Fairthorpe Rockette Tires

The Fairthorpe Rockette uses two tire sizes in the 1963 model year: 155R13 and 560-13. The 155R13 option is a radial fitment for 13-inch rims, while the 560-13 option is a numeric bias-ply fitment that also uses a 13-inch rim. The radial products shown fit wider rim ranges than the bias-ply products, so the wheel width matters as much as the diameter.

That means a Fairthorpe Rockette owner should not choose by year alone, since both sizes appear for 1963. Start by checking the actual wheel width and then decide whether the car is being kept closer to period bias-ply character or set up around radial construction. If the car already has a matched set of wheels and old tires, their markings often provide the quickest clue.

On a Fairthorpe Rockette, 560-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 figure represents the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, essentially a 5.60-inch class tire, and the 13 indicates a 13-inch rim diameter. The products offered in this size are bias-ply tires rather than radials.

That matters because 560-13 delivers a different appearance, construction feel, and wheel-width requirement than the radial alternative. It is the better match when preserving period styling, especially with whitewall choices that suit a classic presentation. A Fairthorpe Rockette using this size should also be fitted with tubes, since bias-ply applications of this type are tube-type fitments.

A 1963 Fairthorpe Rockette has two tire sizes listed because the available fitments split by construction type rather than by model year alone. One size, 155R13, is a radial fitment, while the other, 560-13, is a bias-ply fitment. Both use 13-inch rims, but they suit different wheel widths and deliver different driving character.

For an owner, that means the deciding factor is the car's present configuration and the intended use of the car. A restoration aimed at period presentation may favor the bias-ply size, while a driver-oriented Fairthorpe Rockette may already be set up around the radial option. Verifying wheel width and the existing tire markings will usually resolve which path the car is following.

The Fairthorpe Rockette requires inner tubes when fitted with the 560-13 bias-ply size. That size is offered in classic bias-ply construction, and tube-type use is appropriate for this fitment. The 155R13 radial products are separate radial designs and are not covered by that tube requirement.

In practice, tube use should follow the tire construction and the wheel being used on the car. If a Fairthorpe Rockette is running the bias-ply setup, tubes should be part of the plan rather than an afterthought. If the car is on radial tires, confirm the wheel condition and valve arrangement before mounting, especially on an older sports car that may have seen wheel changes over time.

A Fairthorpe Rockette can be fitted with either crossply-style bias-ply tires in 560-13 or radial tires in 155R13, depending on the car's setup. The bias-ply option is closer to period construction and offers whitewall styles, while the radial option uses a more modern carcass design and different wheel-width compatibility. Both fit 13-inch rims, but they are not simply interchangeable versions of the same tire.

The right choice depends on whether your Fairthorpe Rockette is being restored for authenticity or driven for more modern road behavior. Check the wheel width before deciding, since the listed radial and bias-ply products do not share the same recommended rim-width range. Once that is confirmed, choose the construction that matches the car's purpose rather than mixing period appearance goals with incompatible wheel hardware.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Fairthorpe Rockette feels on the road because radial and bias-ply constructions flex and track differently. The listed 155R13 radial fitment is a different construction approach from the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, even though both use 13-inch wheels. A lightweight sports car like the Fairthorpe Rockette can make those differences especially noticeable through steering feel and straight-line behavior.

Owners who want a more period-correct driving character often stay with the bias-ply setup, while owners who value a more settled on-road feel may prefer the radial option if the wheels suit it. The important step is to assess the car as a complete package, including wheel width and suspension condition. Tire choice on a Fairthorpe Rockette works best when it supports the way the car is actually used.

A Fairthorpe Rockette should be treated as a full-set tire decision rather than a mixed-construction experiment. The available 560-13 tires are bias-ply, while the 155R13 tires are radials, and combining those constructions on one lightweight sports car can create uneven handling responses. Even though the rim diameter is the same, the tire behavior is not.

The practical approach is to choose one construction type and match all four tires accordingly. That keeps the Fairthorpe Rockette's steering and balance more predictable and avoids introducing one variable on top of another in an already specialized car. If the car arrived with mixed tires, treat that as a temporary situation and plan toward a uniform set after checking wheel widths.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1963 Fairthorpe Rockette, check three things together: the existing tire markings, the actual wheel width, and whether the car is set up for radial or bias-ply construction. The two listed choices are 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply, and they share the same 13-inch diameter while differing in construction and rim-width suitability. Sidewall style can also point you toward the intended setup, since the bias-ply options include whitewall choices.

That process matters because a Fairthorpe Rockette may have been changed over the years from one setup to the other. Looking only at the year can lead to the right diameter but the wrong construction or wheel match. If the car is a restoration, period photos and marque references can help decide whether the bias-ply look belongs on that particular example.

Fairthorpe Rockette tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The 155R13 radial products are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply products include both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and 2.25-inch wide whitewall versions. That gives the Rockette owner a clear split between a sporting radial appearance and a more period-styled bias-ply presentation.

Choosing among them depends on the character you want the Fairthorpe Rockette to project. Blackwalls usually suit a more understated sports-car look, while the whitewall bias-ply options lean more heavily into classic presentation. When originality matters, compare the sidewall style to the car's era, trim, and photographic history instead of choosing by appearance alone.

Fairthorpe Rockette tire options are available 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. Those brand choices align with the broader split between radial and classic bias-ply construction for this model.

For the buyer, brand selection should come after the size and construction are settled. A Fairthorpe Rockette owner deciding between Michelin or Dunlop is already in the radial camp, while BFGoodrich and Firestone represent the period-style bias-ply path. Once that is clear, sidewall style and wheel-width compatibility become the next meaningful differentiators.

