Austin 1800 Tires

Austin 1800 was a distinctive mid-1960s family saloon, built from 1964 through 1968 during a period when British cars were moving from older tire conventions toward more modern radial sizing. Its roomy, front-wheel-drive layout and firmly practical character make it an important car to preserve correctly, but tire selection is not as simple as matching the model name alone. Austin 1800 appears here with both a modern-style radial size and an older numeric bias-ply size, even though both use the same 13-inch rim diameter. The key first step is to decide whether the car should wear period-style bias-ply tires or a radial size that matches the wheel diameter already on the car.

Austin 1800 Tire Size Guide

Austin 1800 uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1964 to 1968 production span. Both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they represent two different sizing systems and two different construction approaches, which is why careful selection matters on this model.

175R131964-1968Euro-metric radial

175R13 is a radial size used across 1964 through 1968 Austin 1800 applications. The 175 indicates a nominal section width of 175 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose this size when the goal is radial construction on the original 13-inch wheel, and confirm wheel width and overall clearance before final selection.

650-131964-1968Numeric bias-ply

650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size listed across 1964 through 1968 Austin 1800 fitments. The 650 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches and the 13 is the rim diameter, with available products built for 13-inch wheels and 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths. Choose this size when a period-style bias-ply look is the priority, and A tube is required.

Austin 1800 Tires by Year

The year listing below shows which tire sizes are associated with each Austin 1800 model year from 1964 through 1968. Every year includes both 175R13 and 650-13, so the year alone does not settle the choice. Use the year first, then confirm whether the car should be fitted with radial-size or bias-ply-style tires on its 13-inch wheels.

Best Austin 1800 Tires for Sale

Available Austin 1800 tire options cover 2 brands and 4 products across the listed sizes. Confirm the correct size and 13-inch rim diameter on the car before selecting, especially if deciding between radial-size and bias-ply-style fitment.

650-13 Products

These are the available products for 650-13.

Bias Ply

Coker Classic 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 650-13

Coker Classic - Coker Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.50 - 5.00 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load1150@32 psi
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Bias Ply

US Royal 1.875 Inch Whitewall | 650-13

US Royal - US Royal Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.50 - 5.00 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load1150@32 psi
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Bias Ply

Coker Classic 1.00 Inch Whitewall | 650-13

Coker Classic - Coker Classic Bias Ply

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.50 - 5.00 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load1150@32 psi
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Bias Ply

US Royal 1.00 Inch Whitewall | 650-13

US Royal - US Royal Classic Bias Ply

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.50 - 5.00 in
Weight18 lb
Max Load1150@32 psi
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below addresses the Austin 1800's two parallel tire size systems, the practical difference between radial and bias-ply fitment, and how to choose the right construction and sidewall style for a collector car from this period.

Size Basics & Fitment

Austin 1800 uses two listed tire sizes across the full 1964 through 1968 production run: 175R13 and 650-13. Both sizes fit 13-inch wheels. The 175R13 is a radial-format size, while 650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. Available 650-13 products are built for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim widths.

That means the choice is not simply about year, because every listed year carries both size conventions. Start by confirming the wheel diameter on the car, then decide whether the restoration goal is a period bias-ply appearance or a radial-format fitment. If the car has had wheels changed at some point, inspect the actual rims before settling on a tire.

On an Austin 1800, 650-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 650 refers to a nominal section width of about 6.50 inches, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. The available products in this size are bias-ply tires built for 13-inch rims and 4.50 to 5.00 inch wheel widths.

For a buyer or restorer, that size usually points toward a more period-correct look and driving character than a modern radial-format size. Numeric bias-ply tires also call for different expectations in steering feel and road manners. If your Austin 1800 is being restored for originality, 650-13 is the size code most likely to align with that visual character.

Austin 1800 uses a 13-inch rim diameter for both listed tire sizes. The radial-format 175R13 uses a 13-inch wheel by definition, and the available 650-13 products also specify a 13-inch rim diameter. For the numeric bias-ply option, the supported rim width range is 4.50 to 5.00 inches.

