The 1960 Austin 850 sits at the beginning of the small-car revolution that made Alec Issigonis’ compact front-wheel-drive design such an important part of British motoring. Its tidy proportions and light, responsive character make tire choice especially visible in both stance and road feel. This Austin 850 uses two primary 10-inch tire fitments: 5.20-10 in bias-ply form and 145R10 in radial form. That gives owners a real choice between traditional period-style construction and a more modern radial format, with blackwall radial options available across several brands and series. The right selection depends on whether appearance, driving character, or an already-changed wheel-and-tire setup matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Austin 850
The 1960 Austin 850 uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 10-inch rim. The key difference is construction: 5.20-10 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, while 145R10 is a Euro-metric radial size. Because the covered sub-models share these same fitment choices, the real decision is whether to keep a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial setup that matches the car’s wheels, stance, and intended road use.
145R10 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 10 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1960 Austin 850, this size represents the radial side of the fitment choice and gives the car a more modern tire format while staying on the correct 10-inch rim. Available options include Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein, all in blackwall form across series such as F560 Radial, BN313 Radial, SP Sport Aquajet, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car already runs radial tires or when a radial presentation suits the intended use.
5.20-10 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.20 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 10 is the wheel diameter. That sizing format is typical of many small vintage cars and gives the 1960 Austin 850 a traditional tire construction that matches an earlier motoring look and feel. Bias-ply sizing is especially relevant for owners trying to preserve a period-style appearance rather than moving fully into a modern metric radial format. It is the fitment to consider when the goal is keeping the car visually faithful to its era and confirming compatibility with an existing bias-ply setup.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1960 Austin 850 sub-model range, because each one shares the same two primary 10-inch tire choices. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is set up around bias-ply tradition or a radial conversion that has already become part of its current configuration.
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1960 Austin 850 Base, Super Mini, Seven
The 1960 Austin 850 Base, Super Mini, and Seven share the same two tire fitment paths: 5.20-10 in bias-ply form and 145R10 in radial form. That makes the decision less about trim differences and more about selecting the construction, appearance, and tire style that best matches the car’s wheels and restoration direction.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1960 Austin 850 Tires for Sale
Available 145R10 choices span Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein, all in blackwall radial form. The product grid is most useful for comparing brand, tire series, and specification details within the Austin 850’s 10-inch radial fitment.
Austin 850 tire questions usually come down to size format, 10-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose a tire that suits both the car’s appearance and real-world use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Austin 850?
The 1960 Austin 850 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R10 in radial construction and 5.20-10 in bias-ply construction. Both are 10-inch fitments, so the choice is not about changing wheel diameter so much as choosing the tire format and construction that matches the car’s setup.
That distinction matters because a radial 145R10 and a bias-ply 5.20-10 do not present the same way on the car, even though they share the same rim diameter. Start by confirming what is already mounted, then compare wheel width, tire clearance, and whether the goal is a period-style look or a radial-based driving setup.
What size rim does a 1960 Austin 850 use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1960 Austin 850 both use a 10-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 145R10 radial size and the 5.20-10 bias-ply size, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire construction and sizing system change.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a small vintage car like this. It is still worth checking the actual wheel width and the current wheel setup before selecting tires, especially if the car has changed hands over the years or has been updated from bias-ply to radial at some point.
What does 5.20-10 mean on a 1960 Austin 850?
On a 1960 Austin 850, 5.20-10 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.20 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, and the 10 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing format commonly associated with vintage small-car fitments.
Understanding that format helps separate it from the car’s radial alternative, 145R10, which uses a metric designation instead. A buyer considering 5.20-10 should focus on preserving traditional construction and appearance, while also confirming that the car’s current wheels and suspension have not already been set up around a radial tire package.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 5.20-10 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 Austin 850?
For the 1960 Austin 850, 5.20-10 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the vintage numeric fitment option for this car, while 145R10 is the radial alternative. Both sizes use a 10-inch rim, but they represent different construction types and different tire-sizing conventions.
That matters because switching between bias-ply and radial construction is more than a simple wording change on the sidewall. Check the car’s current wheel setup, make sure all four tires follow a consistent plan, and decide whether the priority is preserving a period-style presentation or running a metric radial configuration.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1960 Austin 850?
A 1960 Austin 850 can be set up around either of its primary fitments: 5.20-10 bias-ply or 145R10 radial. Bias-ply tires suit owners who want a more traditional vintage presentation, while 145R10 places the car in a radial format that remains on the same 10-inch wheel diameter.
