Austin Marina Tires

The Austin Marina was British Leyland’s compact family car of the mid-1970s, sold during a period when many everyday cars were moving from older bias-ply tire conventions toward modern radial construction. That transition matters on the Austin Marina because the same 1973 to 1975 model span appears with both a numeric bias-ply size and a metric radial size, even though both use the same 13-inch rim diameter. Austin Marina tire selection is not as simple as choosing by year alone, because construction type, wheel width, and period-correct appearance all affect which option makes sense. Confirm the tire size already on the car and the wheel width before settling on a replacement.

Austin Marina Tire Size Guide

The Austin Marina uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1973 to 1975 production span. Both listed sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they represent two different construction eras: a modern metric radial size and an older numeric bias-ply size. That matters because the correct choice depends not only on the year, but also on whether the car is being kept period-correct or fitted with later-style radial construction.

155R131973-1975Euro-metric radial

155R13 is a radial size used on Austin Marina models from 1973 through 1975. The 155 indicates section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the required 13-inch rim diameter; the available products are also marked 155HR13, with H indicating a speed rating. Choose this size when the car is set up for radial tires and a more modern driving feel is desired, and verify that the wheel falls within the listed rim-width range for the tire you select.

560-131973-1975Numeric bias-ply

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size used on Austin Marina models from 1973 through 1975. The 560 denotes the nominal section width in the older inch-based bias-ply system, and the 13 is the required 13-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when period-correct bias-ply construction and traditional whitewall styling are the goal, and because these are bias-ply tires a tube is required.

Austin Marina Tires by Year

The year listing below shows which tire sizes are associated with each Austin Marina model year from 1973 through 1975. In 1973, 1974, and 1975, two sizes are listed, reflecting a construction split between radial and bias-ply tires rather than a wheel diameter change. Compare the size on the car now with the year listing, then confirm whether the wheels and restoration goals point you toward radial or bias-ply construction.

Best Austin Marina Tires for Sale

Available Austin Marina tires span 2 brands and 5 products across 155R13 and 560-13 sizes. Choices include radial blackwall and bias-ply whitewall options, so confirm the correct size, construction type, and 13-inch rim fit before selecting.

155R13 Products

These are the available products for 155R13.

80 Series Metric Radial

Michelin XAS | 155HR13

Michelin - Michelin XAS-FF

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.00 - 5.50 in
Weight20 lb
Max Load—
Buy Now
Radial Tires

Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet | 155HR13

Dunlop - SP Sport Aquajet

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width—
Weight20 lb
Max Load937 lbs
Buy Now

560-13 Products

These are the available products for 560-13.

Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 1.00 Inch Whitewall | 560-13S

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallNarrow Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width3.50 - 4.00 in
Weight17 lb
Max Load850@30 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 560-13S

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width3.50 - 4.00 in
Weight17 lb
Max Load850@30 psi
Buy Now
Bias Ply

Firestone 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 560-13

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter13 in
Rim Width4.00 - 4.50 in
Weight17 lb
Max Load850@30 psi
Buy Now

Frequently Asked Questions

The Austin Marina questions below focus on choosing between 13-inch radial and bias-ply fitments, understanding what the size codes mean, and deciding whether period appearance or later driving manners should guide the final choice.

Size Basics & Fitment

Austin Marina models in the 1973 through 1975 range use two listed tire sizes: 155R13 and 560-13. The 155R13 fitment is a radial on a 13-inch rim, while the 560-13 fitment is a bias-ply size that also uses a 13-inch rim. Available 155R13 products are shown for rim widths including 4.00 to 5.50 inches, while the 560-13 products are shown for narrower 13-inch wheels in the 3.50 to 4.50 inch range depending on the specific tire.

That means the correct tire for an Austin Marina is not determined by year alone, since both sizes appear through the full 1973 to 1975 span. The practical check is to inspect the existing wheel width and the type of tire the car is already set up to use. A radial 155R13 and a bias-ply 560-13 can both be correct within this model group, but they suit different wheel widths, driving character, and restoration goals.

A 560-13 on an Austin Marina is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 is the nominal section width expressed in the traditional bias-ply system, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On this page, the available 560-13 products are bias-ply tires offered on 13-inch rims, with whitewall sidewall choices including narrow and wide whitewall styles.

That size is the one to consider when an Austin Marina is being kept visually period-correct or when the car still has wheels intended for narrower bias-ply fitment. It is wise to confirm wheel width before selecting one, because the listed 560-13 tires do not all share the same approved rim-width range. Since the available 560-13 products are bias-ply construction, tube use should be part of the installation plan.

A 1974 Austin Marina shows two tire sizes because the model group appears with both radial and bias-ply fitments during the same production years. The two listed sizes, 155R13 and 560-13, share the same 13-inch rim diameter but represent different construction types rather than different wheel diameters. One is a metric radial size, and the other is an older numeric bias-ply size.