That shared wheel diameter is helpful, but it does not make the two size systems interchangeable in every practical sense. Construction type, overall profile, and the intended look of the car still matter. Before choosing, inspect the wheel stamping if possible and compare the mounted tire clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering lock.

Austin 1800 requires inner tubes when fitted with the listed 650-13 bias-ply tires. That size is offered here only in bias-ply construction, and tube use is part of proper fitment for that style. The 175R13 radial size is a separate construction format and should be matched to the wheel and tire design being used.

For practical ownership, tube choice should be treated as part of the tire package rather than an afterthought. A collector car that sees occasional use can suffer from avoidable trouble if the tube, flap, rim condition, and tire construction are not considered together. If your Austin 1800 still carries older wheels, inspect the rims carefully before mounting fresh tires.

Buying the Right Tire

A 1964 Austin 1800 can use either 175R13 or 650-13, so the correct choice depends on the car's present wheel setup and the type of driving or restoration you want. Both sizes are tied to 13-inch wheels, but one is a radial-format size and the other is a numeric bias-ply size. The year by itself does not narrow it further.

Begin with the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, then look at whether the car is being kept close to period appearance or set up for a different road feel. Old registration records, restoration invoices, and period photos of the specific car can also help. On a model like Austin 1800, those details matter more than the model year alone.

Austin 1800 tire options in the listed 650-13 size include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. The wide whitewall offerings are 2.25 inch and 1.875 inch styles, while the narrow whitewall offerings are 1.00 inch styles. Those choices are available across two brands in the bias-ply range shown here.

Sidewall appearance can change the character of the car almost as much as wheel choice. A narrow whitewall usually gives a more restrained late-1960s look, while a wider whitewall creates a more stylized period presentation. Match the sidewall style to the way your Austin 1800 is being restored, especially if authenticity or show presentation matters.

Austin 1800 tire products in the listed range come from two brands: Coker Classic and US Royal. Both brands appear in 650-13 bias-ply offerings, and both include whitewall variations. The series represented are Coker Classic Bias Ply and US Royal Classic Bias Ply.

Brand choice on a collector car often comes down to the look you want, the sidewall treatment you prefer, and how closely you are trying to match a certain period presentation. Compare the available series and whitewall widths rather than assuming every 650-13 option will present the same way once mounted. That visual difference can be important on Austin 1800 restorations.

The Austin 1800 products listed here include two series names in the 650-13 bias-ply range: Coker Classic Bias Ply and US Royal Classic Bias Ply. Both are bias-ply series built around the same nominal size and 13-inch rim diameter, and both are offered with whitewall styling options. The difference here is primarily series branding and sidewall presentation rather than a shift to a different construction family.

That means a buyer should focus first on fitment and intended appearance. If your Austin 1800 is being restored with a period-style bias-ply look, compare the series by whitewall width and the visual tone you want on the car. Construction type is the larger decision point on this model, since the real split is between radial-format and bias-ply-style sizing.

Maintenance & Longevity

An Austin 1800 should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Tire pressure should be checked before storage and maintained during long periods of inactivity. If the car will sit for extended periods, moving it occasionally or supporting it in a way that reduces static loading can help limit flat-spotting.

Collector cars often age their tires through inactivity more than mileage. Keeping the car clean, the tires properly inflated, and the storage area stable will do more for tire life than simply covering the vehicle. If your Austin 1800 wears bias-ply tires, expect them to be more sensitive to long stationary periods and more likely to show temporary flat-spotting after storage.

Tires on an Austin 1800 should be inspected before any meaningful drive and at regular intervals even when the car is rarely used. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, impact damage, valve condition, and signs of tube or rim trouble where applicable. Pressure should be checked with the tires cold, not guessed by appearance.

