Lancia Scorpion Tires

The Lancia Scorpion uses two listed tire sizes for 1977: 165R13 and 185/70R13. Both sizes are radial constructions and both require 13-inch wheels. The 165R13 size appears in period-style European radial offerings, while 185/70R13 appears in a broader mix of blackwall and styled sidewall radial tires.

The practical difference is width and profile, not wheel diameter. Start by checking the tire size currently mounted on the car, then compare the wheel width to the published range for the tire you are considering. A Scorpion wearing narrow original-style wheels may suit 165R13, while a car set up around the wider size should stay with 185/70R13.

On a Lancia Scorpion, 165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 165 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Available products in this size include 165HR13 variants, where the added H is a speed rating rather than a change in basic fitment format.

That makes 165R13 a straightforward size once the wheel diameter is confirmed. If your Scorpion still carries a narrower 13-inch wheel, this is often the more natural place to begin your search. Verify wheel width as well, since listed tires in this size are paired with recommended rims in the 4.50 to 6.00 inch range where that detail is supplied.

A 1977 Lancia Scorpion has two tire sizes listed because the available fitment range includes both 165R13 and 185/70R13 on 13-inch wheels. This is not a wheel-diameter change; it is a same-year split between a narrower radial and a wider lower-profile radial. The distinction matters because the two sizes do not describe the same section width or sidewall proportions.

The right way to sort that out is to inspect the actual wheel and the tire size already fitted, then compare that to the stance and driving character you want to preserve. If the car is a restoration, original paperwork, period photos, and marque expertise can help settle which of the two 13-inch sizes best matches the specific configuration.

A 1977 Lancia Scorpion can use either 165R13 or 185/70R13, so the correct size depends on the wheel and configuration on the actual car. Both fit 13-inch rims, but the available products show different recommended rim-width ranges, with 165R13 commonly paired to 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims and 185/70R13 extending to as much as 6.5 inches where specified.

Check the size molded on the current tire, then verify the wheel width before making a selection. That matters more here than simply ordering by model name, since both sizes belong to the same year. If the car is being restored to a particular period look, compare the tire’s section width and sidewall profile to period reference photos before deciding.

Lancia Scorpion tires are available in several sidewall styles within the listed range. Blackwall is offered in both 165R13 and 185/70R13, while 185/70R13 also appears in redline and wide whitewall form. That gives the Scorpion both understated European-style options and more customized presentation choices within the same wheel diameter.

For a more factory-like or period European sports-car appearance, blackwall is the most natural visual fit. Redline and wide whitewall versions can suit a personalized build, but they create a noticeably different look than a traditional Scorpion restoration. Sidewall style should be chosen with the same care as the size itself, because it strongly affects how the finished car reads.

The listed Lancia Scorpion tire range includes Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. Michelin appears in both sizes, Dunlop appears in both sizes, and the 185/70R13 fitment broadens into additional options from BFGoodrich, Avon, and Vredestein. All of the listed products are radial tires built around 13-inch rims.

Brand choice lets you balance period appearance, tread style, and the character you want from the finished car. Buyers focused on a European sports-car presentation may lean toward the blackwall offerings, while those building a more personalized Scorpion may look more closely at the styled sidewall options in 185/70R13. Once the size is settled, the brand decision becomes much easier.

The Lancia Scorpion range includes several tire series: Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, SP Sport Aquajet, Silvertown Radial, Avon CR6ZZ, Dunlop Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. These series are all radial constructions, but they differ in tread design, sidewall treatment, and the fitment sizes they cover. Some are offered only in blackwall form, while the Silvertown Radial line also appears in redline and wide whitewall versions.

That means the series decision is partly about appearance and partly about which of the two Scorpion sizes you need. Narrow 165R13 buyers have a smaller, more period-European group of choices, while 185/70R13 opens a wider field. It helps to decide first whether the car is being restored, driven regularly, or styled with a more personalized look, then choose the series that supports that goal.

A Lancia Scorpion should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Keep the tires properly inflated while the car is parked, and avoid long-term contact with petroleum products, solvents, or standing moisture. Even modern collector-car radials age faster when they sit under load in poor storage conditions.

If the Scorpion will be parked for extended periods, move it occasionally so the tires do not rest on the same footprint month after month. Owners who store the car seasonally often use tire cradles or take weight off the suspension where appropriate. Good storage habits protect both appearance and drivability, especially on a low-mileage collector car that spends more time parked than driven.

