1987 Avanti Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Avanti vehicles use one tire size: 215/60R15. That size applies to the 1987 Avanti II and mounts on a 15-inch wheel. Across the available 215/60R15 products, rim-width coverage runs from 5.50 to 7.50 inches, with some individual tires beginning at 6.00 inches and others covering the full 5.50-to-7.50-inch span.

That makes 1987 Avanti fitment simpler than many earlier collector cars, because the main decision is not which diameter to choose but which version of 215/60R15 best suits your car. Before moving ahead, confirm the wheel is a 15-inch application and check its actual width against the specific tire you are considering, especially if the car has had wheel changes during its life.

On a 1987 Avanti, 215/60R15 is a metric radial size. The 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is a modern sizing format compared with older numeric or alphanumeric bias-ply sizes used on earlier collector cars.

For an Avanti owner, that code tells you the tire was designed around a lower-profile, late-era performance-touring look rather than a tall sidewall from the 1950s or 1960s. It also means sidewall style becomes a cosmetic choice within the same fitment, since the size itself stays constant while the tire’s appearance can range from blackwall to redline, whitewall, or raised white letters.

Yes. The 1987 Avanti range centers on the Avanti II, and that model uses 215/60R15. There is no year-level split into multiple diameters or alternate fitment families, so a buyer does not need to sort between different tire codes for different 1987 Avanti models.

That consistency is helpful because it shifts the decision away from basic fitment and toward presentation and intended use. A 1987 Avanti owner can focus on whether the car looks right with a blackwall, raised-white-letter, redline, or wide-whitewall tire, while still confirming wheel width and the individual tire’s speed rating before final selection.

1987 Avanti tires in 215/60R15 come in several sidewall styles: wide whitewall, redline, blackwall, and RWL. American Classic covers the whitewall and redline look, BFGoodrich offers an RWL version, and Dunlop brings a blackwall sport-touring appearance. All of them stay within the same radial size, so the sidewall treatment changes the visual character more than the fitment itself.

That matters on an Avanti because the body design can lean either elegant or performance-oriented depending on the tire chosen. A whitewall or redline can give the car a more custom or personal-luxury presence, while blackwall and RWL choices suit owners who want a cleaner late-1980s road-car feel. Matching the sidewall style to the car’s restoration direction usually matters as much as the size code.

1987 Avanti vehicles are served in 215/60R15 by American Classic, BFGoodrich, and Dunlop. American Classic covers heritage-style sidewall treatments, BFGoodrich offers a Radial T/A with raised white letters, and Dunlop offers a Sport Classic blackwall radial. All three brands stay within the same basic fitment size for the Avanti II.

For a buyer, the brand choice is really about the personality you want the car to project. BFGoodrich often appeals to owners who prefer a muscle-era raised-letter look, Dunlop suits a more understated touring appearance, and American Classic speaks to owners who want a vintage visual cue on a later specialty car. Once that style direction is clear, compare the exact tire’s rim-width range and speed symbol.

Both the BFGoodrich Radial T/A and Dunlop Sport Classic fit the 1987 Avanti in 215/60R15 radial form, but they differ in sidewall presentation and speed symbol. The BFGoodrich carries an RWL sidewall and an S rating, which corresponds to 112 mph, while the Dunlop uses a blackwall design and a V rating, which corresponds to 149 mph. Their load figures also differ, with the BFGoodrich at 1,411 pounds at 35 psi and the Dunlop at 1,477 pounds.

In practice, that means the choice is less about whether either tire fits and more about what kind of look and rating profile you want on the car. Owners chasing a more assertive period aftermarket appearance often gravitate toward the raised-letter BFGoodrich, while a cleaner grand-touring presentation points toward the Dunlop. Either way, the tire should be matched to the wheel width and the car’s intended use.

For 1987 Avanti fitment in 215/60R15, rim-width coverage runs from 5.50 to 7.50 inches depending on the tire. American Classic versions cover 5.50 to 7.50 inches, while the BFGoodrich Radial T/A is specified for 6.00 to 7.50 inches. All of these tires mount on 15-inch wheels.

That range is wide enough to cover many original-style and replacement wheels, but it still needs to be checked against the exact tire you choose. If your Avanti has non-original wheels, measure the wheel rather than relying on appearance alone. A tire that technically fits the diameter still needs the correct rim width to maintain the intended profile and sidewall behavior.

