DAF Daffodil Tires

The DAF Daffodil uses four listed tire sizes across its 1962 to 1968 production span. For 1962 and 1963, the sizes are 145R12 radial and 520-12 bias-ply, both for 12-inch rims. For 1964 through 1968, the sizes are 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply, both for 13-inch rims. That means the year split follows a wheel diameter change as well as a construction-style choice within each period.

A practical way to sort the car is to confirm the wheel diameter first, then decide whether the car is being kept in a more period-style bias-ply configuration or run on radial tires. Early cars need 12-inch fitment and later cars need 13-inch fitment. Once that is established, the year listing helps narrow the choice to the correct radial or bias-ply size for the specific DAF Daffodil.

On a DAF Daffodil, 520-12 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 520 is the nominal section width in the traditional inch-based bias-ply system with the decimal omitted, and the 12 identifies the required 12-inch wheel diameter. On this page, 520-12 appears for 1962 and 1963 DAF Daffodil applications and is offered in bias-ply construction.

That size matters to owners who want the look and road manners associated with a small 1960s bias-ply tire rather than a later radial equivalent. Because it is a bias-ply application in this range, tube fitment should be part of the plan when mounting the tire. It is also wise to confirm the wheel itself, since a DAF Daffodil from the later years uses a different rim diameter altogether.

The DAF Daffodil uses two rim diameters across the listed production years. Cars from 1962 and 1963 are paired with 12-inch sizes, while cars from 1964 through 1968 are paired with 13-inch sizes. Both the radial and bias-ply choices within each year group share the same rim diameter, so the main change is the move from 12-inch to 13-inch wheels in 1964.

That makes wheel measurement the first check before any tire decision. Many collectors focus on the tire code first, but on a DAF Daffodil the wheel diameter separates the early and late fitments immediately. If the car has been restored, modified, or had wheels swapped at some point, confirm the actual rim before matching it to either the radial or bias-ply size used in that year range.

A DAF Daffodil fitted with the listed 520-12 or 520-13 bias-ply sizes should be treated as a tube-type application. Those sizes are offered here in bias-ply construction, and tube use is part of the expected setup for these period-style tires. The listed 145R12 and 145R13 metric radial options are separate radial fitments and are not described in the same way.

Tube choice affects mounting parts, wheel preparation, and the overall approach to a restoration or driver-quality installation. If your DAF Daffodil is being kept with bias-ply tires for authenticity, make sure the wheels are suitable and that the tube, flap, and valve setup are correct for the rim. A radial-equipped DAF Daffodil should be evaluated as a radial installation rather than assumed to need the same hardware.

The DAF Daffodil is listed with both bias-ply and radial tire choices, so the right answer depends on how the car is used and how original you want it to feel. The bias-ply options are 520-12 for 1962-1963 and 520-13 for 1964-1968, while the radial options are 145R12 for 1962-1963 and 145R13 for 1964-1968. Both constructions fit within the correct year and wheel-diameter groups.

Bias-ply tires usually suit a more period-correct presentation, especially for owners who want the look and character of a small European car from the early 1960s. Radials are often chosen by owners who prioritize more modern road behavior within the proper rim diameter. Decide whether your DAF Daffodil is being judged, toured, or casually driven, then match the construction type to that goal.

Yes, a DAF Daffodil on radial tires will typically feel different from one on bias-ply tires. The listed radial sizes, 145R12 and 145R13, represent a later tire construction than the 520-12 and 520-13 bias-ply options. Even when the wheel diameter is correct for the year, the change in carcass design can alter steering response, ride quality, and how the car reacts to road surfaces.

That difference matters on a light, compact car like the DAF Daffodil, where tire construction has a noticeable influence on the driving character. Owners who want a period feel often stay with the numeric bias-ply sizes, while owners who plan to use the car more regularly may prefer the radial alternative. Any switch should be made as a complete vehicle decision rather than one tire at a time.

A DAF Daffodil is best kept on one construction type rather than a mix of bias-ply and radial tires. The listed fitments already present a clear choice within each year group: either the numeric bias-ply size or the metric radial size, both matched to the proper wheel diameter. Mixing those constructions can create uneven handling behavior because the sidewall and tread response differ significantly.

