1987 Buick Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Buick vehicles use 13 distinct radial sizes: 185/75R14, 195/75R14, 225/75R15, 205/75R14, 215/65R15, 205/70R14, 215/60R15, 175/80R13, 195/70R13, 205/60R14, 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. Century uses 185/75R14 and 195/75R14; Electra uses 225/75R15, 205/75R14, and 215/65R15; LeSabre uses the same three; Regal uses 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 215/65R15; Riviera uses 205/75R14 and 215/60R15; Skyhawk uses 175/80R13, 195/70R13, and 205/60R14; Skylark and Somerset use 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14.

Wheel diameter is the first dividing line. These Buicks use 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch rims depending on model and size, and rim width ranges also vary by size, such as 4.50-6.00 inches for 175/80R13, 5.00-7.50 inches for 185/75R14, 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/75R14, and 6.00-8.00 inches for some 225/75R15 applications. A buyer comparing two 1987 Buicks should not assume that a Century, Regal, and Electra can share tires just because they are from the same year.

On a 1987 Buick tire, 185/75R14 is a modern metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On 1987 Buick applications, that size belongs to the Century and mounts on a 14-inch wheel. Available versions use narrow whitewall styling and carry load capacities around 1,279 to 1,290 pounds, with one S-rated product capped at 112 mph.

That code matters because it tells you far more than diameter alone. A 185/75R14 has a taller sidewall profile than a 205/70R14 or 215/60R14, even though those also fit other 1987 Buick models on 14-inch wheels. If your Century already wears 14-inch wheels, matching the sidewall proportions as well as the diameter will keep the tire’s appearance and stance closer to what Buick intended for that model family.

No. 1987 Buick models use different tire sizes depending on the nameplate, and several models use more than one possible size. Electra and LeSabre share 225/75R15, 205/75R14, and 215/65R15; Skylark and Somerset share 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14; Century and Regal overlap on 195/75R14; and Riviera shares 205/75R14 with Electra and LeSabre. Skyhawk uses its own separate group of compact-oriented sizes.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire decision on a 1987 Buick. You need the exact model, and in some cases you also need to confirm whether the car is on 13-, 14-, or 15-inch wheels. Checking the current tire sidewall and the wheel diameter before moving into sidewall style or brand choice is the quickest way to avoid crossing into a fitment meant for a different Buick platform.

1987 Buick tires cover a wide range of sidewall styles depending on size. Whitewall choices dominate the more traditional sizes, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions available in sizes such as 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 225/75R15, 175/80R13, and 185/80R13. More performance-oriented late-1980s looks appear in sizes like 215/65R15, 205/70R14, 215/60R15, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14, where you can find blackwall, RWL, OWL, redline, or dual-redline treatments.

The right sidewall style depends on the Buick you own and the character you want to preserve. A full-size Electra or LeSabre often looks most natural with a whitewall, while a Regal, Riviera, Skylark, or Somerset can lean more convincingly toward raised white letters, blackwalls, or redlines. Matching the sidewall style to the car’s original market position usually has as much visual impact as choosing the correct size.

1987 Buick fitments are covered by several brands, including Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, and Michelin. Brand coverage varies by size. For example, 185/75R14 uses Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar; 225/75R15 uses BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and American Classic; 215/65R15 uses Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich; and 205/70R13 uses Michelin.

Brand choice is usually tied to the visual and character direction you want for the car, not just the dimensions. Some sizes lean heavily toward classic whitewall presentation, while others are available as sport-oriented RWL, redline, or blackwall radials. Start by choosing the correct size for your Buick model, then narrow the field by the sidewall treatment and overall look that best matches the car’s purpose.

On 1987 Buick applications where both brands appear, the difference comes down to sidewall presentation, load figures, and fitment emphasis. In 215/60R15, American Classic offers wide whitewall and redline versions at 1,411 pounds at 35 psi with a 5.50-7.50 inch rim width range, while BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses an RWL sidewall at the same 1,411-pound, 35 psi load figure with a 6.00-7.50 inch rim width range. In 225/75R15, American Classic uses a narrow whitewall, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is available as a wide whitewall.

That makes the decision less about overall category and more about the visual language of the car. A Riviera owner after a sport-luxury stance may prefer the RWL BFGoodrich or a redline American Classic, while a larger Electra or LeSabre may look more at home with a whitewall treatment. When two products share the same basic size, sidewall style and approved rim-width range often become the deciding details.

Rim width requirements on 1987 Buick tires depend on the exact size. Examples include 4.50-6.00 inches for 175/80R13, 5.00-6.50 inches for 185/80R13 and 195/70R13, 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/75R14 and 215/60R15, 5.00-7.00 inches for 195/75R14 and 205/70R14, 6.00-8.00 inches for some 225/75R15 versions, and 6.0-7.5 inches for some 215/65R15 versions. A few products also use a single approved wheel width, such as 6 inches for one 215/65R15 application.

Those ranges matter because two tires with the same wheel diameter do not always want the same wheel width. A 14-inch wheel from one 1987 Buick may still be wrong for another 14-inch size if the width falls outside the tire’s approved range. Before changing from one factory size to another, verify the actual wheel width on the car rather than assuming the shared diameter makes them interchangeable.

Most 1987 Buick fitments are radial passenger-car tires with no tube-type marking in the size, and 205/70R13 is explicitly marked TL for tubeless use. Because the remaining sizes do not all carry the same sidewall notation, tube status can vary by product presentation and wheel condition rather than being treated as one rule for every 1987 Buick tire. That is especially important on older original wheels that may have corrosion, pitting, or prior repairs.

The practical step is to inspect the wheel and confirm the exact sidewall marking on the tire you intend to use. A clean tubeless-rated wheel and a tubeless-marked tire are the normal combination for this era, but a specialist may recommend a different approach when restoring or reusing aging rims. Handle the tube question as part of the wheel inspection, not as an afterthought once the tires are mounted.

