Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

Ford-Taunus 12M uses three listed tire sizes across the 1952 to 1968 run: 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13. The 155R13 radial and 560-13 numeric bias-ply size both appear from 1952 through 1968, while 590-13 appears from 1957 through 1968. All three sizes are built around a 13-inch rim diameter, but they represent different sizing systems and construction approaches.

The practical choice depends on how the specific Ford-Taunus 12M is set up today. A restoration aiming for period appearance will usually focus on the numeric bias-ply sizes, while a driver-oriented car may be using the radial size. Check the tire currently on the car, measure wheel width if needed, and compare that against the intended look and driving character before replacing a full set.

On Ford-Taunus 12M, 560-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 indicates a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, and the 13 indicates that the tire fits a 13-inch wheel. It is not a radial code, and the available products in this size are bias-ply tires intended for classic applications.

That matters because a Ford-Taunus 12M wearing 560-13 tires will have a more period-correct appearance and driving feel than the radial alternative. It also affects installation details, since this type of bias-ply fitment calls for a tube. If the car is being restored to a mid-century look, this is one of the key sizes to compare against the wheels already fitted.

A 1957 Ford-Taunus 12M can show 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13 because more than one fitment path exists within the same model year. All three use a 13-inch wheel diameter, so the split is not caused by a wheel-diameter change. Instead, the difference reflects alternative fitments within the model line, including both radial and bias-ply construction and two different numeric bias-ply widths.

That means the year alone is not enough to choose correctly for a 1957 Ford-Taunus 12M. Look at the size stamped on the old tire, confirm the wheel width, and consider whether the car is being kept in original-style bias-ply form or has been set up around radial driving characteristics. Matching one front tire by guesswork is risky when three sizes are possible.

Ford-Taunus 12M requires tubes when fitted with the listed bias-ply sizes 560-13 or 590-13. Those sizes are offered here as bias-ply tires, and tube use is part of that traditional fitment approach. The listed radial size, 155R13, is a different construction type and is not described the same way as the bias-ply offerings.

The important step is to match the tire type to the wheel and the intended use of the car. If a Ford-Taunus 12M is being restored with numeric bias-ply tires, plan the installation around tubes from the start rather than treating them as an afterthought. If the car is on radials, inspect the wheels carefully and keep the full set consistent in construction.

Ford-Taunus 12M appears here with both bias-ply and radial options, so the right choice depends on what you want from the car. The bias-ply choices are 560-13 and 590-13, while the radial choice is 155R13. All use 13-inch rims, but they deliver different appearance, steering feel, and period character.

A show-focused Ford-Taunus 12M usually points toward bias-ply tires, especially when sidewall style matters to the restoration. A regularly driven car may lean toward the radial size for more modern behavior on the road. Decide whether authenticity or day-to-day drivability is the priority, then keep all four tires matched to that goal.

Yes, a radial tire can change how a Ford-Taunus 12M feels compared with a bias-ply setup. The listed radial option, 155R13, uses a different construction from the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes. Even when rim diameter stays the same, construction changes can affect steering response, ride character, and the overall feel of a small postwar car.

That does not automatically make one choice right for every Ford-Taunus 12M. Owners seeking an original mid-century driving experience often prefer bias-ply behavior, while owners who spend more time on public roads may prefer radials. If the suspension and alignment have been tuned around one type, changing construction is a good time to inspect the entire chassis setup.

Mixing bias-ply and radial tires on a Ford-Taunus 12M is not a good practice. The model has listed options in both constructions, but those constructions behave differently under load, through turns, and during braking. Keeping the same construction across the full set gives the car more predictable response than combining 155R13 radials with 560-13 or 590-13 bias-ply tires.

If a Ford-Taunus 12M is currently wearing a mixed set, treat that as a temporary condition rather than a finished setup. Decide whether the car should stay on period-style bias-ply tires or move to radial tires, then standardize all four corners. That approach is especially important on a light classic car, where small differences in tire behavior are easy to feel.

A 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M can use 155R13, 560-13, or 590-13, so confirmation starts with the car itself rather than the year alone. All three sizes are associated with that year and all fit 13-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable in intent. The present tire size, wheel width, and whether the car is set up for radial or bias-ply construction are the key facts to verify.

Start by reading the sidewall of the existing tire and comparing that with the wheel dimensions already on the car. Then consider the purpose of the Ford-Taunus 12M: a restoration may favor the numeric bias-ply sizes, while a driver may already be sorted around the radial. Choosing by appearance alone can lead to an avoidable mismatch in stance or driving feel.

Ford-Taunus 12M tires are offered here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The radial 155R13 products are blackwall, while the 560-13 bias-ply size appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, and the 590-13 bias-ply size appears in a wide whitewall version. That gives the model a useful spread from understated driver-style presentation to fuller period whitewall styling.

Sidewall choice affects the finished look of a Ford-Taunus 12M almost as much as the size itself. A simpler blackwall treatment usually suits a more restrained appearance, while whitewalls reinforce mid-century restoration character. If originality matters, compare the sidewall style with period photos, surviving examples, or marque references before settling on the final look.

Ford-Taunus 12M tires are available here from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial size, BFGoodrich appears in both 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply fitments, and Firestone appears in 560-13 bias-ply form. That spread gives the model both European-style radial choices and traditional American classic bias-ply offerings.

Brand selection should come after size and construction have been settled for the specific Ford-Taunus 12M. Once the correct fitment path is clear, compare sidewall style, series, and wheel-width compatibility within that size. The best result usually comes from choosing the tire that matches the car’s intended use rather than picking a brand first and forcing the fitment around it.

