michelin, the 560-15 bias-ply from Firestone and US Royal, the 165R15 radial from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, and BFGoodrich, and the 175/70R15 radial from Avon and Vredestein. That gives the 1973 Saab range a mix of American collector-tire brands and European-style radial choices, especially in the 15-inch sizes used on the 99.

Brand selection matters because it often affects the available sidewall style, tube marking, speed rating, and the overall character of the tire line. A Michelin 155R15, for example, does not carry the same sidewall and service details as every other 155R15. Once you know your correct size, compare brands by sidewall appearance, speed symbol, and wheel-width suitability rather than choosing by name alone.

Rim width depends on the exact tire size used on a 1973 Saab. The 155R15 radial commonly fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, while 560-15 bias-ply options cover either a 4.5-inch rim or a broader 4.50 to 5.50-inch range depending on brand. Saab 99's 165R15 radial typically fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 175/70R15 radial tires cover about 4.5 to 6.0 inches. Every one of these sizes uses a 15-inch rim diameter, but width approval is still specific to the tire.

That width range is one of the most important checks before you commit to a tire, especially on a restored Saab with non-original wheels. A tire can share the correct 15-inch diameter and still be wrong for the wheel if the rim is too narrow or too wide for that model and size. Checking wheel width first helps avoid steering feel issues, sidewall distortion, and unwanted fitment surprises.

Inner-tube requirements on 1973 Saab tires depend on the exact size and product. Within the 155R15 group, there are both tube-type and tubeless examples, so tube status varies by product rather than by size alone. The Michelin XAS appears in tube-type form, while other 155R15 choices are offered as tubeless. The other Saab sizes here do not show the same mixed tube marking in the size description, so the key caution is to inspect the exact sidewall notation on the tire you intend to fit.

That is especially important on older wheels, because wheel condition and design also influence whether a tubeless setup is appropriate in practice. A buyer should not assume that every radial in a familiar size installs the same way. If your Saab still wears original wheels or if the car has a long restoration history, match the tire's tube marking to the wheel's condition and consult a Saab specialist when there is any doubt.

All 1973 Saab tire sizes covered here use 15-inch rims, so diameter compatibility is consistent across the range. That means a 95 & 96, 97, or Sonett owner comparing 155R15 and 560-15 is still working within the same wheel diameter, and a Saab 99 owner comparing 165R15 and 175/70R15 is as well. What does change is the approved rim-width range for each tire. Diameter alone is not enough to guarantee that every size suits every wheel.

In practical terms, original wheels can often remain in service when changing between sizes used on the same model family, but you still need to verify the wheel width against the tire you want. That is especially true if the car has replacement wheels, widened wheels, or a mixed set assembled during restoration. Confirming both the wheel width and the correct model-specific size is the safest way to keep the setup true to the car.

A 1973 Saab should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean and dry, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so it does not rest on one footprint for months at a time. Bias-ply tires such as 560-15 are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage, while older radials still need protection from ozone and prolonged underinflation.

If the car will sit for an extended period, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the tires without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. A breathable indoor cover helps the body, but tire environment matters just as much. Good storage habits preserve sidewalls, reduce vibration complaints when the car comes back into service, and help an older Saab feel more settled on its first drive out.

Tire life on a 1973 Saab is usually judged by age and condition more than by miles, because many collector cars see limited annual use. A sensible rule is to inspect them closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement point even if tread still looks serviceable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that evaluation. Heat cycles, storage conditions, inflation history, and sunlight exposure all matter as much as wear.

That age-based approach is especially important on a vintage Saab because an old tire can look presentable while the rubber has already hardened or the casing has begun to deteriorate. Owners sometimes focus on tread depth and miss sidewall cracking, internal aging, or long-term flat spotting. If your 1973 Saab is driven only to shows or weekend events, calendar age still counts, and it should guide replacement planning more than odometer use.

Tires on a 1973 Saab should be inspected before every drive, and they deserve a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. If your Saab is fitted with a tube-type tire, the condition of the valve stem and the wheel's sealing surfaces deserves extra attention as well. A collector car that sits often can develop issues that do not show up on a regularly driven daily car.

Routine inspection helps catch age-related problems before they become roadside problems. It also gives you a chance to compare wear across the front and rear, which can reveal alignment or suspension issues on an older front-wheel-drive Saab. Make the spare part of the same routine, because a spare that has aged out or lost pressure will not be much help on a longer trip.

