Ford Pinto Tires

Ford Pinto uses five tire sizes across the 1971 through 1980 production run: 600-13, A78-13, A70-13, BR78-13, and BR70-13. 600-13 appears from 1971 to 1974, A78-13 appears from 1971 to 1974 and again in 1978 to 1979, A70-13 appears in 1973 and 1979, BR78-13 appears from 1974 to 1980, and BR70-13 appears from 1975 to 1977 and again in 1979 to 1980. Every size listed for Ford Pinto uses a 13-inch rim diameter.

The practical step is to match the exact year and configuration of the car to the listed size rather than assuming one Pinto tire fits all years. Early cars can overlap between numeric and alphanumeric bias-ply sizes, while later cars introduce radial-style alphanumeric codes, so the sidewall marking on the existing tire, the wheel size, and any factory literature for the specific car should all agree before you settle on a replacement.

On a Ford Pinto, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size used on 1971 through 1974 models. The 600 indicates a nominal 6.00-inch section width, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the available Ford Pinto products for this size, 600-13 mounts on a 13-inch rim with a recommended rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That size matters because it belongs to the Pinto’s early fitment period and reads differently from later alphanumeric codes such as BR78-13. If your car is an early Pinto and still carries a numeric bias-ply specification, keep the wheel diameter, sidewall code, and wheel width in agreement before changing sizes, especially if the car is being restored to a period-correct appearance.

The 1979 Ford Pinto has four tire sizes listed because that model year spans multiple configurations using A70-13, A78-13, BR70-13, and BR78-13. All four are 13-inch sizes, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change. The variation is tied to configuration differences within the 1979 Ford Pinto range, including differences in tire profile and construction style between bias-ply and radial-style alphanumeric codes.

A 1979 Ford Pinto owner should identify the specific body style or trim-level specification on the car before choosing a tire. Checking the original placard, surviving service information, or the existing wheel-and-tire combination is more useful than relying on the year alone, because 1979 sits in the broadest overlap of Pinto fitments and includes both lower-profile and taller 13-inch options.

Ford Pinto tire tube requirements depend on the size and construction you choose. The listed 600-13, A78-13, and A70-13 sizes are bias-ply formats, and those fitments require tubes in the available period-style applications. The BR78-13 and BR70-13 sizes are radial-style alphanumeric sizes, so they are not automatically treated the same way as the earlier bias-ply options.

The key is to avoid assuming that every 13-inch Pinto tire uses the same mounting approach just because the wheel diameter matches. If your Ford Pinto is using one of the early bias-ply sizes, plan around tube-type fitment and make sure the wheel condition supports it; if the car uses one of the later radial-style sizes, verify the intended wheel and tire setup before final installation.

Ford Pinto appears with both bias-ply and radial-style sizes in its fitment history. The early 600-13, A78-13, and A70-13 sizes are bias-ply formats, while BR78-13 and BR70-13 are radial-style alphanumeric sizes used on later applications. That means the right choice for a Ford Pinto starts with the specification tied to the year and configuration, not simply with a general preference for one construction type over the other.

Bias-ply tires are the period-correct path for an early Pinto restored to original-style appearance, while later Pinto applications may be better matched to the radial-style sizes listed for those years. If originality matters, stay with the construction type associated with the car’s specific fitment; if drivability is the priority, first make sure the tire code and wheel setup match the intended configuration.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Ford Pinto feels on the road because radial construction flexes and responds differently from bias-ply construction. Within the Pinto size range here, BR78-13 and BR70-13 represent radial-style fitments, while 600-13, A78-13, and A70-13 are bias-ply formats. A Ford Pinto set up for one type may not deliver the same steering feel, ride character, or visual stance when switched to the other.

For a collector Pinto, the decision comes down to what you want the car to be: a period-correct restoration, a faithful driver, or something in between. If the car originally used a bias-ply size, a radial conversion may alter the personality you feel behind the wheel, so compare the tire code on the car with the fitment range for that year before making a change.

A Ford Pinto should not be treated casually when it comes to mixing bias-ply and radial tires. The Pinto fitment range includes both constructions, but they are separate size families tied to different applications and handling characteristics. Even when the wheel diameter remains 13 inches, the way the car responds can change noticeably if front and rear tires do not match in construction and intended fitment.

The sound approach is to fit a complete matched set in the correct size family for the specific Ford Pinto configuration you are running. If the car is being changed from one construction type to the other, make the change deliberately and keep the full setup consistent rather than mixing one pair of tires with another simply because the sidewall codes look similar.

A 1974 Ford Pinto can use 600-13, A78-13, or BR78-13, so the year alone is not enough to choose the right tire. All three sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they belong to different sizing conventions and construction types within the Pinto range. That makes 1974 one of the years where the exact configuration of the car matters more than the broad model designation.

Start with the sidewall code on the existing tires if the car still has a known-correct setup, then compare it with the wheel diameter and the car’s original specifications. If the current tires are of uncertain age or history, use the wheel size, trim-level information, and restoration goals together so you choose the correct 13-inch Pinto size rather than replacing one unknown with another.

The currently listed Ford Pinto products in 600-13 are available with two sidewall styles: a 2.00 inch whitewall and a 1.00 inch whitewall. Both are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That means an early Pinto running 600-13 has at least a wider and a narrower whitewall presentation available within the same basic size and construction.

Sidewall style can change the look of a Ford Pinto as much as the wheel cover or ride height, especially on a car being restored to a specific early-1970s appearance. The right choice depends on the visual character you want and whether the car is being built as a factory-style restoration, a preserved survivor, or a period-inspired custom that still stays within the correct 600-13 format.

