Opel 1200 Tires

The Opel 1200 uses two listed tire sizes across 1960, 1961, and 1962: 165R13 and 590-13. Both sizes fit 13-inch rims, but they are not the same type of tire. The 165R13 is a radial metric size, while the 590-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The listed 165R13 products fit 13-inch rims and, where specified, rim widths from 4.50 to 6.00 inches. The listed 590-13 product fits a 13-inch rim with a 3.50 to 4.00 inch rim width range.

That means the correct choice for an Opel 1200 is not just about year, since both sizes appear across the full 1960 to 1962 span. Start by checking the wheel width and deciding whether the car is being kept in period-style bias-ply form or driven on radial tires. If the car already has one of these sizes fitted, compare the sidewall markings and the wheel itself before replacing anything. On a restored car, old paperwork or marque-club guidance can help confirm whether the narrower bias-ply or the radial setup better matches the intended specification.

On an Opel 1200, 590-13 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 is the nominal section width written in the period numbering style, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial size, and it does not decode the same way as a modern 165R13 marking. The available 590-13 tire for the Opel 1200 is a bias-ply construction with a wide whitewall and fits 13-inch rims, with a listed rim width range of 3.50 to 4.00 inches.

That older size format matters because many buyers assume any 13-inch tire is interchangeable, which is not the case here. A 590-13 bias-ply tire belongs on the narrower wheel range listed for that size and gives a more period-correct appearance than a modern radial. If an Opel 1200 is being restored for originality, this size may be the more appropriate direction. If the car is intended for more regular road driving, compare the wheel width and overall presentation goals before moving from a numeric bias-ply size to a radial alternative.

A 1960 Opel 1200 has 2 tire sizes listed because the model appears with both a 165R13 radial size and a 590-13 numeric bias-ply size in the same year. The split is not caused by a rim diameter change, since both listed sizes use 13-inch wheels. It is also not a multi-diameter wheel transition between years, because the same pattern continues through 1961 and 1962. The real difference is tire construction, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility between the two sizes.

For an owner, that means year alone will not settle the fitment question on an Opel 1200. Check what wheel is actually on the car, measure or verify the rim width, and look at the kind of tire the car has carried in its recent history. A narrower wheel points toward the 590-13 bias-ply listing, while the radial listing is tied to a wider wheel range where specified. Cars restored for show, touring, or mixed use can reasonably land on different choices depending on how closely the owner wants to follow period appearance.

The Opel 1200 listed here uses both radial and bias-ply tire types, so tube use depends on the size selected. The 590-13 bias-ply tire falls into the older construction style and requires a tube. The 165R13 products are radial tires, and the listed metric sizes include tubeless-style markings rather than tube-type bias-ply construction. That means tube requirement is tied to the actual tire design, not simply to the model name or year.

When replacing tires on an Opel 1200, match the tube decision to the exact tire being installed and the wheel it will be mounted on. If the car is running period-style bias-ply tires, plan for proper tube service and rim condition checks at mounting time. If the car is fitted with radial 165R13 tires, keep the wheel in sound condition and use components appropriate to that radial setup. A collector car that changes between bias-ply and radial use should be evaluated as a complete wheel-and-tire package rather than one loose tire at a time.

The Opel 1200 is listed with both a bias-ply option, 590-13, and a radial option, 165R13, so either construction may suit the car depending on its purpose. The bias-ply choice is the BFGoodrich 590-13 wide whitewall, while the radial choices are 165R13 tires from Michelin and Dunlop. Both fit 13-inch rims, but they do not share the same wheel-width range where specified. Bias-ply construction favors period presentation, while radial construction generally aligns with later-style road behavior and a more modern feel.

Choose by working backward from how the Opel 1200 will be used. A show-oriented restoration or a car meant to preserve a strongly period look may be better served by the numeric bias-ply size. A car driven more regularly on modern roads may benefit from staying within the radial listing if the wheel width matches. The important step is to treat the tire as part of the whole chassis setup, since changing construction type can alter stance, steering feel, and the visual character of a small European car as much as the sidewall marking itself.

