1957 Ford-Taunus 17M Tires

The 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 590-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to a 13-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and sizing format matches the car's intended setup.

A car kept in a traditional restoration style may lean toward the 590-13 bias-ply size, while a radial-equipped setup may use 165R13. Since both sizes appear on the same model, it helps to confirm the actual wheels on the car and decide whether period-style appearance or radial construction is the priority before making a final selection.

The 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 165R13 and 590-13. That shared diameter simplifies the basic fitment picture because the choice between these two sizes does not involve moving to a different wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has been changed over the years or if a switch between bias-ply and radial construction is being considered. Measuring the wheel on the car and comparing it to the tire's approved width range is the safest way to avoid an otherwise correct size ending up on the wrong wheel.

The 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M Base can use the same two tire sizes associated with this model core: 165R13 radial and 590-13 bias-ply. There is no separate Base-only wheel diameter to sort through, since both fitments remain within the 13-inch range.

That means the sub-model itself is not the main source of confusion here. The more important step is determining how the individual car is set up today and what result is wanted from the tire choice. A restoration-oriented look points in a different direction than a radial conversion, even when both routes stay on the same rim diameter.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M. It uses vintage numeric sizing and represents the more traditional construction choice for this model, while 165R13 is the radial-format alternative that also appears as a primary fitment.

Choosing 590-13 keeps the car in an older sizing and construction style, which often matters for overall presentation. Bias-ply and radial tires can place different demands on wheel width and can change the look of the sidewall and tread profile, so the decision should be made deliberately rather than treating the two constructions as automatically interchangeable.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are the recognized radial alternatives tied to the original 590-13 bias-ply size.

The three options differ mainly in sizing convention and profile family, not simply in name. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to this equivalent group, which makes wheel measurement important before changing sizes. Clearance around the fenders and suspension should also be checked, especially on a car that may no longer have its original wheel and ride-height setup.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare that to the radial size being considered. For a 590-13 conversion, the recognized radial-equivalent choices are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13, and the recommended rim-width range for that equivalent group is 4 to 5 inches.

Construction changes should also be evaluated in the context of the whole vehicle. Check for steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and signs that the car has aftermarket wheels or prior fitment changes. A radial alternative can be a useful option, but it should be treated as a carefully verified conversion rather than a simple one-for-one substitution.

Start with the two correct size paths: 590-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial. From there, the choice comes down to the car's current wheels, the construction type you want to run, and whether the goal is a more traditional vintage presentation or a radial-based road setup.

It also helps to compare practical details within the available products. Rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, weight, and load specification can all shape the final decision. A wide-white bias-ply tire creates a different visual result than a blackwall radial, so appearance and wheel suitability should be weighed alongside simple size matching.

The sidewall styles available for the 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M are blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears with the 165R13 radial offerings, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is available with a 2.375-inch wide whitewall treatment.

That sidewall choice has a major effect on the car's finished look. A blackwall radial gives a cleaner, more understated appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a more overtly vintage presentation. Since sidewall style is tied to construction and size here, the visual choice should be made together with wheel-width confirmation and the broader goal for the car.

Tires for the 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M are available from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich appears in the 590-13 bias-ply fitment through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should still come after size and construction are settled. Once that is clear, compare the tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width specifications attached to each option rather than assuming every tire in the same general category serves the same purpose. On this car, the product spread reflects distinct visual and construction directions more than simple brand preference.

For a period-style 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M, the 590-13 bias-ply fitment is the most traditional starting point. Its vintage numeric sizing and available wide whitewall presentation align more naturally with a restoration-oriented look than a modern blackwall radial does.

That does not automatically make every bias-ply detail historically exact for every individual car. Owners pursuing close originality should compare tire appearance against period photos, marque references, and other vehicle-specific documentation. For many restorations, though, staying with the 590-13 bias-ply format preserves the visual character that makes the car look properly of its era.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M; it also changes the car's visual language. A 590-13 bias-ply with a wide whitewall presents the car in a clearly vintage way, while a 165R13 radial in blackwall form gives it a later, more modernized appearance.

That visual shift can be important even when wheel diameter stays the same. Sidewall shape, tread style, and the presence or absence of a whitewall all influence how the car sits and reads at a glance. Owners balancing preservation and usability often start by deciding which appearance matters more before narrowing down the tire itself.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can all alter how either a 590-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial sits on the car.

A modified car should be measured rather than judged by catalog size alone. Look at clearance during steering movement, suspension compression, and normal parked stance. The same caution applies if the car has non-original wheels or a previous owner already changed tire construction, since those differences can matter more than the year and model on paper.

Before driving a 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting condition, then confirm that the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their normal range of motion. It is also wise to verify inflation, look for any sign of uneven seating, and confirm that all four tires match the intended setup.

A collector car often reveals unrelated issues once fresh tires are installed. Check wheel bearings, alignment condition, suspension wear, and brake function before taking the car onto regular roads. Even a correctly sized new tire cannot compensate for a chassis problem, and an old car benefits from a careful first drive after any tire change.

Tires on a collector 1957 Ford-Taunus 17M should be checked regularly for air pressure, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use storage can be just as hard on tires as road miles, especially when a car sits in heat, sunlight, or damp conditions.

Rolling the car periodically, storing it away from ozone sources, and keeping the wheels clean and dry all help preserve tire condition. It also pays to inspect age and overall health before any longer outing rather than assuming a tire is road-ready because the tread still looks deep. Collector vehicles need condition-based maintenance more than mileage-based assumptions.