What is the stock tire size for a 1984 Buick Skyhawk T-Type? I'm not in the same state as the car right now but I need to put tires on it then tow it to a garage. The following picture is what the rims look like. Also what tire sizes work with his rim. Thanks

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nevermind just looked up the firehawk 5520 tire. should be P255/70R15. lol

Are you sure about that size?

255mm = 10 inches (that is WIDE!!!!)

255/70/15 = 29.06 inches diameter with tire + rim

stock 13 & 14 inch tires were 23.9 inches diameter with tire + rim, I'm sure you'd do plenty of rubbing with that extra 5.2 inches in space, not to mention 2.4 extra inches in width.

My 13 inchers are 195/70/13

I am pretty sure that there is a 14" wheel. Don't think there was any stock 15's on 1st gens.



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I don't know about others, but I do know some T-Types came with 15" rims. And I'm sure Mark has the correct diameter, but I think he would have the wrong width.

According to Tirerack.com those should be 205/60-14, if it's a 15" 205/55-15. According to the brochures @ American Car Brochures there were no 15" factory wheels available for 1st gens.

The American Car Brochures are definitely wrong, I've seen the 15" rims. Motorman had a set as well.

205/60-15 would be a height of 24.69 inches, 205/60-14 would be a height of 23.69 inches, and much closer to the 23.9 inch height of my factory size 13" tires.

For some reason I was thinking the "Hawk ended production with the Chevrolet and Pontiac 1st gen runs. Actually they continued through June 1989. So my school of thought is probably Buick had some changes along with the Chevrolet and Pontiac as they transitioned into the 2nd Generation. Now 2nd gen Chevys and Pontiacs had 15' wheels and I'm betting the Buicks had them during that time as well.

Got some more information at home - am curious myself and will do some checking!


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Motorman's was an 86 or an 87 (I think 86), so all would still be on 1st gen at that time.

thanks for the replies. I'm actually not sure. after I posted that pic I noticed the numbers on the side of the tire and googled it that way. That car was sitting on someones property for over 10 years. My dad doesn't remember putting that firehawk tire on. the other 3 tires are grand am radial gt's. My dad also said that tire dimension was wrong. So I take it a skyhawk t-type of that year only came in 13's or 14's.

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another update. it's ss20 not 5520 and it's only a name for the tire. they came in many different sizes.

Just a fyi our first gens can run up to a 16inch rim and as long as you use any 1st-3rd wheel it will bolt right on!!!!Granted the tire sizes varies with the 13,14,15,16 inch rim in degrees.I run 195/70/13 stock on mine.Ok

sorry we seemed to have hijacked your thread, but as I look at the original post, you're really just doing this for towing purposes at the moment.

I'm thinking that means the front wheels will be on a dolly-type set up and the rears will be rolling along.

You could just use a couple of doughnut spares on the front for all it matters, as long as they are in the air it shouldn't be a problem.

For the rear, the clearance is less of an issue, just keep in mind the factory size tires, be they 13, 14 or 15 inchers are about 24 inches across with the two sidewalls and rims.

Using your 255/70-15 size above

(255/1000)*39.4 = width in inches

width in inches * (70/100) = height of sidewall

(height of sidewall * 2) + diameter of rim = total diameter of tire on rim, or 29.06 inches.

Yea , like Wayne is referring to the tow solution - even a cheap set of 15" 3rd gen Cavalier wheels from a local salvage yard would easily bolt on to get your Hawk home on.

I got around to checking my books last night and couldn't find anything listed in the RPO options for 15's - just 14's. It might be possible a set of 15" wheels from a different bodystyle were sourced along the way. GM sure did make a lot of styles of wheels over the years!!

I'm betting as rare as Skyhawks are to begin with - one running with Buick 15" wheels ought to be something really unique!!


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thanks for the replies. I guess I'll wait until I get there. I was just worried that the tire size for the hawk might be hard to find. I guess I could use Wayne's idea of using spares. I'm gonna rent a car transport from uhaul so all 4 will be off the ground. I only wanna be able to move it around easier. Do you guys think using cans of fix a flat on those tires will get me by for that purpose?

This is the setup I used last time for towing.

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Steer away from the fix a flat products.The reason is those really are for dire need emergencies IMO as the product leaves a bad residue on the rim and over time will cause rust.Just try inflating the tires to see if they will hold a bead rim to tire and hold long enough for the purpose of moving it.Even if you do not access to a air compressor that will inflate the tires quick over a carry style air tank which only holds enough for say maybe 2 tires if not completely flat.If no air compressor take them off and take to a shop that does tires or gas station with a decent compressor to inflate.Hope this helps.

I concur with Ron.

You can even grab one of those cheap 12v "cigarette lighter" pumps and use that on site - just be prepared to watch the grass grow while it does the job.

S L O W....... anyone ever try loading Windows 95 on a 386sx Computer back in the day???


Another helpful bit ...... if you get stuck and are in a jamb scratching your head. Try jacking the ramps up some after the rear tires are on them - this will help raise the center point of the floorpan that is dragging enough to finish loading the car on the trailer ( Country Bumkin Ingenuity?)

Good luck Mark! We want some neat photos when you get done. I think you've got a really sweet project machine there!!

T-Type!! - - - ***You LUCKY Dog!!***


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If you are in need of any parts, I am currently parting out my 84 T-Type. Let me know what you need. Its going to the scrap yard as soon as I get the wire harness out of it. Next couple weeks.

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