Yes, radial tires can change how an Opel 1200 feels on the road when compared with a bias-ply setup. The listed 165R13 radial options use a different construction than the 590-13 bias-ply tire, even though both are 13-inch fitments. On a light, compact car like the Opel 1200, that difference can influence steering response, straight-line tracking, and how the car reacts to pavement seams and corners. The wheel-width ranges also differ, so the tire’s behavior is tied not only to construction but to whether the wheel suits that construction properly.

That practical difference matters most for owners deciding between preservation and regular use. A radial-equipped Opel 1200 may feel more settled in modern traffic, while a bias-ply car can retain a more period-correct character in both appearance and response. Neither choice should be treated casually, because the wheel, tire width, and intended use all have to match. If the car has long been set up one way, avoid changing direction until the wheel dimensions and suspension condition have been checked with the same care as the tires themselves.

Mixing crossply and radial tires on an Opel 1200 is not a sound practice. The listed sizes represent two different construction methods with different handling characteristics, sidewall behavior, and wheel-width needs: 590-13 as bias-ply and 165R13 as radial. Even though both sizes use 13-inch rims, construction differences can create uneven response under braking, cornering, and general road driving. A small, lightweight car is particularly sensitive to mismatched tire behavior from one axle to the other.

The safer approach is to keep one construction type on the whole Opel 1200 and build the setup around the correct wheel dimensions for that tire. If the car is already mixed because of old replacements, treat that as a temporary condition and move toward a matched set. Bias-ply and radial tires also carry different visual cues, so a mixed arrangement usually looks inconsistent as well as driving inconsistently. When changing from one construction family to the other, review the complete wheel-and-tire package rather than replacing a single corner.

A 1961 Opel 1200 can use either 165R13 or 590-13, so the correct size has to be confirmed from the actual car rather than year alone. Both listed sizes fit 13-inch rims, but they differ in construction and in wheel-width range where specified. The radial 165R13 products are listed for 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims where that information appears, while the 590-13 bias-ply product is listed for 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. The tire already on the car, the wheel width, and the restoration goal all matter.

The best working method is to read the sidewall marking on the current tire, then verify the wheel dimensions before choosing a replacement. If the Opel 1200 has narrow wheels and a more original-looking setup, the 590-13 may make more sense. If it carries wider wheels suited to the metric radial listing, the 165R13 options are the right place to focus. Original owner paperwork, period photos, and marque-specialist advice can all help settle close cases, especially when a car has been modified during past ownership.

The Opel 1200 tire listings here include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The 165R13 radial options from Michelin and Dunlop are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is a BFGoodrich tire with a 2.375 inch whitewall. That means the sidewall choice is tied closely to the size and construction you select, not simply to cosmetic preference. A buyer choosing between these products is also choosing between different period impressions and different wheel-width requirements.

For a cleaner European road-car appearance, blackwall radial tires usually align more naturally with the Opel 1200’s compact character. For a stronger period-custom or restoration presentation, the wide whitewall bias-ply option creates a very different look and stance. Because sidewall style is attached to specific sizes, do not choose the appearance first and assume the fitment will follow. Match the sidewall style to the size that suits the wheel, then decide whether the visual result fits the way the car is being restored or driven.

Three brands appear in the Opel 1200 tire offerings here: Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin supplies two 165R13 radial choices in the XAS and XAS-FF series, Dunlop supplies a 165R13 radial in the SP Sport Aquajet series, and BFGoodrich supplies the 590-13 bias-ply Silvertown Classic Bias Ply wide whitewall. That gives the Opel 1200 buyer a mix of European-style radial choices and a period-style American bias-ply option. The brands are tied to different constructions and sidewall presentations rather than being interchangeable within one exact visual format.

Brand selection on an Opel 1200 should come after the basic fitment decision, not before it. Once the correct size, construction type, and wheel-width range are settled, the remaining choice becomes one of tread family, appearance, and how closely the tire suits the car’s intended character. A radial-driven touring car may point toward the Michelin or Dunlop offerings, while a more nostalgic visual treatment may point toward BFGoodrich in the numeric bias-ply size. Keep the full package coherent so the tire choice supports the car rather than fighting it.

