Plymouth Cricket Tires

Plymouth Cricket models from 1971 through 1973 use two listed tire sizes: 155R13 and 560-13. The 155R13 fitment is a radial size for a 13-inch wheel, while the 560-13 fitment is a numeric bias-ply size that also fits a 13-inch wheel. The radial products shown for 155R13 fit 13-inch rims in the 4.00 to 5.50 inch width range, and the bias-ply 560-13 products fit 13-inch rims in the 3.50 to 4.50 inch width range, depending on the tire.

That means the key decision on a Plymouth Cricket is not the model year alone, since both sizes appear in every listed year. Check the tire size already on the car, then confirm the wheel width and whether the car is set up for radial or bias-ply tires. If the car is being restored, compare the wheel and tire combination against the car’s build information or period references before settling on one size.

A 560-13 Plymouth Cricket tire uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system. The 560 represents the tire’s nominal section width, written without a decimal, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the available Plymouth Cricket products, 560-13 is paired with bias-ply construction and rim widths from 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the specific tire.

That makes 560-13 very different from the metric radial size used on other Plymouth Cricket listings. If your car has narrow original-style wheels and you want the appearance and stance associated with a period bias-ply tire, this is the fitment family to investigate. Because these are bias-ply tires in an older size format, tube use should be part of the installation plan.

A 1971 Plymouth Cricket has two tire sizes listed because the model appears with both a radial fitment, 155R13, and a bias-ply fitment, 560-13. The two sizes share the same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the split is not a change in rim size. Instead, it reflects two different tire construction types and sizing systems used on Plymouth Cricket listings for that same year.

For a buyer or restorer, that means the wheel and tire setup already on the car matters more than the year by itself. Look at the existing tire marking, measure the wheel width if needed, and decide whether you are preserving a bias-ply presentation or using a radial setup. That approach will keep the Plymouth Cricket matched to the correct construction and proportion.

Plymouth Cricket tube requirements depend on which listed size the car uses. The 560-13 products are bias-ply tires in an older numeric format, and a tube is required with that fitment. The 155R13 radial options are shown in a modern radial format and do not carry the same tube-required note in the available product lineup.

That distinction matters because tube use affects both the installation parts you need and the wheel condition you should inspect. If your Plymouth Cricket uses 560-13 tires, plan the installation around the correct tube and flap practice for bias-ply service. If the car uses 155R13 radials, verify that the wheel condition and valve setup match radial use before mounting tires.

Plymouth Cricket listings include both crossply and radial choices, with 560-13 representing the bias-ply option and 155R13 representing the radial option. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they differ in construction, wheel-width compatibility, and appearance. The radial products are blackwall tires in a modern metric-style size, while the bias-ply products are offered with narrow or wide whitewall styling.

The right choice depends on how your Plymouth Cricket is configured and what you want from the car. A restoration focused on period visual character may lean toward the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, while a car already equipped for radial sizing may call for 155R13. Pick one approach for the whole car and make sure the wheels match the tire family you intend to use.

A Plymouth Cricket fitted with 155R13 radial tires will not behave the same way as a Plymouth Cricket fitted with 560-13 bias-ply tires, because radial and crossply constructions flex and track differently. The radial options shown are also intended for wider 13-inch rim widths than some of the bias-ply options. Even with the same wheel diameter, those differences influence steering response, ride feel, and the overall personality of the car.

That does not make one choice universally right for every Plymouth Cricket, but it does mean the driving character should match the goal of the car. If the car is a largely stock restoration, preserving its original-type feel may matter more than modern response. If the car already runs radial-size wheels and suspension settings suited to that approach, staying with radial construction usually makes the most sense.

A Plymouth Cricket should not be treated casually when mixing crossply and radial tires, because the listed sizes represent different constructions with different operating characteristics. The 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial fitment are not simply alternate labels for the same tire. They also use somewhat different rim-width ranges, which is another reason to think of them as separate setups rather than interchangeable singles.

The sound practical approach is to keep the Plymouth Cricket on one construction type at all four corners unless a marque specialist has a very specific reason to do otherwise. Matching the full set preserves consistent handling and keeps the car’s stance and steering response predictable. It also makes wheel and spare-tire planning much simpler on a compact car with limited clearance.

A 1972 Plymouth Cricket can use either 155R13 radial tires or 560-13 bias-ply tires, so the correct choice starts with the actual wheel and tire setup on the car. Both are 13-inch fitments, but the radial products fit wider rims overall than the bias-ply products. The surest identifiers are the size molded on the current tire, the wheel width, and whether the car has been kept in a radial or bias-ply configuration.

Use the year listing as a starting point, then inspect the car itself before replacing tires. If the existing setup is inconsistent or the car has changed hands several times, compare it against period service references or marque-club guidance. That extra step is worthwhile on a Plymouth Cricket because the same year can legitimately point to two different tire families.

Plymouth Cricket tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The 155R13 radial choices are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices are available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form. That gives Plymouth Cricket owners a clear visual split between a more modern radial presentation and a more traditional bias-ply look.

Sidewall style should follow the overall direction of the car rather than be chosen in isolation. A stock-looking economy compact often suits blackwall radials, while a more period-themed presentation may call for one of the whitewall bias-ply options. Match the sidewall style to the construction and wheel setup you are already using so the Plymouth Cricket looks coherent from every angle.

Plymouth Cricket tires in the available range come from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That brand spread mirrors the split between modern-style radial sizing and traditional bias-ply offerings for the Plymouth Cricket.

Brand choice should come after size, construction, and wheel compatibility are settled. Once you know whether your Plymouth Cricket needs 155R13 or 560-13, you can narrow the selection by appearance and intended use. For a show-oriented car, sidewall style may be the deciding factor, while a driver-grade car may be better served by staying with the construction type already proven on the vehicle.