Fairthorpe Rockette tire series include Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. The Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet are radial series in the 155R13 fitment, while Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply are bias-ply series in the 560-13 fitment. The main difference is construction technology, with the bias-ply series also offering whitewall sidewall styles.

That split lets a Fairthorpe Rockette owner choose between a more modern radial road feel and a more period-correct bias-ply presentation. Series choice is not just branding here; it reflects the entire tire concept fitted to the car. Pick the series after deciding whether the car's mission is touring, display, or a historically faithful restoration.

A Fairthorpe Rockette should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods on damp concrete. Tire pressures should be checked before storage and maintained so the car is not left sitting underinflated. If the car will be parked for an extended period, reducing flat-spotting with periodic rolling or properly placed supports is wise.

Because the Fairthorpe Rockette is a light collector sports car, storage habits can have an outsized effect on how the tires feel when the car returns to the road. Clean wheels and tires before storage, avoid petroleum dressings, and inspect sidewalls when the car comes back out. Bias-ply tires in particular benefit from careful storage if originality is part of the goal.

Tires on a Fairthorpe Rockette should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car covers very little mileage. Look for cracking, bulges, tread separation, irregular wear, valve stem aging, and any signs that an older wheel is affecting the bead or tube area. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than by miles.

That routine is especially important on a Fairthorpe Rockette because the car may be used only occasionally, making slow deterioration easy to miss. A quick walk-around before driving catches the obvious issues, while a yearly hands-on inspection helps spot deeper aging problems. Any change in vibration, steering feel, or air retention should trigger a closer examination right away.

Tires on a Fairthorpe Rockette should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, impact damage, or repeated air-loss issues appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on cars that spend long periods parked. Visual condition alone is not enough to judge serviceability on an older sports car.

For a Fairthorpe Rockette, replacement timing should be driven by overall condition, driving use, and professional inspection rather than by tread depth alone. A car used on public roads deserves a more conservative standard than one that moves only around shows. If the tire has become stiff, visibly weathered, or inconsistent in behavior, it has reached the point where replacement should be part of the car's basic upkeep.

Fairthorpe Rockette tire listings for 1963 include both 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial fitments, so more than one period-appropriate direction exists for the model. The available products span radial series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet as well as classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich and Firestone. That means original-style fitment should be tied to the individual car rather than assumed from the model name alone.

For restoration work, the best reference is the car's own history, including surviving wheels, older photos, and marque-club knowledge. A Fairthorpe Rockette restored for authenticity should match construction type, size, and sidewall style as closely as possible to the way that specific car was equipped in period. The year gets you close, but the actual car finishes the answer.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging for a Fairthorpe Rockette because tires strongly influence stance, period appearance, and the visual correctness of the wheel-and-sidewall package. Judges and knowledgeable buyers tend to notice whether a collector car wears a construction type and sidewall style that suit its era. On a low-production British sports car, those details often carry extra weight.

A Fairthorpe Rockette restored with the right overall tire look generally appears more coherent and better researched. That does not always mean one universal answer, since both radial and bias-ply options exist for the model year shown here. If formal judging matters, compare the tires against marque standards and period evidence before making a final choice.

Fairthorpe Rockette tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, so the correct sidewall depends on how the specific car is being restored. The radial 155R13 options are blackwall only, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include both narrow and wide whitewall versions. Each creates a distinctly different visual effect on the finished car.

For a restoration, the sidewall should match the car's intended period appearance rather than personal taste alone. A sporting Fairthorpe Rockette often looks most natural on blackwalls, while a more stylized period presentation may support one of the whitewall bias-ply choices. Period photographs, owner history, and club expertise are the best guides when authenticity matters.

A Fairthorpe Rockette can be driven on public roads when the tires are in sound condition, correctly fitted to the wheels, and appropriate to the way the car is being used. The key is matching the car either to the 155R13 radial setup or the 560-13 bias-ply setup without mixing the two constructions. Tire age, wheel condition, inflation, and overall mechanical health matter as much as tread depth.

Road use should begin with a realistic view of what a small 1960s sports car can safely do, not with modern-car expectations. A Fairthorpe Rockette fitted carefully and inspected regularly can be enjoyable on secondary roads and fair-weather outings. Before any longer trip, make sure the spare, valve stems, and if applicable the tubes are as trustworthy as the four tires on the car.

Before driving a Fairthorpe Rockette, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and overall wheel security. If the car is on 560-13 bias-ply tires, include the tube-type setup in that inspection and watch for slow leaks or signs of age around the bead and sidewall areas. If it is on 155R13 radials, confirm that all four tires match in size and construction.

That pre-drive check should be paired with a quick look at steering, brakes, and suspension because a light vintage sports car communicates every weakness through the front end. A Fairthorpe Rockette that has been sitting should be driven gently at first until the tires warm and the car proves stable. Any pull, shimmy, or harsh vibration deserves immediate attention.

A Fairthorpe Rockette should be driven at speeds appropriate to the age of the car, the condition of its tires, and the limits of vintage chassis design rather than the pace of modern traffic. Original-style bias-ply tires call for especially measured use, while a properly matched radial setup may feel more settled at road speeds. Tire condition is the deciding factor, not just the name or size on the sidewall.

In practical terms, a Fairthorpe Rockette is best enjoyed at moderate speeds where steering response, braking distance, and tire behavior remain comfortably within the driver's control. If the car has older tires, unknown storage history, or recently completed restoration work, keep speeds conservative until everything has been inspected and proven. Vintage sports cars reward smooth, deliberate driving far more than outright pace.