The Opel 1200 listings include four distinct tire series: Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. The first three belong to the 165R13 radial family and are blackwall tires, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply belongs to the 590-13 bias-ply family and is offered as a wide whitewall. Those series represent two clearly different construction approaches rather than small variations within one identical format. The practical split is radial road tire versus classic bias-ply presentation tire.

That difference matters because a series choice on an Opel 1200 shapes both the look of the car and how it will feel in use. If the goal is a period-flavored radial setup on 13-inch wheels within the proper width range, the Michelin and Dunlop series are the natural comparison set. If the goal is an older visual style with a whitewall and bias-ply construction, the BFGoodrich series stands apart as a different direction altogether. Decide on construction and appearance first, then compare series within that narrower and more appropriate group.

An Opel 1200 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, solvents, and prolonged contact with damp concrete. Tire pressures should be checked before storage and maintained so the car is not left sitting on underinflated casings. If the car will stand for extended periods, moving it occasionally or supporting it properly can help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress. Collector cars with bias-ply tires especially benefit from careful storage because the casing shape can set more readily during long idle periods.

For an Opel 1200 that is driven only seasonally, good storage habits are often as important as mileage in preserving tire life. Keep the car clean, avoid parking with heavy loads in it, and inspect the tread and sidewalls each time it comes out of storage. If the car is on the 590-13 bias-ply setup, pay extra attention to tube-equipped service and wheel condition when it is recommissioned. A small vintage car can feel dramatically different on aged or distorted tires, even before obvious wear appears.

Tires on an Opel 1200 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the driving season. A quick pre-drive check should look for pressure loss, visible cracking, bulges, irregular wear, tread damage, and signs that the tire is not seated or aging evenly. On a collector car that sees low mileage, age-related deterioration can matter more than tread depth. That is true for both the 165R13 radial options and the 590-13 bias-ply option, although older-style bias-ply tires deserve especially close visual attention.

Regular inspection matters because a lightly used Opel 1200 can seem fine in the garage yet still have tires that are no longer suitable for road use. Add a more detailed look at least a few times per year, including sidewall condition, valve stems, and any vibration or pull felt during operation. If the car has been stored for months, make the inspection more deliberate before driving it at speed. Tires that show cracking, hardening, unusual wear, or repeated pressure loss should be evaluated before the car returns to normal use.

Tires on an Opel 1200 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, impact damage, or structural changes appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector cars often wear out tires by time rather than miles, and that is especially true when the car sees long storage periods. Bias-ply tires and tube-type service deserve particularly close attention because casing condition, tube condition, and rim condition all affect serviceability. Visible tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of whether an older tire remains fit for continued use.

Use the whole condition of the tire as the decision point, not just the amount of rubber left on the tread face. If an Opel 1200 develops vibration, sidewall checking, shape distortion, or chronic pressure problems, replacement should move to the front of the list even on a low-mileage car. Cars prepared mainly for shows can hide aging tires in plain sight, so periodic professional evaluation is worthwhile. Replacing on condition rather than waiting for obvious wear is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the people around it.

The Opel 1200 is listed with both 165R13 radial tires and 590-13 bias-ply tires across the 1960 to 1962 span, so there is more than one historically appropriate direction within the sizes shown here. The available products include radial series from Michelin and Dunlop as well as a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply in 590-13. That means an original-style answer depends on the exact specification, market presentation, and restoration target for the individual car rather than one universal tire for every Opel 1200. Both size families belong to the fitment picture for this model range.

For restoration work, the next step is to match the car to period reference material rather than relying on year alone. Original manuals, photographs, factory literature, and Opel marque specialists can help determine whether a particular Opel 1200 is better represented by the radial metric size or the numeric bias-ply size. If the car will be judged, consistency between tire size, wheel width, sidewall style, and the overall restoration theme matters more than choosing a famous brand name. The right answer is the one that fits both the car’s equipment and its intended historical presentation.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect how an Opel 1200 is viewed in both judging and the collector market. Tires influence stance, sidewall appearance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and how authentically the car presents from curb distance. On an Opel 1200, the difference between a 590-13 wide whitewall bias-ply and a 165R13 blackwall radial is visually significant, even though both are 13-inch fitments. Judges and informed buyers often notice whether the tire choice supports the car’s era and restoration theme or pulls it away from that identity.