For an owner, that means the right answer depends on the specific wheels on the car and the result you want from it. A Marina restored to an earlier look may suit the bias-ply option, while a car set up for road use may already carry radial-compatible wheels and tires. Checking the tires presently fitted, measuring wheel width, and reviewing any restoration records will usually settle the choice quickly.

Austin Marina tube requirement depends on which listed size you use. The available 560-13 products are bias-ply tires, and that style of fitment should be treated as requiring tubes. The available 155R13 products are radial tires, so tube fitment is not part of the same requirement in the way it is with the bias-ply 560-13 option.

The practical point is to match the installation method to the tire construction, not just the model name. If an Austin Marina is being fitted with 560-13 bias-ply tires, plan the job around tubes and the wheel condition needed for that setup. If the car uses 155R13 radials, focus instead on confirming wheel width and general wheel suitability for the radial tire being chosen.

Crossply vs Radial

Austin Marina models from 1973 to 1975 are listed with both crossply and radial tire options. The crossply choice is 560-13, while the radial choice is 155R13, and both fit 13-inch rims. That means neither construction is automatically wrong for the model group; the better choice depends on the wheels on the car, the look you want, and whether originality or driving manners is the higher priority.

A restored Austin Marina aiming for period appearance will often lean toward the bias-ply size, especially if whitewall styling is part of the build. A Marina driven more regularly may benefit from staying with the radial format if the car is already equipped for it. The cleanest approach is to choose one construction system for the whole car and make sure the wheel width matches the tire you intend to run.

A radial tire can change the feel of an Austin Marina because a 155R13 radial differs in construction from a 560-13 bias-ply tire even though both use 13-inch wheels. Radials generally reflect the later direction of tire development, while bias-ply tires preserve the earlier feel and appearance associated with older fitments. The available Austin Marina radial options are blackwall tires rather than whitewall bias-ply styles.

That difference matters most if the car is driven on modern roads and the owner wants the steering and ride character associated with radial construction. It also matters in the opposite direction for a show-focused Austin Marina where period appearance is more important than updated road manners. Tire choice should support the purpose of the car, not work against the way the Marina is being restored or used.

An Austin Marina is listed with both crossply and radial sizes, but that does not make mixed construction a good practice on the same car. The two fitments differ in casing behavior, sidewall response, and intended wheel-width range even though both are 13-inch sizes. Using one construction at one end of the car and another at the other end can create handling differences that are hard to predict.

The sensible approach is to equip the Austin Marina with a matched set of one construction type. That keeps the car’s responses more consistent and makes it easier to judge pressure, ride quality, and overall behavior. If the car arrives with mixed tires already fitted, use that as a sign to inspect the wheels, verify what size the car is meant to carry, and standardize the setup before regular driving.

Buying the Right Tire

A 1975 Austin Marina can be listed with either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, so confirmation starts with the car itself. Check the size marked on the existing tires, then verify the wheel width against the tire’s approved range. The available 155R13 radials suit wider 13-inch wheel widths than the 560-13 bias-ply products, which is often the fastest clue to which fitment the car is using.

After that, decide whether the Austin Marina is being kept to a period presentation or used in a way that favors radial construction. If the car has a restoration history, old service records or marque-club guidance can help explain whether the setup was changed over time. Looking at the wheel width, the current tire type, and the visual style you want will usually identify the right choice without guesswork.

Austin Marina tire options here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The 155R13 radial products are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply products are offered in narrow and wide whitewall versions. That gives the Marina owner a clear divide between a more understated radial appearance and a more period-styled bias-ply presentation.

Sidewall style should follow the kind of Austin Marina you are building. A driver-oriented car on radials will usually align with blackwall fitment, while a more nostalgic or show-focused build may look right on whitewall bias-ply tires. Since sidewall style and construction are linked in these offerings, appearance and driving character are being chosen together rather than as separate decisions.

Austin Marina tire choices here come from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That spread gives the Marina owner access to both European-style radial offerings and classic bias-ply lines aimed at period appearance.

Brand choice should come after fitment choice, not before it. Once the correct Austin Marina size and construction have been identified, brand becomes a matter of sidewall style, preferred series, and how closely the finished look matches the rest of the car. Choosing a brand without first settling the size and construction can lead to the right name on the wrong type of tire.

Austin Marina tires here appear in three distinct series families: Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, and classic bias-ply lines from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet offerings are radial 155R13 tires, while the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply offerings cover the 560-13 fitment. Those series differences reflect both construction type and overall period character rather than cosmetic variation alone.

For an Austin Marina owner, the choice between these series starts with whether the car should remain on radial or bias-ply construction. After that, compare sidewall style and wheel-width compatibility to narrow the options. The series name is useful because it tells you whether you are moving toward a more road-oriented radial setup or toward a traditional bias-ply look suited to a vintage-style restoration.

Maintenance & Longevity

An Austin Marina should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and standing moisture. Tire pressures should be maintained during storage so the casing does not sit partially deflated under load. If the Marina will sit for long periods, rolling it occasionally or supporting the car to reduce static loading can help prevent flat spotting and casing stress.