Ford-Taunus 12M tires are offered here in three distinct series: Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, and classic bias-ply lines from Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. The Michelin and Dunlop series are radial constructions in 155R13, while the Silvertown and Firestone series cover the numeric bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 590-13. The main difference is not just brand identity, but the underlying tire technology and presentation.

For a Ford-Taunus 12M owner, that means the series choice should follow the type of car being built. A road-driven car that is already on radials will naturally focus on the Michelin or Dunlop choices, while a restoration with period styling will usually center on the classic bias-ply series. Sidewall appearance also changes within the bias-ply group, so series and visual finish should be considered together.

A stored Ford-Taunus 12M should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and long periods of sitting under full vehicle load. Clean concrete is better than damp ground, and long idle periods are easier on the tires when inflation is maintained correctly. Collector tires age more from time, environment, and inactivity than from mileage alone.

If a Ford-Taunus 12M will sit for months, move it occasionally to change the footprint or support it in a way that reduces flat-spotting stress. Bias-ply tires, in particular, can show storage effects more quickly than a regularly used modern tire. A car that is stored carefully usually rides better and preserves its sidewalls more gracefully when it returns to service.

Tires on a Ford-Taunus 12M should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. Look for cracking, bulges, uneven wear, embedded objects, and changes in inflation, and include the spare if one is carried. On a collector car, visual condition and age matter more than tread depth alone.

That routine is especially useful on a Ford-Taunus 12M because the model can be fitted with either radial or bias-ply tires, and each setup should be watched for its own wear pattern. A quick walkaround catches many problems before they become a roadside issue. If the car has been sitting, give the tires a careful inspection before the first drive of the season.

A Ford-Taunus 12M tire should be replaced when age, sidewall cracking, impact damage, separation, persistent air loss, or structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often wear out tires by time rather than miles. A tire that looks presentable at a glance can still be too old or too compromised for reliable road use.

That is why Ford-Taunus 12M owners should treat condition as a mechanical question, not a cosmetic one. If there is any doubt about age or integrity, have the tires inspected by a specialist who understands collector and bias-ply fitments. Replacing an aged set before it fails is part of preserving both the car and the driving experience.

Ford-Taunus 12M is associated here with both numeric bias-ply sizes and a radial size, specifically 560-13, 590-13, and 155R13. The available series include Michelin XAS-FF, SP Sport Aquajet, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. That range shows that more than one period-appropriate style can enter the conversation, especially across such a long production run.

For an exact restoration, the right way to narrow a Ford-Taunus 12M tire is to compare the specific year and configuration with factory literature, period photos, and marque-club guidance. The broad year span means early and late cars may not have been treated the same way in service. Authenticity usually comes from matching the car’s own history, not just the model name.

Yes, tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging on a Ford-Taunus 12M. Size, construction type, and sidewall treatment all influence whether the car looks convincingly correct for its era. A blackwall radial and a wide-white bias-ply can give the same model very different visual character, even when both technically fit a 13-inch wheel.

That matters most when a Ford-Taunus 12M is being restored for shows, club events, or resale to detail-oriented enthusiasts. Judges and knowledgeable buyers often notice whether the tire profile and sidewall style suit the year and the car’s overall theme. If authenticity is the goal, check marque references before making a final decision on construction and whitewall width.

Ford-Taunus 12M restoration choices here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tire styles. Blackwall appears with the radial 155R13 offerings, while the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply options bring the whitewall choices. That means the correct look depends on whether the restoration is aiming for a cleaner utility presentation or a more period-styled whitewall appearance.

The best way to settle the question on a Ford-Taunus 12M is to match the sidewall style to the exact year, trim character, and regional presentation the car is meant to represent. Whitewall width changes the personality of the car very quickly, especially on compact postwar designs. A little time spent with period imagery can prevent an otherwise good restoration from looking visually off.

A Ford-Taunus 12M can be driven on public roads when the tires are in sound condition, correctly sized, properly installed, and matched as a complete set for construction type. The listed choices include both radial and bias-ply tires, and each can be appropriate when used within the limits of a well-maintained classic car. Tire safety on an older vehicle depends as much on condition and setup as on the size itself.

Before regular road use, make sure the Ford-Taunus 12M has tires that suit the wheels, suspension condition, and intended driving style. A fresh set of matched tires will not compensate for worn steering parts or neglected brakes. Treat the tires as one part of the complete roadworthiness picture rather than as an isolated replacement item.

Before driving a Ford-Taunus 12M, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, wheel security, and whether all four tires match in size and construction. On this model, that includes confirming that radial and bias-ply tires have not been mixed. A quick inspection for cracks, cuts, bulges, or low pressure can prevent many classic-car tire problems.

It is also wise to consider how long the Ford-Taunus 12M has been sitting and whether the tires have aged in storage. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve a slower, more deliberate pre-drive routine than modern daily drivers. If anything about the tires looks questionable, resolve it in the garage rather than testing it out on the road.

Appropriate speed for a Ford-Taunus 12M depends on the tire type fitted, the age and condition of the tires, and the mechanical condition of the car as a whole. A fresh radial setup and a period-style bias-ply setup do not feel the same at speed, even when both are correctly sized for 13-inch wheels. Collector-car driving should always leave a margin for older chassis design and tire behavior.

The sensible approach is to drive a Ford-Taunus 12M at moderate speeds that suit the road, weather, and the car’s condition rather than chasing modern traffic pace. If the car is on bias-ply tires, build speed gradually and stay attentive to steering feel. Any vibration, wander, or heat-related concern is a sign to slow down and inspect the setup before continuing.