That does not mean every Opel 1200 needs the same tire to be respected. A touring-oriented car can be well served by radials, while a historically styled restoration may benefit from the bias-ply path. The key is to make a consistent choice and be able to support it with period references or club guidance if originality is part of the goal. When a car is prepared for sale or judged competition, tires are one of the easiest details to get right and one of the most visible details to get wrong.

The Opel 1200 tire options here include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles, and the more correct choice depends on the kind of restoration being pursued. The 165R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is offered with a 2.375 inch whitewall. Because those sidewall styles are attached to different constructions and visual periods, the sidewall decision is really part of the broader fitment decision. There is no single sidewall answer that automatically fits every Opel 1200 restoration from 1960 to 1962.

A restrained factory-style European presentation will usually lean more naturally toward blackwalls, especially when paired with the radial 165R13 family. A more stylized or period-custom look can support the wide whitewall bias-ply direction, provided the wheel dimensions and the overall build theme agree with it. The best restoration result comes from choosing a sidewall that fits the entire car rather than treating it as a cosmetic add-on. If authenticity matters, compare against period photography and club standards before finalizing the tire’s visual profile.

A properly selected and properly maintained tire from the listed Opel 1200 sizes can be suitable for public-road use, but safety depends on more than the sidewall marking alone. The tire has to match the wheel diameter, wheel width, construction type, and the actual condition of the tire and wheel assembly. A 165R13 radial and a 590-13 bias-ply can both fit an Opel 1200, yet they serve the car differently and should not be treated as interchangeable simply because both are 13-inch fitments. Age, mounting condition, inflation, and the car’s overall mechanical state remain central to safe use.

Before any road driving, make sure the Opel 1200’s brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel hardware are as ready as the tires themselves. A fresh-looking tire on a compromised rim or a poorly sorted chassis is not a safe combination. Owners who drive only occasionally should be especially disciplined about pressure checks and visual inspection because long storage can age a tire silently. Public-road use is realistic for an Opel 1200, but the tire decision should be made as part of a complete roadworthiness review rather than as an isolated cosmetic choice.

Before driving an Opel 1200, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and whether all four tires are the same construction family. Confirm that the car is not mixed between the 165R13 radial setup and the 590-13 bias-ply setup, and look for any cracking, bulges, flat spotting, or impact damage. On a collector car, also check for age-related hardening and any signs of long storage stress. If the car uses the bias-ply 590-13 size, tube-related service quality and rim condition deserve extra attention.

Those checks matter because the Opel 1200 is light enough that tire condition has an outsized effect on how confidently it tracks and brakes. A short garage inspection can catch problems before they become a roadside event or a handling surprise. If anything feels unusual once underway, such as pull, shake, wandering, or thumping, stop and inspect before continuing. A vintage compact can be pleasant and dependable on the road, but only when the tires, wheels, and chassis are treated as one system rather than separate maintenance items.

The appropriate speed for an Opel 1200 on period-style tires is the speed that matches the tire’s construction, condition, inflation, and the car’s overall readiness, rather than simply the posted limit or the car’s theoretical capability. A radial 165R13 setup and a 590-13 bias-ply setup do not deliver the same feel or reserve on modern pavement. Even with good tires, a vintage compact sedan should be driven with more mechanical sympathy and more margin than a modern car. Age, storage history, and the condition of the suspension and brakes all matter as much as the size marking.

In practice, that means building speed gradually and treating steady, moderate driving as the normal operating mode for an Opel 1200. If the car is on bias-ply tires, be especially conservative until you know how it tracks, responds to grooves, and reacts under braking. If it is on radials, the car may feel more settled, but the rest of the chassis is still a 1960s design and should be respected as such. Smooth inputs, regular inspections, and realistic speeds are the right formula for preserving both the tires and the car.