Sunbeam Arrow Tires

Sunbeam Arrow uses two tire sizes across the 1967 through 1970 model years: 165R13 and 600-13. Both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they are not simply interchangeable by name because they represent different construction families. The 165R13 options are radial tires, while the 600-13 options are bias-ply tires with whitewall sidewall treatments available.

That means the correct choice depends on how the individual Sunbeam Arrow is configured and what kind of driving character or restoration result you want. A car already set up around radial handling may point you toward 165R13, while a more period-style presentation may call for 600-13. Check the existing wheel width, the current tire type, and any restoration records before settling on one path.

On a Sunbeam Arrow, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 is the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, commonly read as a 6.00-inch-class tire, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the available Sunbeam Arrow products, this size is built as a bias-ply tire for 13-inch rims.

That matters because 600-13 is an older sizing convention and delivers a different look and road feel than a metric radial. It also fits a narrower rim-width range than the radial choices offered here. If your Sunbeam Arrow is being restored with a more period-correct visual stance, this size is often the one to investigate first, especially if the car is wearing traditional whitewalls.

A 1967 Sunbeam Arrow has 2 tire sizes listed because the fitment splits by construction type and size convention, not because of a wheel diameter change. Both 165R13 and 600-13 are 13-inch tires, but 165R13 is a radial metric size and 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The year shows both because Sunbeam Arrow can be approached through either of those tire systems.

For the owner, the practical question is which setup matches the actual car. Look at the tires already fitted, the wheel width, and the kind of restoration being pursued. If the car is meant to drive with a more modern radial feel, 165R13 is the likely path; if the goal is a period bias-ply look and behavior, 600-13 is the better match.

Sunbeam Arrow tube requirements depend on the tire type chosen. The 600-13 products are bias-ply tires, and a tube is required with that size. The 165R13 radial offerings are listed in tubeless-style form, so the tube requirement does not apply to those products in the same way.

That makes it important to avoid assuming all 13-inch Sunbeam Arrow tires mount the same way. If the car is being fitted with 600-13 bias-ply tires, plan the installation around correct tubes and related hardware. If the car is being fitted with 165R13 radials, verify wheel condition and compatibility so the tire system matches the wheel as intended.

Sunbeam Arrow has product coverage in both radial and crossply-style bias-ply forms, both on 13-inch rims. The radial option is 165R13, while the bias-ply option is 600-13. Neither is universally right for every Sunbeam Arrow, because the best choice depends on whether the priority is period appearance and original-style driving character or more modern road manners.

Bias-ply tires suit restorations that aim to preserve a traditional late-1960s look, especially with whitewall styling. Radials generally provide a different feel in steering response and cruising behavior, which many drivers prefer for regular road use. Decide first what role your Sunbeam Arrow will play—show presentation, occasional pleasure driving, or frequent use—and then choose the construction type that supports that goal.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Sunbeam Arrow feels on the road because 165R13 radials are built differently from 600-13 bias-ply tires. Even when both fit the same 13-inch wheel diameter, the construction influences ride quality, steering feel, and the way the car responds over pavement. That difference is one of the main reasons both size systems appear for this model.

Owners moving from bias-ply to radial usually notice that the car no longer feels quite as period-correct in character, even if everyday road behavior may feel more familiar to modern drivers. If your Sunbeam Arrow is judged in restoration settings, appearance and authenticity may matter more than that change. If it is driven regularly, the radial option may be the more practical route for the way you use the car.

A Sunbeam Arrow should not be treated casually when mixing crossply and radial tires because the two constructions behave differently even if they share the same 13-inch rim diameter. The available Sunbeam Arrow sizes here are 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial, and they are designed around different carcass behavior. A mixed set can produce inconsistent response and a driving feel that is out of step with the rest of the car.