Plymouth Cricket tires are offered in three distinct series families here: Michelin XAS-FF, Dunlop 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 the 155R13 fitment, while the Silvertown and Firestone series are bias-ply constructions in the 560-13 fitment. The practical difference is not just brand identity but the larger choice between radial and bias-ply technology.

That means a Plymouth Cricket owner should think of the series decision in two stages. First choose the correct size and construction family for the car, then compare the available series within that family. Once the fitment is settled, the remaining differences usually come down to visual style, period character, and how closely the tire matches the role of the car.

A Plymouth Cricket should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Tires age from time, environment, and underuse as much as from mileage, especially on collector cars that spend long periods parked. Keeping the car clean and the tires properly inflated helps prevent flat spotting, sidewall stress, and casing fatigue.

If the Plymouth Cricket will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one patch of the tire. Avoid storing the car on damp ground or in a space with major temperature swings. Good storage habits matter whether the car wears 155R13 radials or 560-13 bias-ply tires, because both benefit from stable conditions and regular attention.

Tires on a Plymouth Cricket should be inspected regularly, not just at annual service time. A collector car that is driven lightly still needs visual checks for cracking, sidewall distress, tread separation, punctures, irregular wear, and pressure loss. Bias-ply and radial tires alike can deteriorate quietly when a car sits, and older wheels can create their own sealing or tube-related issues.

A good routine is to inspect the Plymouth Cricket before every drive and give the tires a more thorough review several times through the season. Pay attention to how the car steers and tracks, because handling changes can reveal a tire problem before obvious damage appears. If anything looks questionable, have the tire and wheel assembly examined before putting more miles on the car.

Plymouth Cricket tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, vibration, or structural deterioration becomes evident, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often wear out tires by time rather than mileage. A tire can appear presentable on the outside and still be too old or too compromised for dependable service.

The practical rule for a Plymouth Cricket is to treat condition and age as seriously as tread depth. If the car has spent years parked, if the rubber has become stiff, or if the tire’s history is uncertain, replacement is often the wiser course. Any tire with suspect age or visible casing problems deserves evaluation before the car returns to regular road use.

Plymouth Cricket listings from 1971 through 1973 include both 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply tire sizes, so more than one period-correct fitment family is represented. The available series include Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet on the radial side, along with Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply on the bias-ply side. That means the original-type answer for a specific Plymouth Cricket depends on the exact configuration and how the car was equipped.

For restoration work, use the car’s surviving wheels, original paperwork, period photos, and marque-club guidance to narrow the choice. A Plymouth Cricket restored for authenticity should have its tire construction, size system, and sidewall style aligned with the specific car rather than the model name alone. Getting those details right can change the look and stance of the finished restoration considerably.

Correct tire fitment can affect how a Plymouth Cricket is judged and how seriously the restoration is taken, especially when the car is being presented as a faithful period example. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall style look appropriate for the era and for the specific car. A Plymouth Cricket on the wrong visual profile can appear subtly out of character even when the wheel diameter is correct.

That does not mean every Plymouth Cricket must be restored to the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should support the goal of the build. If the car is aimed at show presentation, compare the tire to marque references and period imagery. If it is a driver, choose a consistent setup that respects the car’s proportions while still matching how you intend to use it.

Plymouth Cricket tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The blackwall choices are tied to the 155R13 radial fitment, while the narrow and wide whitewall choices appear in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That means sidewall correctness for a Plymouth Cricket restoration depends on which size and construction family matches the specific car.

A restoration should treat sidewall style as part of the overall visual package, not a last-minute cosmetic decision. If the car is being restored with a radial presentation, blackwall is the available path here. If the car is being restored around a bias-ply setup, the whitewall width should be chosen to suit the period look you are trying to recreate.

A Plymouth Cricket can be driven on public roads with the correct size, sound wheels, and tires that are in proper condition for service. The available fitments include both radial and bias-ply designs, and each can be appropriate when matched correctly to the car. Road safety depends on age, condition, inflation, installation quality, and whether the tire type suits the wheel and the way the car is being used.

The key point is that a Plymouth Cricket should be evaluated as a complete system before regular driving begins. Confirm the tires are the same construction type across the car, inspect the wheels, and make sure the suspension and steering are in good order. A well-sorted compact from this period can be enjoyable to use, but old-car roadworthiness should never be assumed from appearance alone.

Before driving a Plymouth Cricket, inspect tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of flat spotting or age cracking. Also confirm that all four tires are the intended size family, either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, and that the spare arrangement makes sense for the setup on the car. A quick walkaround can catch many tire issues before they become handling or braking problems.

Go beyond the tires if the Plymouth Cricket has been sitting. Check the wheels, brakes, steering response, and suspension behavior during the first slow miles, because old-car drivability issues often show up together. If the car pulls, wanders, or vibrates, stop and inspect rather than assuming the problem will settle out with use.

Appropriate speed for a Plymouth Cricket depends on the specific tire fitted, its condition, and whether the car is on radial or bias-ply construction. A sound, properly installed tire should still be treated with the respect due any early-1970s collector-car fitment, especially if the car is driven infrequently. The safest habit is to avoid sustained high-speed running until the tires, wheels, and chassis have all been inspected and proven in service.

In practical terms, bring a Plymouth Cricket up to speed gradually and pay close attention to feel through the steering wheel and seat. A car on bias-ply 560-13 tires may feel different on the road than one on 155R13 radials, even when both are healthy. Let the condition of the tires and the overall state of the car set the pace rather than driving it like a modern compact.