Ford Falcon Tires

Ford Falcon uses seven listed sizes across the 1960 to 1970 production run: 600-13 for 1960-1965, 650-13 for 1960-1966, 700-13 for 1961-1964, 6.45-14 for 1965, 695-14 for 1965-1970, 735-14 for 1965-1970, and 775-14 for 1966-1970. The 13-inch sizes are used on early cars, while the later group centers on 14-inch wheels. Product specifications place 600-13, 650-13, and 700-13 on 13-inch rims, and 695-14, 735-14, and 775-14 on 14-inch rims.

The practical next step is to match three things on the actual Ford Falcon: the model year, the wheel diameter, and the specific configuration of the car. Mid-1960s Falcons can overlap between sizes, so year alone is not enough. Measuring the wheel and comparing the current setup with factory literature, a build sheet, or a Falcon specialist will narrow the choice quickly and keep you from selecting a tire that is correct for the year range but wrong for the actual car.

On Ford Falcon, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 portion represents a nominal 6.00-inch section width, with the decimal omitted in period sizing practice, and the 13 identifies a 13-inch rim diameter. The listed 600-13 products fit 13-inch rims and specify a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range, which is consistent with a narrow early compact-car wheel package.

That decoding matters because it separates 600-13 from wider early Falcon choices such as 650-13 and 700-13. Even though all three are 13-inch sizes, they are not interchangeable without checking wheel width and the original intended fitment. If your Ford Falcon still has its early steel wheels, confirming the wheel width before choosing among the 13-inch sizes is just as important as confirming the year.

1965 Ford Falcon is the most complex year in this range because it carries both the earlier 13-inch family and the newer 14-inch family. The listed sizes for 1965 are 600-13, 650-13, 6.45-14, 695-14, and 735-14, so the split is not just width choice but also wheel diameter choice. That means two 1965 Falcons can both be correct while using very different tire and wheel combinations.

A 1965 Ford Falcon owner should start by measuring the wheel diameter rather than trying to pick from the year listing alone. Once you know whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels, the size options become much more manageable. From there, wheel width, trim level, body style, and the car’s restoration goal—driver, factory-style restoration, or period performance look—will help determine which listed size makes the most sense.

Ford Falcon uses both 13-inch and 14-inch rim diameters across this production span. The early sizes 600-13, 650-13, and 700-13 are all 13-inch applications, while 6.45-14, 695-14, 735-14, and 775-14 are 14-inch applications. The change first appears in 1965, and 1965-1966 are overlap years where different Falcons can legitimately fall on either side of that break.

That wheel-diameter split is the single most important fitment check on a Ford Falcon. A buyer with a 1960-1964 car will usually be in the 13-inch group, but 1965 and 1966 demand closer inspection because both diameters are present. Reading the sidewall of the existing tire can help, but measuring the wheel itself is the surest path when a car has had decades of service, restoration work, or wheel swaps.

A 1965 Ford Falcon can use 600-13, 650-13, 6.45-14, 695-14, or 735-14, so confirmation starts with the wheel itself. Measure the rim diameter first, then compare the wheel width to the ranges given for the available products in that size family. On a transitional year like 1965, the difference between a correct tire and an incorrect one often comes down to whether the car still carries its original wheel package.

After confirming wheel dimensions, compare the result with the car’s trim level, restoration records, and any surviving factory paperwork. If the Ford Falcon has been modified, treat the actual wheel on the car as the deciding factor rather than assuming every 1965 example used the same setup. That approach is especially important when choosing among 13-inch and 14-inch bias-ply sizes that can both look plausible at a glance.

Ford Falcon tires in this range are available in a broad mix of sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, goldline, blueline, RWL, and raised-white-letter Blue Streak styling. The 13-inch early sizes lean toward whitewall treatments, while several later 14-inch sizes add more performance-oriented and mid-1960s appearance choices. That gives Falcon owners room to stay conservative or to match a more sporting period look.

The right sidewall style depends on what kind of Ford Falcon you are restoring or presenting. A modest early compact often looks most at home on whitewalls or blackwalls, while later 14-inch cars can justify redlines, goldlines, or Blue Streak-style sidewalls if the build reflects that period character. The smartest approach is to let the car’s era, trim, and intended appearance guide the sidewall choice after the correct size has been settled.

Ford Falcon tires in these listed sizes come from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, US Royal, Firestone, and Goodyear. Brand coverage varies by size, with some early 13-inch sizes offered by one or two brands and later 14-inch sizes carrying a broader mix of choices. The largest variety appears in the 14-inch group, especially 695-14 and 775-14, where several period-style sidewall treatments are represented.

Brand choice on a Ford Falcon is usually less about basic fit and more about visual preference, series preference, and the exact sidewall treatment you want. Once the size is confirmed, compare the available brand offerings within that size rather than shopping by brand first. That keeps the selection process grounded in correct fitment and helps avoid falling in love with a sidewall style that is only offered in a different Falcon size.

Ford Falcon tires here are offered in several series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Blue Streak, and Power Cushion. All are bias-ply constructions in this application, but they differ in appearance emphasis and sidewall presentation. Some series focus on standard period restoration looks, while Blue Streak and Power Cushion bring recognizable period performance or brand-specific styling cues to later 14-inch Falcon sizes.

For a Ford Falcon restoration, series choice should follow the character of the car rather than just the name on the sidewall. A straightforward stock-style compact often suits the classic bias-ply series, while a later Falcon with a period muscle or performance flavor may look more convincing with Blue Streak or a branded redline treatment. Decide whether your goal is factory-style restraint, dealer-era dress-up, or a distinctly mid-1960s performance impression.