The sounder approach is to choose one construction type and keep it consistent across the full set on your Sunbeam Arrow. That gives you a more predictable handling balance and avoids the confusion that comes from trying to blend two tire eras on one small British sedan. If the car arrived with a mixed setup, treat that as a prompt to reassess the full tire plan rather than replacing one tire in isolation.

A 1969 Sunbeam Arrow can use either 165R13 or 600-13, so the correct answer begins with the car itself rather than the year alone. Both are 13-inch sizes, but 165R13 is a radial and 600-13 is a bias-ply. The radial products suit a 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range where stated, while the 600-13 bias-ply products suit a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range.

Start by reading the size on the current tires, then confirm the wheel width and consider whether the car has been restored toward radial use or traditional bias-ply presentation. Service records, old photos, and marque references can help if the car has changed over time. When those clues agree, the choice becomes much clearer and you avoid forcing the wrong construction onto the wrong wheel.

Sunbeam Arrow tire options here include blackwall sidewalls in the 165R13 radial sizes and whitewall sidewalls in the 600-13 bias-ply sizes. The 600-13 choices are offered as both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives Sunbeam Arrow owners a clear visual split between a sportier radial appearance and a more traditional bias-ply presentation.

If your Sunbeam Arrow is being restored for a period look, sidewall choice should follow the overall build theme rather than fashion alone. Whitewalls can strongly shape the car’s visual stance, while blackwalls usually look more restrained and more in keeping with a radial touring setup. Compare the car’s trim, wheel covers, and intended use so the sidewall style supports the whole presentation.

Sunbeam Arrow tire options here come from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin supplies 165R13 radial offerings in the XAS and XAS-FF series, Dunlop supplies a 165R13 radial in the SP Sport Aquajet series, and BFGoodrich supplies 600-13 bias-ply whitewall tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply family. Those brands cover both driving-oriented radial choices and more traditional bias-ply styling.

Brand choice on a Sunbeam Arrow should follow the same logic as size choice: first decide whether the car needs radial or bias-ply construction, then narrow within that group. A driver focused on road use may look first at the radial brands, while a period-themed restoration may lean toward the BFGoodrich bias-ply route. Comparing construction, sidewall style, and wheel width fit is usually more useful than comparing brand names alone.

Sunbeam Arrow tire series here include Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. The first three are radial-series options in 165R13, while Silvertown Classic Bias Ply is the traditional 600-13 bias-ply choice. That means the series split is not just branding; it also reflects two distinctly different construction approaches for the same model family.

For the buyer, the practical divide is between a radial touring setup and a classic bias-ply setup. Within the radial group, series choice can help you align the car with a particular road-going character or period flavor, while the bias-ply series supports a more traditional visual and dynamic result. Decide first whether your Sunbeam Arrow is being built as a driver or a faithful period-style restoration, then compare series within that lane.

A Sunbeam Arrow should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Proper inflation matters during storage because an underinflated tire can develop flat spotting or sidewall stress while the car sits. Clean, dry tires and a clean floor surface also help reduce deterioration over long idle periods.

If the Sunbeam Arrow is parked for extended stretches, move it periodically or place it on supports that reduce long-term loading on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to taking a temporary set, though radials benefit from the same care. Good storage habits preserve appearance and service life, which is especially important on a collector car that may spend more time parked than driven.

Tires on a Sunbeam Arrow should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees very low annual mileage. Look for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, uneven wear, and any changes in the way the tire sits on the wheel. Collector cars often age their tires out long before they wear them out.

A quick pre-drive check is especially important because a Sunbeam Arrow may spend weeks or months between outings. The longer a car sits, the easier it is for a slow leak or age-related issue to go unnoticed until the next road trip. Include the spare in the inspection routine so the full tire package is ready if the car is used away from home.

Sunbeam Arrow tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. Collector tires can look usable while the internal condition has already declined, particularly on cars that are driven infrequently. Tread alone is not a reliable guide to whether an older tire still belongs in service.

