560-14 Tire Size Guide

The 560-14 is a numeric tire size. In this code, 5.60 identifies the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is also a bias-ply size, even though the construction type is not written into the code itself.

Modern P-metric sizes usually spell out width in millimeters, aspect ratio, construction, and rim diameter all in one line. The 560-14 format is older and simpler, so it does not directly tell you the sidewall proportion the way a modern radial code does. Buyers using this size should read the full tire markings and confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, load needs, and whether the build is meant to stay period-correct.

The 560-14 tire fits a 14.0-inch wheel, which is 355.6 millimeters at the bead seat. That wheel diameter must match exactly. A 560-14 cannot be mounted on a 13-inch or 15-inch rim, even if the tire's width looks close.

Wheel width matters too. In this size, the tires are built for rims from 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide, so the wheel should be checked for both diameter and width before installation. A rim outside that range can change the tire's profile and footprint, which affects clearance, appearance, and how the car feels on the road.

The 560-14 has a nominal section width of 5.6 inches. Section width is measured at the widest point of the inflated casing from sidewall to sidewall, so it describes the tire's overall body width rather than the tread that actually contacts the road.

Clearance checks should be based on section width, not on tread width alone. The sidewall bulge is usually the part that gets close to fenders, steering arms, springs, or inner wheel housings. On a narrow vintage wheel, actual mounted width can also vary slightly with rim width and tire construction, which is why physical space around the wheel opening still deserves a careful check.

Yes, 560-14 and 5.60-14 are common written versions of the same basic size. Buyers may also see 56014, 560 14, 560X14, or 5.60X14. Those differences are notation changes rather than different wheel diameters or separate fitment classes.

Older tire sizes were often printed in more than one style across catalogs, sidewalls, and service literature. The important thing is to verify that the wheel diameter remains 14 inches and that the tire's construction, load rating, and wheel-width range still suit the car. Matching the format on the sidewall to the vehicle's original documentation can also matter on a detailed restoration.

The 560-14 is commonly a tube-type fitment and is often set up with a tube. Even so, tube use is a wheel-and-tire-system question rather than a size question by itself, so the final decision should be confirmed against the actual wheel and the specific tire being used.

Vintage wheels vary widely in bead design, condition, and intended sealing method. A restorer may be working with original rims, refinished steel wheels, or later replacements, and those differences can affect whether a tube is appropriate. If there is any uncertainty, inspect the wheel carefully and confirm the intended setup before mounting the tire for regular road use.

The 560-14 tires in this size range weigh about 17 to 18 pounds each without the wheel. That small spread usually comes from differences in sidewall treatment and casing details rather than any change in the actual size designation or wheel diameter.

Tire weight is not the first fitment number most buyers look at, but it still affects unsprung weight and the feel of a small vintage car. On lightly powered classics, even minor changes can influence ride response and steering effort. Weight is best considered alongside construction type, wheel width, and the kind of driving the vehicle will actually see.

The 560-14 was commonly used on classic passenger cars, especially smaller import and compact-era vehicles from the 1950s through the mid-1970s. It appears across a wide spread of European and Japanese applications, which makes it a familiar vintage size rather than a one-model-only fitment.

Vehicle listings should be treated as a starting point, not a guarantee. Original wheel width, brake clearance, steering lock, and body clearance still need to be checked, especially if the car has been restored with replacement wheels or suspension changes. On older cars, even a correct-size tire can behave differently if the wheel or ride height no longer matches factory-style specifications.

The 560-14 is built for wheel widths from 3.50 to 4.00 inches. Staying within that range helps the tire keep the profile and footprint it was designed to have, which is especially important on narrow vintage wheels and light classic passenger cars.

A wheel narrower than 3.50 inches can pinch the casing and exaggerate sidewall shape, while a wheel wider than 4.00 inches can flatten the profile and change how the tire sits in the wheel opening. Buyers should measure the actual wheel, not assume from appearance alone, because vintage rims are often swapped over the years.

For many antique and classic passenger-car restorations, the 560-14 is a strong period-style choice when the vehicle originally used a narrow numeric bias-ply size. Bias-ply construction preserves the look, sidewall character, and general road feel that owners expect from a factory-style restoration.

Authenticity still depends on the exact vehicle, year, wheel width, and the appearance standard the owner wants to meet. Some restorations prioritize judged originality, while others allow more flexibility for regular driving. Matching the original handbook or factory tire placard remains the best way to confirm whether the 560-14 is the right restoration size for a specific car.

The 560-14 is a bias-ply size, so its road manners are shaped by the traditional carcass design as much as by the dimensions themselves. On a properly sorted classic passenger car, buyers can expect a more period-style steering feel and sidewall response than they would get from a modern radial replacement.

Ride quality and steering behavior still depend heavily on alignment, suspension condition, wheel width, inflation, and the age of the tire. Small vintage cars often feel noticeably different when worn bushings, old shocks, or loose steering parts are present. A tire can only perform as well as the rest of the chassis allows, especially on older road surfaces and crowned pavement.

The 560-14 can be used on modern roads when the tire is in proper condition and the vehicle's wheel, suspension, and load requirements are correctly matched, but buyers should approach it as a vintage bias-ply fitment rather than expect modern radial behavior. It is best understood as an older driving experience carried into today's traffic environment.