A 1987 Buick 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 sidewalls prematurely. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid long periods on damp concrete if possible, and move the car occasionally so one section of the tread does not carry the load for months at a time. Radials generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from heat, ozone, and inactivity.

If the Buick will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll the car periodically or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on one contact patch. That helps prevent flat-spotting and keeps the tire carcass from taking a set. A quick wipe-down and visual inspection before and after storage also makes it easier to catch cracking or pressure loss before the next drive.

On a collector-driven 1987 Buick, age is usually a more important limit than tread wear. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat ten years as a serious replacement milestone even if the tread still looks deep. The date code on the tire sidewall is the best reference point, because many preserved Buicks accumulate low miles but spend long stretches parked.

That matters because a late-1980s Buick often leads a gentle life, and gentle use can hide aging rather than prevent it. A tire may still look presentable while the rubber compound and internal structure have hardened with time. When the car is used for occasional cruises, shows, or weekend drives, plan around calendar age first and mileage second.

Tires on a 1987 Buick should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer road trip. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, tread separation signs, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is still serviceable. On applications with explicit tubeless markings, also check that the valve stems are in good condition and that the wheel bead area is clean and sealing properly.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a car that may sit longer than it drives. Long parking periods can hide slow leaks and allow age-related cracking to appear suddenly once the tires flex on the road again. A two-minute walkaround before heading out can catch the kind of problem that would otherwise cut a cruise short or damage a hard-to-replace wheel.

A 1987 Buick Century would have originally used radial tires, not bias-ply construction, because by the late 1980s American passenger cars had fully transitioned to radial fitments. Century applications for this model year use 185/75R14 and 195/75R14, both on 14-inch wheels. The exact sidewall treatment could vary with trim, market, and owner preference over the car’s life, so the most accurate restoration work usually starts with the tire placard, original paperwork, or a Buick marque specialist.

For a restoration-minded owner, the main authenticity questions are size, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance rather than construction type. A narrow whitewall often suits the Century’s mainstream upscale image better than a more aggressive performance sidewall. If the car is being prepared for judged display, verify what is correct for that specific car rather than assuming every 1987 Century was delivered in the same visual tire style.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Buick because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, wheel diameter, and sidewall style fit the car’s era and market position. A full-size Electra or LeSabre wearing an obviously sporty raised-letter tire can look just as out of place as a Riviera or Regal wearing an overly traditional whitewall that does not fit the intended character of that particular build. By 1987, radial construction itself is expected, so the finer distinction usually comes from proportions and sidewall treatment.

For local shows, visual consistency is often enough, but higher-level judging can be more particular. The safest approach is to match the exact size family used by your model and choose a sidewall style that makes sense for that specific Buick. Event rules differ, so marque clubs and model-specific judging guides are still the best source when originality points are on the line.

On 1987 Buick sizes where both appear, Coker Classic Star Series and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial differ in whitewall treatment, load figures, and available sizes. In 225/75R15, Star Series is available in both 2.75-inch and 1.60-inch whitewalls at 2,094 pounds at 32 psi with a 6-7.5 inch rim width range, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial uses a 2.75-inch wide whitewall at 1,874 pounds at 35 psi with a 6.00-8.00 inch range. In smaller sizes such as 175/80R13 and 185/80R13, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial also appears in wide whitewall form.

That comparison is useful for restorers because both lines speak to period appearance, but they do not mirror each other exactly. Whitewall width can change the entire visual balance of a late-1980s Buick, especially on larger-bodied cars. When authenticity and stance matter, compare not only the size but also the exact whitewall width and the wheel-width range your car actually uses.

Yes, 1987 Buick tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the tires are in sound condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the car’s proper size. Several fitments carry explicit speed ratings, including S-rated products at 112 mph, V-rated products at 149 mph, and one 205/70R13 Michelin marked V as well. Since every fitment here is radial, the overall road behavior is already within the construction style expected for a late-1980s Buick passenger car.

Real-world highway safety depends on more than the speed letter. A 1987 Buick’s brakes, steering, suspension bushings, alignment, and wheel condition often matter more at normal interstate speeds than the difference between two modern radial reproductions. Treat the speed rating as a ceiling, not a target, and make sure the entire car is ready for road use before focusing only on the tire itself.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Buick should follow the vehicle’s factory recommendation first, then stay within the tire’s own rated limits. Tire capacities here are tied to specific pressures: 185/75R14 versions carry about 1,279 to 1,290 pounds at 35 psi, 195/75R14 reaches 1,521 pounds at 32 psi or about 1,400 to 1,433 pounds at 35 psi depending on product, 225/75R15 reaches 1,874 pounds at 35 psi or 2,094 pounds at 32 psi, and 215/60R15 reaches 1,411 pounds at 35 psi or 1,477 pounds on one V-rated version.

Those figures are not a universal inflation recommendation for every 1987 Buick. They show the pressure at which each tire’s maximum load rating is measured, which is different from the pressure Buick may have specified for ride, handling, and wear on a given model. Use the owner’s manual or tire placard for the starting point, then confirm that the tire you choose is appropriate at that operating pressure.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Buick, inspect each tire for cracking, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is inflated and usable, and confirm that the tire size on the car matches the model’s wheel diameter and application. On a car that has been sitting, also look for flat-spotting or any vibration source that could point to internal tire aging.

A longer trip in a late-1980s Buick should include a broader mechanical once-over as well. Wheel bearings, brakes, shocks or struts, hoses, belts, and alignment condition all influence how the tires behave once heat builds on the highway. Good tires are part of the equation, but the most reliable long-drive setup comes from treating the tire inspection as one step in a complete pre-trip check.