Make replacement decisions with age and condition in mind, not just mileage. Any Sunbeam Arrow tire that shows visible deterioration should be taken seriously, and a tire specialist should inspect suspicious examples before further use. That standard is especially important on older bias-ply designs, but it applies to radials as well, because time and storage conditions affect both construction types.

Sunbeam Arrow is represented here by both 165R13 radial tires and 600-13 bias-ply tires, both for 1967 through 1970 production. That indicates Sunbeam Arrow can be approached through more than one period-appropriate tire path rather than a single one-size answer. The available series include radial offerings from Michelin and Dunlop and a classic bias-ply option from BFGoodrich.

For a specific Sunbeam Arrow, the best way to settle originality is to compare the car against factory literature, surviving photos, and marque-club guidance for that exact configuration. That is especially useful when a car has changed wheels or tires during its life. Treat the available size range as the starting map, then refine the final choice according to the individual car’s restoration goal.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Sunbeam Arrow is viewed in restoration and judging settings. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all shape whether the car looks and presents as authentically finished. A Sunbeam Arrow on the right 13-inch tire family will usually appear more settled and convincing than one fitted with a size or style that clashes with its era.

That does not mean every Sunbeam Arrow must wear the same tire, because owner intent matters. A road-focused driver may reasonably choose radial practicality, while a concours-minded restoration may place greater value on a bias-ply look with period-style sidewalls. If judging matters, compare your planned fitment with marque-club standards before the car is finalized.

Sunbeam Arrow restoration choices here include blackwall radial tires in 165R13 and whitewall bias-ply tires in 600-13, with both narrow and wide whitewall versions available in the bias-ply size. That means there is not one universal sidewall answer across every restoration approach. The sidewall style should match the build direction as closely as the tire size itself.

A Sunbeam Arrow restored as a clean late-1960s small European sedan will often look most natural on blackwalls, especially if the car is using a radial setup. A more stylized or period-personalized presentation may support one of the whitewall bias-ply choices instead. Sidewall style should be judged in context with wheel covers, trim details, and the overall authenticity target for the car.

A Sunbeam Arrow can be driven on public roads with tires that are the correct size, correct construction for the car’s setup, and in sound condition. The available choices here include both 165R13 radial tires and 600-13 bias-ply tires, and each can be appropriate when matched properly to the wheel and the vehicle’s intended use. Safety depends on condition, compatibility, and installation quality more than the size label alone.

Before road use, make sure the Sunbeam Arrow has a matched set, proper inflation, and no signs of age-related deterioration. Bias-ply and radial tires also give the car a different feel, so the driver should expect the car to respond according to the tire type fitted. A cautious shakedown drive after installation is a sensible way to confirm that the car behaves consistently.

Before driving a Sunbeam Arrow, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether all four tires are the intended size and construction. On this model, that also means making sure the car is not unintentionally mixing 165R13 radials with 600-13 bias-ply tires. Since both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, a mismatch can be overlooked if you only glance at the rim diameter.

After a long storage period, inspect the Sunbeam Arrow more carefully and include the spare in the routine. If the car wanders, vibrates, or feels different than usual, stop and reassess before adding speed or distance. Small classic cars communicate tire issues quickly, and catching them early is far easier than trying to manage a problem once the car is fully underway.

Appropriate speed for a Sunbeam Arrow depends on the exact tire fitted, its age, and its overall condition rather than the model name alone. A properly fitted modern-production radial in the correct 165R13 size can support normal collector-car driving more comfortably than an older-style bias-ply tire, while a 600-13 bias-ply setup calls for a more measured approach. Tire condition is the deciding factor, especially on a lightly used classic.

The wise habit is to drive a Sunbeam Arrow at moderate speeds that suit the car, the road, and the tire construction on it. If the car is on bias-ply tires, expect a more vintage response and leave a larger comfort margin. Even with radials, a fifty-plus-year-old car deserves mechanical sympathy, so build speed gradually and avoid treating the tire choice as a substitute for a full safety review.