For a collector car, consistency matters as much as correctness. If your DAF Daffodil is currently on mixed constructions, treat that as a temporary condition and plan toward a matched full set once the correct wheel diameter and intended use are settled. A unified setup also makes it easier to judge steering feel, alignment behavior, and the overall road manners of the car.

A 1964 DAF Daffodil falls into the later wheel-diameter group and uses either 145R13 radial or 520-13 bias-ply, both on 13-inch rims. The key point is that 1964 is the change year from the earlier 12-inch setup used in 1962 and 1963. Once the model year is established, the remaining decision is whether the car is meant to stay with a period-style bias-ply tire or use the radial alternative.

Start by checking the wheel diameter on the car itself, especially if the DAF Daffodil has had previous restoration work or replacement wheels. Then compare the car's intended use with the construction type: bias-ply for a more original character, radial for a more modern feel. That approach avoids choosing a 1962-1963 size simply because it looks close on paper.

DAF Daffodil tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The radial sizes listed for the DAF Daffodil are blackwall, while the bias-ply options include blackwall as well as whitewall treatments. Specifically, 520-12 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall, and 520-13 appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That gives owners flexibility depending on whether the car is being restored to a restrained factory-style appearance or styled with more visual emphasis. A blackwall DAF Daffodil usually reads as the most straightforward small-car presentation, while whitewalls can push the look toward period personalization. Match the sidewall style to the era and overall finish of the car rather than treating it as a purely cosmetic afterthought.

The listed DAF Daffodil tire options come from Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin covers both 12-inch and 13-inch radial applications, BFGoodrich appears in 520-12 bias-ply, Firestone appears in 520-13 bias-ply and one 145R13 radial application, and Premium Sport appears in 520-13 bias-ply whitewall variations. That gives the DAF Daffodil a useful spread of brands across both construction types.

Brand choice should come after the fitment is narrowed to the correct year group, wheel diameter, and construction style. A DAF Daffodil owner comparing brands is really comparing how closely each option aligns with the car's mission, whether that is originality, subtle road use, or a certain whitewall presentation. Get the size and construction settled first, then weigh brand and appearance.

The listed tire series for the DAF Daffodil include Michelin MX, Michelin XAS-FF, F560 Radial, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Premium Sport Lowrider. The first three are radial-oriented offerings tied to the metric sizes, while the latter three are bias-ply series tied to the 520-12 and 520-13 fitments. Within the bias-ply group, some series also differ by sidewall treatment, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

Those series differences matter because they combine construction type, visual style, and intended presentation. A DAF Daffodil restored with a plain blackwall radial will project a different character than one fitted with narrow or wide whitewall bias-ply tires. Think of the series choice as the final refinement after the year, wheel diameter, and correct size have already been confirmed.

A DAF Daffodil should be stored clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight when the tires are fitted. Long exposure to heat, ozone, standing moisture, and petroleum-based contamination shortens tire life on any collector car, and small-car tires are no exception. If the car will sit for extended periods, keeping the tires properly inflated and reducing prolonged load on one contact patch will help preserve their shape.

Owners who keep a DAF Daffodil for seasonal use should make storage part of normal preservation rather than an afterthought. Roll the car occasionally, avoid parking on bare concrete for very long intervals, and inspect sidewalls before the next drive. Bias-ply-equipped cars deserve extra attention because long static storage can show up quickly in ride quality and steering feel once the car returns to service.

Tires on a DAF Daffodil should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the year. Check inflation, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and any signs of cracking, flat spotting, or impact damage. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, visible wear is often less important than age, storage history, and condition changes since the last outing.

A simple walk-around is not enough when the car has been inactive for weeks or months. Put hands and eyes on each tire, including the inner sidewall where problems can be missed easily on a small car. If the DAF Daffodil uses bias-ply tires and tubes, make inspections more attentive because age-related issues can develop even when the tread still looks serviceable.

Tires on a DAF Daffodil should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, distortion, repeated air loss, or other condition issues appear, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out. That principle applies to both the radial and bias-ply options listed for the DAF Daffodil, though older-style bias-ply tires can show their age more noticeably in ride and handling.

