Fiat 850 Tires

Fiat 850 fitments in this group include 155R13 and 560-13 for 1967 through 1973, 155R12 and 5.50-12 for 1967 through 1969, and 145R13 plus 520-13 for 1970 through 1971. The 12-series sizes fit 12-inch wheels, while the 13-series sizes fit 13-inch wheels. Radial choices appear in the metric sizes, while the numeric sizes are bias-ply offerings.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is not enough on an early Fiat 850. A 1967, 1968, or 1969 car may be on either 12-inch or 13-inch wheels, and a 1970 or 1971 car may still have more than one 13-inch size option depending on how it is configured. Start by measuring the rim diameter, then match the car to the year-specific size listing.

A 560-13 Fiat 850 tire uses older numeric bias-ply sizing. The 560 figure represents nominal section width with the decimal omitted, roughly equivalent to a 5.60-inch class tire, and the 13 identifies a 13-inch rim diameter. In the available Fiat 850 products, 560-13 is a bias-ply construction size offered with period-style sidewall choices.

That matters because 560-13 is not a metric radial substitute even though it shares the same rim diameter as 155R13. On a Fiat 850, choosing 560-13 usually means choosing the look and driving character of a classic bias-ply tire rather than a later radial feel. If the car is being restored to a period presentation, 560-13 can be the more visually appropriate route.

A 1970 Fiat 850 shows four listed sizes because that year combines more than one 13-inch fitment and more than one construction type. The sizes are 155R13, 560-13, 145R13, and 520-13, with the radial options in metric format and the bias-ply options in numeric format. The split is not a 12-inch versus 13-inch issue in 1970, since all four of those sizes use 13-inch rims.

The key is to identify the exact setup on the car instead of relying on the model year alone. Check the existing rim diameter first, then compare the current tire size, wheel width, and the kind of restoration or driving feel you want. A narrower radial and a narrower bias-ply can both fit the same general year range, but they do not deliver the same appearance or behavior.

Fiat 850 applications in this group use both 12-inch and 13-inch rim diameters. The 1967 through 1969 listings include 12-inch sizes such as 155R12 and 5.50-12, while 13-inch sizes such as 155R13 and 560-13 run through the full 1967 to 1973 span. The 1970 through 1973 entries are entirely 13-inch in the listed fitments.

That wheel-diameter split is the first thing to settle before looking at construction, sidewall style, or brand. A Fiat 850 wearing 12-inch wheels cannot use the 13-inch options, even if the overall tire proportions appear close at a glance. Measure the wheel or read the existing tire carefully, because that single check eliminates the most common fitment mistake on this model.

Fiat 850 tires are available here in both bias-ply and radial construction, so the right choice depends on how the car is being used and presented. Metric sizes such as 155R13 and 145R13 are radial choices, while numeric sizes such as 560-13 and 520-13 are bias-ply. Radials generally suit owners who want more modern road manners, while bias-ply tires suit owners aiming for a stronger period-correct appearance.

Think about the car’s mission before deciding. A restored Fiat 850 headed for period-style presentation may look more convincing on a bias-ply tire with the appropriate sidewall style, while a regularly driven car may benefit from the steering and tracking feel many owners prefer from radials. Keep the wheel diameter and exact year-specific size range ahead of construction preference.

A Fiat 850 fitted with radial tires will usually feel different from one on bias-ply tires because the construction itself changes how the tire flexes and follows the road. In this fitment group, sizes like 155R13 and 145R13 are radial, while 560-13 and 520-13 are bias-ply. That means two tires on the same 13-inch wheel diameter can still produce noticeably different road feel.

For an owner, the real question is whether the car is being preserved for authenticity or driven often enough that road manners matter more. Switching a Fiat 850 from a period-style bias-ply to a radial may influence steering response, straight-line tracking, and overall character. If originality is central to the car, consider whether the visual and dynamic change fits the restoration goals.

A Fiat 850 should be fitted with one construction type as a complete set rather than mixing bias-ply and radial tires on the same car. The listed Fiat 850 options include both constructions, but they are best treated as separate fitment paths. Mixing them can produce uneven handling behavior because the sidewalls and tread behavior do not react the same way under load.