Storage habits matter whether the Austin Marina is on 155R13 radials or 560-13 bias-ply tires, but bias-ply tires are often more prone to taking a set when parked too long. Clean tires and wheels before storage, and avoid dressings that can leave surfaces slippery or trap grime. Good storage conditions extend tire life and also preserve the look of blackwall and whitewall sidewalls alike.

Tires on an Austin Marina should be inspected before regular road use and again after any long storage period. The inspection should include pressure, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation, sidewall condition, valve stem condition, and any signs that the tire is rubbing because wheel width or fitment is not ideal. On a collector car, age and storage history matter as much as tread depth.

A practical routine is to look over the Austin Marina tires every time the car comes out for a drive, with a more careful inspection at the start of each driving season. Whitewall tires deserve extra attention because sidewall distress is easier to spot when they are cleaned properly. If anything looks questionable, have the tire and wheel assembly evaluated before adding highway use to the plan.

Austin Marina tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, repeated air loss, or structural deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often wear out tires by time and environment rather than by mileage. A tire that looks cosmetically presentable can still be unfit for meaningful road use if the casing has aged or the rubber has become brittle.

That is especially important on an Austin Marina that spends long periods parked between short drives. Replace tires when condition says they are done, not when tread finally disappears, and inspect older tubes at the same time on any bias-ply setup. If a car has been off the road for years, treat every tire as suspect until it has been carefully evaluated and proven serviceable.

Restoration & Authenticity

Austin Marina fitments in this 1973 to 1975 range include both 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply sizes. The products also show distinct series types, with radial choices such as Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet alongside classic bias-ply offerings from BFGoodrich and Firestone. That tells you the Marina sits in a period when more than one style of tire could be relevant depending on the specific car and how it was equipped.

For restoration work, the right answer for an Austin Marina comes from the car’s own build history, market specification, and marque references rather than from a broad assumption about the whole model line. If you are preparing the car for judging, the safest path is to match the size, construction, and sidewall style to surviving evidence on the vehicle. That level of consistency usually matters more than brand preference by itself.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging for an Austin Marina because size, construction type, and sidewall style all shape how authentic the car appears. A 155R13 blackwall radial gives a different visual and historical impression than a 560-13 whitewall bias-ply tire, even though both are listed within the model group. Judges and knowledgeable buyers tend to notice those differences quickly.

For a restored Austin Marina, tire choice should support the era and character of the finished car rather than compete with it. If the car is heading toward serious show use, compare the chosen tire to factory literature, period photographs, and marque-club guidance. Even on a driver, staying consistent in construction and appearance helps the car feel thoughtfully finished and can strengthen its credibility with informed enthusiasts.

Austin Marina tire offerings here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears on the 155R13 radial fitment, while narrow and wide whitewall choices appear on the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That means sidewall style is tied closely to both the look of the restoration and the construction type chosen for the car.

The correct sidewall style for an Austin Marina restoration depends on the exact appearance you are trying to recreate. A restrained, later-feeling presentation usually points toward blackwall radials, while a more stylized vintage look may lean toward one of the whitewall bias-ply options. Period photos of the specific car and marque references are the best way to decide whether a narrow or wide whitewall is convincing for the finished restoration.

Safety & Road Use

Austin Marina tires can be suitable for public-road use when the correct size, construction type, wheel width, and overall tire condition are matched properly. The listed options include modern-style radial construction in 155R13 and classic bias-ply construction in 560-13, and each should be used in the context it suits. Safety depends as much on condition and proper fit as on the size itself.

Before regular road use, make sure the Austin Marina has a matched set, proper inflation, sound wheels, and no age-related cracking or separation. A collector car that sits often should never be judged solely by tread depth. If the car has just come out of storage or restoration, a careful inspection and short shakedown drive are wise before asking much of the tires.

Before driving an Austin Marina, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel fasteners, and any sign of rubbing or uneven wear. If the car is on 560-13 bias-ply tires, include tube-related air loss in your pre-drive thinking as well. Also make sure all four tires match in size and construction so the car behaves predictably.

That quick inspection is especially valuable on an Austin Marina because the model group can be found with either bias-ply or radial tires, and each setup feels different on the road. Any pull, vibration, or wandering sensation during the first miles should be treated as a reason to stop and inspect the car again. A few minutes in the garage is far better than discovering a fitment or condition problem at speed.

Appropriate speed for an Austin Marina depends on the tire construction fitted, the age and condition of the tires, and the mechanical state of the car as a whole. A fresh, properly fitted radial setup in 155R13 invites a different level of confidence than an older-style 560-13 bias-ply arrangement, even when both are correct within the model group. Condition always outranks theory when deciding how hard to use a collector car tire.

The sensible approach is to drive an Austin Marina at moderate speeds that respect both the tire type and the realities of a vintage car. Build speed gradually, pay attention to how the car tracks and responds, and back off if the tires or chassis feel unsettled. Any older collector car is best enjoyed with a margin in reserve rather than with modern-car expectations placed on vintage equipment.