Tires on a Lancia Scorpion should be inspected at regular intervals even if the car is driven sparingly. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, irregular wear, punctures, and any change in how the car tracks or rides. A collector car can develop tire issues from age and storage as easily as from mileage.

A good routine is to inspect the tires before each drive and give them a more careful check several times during the year. Pay close attention after long storage periods, after impacts, or when the car has been run at highway speed. Catching a problem early matters on a short-wheelbase sports car, where tire condition can affect steering feel and stability quickly.

Tires on a Lancia Scorpion should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, or structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out. Time, heat cycles, and storage history matter as much as mileage on a low-use sports car.

The important point is not to judge serviceability by tread depth alone. If a Scorpion has sat for years, has unknown tire age, or shows visible sidewall aging, replacement should move to the top of the maintenance list. An experienced vintage tire professional can help evaluate borderline cases, but visible aging is usually reason enough to stop treating the tire as roadworthy.

The available Lancia Scorpion range includes two 1977 sizes, 165R13 and 185/70R13, with radial tire offerings in both. Several period-appropriate European-style series appear within that range, including Michelin and Dunlop lines, but more than one tire approach is represented rather than a single universal answer. That means original fitment should be narrowed by the exact wheel and configuration on the specific car.

For restoration work, the best path is to match size first, then visual character. Blackwall radials are the closest visual fit for a traditional Scorpion presentation, while some 185/70R13 choices add customized sidewall treatments that may not suit a stock restoration. Period owner literature, marque clubs, and surviving unrestored examples are useful references when authenticity matters.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the visual credibility and the judged presentation of a Lancia Scorpion. Size, profile, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks properly sorted for its era. A Scorpion wearing the wrong width or an obviously non-period sidewall treatment may stand out immediately to knowledgeable enthusiasts.

That does not mean every restored Scorpion must use the same tire, but it does mean the choice should match the restoration goal. A preservation-minded car usually benefits from a period-appropriate blackwall radial in the correct listed size, while a modified example may have more freedom. If the car will be shown, checking with the relevant marque community is worthwhile before the final selection.

Blackwall is the most restoration-friendly sidewall style within the listed Lancia Scorpion range. It is available in both 165R13 and 185/70R13 and aligns naturally with the European sports-car character of the model. Redline and wide whitewall are also offered in 185/70R13, but they create a more customized appearance than a stock-oriented presentation.

For most authentic Scorpion restorations, blackwall is the safest visual direction. The remaining choice is whether the car should wear the narrower 165R13 or wider 185/70R13 size, which should be settled by the wheel and the intended restoration standard. Sidewall styling can change the entire personality of the car, so it is worth choosing with restraint.

The listed tires for the Lancia Scorpion are modern radial products in the correct 13-inch fitment range, so they can be appropriate for public-road use when they are the correct size for the car, properly mounted, and in sound condition. Safety depends on far more than size alone, including tire age, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, and the overall mechanical state of the car.

A Scorpion that is newly acquired or recently awakened from storage deserves a thorough mechanical review before regular driving. Even the right tire cannot compensate for worn suspension parts, damaged wheels, or old brake components. Treat the tire choice as one part of making the car roadworthy, not the entire solution.

Before driving a Lancia Scorpion, check that the tire size matches the wheel, the inflation is correct for the setup being used, and there is no visible cracking, bulging, or impact damage. Inspect tread and sidewalls, and confirm that all four tires are of a compatible type and overall condition. Because the Scorpion is a lightweight sports car, tire condition has a direct effect on steering response and stability.

It is also wise to inspect the wheels themselves for bends, corrosion, or bead-seat issues before putting miles on the car. If the car has just been restored or has unknown service history, begin with a short local drive and recheck the tires afterward. Any vibration, pull, or unusual noise should be investigated before moving on to normal road use.

A Lancia Scorpion should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition and age of the actual tires fitted, not merely the capability of the car itself. The listed range includes modern radial designs, and some products carry higher speed-oriented markings, but safe operating speed still depends on inflation, load, wheel condition, and the age of the tire in service. A vintage sports car should never be driven as if tire age and storage history do not matter.

The prudent approach is to build speed gradually only after the tires, wheels, alignment, and chassis have been inspected and proven sound. If the car has sat for a long time, treat the first drives as shakedown runs rather than performance use. On any collector car, confidence should come from condition and preparation, not from the sidewall marking alone.