The simplest approach is to decide first whether the Fiat 850 will be a radial car or a bias-ply car, then select the correct size within that construction. That keeps the car’s responses more predictable and preserves a consistent appearance. If the car already has an established setup and you are replacing only part of a set, match the existing construction rather than blending types.

A 1968 Fiat 850 can use either 12-inch or 13-inch tire sizes in this group, so the correct size starts with the wheel diameter actually on the car. The listed 12-inch choices are 155R12 and 5.50-12, while the 13-inch choices are 155R13 and 560-13. After rim diameter, the next decision is whether the car is staying with radial construction or period-style bias-ply construction.

Check the wheel diameter first, then compare the current tire code and the car’s intended use. If the Fiat 850 is being restored toward period presentation, the bias-ply path may make more sense visually; if it is being driven regularly, a radial may be preferable. Original manuals, marque references, and the existing wheel setup are all worth checking before settling on one size.

Fiat 850 tires in these listings appear in several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The radial 145R13 and 155R13 choices are blackwall products, while the bias-ply 520-13 and 560-13 offerings include blackwall as well as narrow and wide whitewall versions. That gives Fiat 850 owners a choice between a more understated sporting look and a more stylized period presentation.

Sidewall style should be matched to the character of the particular car and the kind of restoration being pursued. A blackwall radial usually looks most natural on a later-driven Fiat 850, while a whitewall bias-ply leans more toward vintage visual impact. If the goal is show judging or marque authenticity, compare the sidewall treatment to period photos and club guidance for the specific configuration.

Fiat 850 tires in this group come from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Dunlop appear in radial 155R13 applications, Michelin and Firestone appear in radial 145R13, BFGoodrich and Firestone cover 560-13 bias-ply options, and Firestone plus Premium Sport cover 520-13 bias-ply offerings. The available brands therefore vary by both size and construction type.

That means brand selection should follow fitment, not the other way around. Once the correct size and construction for the Fiat 850 are established, you can compare the brands available within that narrow group for sidewall appearance and overall presentation. On a collector car, the best brand choice is usually the one that aligns with the right wheel size, the right construction, and the right visual era.

Fiat 850 tires here are offered in several series, including Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, F560 Radial, and Premium Sport Lowrider. The main differences are construction type and visual character: Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, and F560 Radial are radial series, while Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Premium Sport Lowrider are bias-ply series. Some of the bias-ply series also emphasize specific whitewall treatments.

For a Fiat 850 owner, those series names matter most after the fitment basics are settled. A radial series generally points toward later-style road manners and blackwall presentation, while a classic bias-ply series supports a more period-correct look, and the lowrider-oriented Premium Sport options expand the available whitewall styles. Use the series to refine the final choice, not to override size and wheel-diameter correctness.

A stored Fiat 850 should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires clean and protected from sunlight, ozone, and petroleum contamination. Proper inflation matters during storage because underinflation can stress the casing and over long periods can distort the footprint. Collector cars that sit for months at a time also benefit from being moved occasionally so the tires do not remain loaded in one position.

If the Fiat 850 is stored for an extended season, keep the tires off damp concrete when possible and avoid leaving the steering at full lock. Owners who use bias-ply tires should be especially attentive to flat-spotting after long periods of inactivity. A careful storage routine preserves both appearance and service life, which is especially important on a lightly used vintage car.

Tires on a Fiat 850 should be visually inspected before every drive and more thoroughly checked at regular intervals even when the car is used only occasionally. A proper inspection includes air pressure, visible cracking, tread and sidewall condition, valve stems, and any signs of uneven wear or impact damage. Collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than by mileage alone.

That routine is especially important on a small, lightweight Fiat 850 because tire condition has an outsized effect on steering response and stability. If the car is used seasonally, add a careful inspection when bringing it out of storage and again before any longer trip. Any vibration, pull, sudden change in ride quality, or sidewall defect deserves closer examination before further road use.

A Fiat 850 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, or structural deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often spend long periods parked, and that kind of use can age the rubber in ways that are not reflected by tread depth alone. Time, storage environment, and prior service history all matter as much as visible wear.

