1979 Saab Tire Fitment Guide

1979 Saab vehicles use four sizes overall: 175/70R15, 165R15, 195/60R15, and 180/65R390. The Saab 99 uses 165R15, while the 900 uses 165R15, 175/70R15, 195/60R15, and 180/65R390 depending on the car’s wheel setup and application. Three of those sizes mount on 15-inch wheels, while 180/65R390 mounts on a 390mm metric wheel. Rim width ranges are available for the 15-inch sizes with product support: 4.5 to 6.0 inches for 175/70R15 and 165R15, and 5.5 to 7.0 inches for 195/60R15.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct choice on a 1979 Saab 900. Start by confirming whether you have a Saab 99 or 900, then verify the wheel itself before comparing sidewall style or brand. If your car uses a 390mm wheel, a 15-inch tire is not an interchangeable substitute. If your car is on a 15-inch wheel, the remaining choice becomes a matter of selecting the exact size your model uses and then matching the tire to your restoration goals and driving habits.

On a 1979 Saab, 165R15 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because this older metric format does not state an aspect ratio, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. For 1979 Saab applications, 165R15 is the shared size used by both the 900 and the Saab 99.

That makes 165R15 one of the most important sizes to understand if you are sorting out an original-style fitment on a late-1970s Saab. It also comes with the widest visual variety, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. If your goal is a factory-like European look, many owners will lean toward blackwall. If the car has a period custom presentation or a restoration brief that calls for a whitewall treatment, this size offers those options without changing wheel diameter.

No. The 1979 Saab Saab 99 uses 165R15, while the 1979 Saab 900 spans four different radial sizes: 165R15, 175/70R15, 195/60R15, and 180/65R390. The key split is not just width or profile, but wheel type. Most 1979 Saab fitments stay with a 15-inch wheel, but one 900 application uses a 390mm metric wheel that requires its own dedicated tire size.

That difference matters because two cars that look closely related can still need different tires. A buyer working on a Saab 99 can focus on 165R15, while a 900 owner should inspect the wheels before doing anything else. If the car has been changed over the years, especially from metric wheels to inch-based wheels or the reverse, the wheel itself becomes the final authority. Once that is settled, then it makes sense to compare brands, sidewall treatments, and speed ratings.

1979 Saab tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 175/70R15 choices are blackwall only. The 165R15 range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options, while 195/60R15 adds blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. Those visual treatments give the same year and make a very different appearance even when wheel diameter stays the same.

For a 1979 Saab restored with a factory-minded European presentation, blackwall is usually the most era-appropriate direction. Whitewalls and redlines tend to read more as custom or market-specific visual choices than typical late-1970s Saab showroom style. Raised white letters can also shift the car toward a sportier period look. The right choice depends less on fitment than on how original, personalized, or show-oriented you want the finished car to appear once the correct size is confirmed.

Several brands cover 1979 Saab fitments. In 175/70R15, the available choices come from Avon and Vredestein. In 165R15, the range includes Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. In 195/60R15, BFGoodrich and Michelin are available. That spread gives Saab owners access to both classic-brand styling cues and modern radial offerings in the sizes commonly associated with late-1970s European cars.

Brand choice should follow size and wheel confirmation, not come first. Once the correct size is settled, compare the brand’s sidewall treatment, speed rating where present, and rim-width suitability for the wheel you plan to use. Some buyers will gravitate toward a traditional blackwall from a European-oriented brand, while others may want a whitewall or performance-themed sidewall from a domestic heritage brand. The best match is the one that aligns with your exact Saab model, wheel, and visual goal.

For a 1979 Saab 900 in 195/60R15, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A and Michelin Primacy 3 differ in both appearance and speed rating. The BFGoodrich uses an RWL sidewall, carries an S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling, and fits rims from 5.5 to 7.0 inches. The Michelin Primacy 3 uses a blackwall sidewall, is marked 88V TL with a V speed rating and a 149 mph ceiling, and also fits 5.5 to 7.0-inch rims.

That makes the choice largely about character and intended use. The BFGoodrich leans into a period sport look with raised white letters, while the Michelin presents a cleaner blackwall appearance and a higher speed-rated touring-style profile. Neither should be chosen simply by name. A 900 owner should first verify that 195/60R15 is the correct fitment for the car, then decide whether the visual style and speed-rating profile better suit the way the car will actually be driven and presented.

