Auto-Union Audi Tires

Auto-Union Audi uses two tire sizes in the 1966 and 1967 range: 165R13 and 590-13. Both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they are not the same type of tire. The 165R13 is a radial fitment, while the 590-13 is a bias-ply fitment with a narrower listed rim-width range.

That means the right choice depends on more than the model year alone. Check the wheel width on the car and decide whether you are trying to preserve a period-correct bias-ply look or use a radial that suits later-style road driving. Treat the year as the starting point, then match the tire to the actual wheel and the intended character of the car.

On an Auto-Union Audi, 590-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 590 is the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, and the 13 identifies the rim diameter in inches. In the available fitment range, this size is paired with a 13-inch wheel and a narrower listed rim-width range than the radial option.

That older numeric code matters because it signals a period-style tire rather than a modern metric radial. If your Auto-Union Audi still carries narrow wheels and you want the correct vintage stance and sidewall character, 590-13 is the size to examine closely. Bias-ply construction in this format also means planning for tube-type service.

A 1966 Auto-Union Audi has 2 tire sizes listed because the fitment split is by construction type and wheel-width suitability, not by a change in wheel diameter. Both 165R13 and 590-13 use a 13-inch rim, but one is a radial and the other is a bias-ply size. The listed wheel-width ranges also differ between them.

The practical takeaway is that you should not pick a tire by year alone. Inspect the wheels on the car, especially width, and decide whether the car is being restored to period presentation or set up for radial road use. That will usually point you toward the correct of the two listed sizes much faster than year-only searching.

Auto-Union Audi tube requirements depend on the size and construction chosen. The listed 590-13 bias-ply fitment is a tube-required application, while the available 165R13 radial products are tubeless radial designs. Both fit 13-inch wheels, but they are serviced differently.

That distinction matters when planning a full tire change. If your Auto-Union Audi is staying with 590-13 bias-ply tires, include tubes and make sure the wheels are suitable for tube-type use. If you are fitting 165R13 radials, verify that the wheels and overall setup are appropriate for tubeless radial service rather than assuming the two systems interchange without inspection.

Auto-Union Audi has both bias-ply and radial options in the listed range, with 590-13 representing the bias-ply choice and 165R13 representing the radial choice. Both are associated with 1966 and 1967, and both fit 13-inch wheels, but they are intended for different wheel-width ranges and driving character. The bias-ply option leans toward period appearance, while the radial option reflects more modern road behavior.

Choose bias-ply if authenticity, narrow-wheel presentation, and vintage feel are the main priorities. Choose radial if the car is set up for that fitment and you want more familiar tracking and highway manners. The best answer for an Auto-Union Audi is usually the one that matches the wheel dimensions already on the car and the purpose of the restoration.

Yes, radial tires can change how an Auto-Union Audi feels on the road because the listed 165R13 radial is a different construction type from the 590-13 bias-ply option. Even though both fit 13-inch rims, the radial and bias-ply versions are built to behave differently in steering response, tracking, and ride character. The radial fitment also corresponds to a wider listed rim-width range.

For a driver-focused Auto-Union Audi, that can make the radial choice attractive if the wheels are right for it. For a car aimed at period presentation, the bias-ply option may better preserve the look and feel expected of the era. Decide first whether authenticity or later-style drivability matters more, then verify the wheel width before committing.

Mixing crossply and radial tires on an Auto-Union Audi is not a good practice. The listed fitments use different construction types, different service assumptions, and different wheel-width ranges, even though both are 13-inch sizes. A mixed set can produce uneven handling characteristics that work against the balance of the car.

The sensible approach is to keep all four tires on the Auto-Union Audi in the same construction family. If you want a period-correct setup, stay with a full bias-ply set in the proper size. If you want radial road manners, move to a full radial set and make sure the wheels and overall condition of the car support that change.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1967 Auto-Union Audi, start with the two listed options for that year: 165R13 and 590-13. Both use 13-inch rims, but the 165R13 radial is listed for wider 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims, while the 590-13 bias-ply is listed for narrower 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. Construction type and wheel width are the deciding factors.

Measure the wheel width on the car and compare it to the tire's intended use. A restoration centered on period appearance will often lean toward the bias-ply fitment, while a driver-oriented setup may point to the radial. If the car has changed hands or been modified over time, trust the actual wheels on the car more than assumptions tied only to the model year.

Auto-Union Audi tire options in the listed range include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The 165R13 radial choices are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is a wide whitewall. That gives buyers a clear visual distinction between the available constructions as well as the available styling.

For most road-oriented or European-style presentations, the blackwall radial will look the more restrained choice. The wide whitewall bias-ply option creates a much more period-flavored and stylistic presentation, but it should be matched to the way the specific Auto-Union Audi is being restored. Sidewall style can strongly influence the car's finished appearance, so it is worth deciding that before selecting construction.

The listed Auto-Union Audi tire options come from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin appears with the XAS-FF and XAS in 165R13, Dunlop appears with the SP Sport Aquajet in 165R13, and BFGoodrich appears with the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply in 590-13. That gives the model a mix of radial and bias-ply choices from three distinct brands.

Brand choice should follow the size and construction that fit your Auto-Union Audi first. Once you know whether the car needs the radial or bias-ply route, you can narrow the selection by period look, sidewall style, and the wheel-width range you need to accommodate. That sequence helps avoid choosing by brand name before confirming the actual fitment direction.