A stored Ford Falcon should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space with clean tires and properly maintained inflation. Bias-ply tires benefit from being protected from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination, all of which can accelerate aging and sidewall deterioration. If the car sits for long stretches, moving it occasionally or supporting it to reduce prolonged flat spotting can help preserve ride quality.

Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so tire care becomes as important as tread depth. If your Ford Falcon sits through a season, check pressures before and after storage rather than assuming they remain stable. A simple routine of cleaning, covering, and periodic repositioning will do more for long-term tire life than occasional driving on neglected, underinflated bias-ply tires.

Tires on a Ford Falcon should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly several times each season. On a bias-ply collector tire, the important checks include inflation pressure, sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, uneven wear, punctures, and valve-stem condition. Because many Falcons are hobby cars, age-related deterioration can matter more than mileage and can appear even when the tread still looks presentable.

A pre-drive walkaround is especially worthwhile on a Ford Falcon that has been parked for weeks or months. Check that the car is sitting level, look for visible sidewall changes, and feel for any obvious soft tire before moving it. Periodic inspection by a tire professional familiar with vintage bias-ply construction is a smart habit, particularly if the car will be used for touring rather than short local trips.

Tires on a Ford Falcon should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, persistent air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread is still deep. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, and bias-ply construction can mask internal deterioration until the tire is closely inspected. A tire that looks presentable from a few feet away may still be unsuitable for road use if the rubber has become stiff or compromised.

The best practice is to judge a Ford Falcon tire by condition and age as much as by remaining tread. If the car has an older set whose service history is unclear, an inspection by a specialist is a sensible step before regular driving. Replacement is the right call when confidence in the casing is gone, because the value of a period look disappears quickly if the tire can no longer support safe, dependable use.

Ford Falcon did not use one single tire size across the full 1960-1970 run. The listed factory-era size families include 600-13, 650-13, and 700-13 on early cars, then 6.45-14, 695-14, 735-14, and 775-14 on later cars, with several overlap years in the middle. The available series are all period-style bias-ply offerings, but the exact original fitment for an individual Falcon depends on its year and configuration.

For restoration work, the correct answer for a specific Ford Falcon comes from matching the car’s build details to original literature and marque references. Tire size, sidewall treatment, and wheel diameter all influence how authentic the finished car will look. If authenticity matters for concours judging or a serious factory-style restoration, confirm the exact setup for your car rather than choosing only from the broad model-year range.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Ford Falcon is judged and how convincingly it presents as a restoration. Size, wheel diameter, construction type, and sidewall styling all shape the car’s stance and period character, and informed judges or collectors will notice when those details are out of step with the vehicle’s year and purpose. Even on a modest compact, tire choice is a visible restoration decision.

A Ford Falcon restored with the right overall tire look will usually feel more cohesive and more credible than one wearing a convenient but visually incorrect substitute. The biggest authenticity mistakes are usually choosing the wrong rim diameter for a transitional year or fitting a sidewall style that clashes with the car’s era. Marque clubs and original sales literature remain the strongest references when judging-level correctness matters.

Ford Falcon restorations can draw from blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, goldline, blueline, RWL, and Blue Streak-style sidewalls, depending on size and era. Early 13-inch Falcon applications lean naturally toward blackwall or whitewall presentations, while the later 14-inch sizes open the door to more overt mid-1960s performance styling. A sidewall can be period-looking and still be wrong for the exact character of a given Falcon.

The best sidewall style for a Ford Falcon restoration depends on whether the goal is economy-car authenticity, upscale period trim, or a later sporty presentation. Whitewalls often suit early compact Falcons, while redlines or similar treatments can make sense on later 14-inch cars with a more assertive look. Once the correct size is established, choose the sidewall that matches the car’s year, trim, and the story you want the restoration to tell.

These Ford Falcon tires are modern-produced bias-ply collector tires in the listed sizes, so they are intended to support public-road use when they are correctly fitted, properly inflated, and mounted on suitable wheels. Their safety depends on condition, correct sizing, and overall vehicle setup rather than tread appearance alone. A Ford Falcon with the wrong rim diameter, mismatched wheel width, or neglected suspension can feel unstable even if the tires themselves are new.

Road use starts with a full-vehicle mindset, not just the tire purchase. Before taking a Ford Falcon out regularly, confirm wheel size, inspect steering and suspension wear, and make sure the tires are matched as a set where appropriate. A period-correct bias-ply tire can work well on a sorted collector car, but it should be driven with an understanding that it will not behave exactly like a modern radial.

Before driving a Ford Falcon, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any sign of flat spotting from storage. On this model range, it is also important to confirm that the tire size matches the wheel diameter actually on the car, especially on 1965 and 1966 examples where both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments appear. Uneven wear or a car that sits low on one corner should be investigated before the trip begins.

A sensible pre-drive routine for a Ford Falcon also includes a quick look at wheel hardware, steering response, and brake behavior in the first few yards of movement. Collector cars often reveal problems after sitting rather than after high mileage. If the Falcon feels different than usual—wandering, pulling, or thumping—stop and inspect it rather than assuming the issue will clear up as the tires warm.

A Ford Falcon running period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect the character of the car and the construction of the tire. Bias-ply tires can track differently, respond more slowly, and react more noticeably to road crown and grooves than modern radials, especially on a light early compact. Appropriate speed is less about chasing a single number and more about keeping the car within a comfortable, stable operating range.

In practice, a Ford Falcon on bias-ply tires should be driven with extra margin for braking, cornering, and crosswinds. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, build speed gradually and learn how it feels before any sustained highway use. The safest pace is the one that matches the car’s condition, alignment, suspension health, and the driver’s familiarity with period tire behavior.