Rim width depends on the tire size used on the 1979 Saab. Both 165R15 and 175/70R15 fit rims from 4.5 to 6.0 inches wide. The wider 195/60R15 fits rims from 5.5 to 7.0 inches wide. Those ranges matter because a tire can share the same nominal wheel diameter as another size and still require a different wheel width to seat and perform properly.

A 1979 Saab 99 owner working with 165R15 has a different wheel-width window than a 900 owner using 195/60R15, even though both may be on 15-inch wheels. Before replacing tires, measure or verify the wheel width on the car rather than assuming every 15-inch Saab wheel is interchangeable across all sizes. That is especially important on cars that may have been changed over decades of service, restoration, or enthusiast ownership.

Inner-tube status varies by size and by product on 1979 Saab applications. In 195/60R15, at least one product is clearly marked TL, meaning tubeless. In the other supported sizes, tube status is not uniform across every product description, so it should be treated as something to confirm on the specific tire you choose rather than assumed across the whole size. Wheel design and condition also affect whether a tube is appropriate.

That means a buyer should not generalize from one 15-inch Saab tire to another. If your wheel is original, inspect the rim carefully for corrosion, pitting, or bead-seat issues before deciding how to set it up. If the tire you want is intended for tubeless use, the wheel still needs to be suitable for that service. When originality, safety, or wheel condition is in question, confirm the exact sidewall marking and consult a Saab specialist familiar with the wheel type on your car.

Not across the full 1979 Saab range. The three inch-based sizes—165R15, 175/70R15, and 195/60R15—share a 15-inch rim diameter, but 180/65R390 requires a 390mm metric wheel. Even among the 15-inch sizes, wheel width still matters: 165R15 and 175/70R15 fit 4.5 to 6.0-inch rims, while 195/60R15 fits 5.5 to 7.0-inch rims.

A 1979 Saab 900 owner should therefore think in two steps. First, identify whether the car has 15-inch wheels or metric 390mm wheels. Second, verify the wheel width before moving from one 15-inch tire size to another. That approach avoids one of the most common mistakes with late-1970s European cars: assuming that a near-match in overall dimensions means the tire will fit the same wheel. On these Saabs, wheel type is the starting point for every successful tire decision.

A 1979 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 accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically so it does not sit on one contact patch for months at a time, and avoid prolonged exposure to standing moisture. Radial tires generally tolerate storage well, but long stationary periods can still create temporary flat-spotting and accelerate aging in an older collector car environment.

If the Saab will be parked for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on the tires. Clean the tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that can leave residue or attract dust. Good storage habits matter just as much on a lightly driven Saab as they do on a show car, because age, environment, and inactivity are often harder on collector tires than annual mileage.

On a 1979 Saab, tire age usually matters more than mileage. A sound collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if tread depth still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the practical way to determine age, and visible cracking, hardening, vibration, or loss of air retention can shorten that timeline.

That matters because many vintage Saabs cover relatively few miles each year, so an old tire can appear usable while quietly aging out. A car driven on occasional weekend outings may still need new tires long before tread wear becomes the deciding factor. If you have just acquired the car and the age of the tires is uncertain, checking date codes should be one of the first maintenance steps. It is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the confidence to drive it.

Tires on a 1979 Saab should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and pressure loss. On cars using older wheels or tube-type tire setups, valve stems and the wheel’s sealing surfaces deserve just as much attention as the tread itself. A quick visual check catches many age-related issues before they become roadside problems.

A more thorough inspection should happen at least seasonally, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Rotate your attention around the full circumference of each tire, because collector cars often sit in one place long enough for defects to hide on the bottom. If the steering feels different, the car pulls, or vibration appears at speed, stop assuming it is normal old-car behavior until the tires are ruled out. Regular inspection is low effort and pays off every time the Saab leaves the garage.

A 1979 Saab 900 would have been equipped with radial tires from the factory era, not bias-ply tires. The sizes associated with the model are 165R15, 175/70R15, 195/60R15, and 180/65R390 depending on the exact wheel and application, with the 390mm fitment pointing to the metric-wheel period that affected some European cars in the late 1970s. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking period Saab literature or market-specific references.

