1960 Austin A 40 Tires

The 1960 Austin A 40 uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with 13-inch rims, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire format and construction style used on the car.

That means the real question is whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or matched to a radial setup. Checking the existing wheel width, the tire type already on the car, and the intended appearance will usually point you toward the right size more effectively than choosing by diameter alone.

The 1960 Austin A 40 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 520-13 and 145R13. Even though the tire constructions differ, they share the same basic wheel diameter, which simplifies the first part of the fitment decision.

Rim diameter is only one part of the match, so it is still important to confirm actual wheel width before selecting a tire. Some products within these sizes call for specific rim-width ranges, and that matters especially when moving between bias-ply and radial construction on a lightly modified or restored car.

Yes. The 1960 Austin A 40 Base is associated with the same two 13-inch tire sizes used on this model range: 520-13 in bias-ply form and 145R13 in radial form. That keeps fitment simple at the sub-model level and shifts the decision toward construction and style.

For a Base model owner, the next step is deciding whether the car should keep a period-style bias-ply presentation or use a radial-format tire. Looking at the current wheel setup, the look you want from the sidewall, and how the car will be driven will usually settle that choice more clearly than the sub-model name alone.

520-13 is the bias-ply tire size associated with the 1960 Austin A 40. It uses the older numeric sizing format, where 5.20 refers to nominal section width and 13 refers to rim diameter, and it is distinct from the radial-format 145R13 size also used on this car.

Choosing 520-13 keeps the car in a traditional construction and opens up period-style sidewall choices such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Before selecting one, it still makes sense to confirm wheel width and compare the tire choice against the car’s current setup, especially if it has been changed over time.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are alternatives for comparison when moving away from the original numeric bias-ply size on a 1960 Austin A 40.

Those options do not mean every radial size should be treated as automatically interchangeable. The recommended rim width range for the equivalent setup is 4 to 5 inches, and the car should also be checked for wheel compatibility and clearance before changing profile or sizing convention from the original 520-13 fitment.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare the original 520-13 bias-ply fitment to the radial size being considered, such as 145R13 or one of the listed radial equivalents. Tire construction changes can also affect how the car sits and feels on the road.

The Austin A 40 should be checked for fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and any older modifications before the conversion is finalized. A car that has been altered with different wheels or ride height may respond differently than a stock example, so setup verification matters as much as the nominal tire size.

The main considerations are staying with the correct 520-13 bias-ply size, confirming that the tire matches the wheel being used, and deciding what kind of period-style presentation suits the car. In this size, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions from Firestone and Premium Sport.

Selection also depends on how restoration-oriented the car is and whether load and rim-width specifications differ between products. Some 520-13 offerings are tied to 3.5-inch wheels, while others reference a 3.50 to 4.00-inch range, so the wheel itself should guide the final choice as much as the sidewall appearance.

The 1960 Austin A 40 has sidewall choices that include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product line selected. Blackwall appears in both the 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply offerings, while the whitewall treatments appear in the 520-13 bias-ply range.

That gives owners room to match the car’s presentation to either a restrained original-style look or a more decorative vintage appearance. Since sidewall style does not override fitment, it is still important to choose the correct size and confirm wheel compatibility before narrowing the decision to visual details alone.

Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport all offer tires within the 1960 Austin A 40 fitment range. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 145R13 radial category, while Firestone and Premium Sport offer 520-13 bias-ply choices with different sidewall presentations and tire series.

Brand selection is best handled after the correct size and construction have been settled. Once that is clear, the meaningful comparisons become sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and load-related specifications where they are stated, rather than treating one brand as universally right for every Austin A 40.

For a period-style 1960 Austin A 40, the 520-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage sizing format and traditional construction associated with the car’s era. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices create noticeably different visual results.

The best appearance choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and which presentation suits its finished trim and stance. When exact historical originality matters, marque references and period photos are worth consulting, but for many owners the key is keeping the correct size and construction family first.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1960 Austin A 40 almost as much as the sidewall treatment. A 520-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional small-car presentation, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-looking sizing format even though it still fits the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference matters when the goal is to make the car look convincingly of its period rather than simply roadworthy. Sidewall style then refines the result, since blackwall keeps things understated while narrow or wide whitewall options add more visual emphasis without changing the underlying construction choice.

Yes. A 1960 Austin A 40 may no longer fit the same way it did originally if it has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, changed suspension parts, or bodywork that affects clearance. Those changes can influence which 13-inch tire size works best and whether a bias-ply or radial setup makes more sense.

A modified car should be checked at the wheel openings and during steering travel before a tire choice is finalized. Even when the nominal size is correct, wheel width and the car’s current stance can affect sidewall clearance, so the actual setup on the vehicle matters more than assumptions about stock configuration.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire beads are seated correctly, and make sure pressures are set appropriately for the tires being used. It is also smart to look over the suspension, steering components, and brakes, since old small cars often sit for long periods before returning to the road.

A short initial drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or uneven ride height that was not obvious in the garage. Rechecking pressure and looking again for clearance marks after those first miles helps confirm that the 1960 Austin A 40 is reacting properly to the new tire and wheel combination.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly for air loss, cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread wear, even if the 1960 Austin A 40 is driven only occasionally. Both 520-13 bias-ply and 145R13 radial tires benefit from proper inflation and from being kept clean and protected during longer storage periods.

Storage conditions matter because heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone can age tires long before tread is worn out. Rolling the car periodically, checking pressures before each drive, and watching for changes in ride or steering feel will usually do more to protect a lightly used Austin than waiting for mileage alone.