1955 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M is associated with two 13-inch tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both are valid fitment directions for this model, but they represent different sizing systems and different tire-building styles.

That means the main choice is not simply picking a number off the sidewall. It is deciding whether the car should stay with a more traditional bias-ply presentation or use a radial format on the same wheel diameter. Wheel width, sidewall preference, and the car’s actual current setup should all be checked before making the final selection.

The 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M uses a 13-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes. That shared rim diameter is one reason the choice between 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial is centered more on construction and wheel-width compatibility than on changing wheel diameter.

Even with the same 13-inch diameter, rim width still matters. The available 560-13 bias-ply products and 155R13 radial products do not all call for the same wheel-width range, so it is worth measuring the wheels currently on the car. That is especially important if the Taunus has replacement wheels or a long-ago owner modification.

Yes. The 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used on this model overall: 560-13 in bias-ply form and 155R13 in radial form. There is no separate tire-size split shown within the covered Base sub-model.

That simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A Base model can still be running replacement wheels, older tires, or a mixed setup from a previous owner. Confirming the wheel width and the tire type already on the car helps keep the next set aligned with the Taunus’s intended appearance and road use.

On the 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M, 560-13 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system and is available in traditional bias-ply form with whitewall treatments, making it the more vintage-looking of the two primary fitment directions tied to this car.

That matters because a bias-ply choice affects both appearance and setup decisions. The available 560-13 products use narrower wheel-width ranges than the radial options, so the wheel should be measured rather than assumed. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented presentation often start here, while drivers prioritizing a radial format usually look at the 155R13 path instead.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as the 70-series P-metric radial. These are equivalent-size alternatives to the original numeric bias-ply format, not additional primary bias-ply fitments.

Each of those equivalents stays with a 13-inch wheel, but they should still be treated as alternatives that need checking rather than automatic substitutions. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is associated with the equivalent radial options, and the car should also be reviewed for tire clearance, wheel width, and any non-stock wheel or suspension changes before conversion.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width actually on the car, then compare those measurements with the radial size being considered. For a 560-13 conversion, the radial-equivalent choices include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, all of which should be matched to the wheel and vehicle setup.

The next step is checking practical fitment around the body and steering range rather than assuming any equivalent will behave the same as the old tire. Cars that have sat for years may also have worn suspension parts, sagging springs, or replacement wheels that change clearances. A careful inspection keeps the switch to radial construction grounded in the Taunus’s real condition.

Begin with the two fitment paths this car uses: 560-13 for bias-ply and 155R13 for radial. From there, the important factors are wheel-width compatibility, whether the car is being kept visually close to a 1950s presentation, and whether the owner wants a traditional whitewall look or a blackwall radial approach.

Product details can help narrow the choice once size and construction are settled. The bias-ply offerings bring narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling, while the radial offerings stay blackwall and come from established European-oriented tire lines. Intended use matters too, since a show-focused car and a regularly driven collector car are not always aiming for the same result.

The available sidewall styles for the 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M include blackwall in the 155R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those sidewall differences are one of the clearest visual separators between the radial and bias-ply choices offered for this car.

That makes sidewall style more than a cosmetic afterthought. A blackwall radial tends to suit an owner who wants a cleaner, less decorative look, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a stronger period-style presentation. Once the desired appearance is clear, the next checks should be wheel width, tire construction, and how closely the tire should match the car’s restoration goals.

The 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M has available tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial side, while BFGoodrich and Firestone provide 560-13 bias-ply choices with whitewall styling differences.

Brand selection should follow size and construction rather than replace those decisions. Once the owner has chosen between 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial, the brands become a way to compare tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load details where stated. It is more useful to compare how each product suits the car than to assume one brand belongs on every Taunus.

For a period-style 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and is available with traditional whitewall sidewalls. That combination tends to align more closely with the visual language buyers expect from a compact mid-1950s European Ford.

Appearance goals still leave room for choice. A narrow whitewall gives a subtler look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger statement, and neither should be called exact factory trim without vehicle-specific historical confirmation. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare surviving photos, period literature, or marque-club guidance before settling on a particular sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M because the two fitment paths also bring different sidewall treatments and sizing conventions. The 560-13 bias-ply options present a more traditional 1950s look, while the 155R13 radial options appear in blackwall form and read as a later, more modern tire choice.

That difference can shape the entire stance of the car even when the wheel diameter stays at 13 inches. A restoration centered on period-style presentation usually gives more weight to the bias-ply route, while a driver-focused restoration may accept the radial’s more contemporary appearance. Looking at the car from several angles often helps settle the decision before any purchase is made.

Yes. A 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M can have its tire fitment affected by aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work from an earlier restoration. Even though both associated tire sizes use a 13-inch rim, modifications can change how comfortably a given tire setup clears the car.

That is why the car should be inspected rather than judged by catalog size alone. Measure the wheel width, check steering clearance lock to lock, and look for signs of lowered ride height or non-stock wheel offset. A collector car that has passed through several owners can carry old modifications that matter more than the badge on the trunk lid.

Before driving a 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify that the tire size matches the wheel setup, and check that the suspension and steering components are in sound condition. It is also wise to confirm proper inflation and make sure the tires clear the body and steering range.

A newly mounted tire does not solve problems elsewhere on a long-stored collector car. Look for uneven ride height, wheel-bearing play, brake drag, and anything that could distort how the tire sits or wears. A short, careful road test after installation is a sensible way to catch rubbing, pull, vibration, or air-loss concerns before longer use.

Tires on a collector 1955 Ford-Taunus 12M should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of aging from long storage. That advice applies whether the car is running 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, since collector vehicles often accumulate time more slowly than wear.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used car. Keeping the Taunus away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires between drives. A quick visual inspection before every outing and a more thorough check at regular intervals can prevent old-car surprises once the car is back on the road.