A collector car can look ready for the road while its tires have quietly aged out or developed issues from sitting. Frequent visual checks are especially important if the car runs period-style bias-ply tires, because handling changes can begin subtly. Make inspection part of every pre-drive routine, not something reserved for annual service.

Austin 1800 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, separation, repeated air loss, or other structural concerns appear, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out. Calendar age, storage history, and condition matter more than tread alone on a low-mileage car.

That is particularly true for cars that spend long periods parked and only come out for occasional drives, shows, or tours. If steering feel changes, vibration appears, or the sidewalls no longer look supple and even, treat the tires as suspect. A cautious replacement schedule is part of preserving both the Austin 1800 and the people riding in it.

Restoration & Authenticity

Austin 1800 is listed with both 175R13 and 650-13 tire sizes across the 1964 to 1968 range. That means the car sits at a point where both radial-format and numeric bias-ply-style sizing can enter the conversation. The available product range shown here is centered on 650-13 bias-ply tires in Coker Classic Bias Ply and US Royal Classic Bias Ply series.

For an originality-focused restoration, the specific car should be checked against factory literature, period road tests, surviving delivery records, and marque-club references. Austin 1800 owners often find that preserving the right stance and period appearance matters as much as matching the nominal size. Use the listed sizes as a starting point, then narrow the choice to your car's actual restoration standard.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Austin 1800 is judged, presented, and valued. Size, construction type, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks right for its era. Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, a visibly incorrect profile or sidewall style can undermine an otherwise careful restoration.

Judging standards vary, so the best reference is the club, event, or marque authority that applies to your car. If the Austin 1800 is being restored for preservation-class display, be deliberate about whether a radial-format size or a period-style bias-ply tire better suits the goal. Small visual details, especially whitewall width and profile, often make a noticeable difference.

Austin 1800 tire options in the listed bias-ply range include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles. Specifically, 650-13 products are offered with 2.25 inch, 1.875 inch, and 1.00 inch whitewall treatments. Each creates a different visual effect even though the base size remains the same.

The correct choice depends on the presentation you are trying to achieve with the individual Austin 1800. A narrow whitewall generally gives a subtler late-period look, while a wider whitewall creates a more stylized vintage appearance. Compare your car against period photos and club guidance so the tire complements the trim, ride height, and overall restoration theme.

Safety & Road Use

Austin 1800 tires can be suitable for public-road use when the tires are the correct size, properly mounted on sound 13-inch wheels, correctly inflated, and in healthy condition. Safety depends on the complete setup rather than the size code alone. Construction type also matters, because radial and bias-ply tires deliver different steering, braking, and ride behavior.

Before road use, make sure the wheel condition, suspension, steering, and alignment all match the quality of the tire choice. A freshly restored Austin 1800 with old wheels or neglected chassis components is not truly road-ready. Treat the tire as one part of a complete safety system, especially if the car has spent years off the road.

Before driving an Austin 1800, check cold tire pressures, visible sidewall and tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. If the car runs 650-13 bias-ply tires, include tube-related air retention and rim condition in the inspection. Also check steering response and brake feel in the first moments of movement.

A short pre-drive routine can prevent damage to rare parts and reduce the chance of being stranded by a simple issue. On a collector Austin 1800, tires often reveal broader problems such as poor alignment, weak suspension bushings, or wheel damage. Any vibration, pull, or sudden change in feel deserves attention before settling into normal road speed.

An Austin 1800 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the tire type fitted, the age and condition of the tires, the condition of the wheels, and the overall mechanical state of the car. Collector tires should never be judged by appearance alone. Even a tire with good tread may not be suited to sustained higher-speed use if it is aged or poorly stored.

The prudent approach is to build speed gradually, pay close attention to vibration and steering feel, and keep road use realistic for the car and tire combination you have chosen. If the Austin 1800 is running period-style bias-ply tires, expect more conservative road manners than with a radial-format setup. Long, high-speed motorway driving calls for especially careful judgment.