The right choice depends on the car’s current wheels, the condition of its suspension and steering components, and the role the car plays. A restoration-oriented owner may prefer the older-style size, while a regularly driven example may already be configured around radial tires and should be checked as a complete package before changing direction.
What should I check before converting my 1960 Austin 850 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Before converting a 1960 Austin 850 from 5.20-10 bias-ply tires to 145R10 radials, confirm that the wheels are correct for the radial size and that the overall setup is ready for a different tire construction. The shared 10-inch rim diameter helps, but construction change still deserves a careful fitment review.
Attention should go to wheel width, steering clearance, suspension condition, and the space available around the fenders and inner bodywork. Older cars are often modified over time, so the safest approach is to inspect the actual wheel-and-tire package on the car rather than assuming every Austin 850 remains in original configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1960 Austin 850?
Start with the Austin 850’s two primary fitment paths: 5.20-10 bias-ply or 145R10 radial. The first decision is whether the car should keep a traditional vintage construction or remain on a metric radial setup. Both use a 10-inch rim, but they serve different restoration and driving goals.
After the size and construction are settled, compare product details that actually affect the buying decision, such as brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, weight, and any published load figure. Small cars respond visibly to tire changes, so it pays to match the selection to the car’s current wheel setup and intended road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Austin 850 tires?
The available 145R10 radial products for the 1960 Austin 850 are offered in blackwall form. That gives the radial side of the fitment range a clean, understated appearance that suits many restored or regularly driven small British cars without introducing extra sidewall decoration.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct size and construction are established. A buyer choosing 145R10 can focus on blackwall radial options across several brands and series, while anyone pursuing a more traditional period-style look may want to decide first whether the car should stay with its 5.20-10 bias-ply fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Austin 850?
For the 1960 Austin 850’s 145R10 radial size, available brands include Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein. Those options cover several tire series, including F560 Radial, Kings Radial Tire, BN313 Radial, SP Sport Aquajet, and Sprint Classic.
Brand choice should come after confirming the correct size and construction for the car. Once that is settled, compare each option by its series character, sidewall presentation, and published specifications that matter to a light vintage car, rather than assuming a brand name alone determines which tire belongs on the Austin.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Austin 850?
For a period-style 1960 Austin 850, the 5.20-10 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it uses the older numeric format and traditional construction associated with the car’s era. The 145R10 radial remains a valid primary fitment, but it presents the car through a more modern sizing convention.
Appearance-focused buyers should think about more than size alone. Wheel type, stance, and the overall restoration theme all influence whether the finished car looks appropriately cohesive. When exact historical originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, or trusted Austin-specific restoration guidance before making a final decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Austin 850?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1960 Austin 850 even when the wheel diameter stays at 10 inches. A 5.20-10 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional small-car presentation, while a 145R10 radial introduces a later-style metric format and a different overall visual impression.
That visual difference is often just as important as driving feel on compact collector cars. Buyers aiming for a restoration-oriented look usually start by deciding whether the car should read as firmly period-style or subtly updated, then choose a tire that supports that direction without overlooking wheel compatibility and current suspension condition.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Austin 850?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Austin 850 even though the primary sizes are small and both use a 10-inch rim. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension parts, or body clearance can alter how either a 5.20-10 bias-ply or 145R10 radial sits on the car.
A careful inspection matters most when the car has been restored, updated, or assembled from parts over time. Confirm the actual wheel dimensions, look at fender and steering clearance at full lock, and make sure the current setup matches the tire type being considered rather than relying on the car’s model name alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Austin 850 on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Austin 850 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, then verify that the tires seat properly and clear the body and suspension. It is also wise to check valve stems, wheel hardware, and the condition of steering and suspension components on a light vintage car.
Tire condition should still be monitored after installation. Watch for uneven wear, air loss, rubbing marks, sidewall damage, or changes in steering feel during the first miles. A short local test drive followed by a second visual inspection helps catch fitment or mechanical issues before the car is asked to do regular road duty.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Austin 850 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Austin 850 should be checked regularly for pressure, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and signs of air loss. Because many vintage small cars are driven infrequently, tire age and storage conditions can matter just as much as mileage when judging whether a tire is still roadworthy.
Consistent care helps preserve both safety and appearance. Keep the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, and inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming low annual use means they are fine. Small, lightweight classics still depend heavily on healthy tires for predictable road behavior.