The right decision is condition-based, not tread-based. If a DAF Daffodil has spent years parked, has unknown tire age, or shows sidewall deterioration, treat replacement as part of recommissioning the car. Waiting for visible tread wear on a lightly used collector vehicle can create a false sense of security, especially when the car is only driven occasionally and the tires have aged quietly in storage.

The DAF Daffodil is represented here by both bias-ply and radial size families during its production run. Early cars from 1962 and 1963 are paired with 520-12 and 145R12, while 1964 through 1968 cars are paired with 520-13 and 145R13. The listed product families include classic bias-ply and metric radial series, showing that more than one style of replacement tire is available within the correct year and wheel-diameter groups.

For a strict restoration, the important task is matching your individual DAF Daffodil to the right period presentation rather than assuming every car should wear the same construction. Period photos, original handbooks, surviving cars, and marque-club references are the best way to settle what is most authentic for a specific example. Once that is clear, the listed sizes let you stay within the correct year group.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the judged authenticity of a DAF Daffodil. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the wheel diameter, sidewall style, and general tire character suit the car's year and restoration approach. A 12-inch early car wearing a later 13-inch fitment, or a period-style build wearing an obviously mismatched construction, can look out of place even before anyone studies details closely.

That does not mean every DAF Daffodil must be restored to the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should support the car's purpose. If the goal is show authenticity, verify the year group first and then choose the sidewall and construction that best reflect the intended presentation. If the goal is touring, a sympathetic but less strict choice may still preserve the car's overall character.

The DAF Daffodil is listed with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices, depending on size and series. Blackwall appears throughout the radial offerings and in some bias-ply options, while whitewall styles appear in the 520-12 and 520-13 bias-ply range. That means a restoration can be kept visually restrained or given a more period-personalized whitewall look without leaving the listed size families.

Correctness depends on the specific car and the presentation you are trying to achieve. A conservative DAF Daffodil restoration will often lean toward blackwall, while a period-custom or accessorized look may make better sense with narrow or wide whitewalls. Use the car's market, period photographs, and surviving examples as the final reference, then choose the sidewall style that fits the story of that individual car.

A DAF Daffodil can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size for the car's year, the wheel diameter is correct, and the tires are in sound condition. The listed options include both radial and bias-ply constructions, each with different driving characteristics but each suited to the appropriate year group and rim diameter. Safety depends as much on condition, mounting quality, inflation, and overall vehicle condition as on the tire model itself.

That means a road-ready DAF Daffodil should be approached as a complete system, not just a set of tires. Before regular driving, verify the car's wheels, suspension, steering, brakes, and alignment along with the tire fitment. A collector car that has sat for long periods may look fine visually yet still need recommissioning before it is truly ready for routine public-road use.

Before driving a DAF Daffodil, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and whether the tire size matches the wheel diameter fitted to the car. On this model, that means confirming an early car is still on 12-inch fitment and a later car is on 13-inch fitment. If the DAF Daffodil runs bias-ply tires, tube condition and any signs of slow air loss deserve extra attention as part of the pre-drive check.

Also look beyond the tires. A DAF Daffodil that has been parked for an extended period should have its brakes, steering, and wheel bearings reviewed before being returned to road use. Small collector cars can be forgiving in appearance but demanding in practice, so a careful pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to avoid tire-related problems and broader mechanical surprises.

A sensible speed for a DAF Daffodil on period-style tires is one that respects the age, condition, and construction of the tires as much as the capability of the car itself. Bias-ply tires such as 520-12 and 520-13 generally call for a more conservative pace than a radial-equipped setup, especially on rough pavement or in crosswinds. Even with a radial fitment, a small 1960s car should be driven with mechanical sympathy rather than like a modern highway car.

The practical rule is to let tire condition and overall vehicle condition set the pace. If the DAF Daffodil is freshly sorted, properly fitted, and on sound tires, moderate road speeds are more appropriate than sustained high-speed running. If the car is newly acquired, long parked, or still being sorted, begin with short, slower drives and build confidence only after the whole chassis proves stable and predictable.