Bias-ply construction can feel different in tracking, lane response, and steering correction, particularly on grooved pavement or at sustained road speeds. Drivers should allow for the vehicle's original design limits, inspect the tires carefully before longer trips, and avoid treating a period-correct setup like a modern high-speed touring package.

The 560-14 has narrow, tall-profile vintage proportions that play a large role in how a classic passenger car sits and looks. On many smaller period cars, that combination helps preserve the original visual balance between wheel opening, sidewall height, and tread width instead of creating an over-tired modern appearance.

Appearance is not just cosmetic, because stance also influences clearance at the fender and steering components. A tire with similar wheel diameter but a different section width or sidewall shape can alter the way the car fills the wheel well and how the steering reacts at low speed. Buyers trying to maintain an original silhouette usually pay close attention to that profile.

The 560-14 is available from BFGoodrich in the current product range shown for this size. That gives buyers a known vintage-style option in the exact numeric bias-ply format rather than forcing an immediate move to a different size system.

Brand choice is only part of the decision. Construction type, wheel-width compatibility, load rating, and sidewall appearance should all be checked against the car's intended use. On a restoration, the right look may matter as much as the name on the sidewall, while a regularly driven classic may put more emphasis on consistency and proper setup across all four corners.

A quality 560-14 tire should match the correct construction type, fit the proper 14-inch wheel, seat on the correct 3.50 to 4.00 inch rim width, and carry the load required by the vehicle. For this size, buyers are usually balancing vintage appearance with sound fitment fundamentals rather than chasing modern performance claims.

Consistency matters just as much as any one specification. A matched set with the same construction, similar weight, and the same basic sidewall treatment usually gives a more uniform ride and appearance than mixing styles or ages. On older cars, careful mounting, balancing, and inspection after installation are part of the quality equation too.

The 560-14 is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Those choices do not change the basic size, but they can significantly change how correct the car looks for its trim level, market, and restoration goal.

Whitewall width was often part of a car's period character, especially on 1950s and early 1960s passenger cars. A blackwall can suit simpler trims or more understated builds, while a wide whitewall may better match a formal restoration theme. Buyers should compare the sidewall treatment to original photos, sales literature, or surviving factory-style examples before deciding.

The 560-14 should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, especially because vintage-size bias-ply tires are often used on older cars with suspension and steering parts that may already be worn. A visual check before drives and a closer inspection before highway trips are both sensible habits.

Bias-ply tires can also reveal alignment or wheel issues through irregular wear patterns, so the tread and sidewalls should be looked at as part of normal vehicle care. If the car has been sitting, inspect for flat spotting and confirm inflation before moving it any distance. Early attention to small issues helps prevent bigger problems on the road.

The lifespan of the 560-14 depends on age, storage conditions, use, inflation maintenance, and the mechanical condition of the vehicle, not just on remaining tread depth. A low-mileage collector tire can still age out from time, heat, sunlight, ozone exposure, and long periods of inactivity.

Storage plays a major role for vintage vehicles that are parked for part of the year. Keep the car away from direct sunlight, electric motors, moisture, and sustained heat, and move it periodically if practical to reduce flat spotting. Even a tire that looks presentable should be examined closely if it has spent years in service or in storage.

The 560-14 is commonly a tube-type fitment, but the final decision on tube use should be made from the actual tire and wheel combination rather than from size alone. Wheel condition, bead design, and the intended mounting method all matter on older vehicles.

Restoration work often involves original rims that may have corrosion, prior repairs, or surface irregularities that affect how the assembly should be built. When there is any doubt, inspect the wheel carefully and confirm the correct setup before service. Tube choice, valve hardware, and rim-strip condition should all be treated as part of one system.

The 560-14 should be replaced when it shows cracking, bulges, repeated air loss, exposed fabric, severe flat spotting, or uneven wear that points to structural or chassis problems. Age also matters. A vintage-size tire can become unsuitable for road use from time and storage conditions even when tread depth still looks acceptable.

Condition matters more than appearance from a few feet away. Buyers should inspect the sidewalls, the area near the bead, and the tread surface before longer trips or regular road use. On collector vehicles, replacement timing should be based on both age and condition rather than waiting for the tread alone to tell the story.

The 560-14 products in this size carry a rating of 906 pounds at 30 psi per tire. That figure should be matched against the vehicle's actual requirements, including passengers, cargo, and how the car is used, rather than assuming any 14-inch vintage tire will carry the same load.

Load capacity is only meaningful when paired with the inflation pressure that supports it, so the 906-pound figure and the 30 psi figure belong together. Buyers should confirm that the tire's rating suits the axle loads and intended service of the vehicle, especially if the car is driven with luggage or sustained road speed.

The most important checks for the 560-14 are wheel diameter, wheel width, overall tire condition, and whether the assembly is set up correctly for tube use. This size fits a 14-inch wheel and is intended for rims from 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide, so both measurements should be verified before service.

Before any extended drive, inspect for sidewall cracking, tread damage, loose valve hardware, and signs of air loss. Vintage wheels deserve close attention too, because rust, dents, or poor prior repairs can affect bead sealing and safe operation. If the condition of the wheel or tire is uncertain, a qualified tire professional should inspect the assembly before road use.