The 215/60R15 tires used on the 1987 Avanti are presented as modern radial fitments without tube-type markings in the size descriptions. That points toward tubeless use on the appropriate wheel. None of the available 215/60R15 options here carry a TT designation, which is the common marker for tube-type construction.

Even so, wheel condition still matters on a specialty car from the 1980s, especially if the wheels have been refinished, stored for long periods, or changed from original specification. Before mounting new tires, inspect the bead seats, valve stem condition, and wheel integrity so the tubeless assembly can seal as intended. That check is especially worthwhile on a low-mile collector car.

Yes, all current 1987 Avanti tire options share the same 215/60R15 size and fit a 15-inch wheel. The real compatibility check is wheel width, since some 215/60R15 products fit rims as narrow as 5.50 inches while others start at 6.00 inches. The diameter itself remains consistent across the available tires.

That means an original 15-inch wheel can usually stay in service as long as its width suits the specific tire chosen and the wheel is in sound condition. This is especially helpful for Avanti owners who want to change the car’s look without changing wheels, because moving from blackwall to whitewall or RWL does not force a different rim diameter.

A 1987 Avanti stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid long-term contact with petroleum-contaminated floors, and move the car periodically so it does not sit in one position for months at a time.

Because the Avanti uses radial tires, long static periods are generally less troublesome than with older bias-ply designs, but collector storage still takes a toll over time. If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it carefully to reduce prolonged loading. Clean storage habits help preserve both sidewall appearance and ride quality.

On a 1987 Avanti, tire age usually matters more than mileage. Collector cars often wear out tires chemically before they wear them out mechanically, so a close inspection around five to seven years is prudent, and replacement around the ten-year mark deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the tire is the reference point for age.

That guideline is especially relevant for an Avanti that spends much of its life indoors or is driven only to shows and weekend events. A tire can look presentable yet still lose flexibility and dependability with time. If the car’s service history is unclear, checking date codes should be one of the first steps before any regular road use resumes.

Tires on a 1987 Avanti should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough look before any longer outing. Check inflation, tread wear, cracking around the sidewall and bead, bulges, punctures, and any signs of uneven contact that could point to alignment or suspension issues. The valve stems deserve attention as well, since aging stems can fail even when the tread looks acceptable.

A brief pre-drive inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the trip. The Avanti is a specialty vehicle that may spend stretches parked, and that pattern can hide slow leaks or age-related deterioration until the car is back on the road. Catching those issues early is far easier than dealing with them at speed or far from home.

1987 Avanti tires in 215/60R15 are highway-capable radial designs, and the available speed symbols include S and V depending on the product. An S rating corresponds to 112 mph, while a V rating corresponds to 149 mph. Those figures are tire-category ceilings rather than suggested cruising speeds, and a properly maintained late-1980s Avanti is usually limited more by vehicle condition, suspension state, and braking confidence than by normal interstate pace.

Safety on the road depends just as much on age, inflation, balancing, and the overall condition of the car as on the name molded into the sidewall. If the Avanti has been dormant, inspect the tires carefully and make sure the chassis is equally ready for use. A fresh, correctly fitted radial is only one part of making an older specialty car comfortable at highway speeds.

Inflation pressure for 1987 Avanti tires should be set with the car’s factory guidance in mind and checked against the individual tire’s own rating details. Among current 215/60R15 options, load figures include 1,411 pounds at 35 psi and 1,477 pounds on another version. Those numbers describe the tire’s rated load relationship, not a universal pressure target that should automatically be applied to every Avanti.

The best approach is to start with the pressure recommendation for the car, then make sure the chosen tire is appropriate for that use and load range. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one brand or sidewall style to another without checking the actual tire. Consistent cold-pressure checks are especially important on collector cars that may sit between drives.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Avanti, inspect each tire for cracks, punctures, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is serviceable, and verify that the tires are not so old that age has become the main risk factor. On a collector car, a quick visual check alone is not enough if the vehicle has been sitting.

Tires are only one part of the trip-prep routine on an Avanti of this age. It is wise to combine the tire inspection with a broader look at brakes, belts, hoses, fluid levels, and lighting so the whole car is ready for sustained road use. A methodical pre-drive check usually does more for confidence and reliability than any single product choice.