The currently listed Ford Pinto products are from BFGoodrich. In the available 600-13 fitment, BFGoodrich appears in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with narrow and wide whitewall versions. No other brand appears in the present Ford Pinto product selection.

That matters mainly for buyers trying to balance authenticity, appearance, and size correctness rather than choosing among many competing manufacturers. Since the available brand coverage is narrow, the more important step is confirming that the Ford Pinto you are working on actually uses the listed size and sidewall style that matches the car’s year and the look you want.

A 1979 Ford Pinto is one of the most variable years in the range, with A70-13, A78-13, BR70-13, and BR78-13 all listed. Those four sizes all fit 13-inch wheels, but they differ in section profile and in whether they belong to the bias-ply or radial-style side of the Pinto fitment range. That makes 1979 a year where broad assumptions often lead to the wrong tire choice.

Use the car’s current specification, trim information, and wheel-and-tire markings together before selecting a replacement. A lower-profile 70-series code and a taller 78-series code are not interchangeable just because both fit the same wheel diameter, so the safest path is to identify the exact configuration first and then stay within the size family associated with that setup.

A Ford Pinto stored on fitted tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone sources that can age rubber prematurely. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress during storage. If the car will sit for extended periods, moving it slightly from time to time or supporting it correctly can also reduce load concentration on one area of the tire.

Collector-car storage is less about mileage than about time and environment. A Pinto that only comes out for occasional drives can still age its tires significantly if it sits underinflated or exposed to heat, so good storage habits preserve both appearance and service life even when the tread still looks fresh.

Tires on a Ford Pinto should be inspected before each meaningful drive and again during routine seasonal use. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, air loss, irregular wear, and any signs that the tire is no longer seated or aging evenly. On a collector Pinto, calendar age and storage history are often more important than annual mileage.

A practical routine is to check inflation, sidewalls, and tread every time the car comes out after a storage period, then perform a closer inspection at least several times during the driving season. If the car uses early bias-ply tube-type fitment, inspection becomes even more important because small issues can go unnoticed until they affect ride quality or stability.

Tires on a Ford Pinto should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, repeated air loss, or visible structural deterioration appears, even if the tread depth still seems usable. Collector tires can look acceptable at a glance while no longer being suitable for regular road service. Calendar age, storage conditions, and how the car has been used matter as much as miles driven.

Treat replacement as a condition-based decision rather than a tread-only decision. If a Pinto has spent years parked, has unknown tire age, or shows any sign of rubber deterioration, it is wise to evaluate the tires as service items first and cosmetic components second, especially before taking the car beyond short local drives.

Ford Pinto did not use one single tire specification across its entire production run. The fitment range includes early 600-13 numeric bias-ply sizing, alphanumeric bias-ply sizes such as A78-13 and A70-13, and later radial-style sizes such as BR78-13 and BR70-13. That spread reflects changing tire practice during the 1971 to 1980 Pinto production period rather than one universal original setup.

For restoration work, the correct answer depends on the exact year and configuration of the Ford Pinto in your garage. Matching the tire code to original vehicle literature, build information, or accepted marque references is the best way to keep the car visually and mechanically consistent with its intended period appearance.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the judged authenticity of a Ford Pinto. Size family, sidewall appearance, and construction type all influence whether the car looks properly restored for its production year. A Pinto wearing an early numeric bias-ply size presents differently from one on later radial-style alphanumeric tires, even when both use 13-inch wheels.

For a concours-minded or historically accurate Pinto, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will usually notice whether the tire code and sidewall style suit the year of the car. If resale value or show scoring matters, align the tires with the car’s year-specific character rather than choosing solely by convenience or appearance.

The listed Ford Pinto products in 600-13 are offered with 2.00 inch whitewall and 1.00 inch whitewall sidewall styles. Both belong to BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in the early Pinto numeric fitment. That means an owner restoring a Ford Pinto in 600-13 has more than one period-flavored visual treatment available within the same basic size.

The correct look depends on the specific year, trim character, and restoration goal of the car. A more restrained narrow whitewall may suit one build, while a wider whitewall may better match another period appearance, so sidewall choice should be treated as part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought after the tire size is chosen.

A Ford Pinto can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the intended use of the car. Safety depends less on the sidewall code alone than on age, condition, construction type, and whether the tires belong to the proper Pinto fitment for that year and configuration. A fresh, correctly fitted tire is a very different proposition from an old tire with unknown history.

Before regular road use, evaluate the whole package: tire age, wheel condition, inflation, suspension condition, and whether the car is running a matched set. A collector Pinto that only sees occasional use should still be prepared like a road car, because low mileage does not cancel the effects of age on rubber and handling.

Before driving a Ford Pinto, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, and whether all four tires are a matched and appropriate size for the car. Confirm there are no cracks, bulges, punctures, or signs of prolonged underinflation. On an early Pinto with bias-ply tube-type fitment, be especially attentive to air retention and overall casing condition.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile on a collector Pinto that may sit between outings. Cars stored for long periods can develop low pressure, flat spotting, or unnoticed age-related damage, so a few minutes in the garage before each drive can prevent choosing the road as the place to discover a tire problem.

A Ford Pinto on original-style tires should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition, construction, and age of the tires actually fitted to the car. Early bias-ply fitments and later radial-style fitments do not behave the same way, and an older collector tire should never be treated like a modern daily-driver tire simply because the tread looks acceptable. Tire age and condition matter as much as the nominal size code.

The sensible approach is to keep speeds moderate until you know the tires, wheels, and chassis are all in proper condition and suited to the car’s intended use. For a restored Pinto, that usually means valuing stability, predictability, and preservation over outright highway pace, especially if the car spends most of its life on short seasonal drives.