For a vintage Fiat 850, replacement decisions should be conservative because the car’s size and weight do not eliminate the risk of failure from an aged casing. Any tire with sidewall checking, chronic air loss, deformation, or uncertain age deserves serious attention. If a car has been sitting for years, assume the tires need careful reevaluation before regular driving resumes.

Fiat 850 fitment in this range includes both bias-ply and radial sizes, with 12-inch and 13-inch wheel applications depending on year and configuration. The listed choices include numeric bias-ply sizes such as 5.50-12, 520-13, and 560-13, alongside radial sizes such as 155R12, 145R13, and 155R13. That means there is not one single original tire answer that covers every Fiat 850 in the 1967 to 1973 span.

For restoration work, the right approach is to identify the exact year, wheel diameter, and presentation level of the specific Fiat 850 first. Then compare that information against factory literature, period photos, and marque-club references to determine whether a bias-ply or radial fitment is the better historical match. This is one model where accuracy depends heavily on the individual car rather than the nameplate alone.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Fiat 850 is judged and perceived, especially on a carefully restored collector car. Wheel diameter, section width, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the finished car looks appropriate for its year and intended presentation. A Fiat 850 wearing the wrong rim diameter or an obviously mismatched sidewall treatment can distract from otherwise strong restoration work.

The biggest impact is usually visual authenticity rather than raw mechanical fit. A buyer or judge will notice whether the Fiat 850 sits correctly and whether the tire style matches the era of the restoration. If the car is being prepared for serious judging, use marque clubs and period reference material to narrow the choice among the listed 12-inch and 13-inch options before final mounting.

Fiat 850 restoration choices here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles, depending on size and series. Blackwalls are present in the radial offerings and some bias-ply options, while the 520-13 and 560-13 bias-ply sizes add narrow and wide whitewall variants. That gives a restorer room to choose between a sportier understated finish and a more decorative period look.

The correct answer depends on the exact Fiat 850 being restored and the visual target for the car. A blackwall generally suits a factory-sporting appearance more naturally, while a whitewall can push the car toward a customized or distinctly period presentation. If authenticity matters more than style preference, compare the chosen sidewall treatment with period imagery for the same year and wheel size.

Fiat 850 tires can be suitable for public-road use when the size, construction, age, and overall condition match the car and the way it is driven. The important distinction is that a fresh radial, a fresh bias-ply, and an aged collector-car tire are not equivalent simply because they share a size. Safe road use begins with choosing the correct 12-inch or 13-inch fitment and making sure the tire itself is serviceable.

For a Fiat 850 owner, that means treating fitment and condition as equally important. A properly selected tire in sound condition can support normal collector-car use, while an incorrect or degraded tire can compromise braking feel, tracking, and stability. Before road use, inspect the tire carefully and make sure the car’s suspension, steering, and brakes are equally ready for service.

Before driving a Fiat 850, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign of rubbing or uneven wear. Also make sure the car is on the correct tire size for its wheel diameter, since the Fiat 850 range here includes both 12-inch and 13-inch applications. A quick walkaround can catch problems that are easy to miss on a car that is used only occasionally.

Because the Fiat 850 is a light, responsive car, small tire issues can show up quickly in steering feel and directional stability. If the car has been parked for a while, add a short low-speed shakedown before heading into regular traffic. Any pull, vibration, thump, or wandering sensation should be investigated before the drive continues.

Appropriate speed for a Fiat 850 depends on the exact tire fitted, its construction, and its present condition rather than on the model alone. A radial Fiat 850 setup and a bias-ply Fiat 850 setup will not necessarily feel the same at speed, and an older collector tire should always be treated more cautiously than a fresh one. Road speed should stay within what the tire, the car, and current conditions can comfortably support.

In practical terms, drive the Fiat 850 at moderate, sensible speeds and let tire condition set the ceiling. If the car is on period-style bias-ply tires, leave extra room for changes in tracking and response compared with a radial-equipped car. Any uncertainty about age, storage history, vibration, or heat buildup is a reason to slow down and reassess before asking more of the tire.