1959 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M uses three primary tire sizes: 155R13 radial, 560-13 bias-ply, and 590-13 bias-ply. The Base model uses 155R13 or 560-13, while the Wagon uses 590-13. All three fitments are built around a 13-inch rim, but the tire construction and section width differ.

The key step is confirming the exact sub-model and the wheel setup currently on the car. A Base model may already be configured for either radial or bias-ply tires, while the Wagon uses its own bias-ply size. If the car has replacement wheels or has been modified over the years, check actual rim width and clearance before selecting a tire.

The 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M uses a 13-inch rim with its applicable tire sizes. That applies across the 155R13 radial fitment and both numeric bias-ply sizes, 560-13 and 590-13. The tire size may change by sub-model, but the rim diameter stays the same.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage compact car. Tire selection should also take wheel width into account, because the available radial and bias-ply products do not all share the same rim-width range. Measuring the actual wheel before ordering is a smart step if the car has replacement rims or an unknown service history.

No, the 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base model can use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. That means the correct tire choice depends on the exact version of the car rather than the model name alone.

This difference matters because a buyer can easily end up looking at the right rim diameter but the wrong section width or construction. A Wagon owner should not assume the Base model's smaller bias-ply size applies, and a Base owner should confirm whether the car is staying with radial or bias-ply construction before comparing products.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M. It is one of the Base model's primary fitments and uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format rather than a metric radial format. The available tires in this size are traditional bias-ply products with whitewall styling options.

That distinction matters because a buyer comparing 560-13 to 155R13 is not just changing brands or sidewall style, but changing construction and sizing format. Before moving away from 560-13, it is wise to confirm wheel width, overall vehicle setup, and whether the goal is a period-style presentation or a different road-use character.

For 560-13, radial equivalents include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For 590-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Those choices cover an 80-series metric radial format, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial for each original bias-ply size.

Each of those equivalents should be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic swap. The recommended rim-width range for these conversions is 4-5 inches, and the buyer should still confirm wheel dimensions, body clearance, and suspension condition. That is especially important on a small vintage car where even modest changes in tire shape can affect the overall setup.

Start by matching the original bias-ply size to the correct radial equivalent, then confirm that the car still has the proper 13-inch wheels and an appropriate rim width. A 560-13 can be compared with 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13, while a 590-13 can be compared with 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13.

The next checks are practical rather than theoretical. Look at wheel width, steering clearance, fender space, and the general condition of the suspension and alignment components before changing construction. A collector car that has sat for long periods can also reveal issues once driven again, so the whole chassis setup deserves attention before a radial conversion.

Begin with the exact fitment: Base and Wagon models do not share the same tire choice, and the Base can involve either radial or bias-ply construction. After size and construction are confirmed, compare the available tires by rim-width compatibility, sidewall presentation, and the overall type of driving the car is likely to see.

That usually means deciding whether the car should keep a traditional bias-ply look or stay with a radial setup already associated with the Base model. Product differences such as blackwall versus whitewall styling, brand selection, and tire series then become meaningful. Choosing the right tire is less about one universal answer and more about matching the car's setup and purpose.

The available sidewall styles for the 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on tire size and construction. The radial 155R13 options are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply choices focus on whitewall presentations in different widths.

That gives the buyer a clear appearance choice once the correct size is established. Blackwall radial tires tend to suit a more understated road-use approach, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more traditional late-1950s visual impression. Sidewall style should be chosen after size and wheel compatibility are settled, not before.

Tires for the 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the bias-ply offerings in 560-13 and 590-13. That spread gives buyers both European-style radial and traditional American-brand bias-ply choices.

Brand should be compared alongside construction, sidewall style, and tire series rather than treated as the only decision. A Michelin or Dunlop radial serves a different purpose than a BFGoodrich or Firestone whitewall bias-ply tire. Once the correct size and sub-model are confirmed, the brand conversation becomes much more useful and much less confusing.

For a period-style 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M, the bias-ply sizes are the natural starting point: 560-13 for a Base model using that fitment, or 590-13 for a Wagon. Those tires preserve the vintage sizing format and are available with whitewall treatments that suit a restoration-oriented presentation.

The best visual match depends on how faithfully the car is being restored and which wheel setup it actually has today. Buyers pursuing strict originality should compare the tire choice against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical sources. For many owners, the main decision is whether the goal is authentic visual character or a more road-focused setup.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M; it also changes the car's visual character. The bias-ply options use vintage numeric sizing and whitewall styling, which give the car a more traditional late-1950s presentation. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall tires with a more modern visual impression.

That makes construction a restoration decision as much as a driving decision, especially on a compact European car where the tire profile is easy to notice. Choosing between bias-ply and radial should be done with the whole finished look in mind, including stance, wheel width, and whether the car is being preserved as a period-style example or prepared for regular road use.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M even when the nominal tire size seems correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, or bodywork repairs can all influence how a 155R13, 560-13, or 590-13 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears steering components.

That is why an older car should be measured, not assumed, especially if its history is unclear. A 13-inch rim diameter alone does not settle the matter. Checking wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and the car's current ride height will help prevent choosing a tire that matches the catalog size but conflicts with the actual setup.

Before driving a 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, verify that the lug hardware seats properly, and make sure the tires have adequate clearance at full steering lock. It is also wise to check alignment condition and look over suspension and steering components for looseness or wear.

A vintage car can expose long-hidden issues once fresh tires are installed and road speeds increase. Tire pressure should be set appropriately, then rechecked after the first drives along with any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Paying attention to those early signals helps protect both the new tires and the drivability of the car.

Tires on a collector 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M should be inspected regularly for sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, tread damage, and slow air loss. Collector cars often age tires through storage as much as through mileage, so visual condition matters just as much as how many miles the car has covered.

Storage habits make a real difference on a low-use vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and maintaining proper inflation reduces stress on the casing while parked. A short pre-drive inspection before each outing is a smart routine for any restored or seldom-driven 12M.