For a 1973 Saab 95 & 96, the original-era construction expectation would center on either a period bias-ply fitment such as 560-15 or a contemporary radial fitment such as 155R15, depending on market, specification, and how the car was delivered. By 1973, Saab was firmly associated with radial-tire use in many applications, but restoration decisions still need to respect model and market context. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without model-specific confirmation.

That means the right restoration answer is usually size first, construction second, and brand only after that if you have factory literature or a well-sourced survivor car to reference. If your goal is concours-level correctness, confirm the exact expectation for your market through Saab club resources, original brochures, or marque specialists. For most enthusiasts, staying within the proper size family and era-appropriate construction gets the car much closer to an authentic presentation.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1973 Saab, especially in classes that emphasize originality. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the model, whether the construction type suits the era, and whether the sidewall appearance looks appropriate for the car's market and restoration style. A Saab 99 wearing a lower-profile radial can project a different impression than one on a stock-profile radial, and a smaller Saab on a bias-ply tire presents differently again.

The level of scrutiny depends on the event. A local show may reward cleanliness and presentation more than strict authenticity, while marque judging may look more closely at radial versus bias-ply construction and whether a whitewall belongs on that particular car. If points matter, match the tire choice to the judging standard before you mount anything, and use Saab-specific club guidance as the final authority for event rules.

For the 1973 Saab 99 in 175/70R15, both the Avon CR6ZZ and Vredestein Sprint Classic are blackwall H-rated radials with a 130 mph speed ceiling and a 15-inch rim diameter. Both fit wheels in the 4.5 to 6.0-inch range. The differences shown here are chiefly in series identity, weight, and load information, with the Vredestein carrying a stated maximum load of 1,168 pounds at 51 psi and a heavier overall tire weight than the Avon.

That makes this comparison less about basic fitment and more about the kind of period-style radial you want on a Saab 99. Buyers comparing these two should look closely at sidewall appearance, overall tire character, and how the car is used, then weigh that against the tire's approved wheel range and service markings. Staying within the correct 175/70R15 size keeps the car in the right fitment family while allowing some choice in personality.

1973 Saab tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed rating limits. The 155R15 radial choices include T-rated versions to 118 mph and H-rated versions to 130 mph, while the 175/70R15 Saab 99 radials are H-rated to 130 mph. The 560-15 bias-ply fitment should be approached as an older-style construction without the same road manners buyers expect from a modern radial. In normal collector-car use, the condition of the tire and the mechanical state of the car matter as much as the size itself.

A well-kept 1973 Saab is usually limited more by vintage braking, suspension condition, and overall mechanical age than by the maximum speed symbol on a reproduction tire during ordinary highway driving. That does not mean every old-style tire is interchangeable in behavior. If your use includes regular interstate travel, choose the construction and speed rating that best fit the way the car will actually be driven, then keep inflation and inspection habits consistent.

Inflation pressure for a 1973 Saab should start with the vehicle manufacturer's guidance for the exact model, then be checked against the service information for the tire you are using. Tire load and pressure figures differ by size: 560-15 appears at 970 pounds at 32 psi, 155R15 includes an example at 1,045 pounds at 44 psi, 165R15 runs from 1,168 pounds at 35 psi to 1,170 pounds at 36 psi, and one 175/70R15 example carries 1,168 pounds at 51 psi. Those are tire ratings, not universal inflation settings for every Saab.

The important point is not to transfer a pressure figure from one size or construction type to another. A bias-ply 560-15 and a radial 165R15 are different tires with different service characteristics, even though both fit 15-inch wheels. Use the correct factory recommendation for your exact model as the baseline, then make sure the tire itself is operating within its own limits and is wearing evenly in real use.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 Saab, inspect each tire for weather checking, cuts, bulges, punctures, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation. Check that the spare is usable, that valve stems are sound, and that any tube-type setup is not showing leakage or stem distress. Tire age matters too, so a quick look at sidewall condition should be paired with awareness of the tire's date code and storage history. On a vintage Saab, tires are only one part of a broader pre-drive inspection.

A longer trip is the wrong time to discover that a collector car tire has hardened from age or that a spare has been ignored for years. Once the tire check is complete, include wheel fastener torque, brake feel, steering play, fluid levels, and charging-system health in the same pre-drive routine. A 1973 Saab can still be a very usable old car, but the best road experience comes from treating the tire inspection as part of the whole vehicle's readiness.