The listed Auto-Union Audi range includes one new-old-stock period tire in 590-13 size. New-old-stock means original older production rather than a newly manufactured reproduction. Even when an NOS tire looks visually sound, its age alone makes condition, storage history, and intended use critical parts of the decision.

An NOS Auto-Union Audi tire is usually most attractive to buyers focused on display authenticity, period accessories, or special restoration goals. Before putting any NOS tire into service, have it evaluated by a specialist who understands age-related rubber degradation and vintage casing condition. That is especially important if the car will be driven rather than shown.

A stored Auto-Union Audi should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods of weight concentration in one spot. Tire pressures should be kept at the appropriate operating level for storage, and the car should be moved slightly from time to time or supported in a way that reduces flat spotting. Clean, dry tires last better than tires left dirty or exposed.

That matters whether your Auto-Union Audi is on radial 165R13 tires or bias-ply 590-13 tires. Bias-ply tires can be especially prone to shape changes during long storage, while collector radials also benefit from consistent care. Good storage habits are one of the easiest ways to preserve ride quality, appearance, and service life on a low-use classic.

Tires on an Auto-Union Audi should be inspected before each meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Check pressure, visible cracking, tread condition, sidewall damage, valve condition, and any signs of uneven wear or casing distortion. Collector cars often sit for long stretches, so age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage.

A quick inspection before use is especially important on a car that may alternate between storage and occasional road time. If your Auto-Union Audi runs on the 590-13 bias-ply setup, include the tube-type system and wheel condition in that inspection routine. Catching small issues early is far easier than discovering them once the car is already underway.

Tires on an Auto-Union Audi should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, separation, or persistent air loss begins to outweigh the tread that remains. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars that see occasional use. That applies to both the 165R13 radial choices and the 590-13 bias-ply option.

Tread depth alone is not a reliable guide for a low-mileage classic. If an Auto-Union Audi carries an NOS tire, age should be treated as a major factor even when the tire appears clean and lightly worn. A specialist inspection is the right step whenever there is any question about casing condition, serviceability, or safe continued use.

The listed Auto-Union Audi fitment range includes both a 590-13 bias-ply option and a 165R13 radial option for 1966 and 1967. That indicates more than one period-appropriate direction rather than a single one-size answer for every car. The available product families also show both classic bias-ply and radial approaches within the same model range.

For a precise restoration, the right next step is to compare the car against factory literature, period photographs, and marque-club guidance for the exact specification being restored. An Auto-Union Audi that has retained its original wheels may point naturally toward one choice, while a car updated in period or later may reasonably align with the other. Authenticity lives in the whole configuration, not just the year.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Auto-Union Audi is judged and perceived, especially when the car is presented as an accurate restoration. Size, construction type, sidewall style, and overall stance all contribute to whether the finished car looks right for its era and specification. Even small departures can change the visual balance of a compact European car.

For that reason, tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute purchase. A wide whitewall bias-ply 590-13 and a blackwall 165R13 radial create very different impressions on the same Auto-Union Audi. If show judging or resale authenticity matters, compare your intended tire against marque references and period-correct presentation standards before making the final selection.

Auto-Union Audi restoration choices in the listed range include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The available radial 165R13 tires are blackwalls, while the available 590-13 bias-ply tire is a wide whitewall. Both can suit a restoration, but they communicate very different visual intentions.

A blackwall usually aligns with a more restrained European appearance and works naturally with the radial option. A wide whitewall creates a stronger period statement and may suit a restoration pursuing a specific presentation style from the era. The correct choice for an Auto-Union Audi depends on how original the wheel and trim configuration remains, and on the visual standard you are trying to match.

Auto-Union Audi tires can be appropriate for public-road use when the size, construction, wheel width, and overall condition are all correct for the car. The listed radial 165R13 options are intended for normal road-style use within their design limits, while the 590-13 bias-ply option should be treated with the expectations that come with vintage-style construction. Safety depends as much on condition and correct installation as on the size itself.

Before road use, make sure the Auto-Union Audi has a matched set, proper inflation, sound wheels, and no age-related cracking or damage. A car driven regularly may benefit from the radial route if the wheels support it, while a bias-ply setup calls for more period-aware expectations. Any older or NOS tire deserves especially careful scrutiny before entering regular service.

Before driving an Auto-Union Audi, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel fasteners, valve stems, and any sign of impact damage or rubbing. Also confirm that all four tires match in size and construction, since the model's listed range includes both radial and bias-ply options. A mismatch can affect handling and predictability even if the tires share the same rim diameter.

That pre-drive routine is especially important on a collector car that may sit for long intervals between outings. If your Auto-Union Audi uses 590-13 bias-ply tires, include the tube-type setup and wheel condition in your inspection. If it uses 165R13 radials, verify that pressures and overall condition are consistent across the full set before heading onto the road.

The appropriate speed for an Auto-Union Audi depends on the exact tire fitted, its age, its condition, and whether the car is running a bias-ply or radial setup. A fresh, correctly fitted radial and an aged period-style bias-ply should not be treated the same way in real-world use. Collector cars should always be driven with more mechanical sympathy than a modern daily driver.

The safest practice is to let the condition and construction of the tire set the pace. If the Auto-Union Audi is on bias-ply tires or any older period-style casing, keep speeds conservative and avoid sustained high-speed running. If the car is on modern-manufacture radials in proper condition, it can usually be used more normally, but only after the whole car has been inspected as a complete system.