For an accurate restoration, start with the wheel that is actually on the car and work outward from there. A 900 on its original metric-wheel setup needs a different tire path than one converted to 15-inch wheels years ago. If the car is being restored for judged competition, confirm the exact size, sidewall appearance, and market-correct details through factory brochures, marque clubs, or long-time Saab specialists. Small differences in wheel system and sidewall style can change how authentic the finished car looks.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1979 Saab if the car will be judged for authenticity. Size, construction, wheel system, and sidewall treatment all influence whether the car presents as correct for its era. A 390mm-wheel 900 wearing 15-inch tires would be an obvious mismatch, and a sidewall style that feels out of character for a late-1970s Saab can also stand out even when the basic size is right.

That does not mean every show car needs the same exact visual approach, because standards vary by event and by how original the car is expected to be. Some venues emphasize factory-correct appearance, while others allow period-style accessories or tasteful deviations. If the car is headed for marque-level judging, confirm the standards before buying tires. Saab clubs, original brochures, and judges’ guidelines are often the best way to decide whether a blackwall, whitewall, or other sidewall style will help or hurt the car’s presentation.

In 165R15 for a 1979 Saab, the Coker Classic and Firestone options differ most visibly in sidewall presentation and slightly in load-and-pressure marking. The Coker Classic version is offered with a 2.25-inch whitewall and carries a load figure of 1,168 at 35 psi, while the Firestone F560 is a blackwall with a load figure of 1,170 at 36 psi. Both fit 15-inch rims in the 4.5 to 6.0-inch width range and use radial construction.

For a Saab owner, that makes the decision less about basic fitment and more about visual intent. The Firestone blackwall aligns more naturally with a restrained European look, while the Coker Classic whitewall pushes the car toward a custom or market-tailored appearance. Because both sit in the same size and wheel-width range, the smarter comparison is not which one fits better, but which one suits the way you want the car to look and how closely you want it to echo late-1970s Saab character.

Yes, 1979 Saab tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is used, the tire is in sound condition, and the speed rating matches the way the car will be driven. Among the supported products, 175/70R15 appears with H-rated options carrying a 130 mph ceiling, 195/60R15 includes both S-rated products at 112 mph and V-rated products at 149 mph, and the remaining sizes should be evaluated by the exact tire selected. On a late-1970s Saab, the car’s own brakes, suspension, alignment, and age-related mechanical condition are often more important than outright tire speed capability in normal highway use.

Safety comes from the whole package, not the sidewall alone. An H-rated or V-rated tire does not make an old car ready for sustained high-speed driving if the rest of the chassis is tired or improperly set up. Before any regular highway use, make sure the tires are fresh enough by age, inflated correctly, and free from cracking or uneven wear. Then give equal attention to wheel bearings, steering components, and brake performance so the Saab behaves as confidently as the tire’s rating suggests.

Inflation pressure on a 1979 Saab should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact model and tire size, with the tire’s own sidewall figures used as load-and-pressure reference rather than a blanket setting for every application. In the supported range, 165R15 tires carry figures around 35 to 36 psi at roughly 1,168 to 1,170 pounds, 175/70R15 includes a 1,168-pound figure at 51 psi on one product, and 195/60R15 includes 1,190-pound figures at 35 psi on some products. Those numbers are not interchangeable from one size to another.

The practical takeaway is to avoid copying inflation pressure from a different Saab model or from a different tire size that happens to fit a 15-inch wheel. Start with the car’s original recommendation, then confirm it against the specific tire you are using and the way the car is loaded. If ride, steering feel, or wear pattern seems off, revisit pressure with the tire maker’s guidance in mind. Getting pressure right is one of the easiest ways to preserve both handling character and tire life.

Before a longer trip in a 1979 Saab, inspect each tire for sidewall cracks, tread damage, punctures, uneven wear, bulges, and any sign of separation. Check cold inflation pressure, verify the spare is usable, and inspect valve stems closely, especially on older wheels or setups where tube use may apply. Confirm that wheel fasteners are properly tightened and that the tires hold pressure over time rather than only looking acceptable at a glance on departure day.

A longer drive also asks more of the car than a short local outing, so tire checks should be part of a broader mechanical review. On a vintage Saab, include brake feel, fluid levels, charging system health, steering response, and cooling performance in the same pre-trip routine. Tires often get the first attention because they are visible, but their condition should support a complete confidence check. A careful hour in the garage is far better than discovering an age-related issue on the shoulder miles from home.