1960 BMW 507 Tires

The 1960 BMW 507 is associated with two tire sizes: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. Both fitments use a 16-inch rim, so the difference is not wheel diameter alone but the tire sizing system and construction style tied to the car's setup.

Choosing between them starts with confirming what is already on the car, especially if it has been restored or changed over time. A BMW 507 wearing 600-16 bias-ply tires calls for a different buying decision than one already set up around 175R16 radials, even though both are 16-inch fitments.

The 1960 BMW 507 uses a 16-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes, 600-16 and 175R16. That shared rim diameter simplifies the first step, because you are not sorting between multiple wheel diameters for this year and model.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still makes sense to inspect the actual wheels on the car before ordering tires. A car that has seen wheel replacement, restoration changes, or older tire conversions may need its wheel width and overall clearance checked before moving between bias-ply and radial construction.

The 1960 BMW 507 Base is associated with both of the main fitments used on this model: 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial. In other words, the Base designation does not narrow the choice to one unique sub-model-only tire size.

That makes the practical question less about trim level and more about the individual car in front of you. Checking the existing wheel and tire combination is the smart next step, especially on a hand-built collector car where past owners may have chosen a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial-based road setup.

On the 1960 BMW 507, 600-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the leading number refers to nominal section width and the final number identifies the 16-inch rim diameter.

That matters because a 600-16 tire carries a more traditional construction and appearance than a 175R16 radial. Anyone choosing this size should think in terms of vintage look, steering feel expectations, and wheel compatibility, rather than assuming it serves the same purpose as a radial simply because both sizes mount on 16-inch rims.

A 1960 BMW 507 can be approached either with its 600-16 bias-ply fitment or its 175R16 radial fitment. The right direction depends on the car's current wheel setup, the kind of road use it will see, and whether the goal leans more toward traditional presentation or a radial-based configuration.

Construction choice affects more than the number on the sidewall, so the car should be checked before making a change. Owners should confirm wheel width, overall tire clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components, especially if the BMW has been restored, modified, or sitting for long periods.

A move from 600-16 bias-ply to 175R16 radial on a 1960 BMW 507 starts with confirming that the car is actually set up for the radial size. Even with the same 16-inch rim diameter, radial and bias-ply fitments should not be treated as automatic substitutes.

Wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, suspension condition, and steering clearance all deserve attention before a conversion. It also helps to inspect the current wheels for age, damage, or prior restoration work, since a collector car may have replacement wheels or older components that affect how a radial tire sits and performs.

Start with the basics: 600-16 is the bias-ply fitment, so the first decision is whether that traditional construction matches the car's current setup and your goals for use and appearance. Within that size, choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and in some cases stated rim-width and load specifications.

A restoration-oriented BMW 507 may call for one visual direction, while a car used more regularly may push the decision toward a different presentation within the same size. Comparing blackwall, wide whitewall, or double-whitewall options alongside wheel compatibility helps narrow the field without treating every 600-16 tire as the same.

For the 1960 BMW 507's 600-16 fitment, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices can change the visual character of the car significantly even when the tire size itself stays the same.

Sidewall treatment should be chosen as part of the car's overall presentation, not as an isolated detail. A buyer aiming for a restrained sporting look may lean toward blackwall, while a more formal or restoration-oriented appearance may point toward one of the whitewall treatments after checking period references for the individual car.

The 600-16 fitment for the 1960 BMW 507 is available from several brands, including BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those offerings span different tire series and sidewall styles rather than representing one uniform type of product.

Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the style and specification you want within the correct size. Looking at sidewall design, stated rim-width compatibility where available, and the tire series itself usually tells you more than the brand name alone when selecting a tire for a collector sports car.

A period-style 1960 BMW 507 usually starts with the 600-16 bias-ply fitment, since that size uses the vintage numeric format and supports a more traditional visual presentation. Within that size, the available choices include multiple brands and several sidewall treatments, so appearance can be tailored without leaving the basic fitment family.

Exact originality is a separate question from period style, especially on a low-production collector car with restoration history that may vary from one example to another. When historical accuracy matters at a higher level, it is worth checking marque references, restoration records, or period photographs before settling on a specific sidewall look.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1960 BMW 507 because 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial tires present the car in different visual languages. The bias-ply size tends to align more naturally with a traditional vintage presentation, while the radial size reflects a more modern tire format on the same 16-inch wheel diameter.

That difference matters on a BMW 507 because the car's body shape and wheel openings are such visible parts of its overall character. Owners planning a restoration should decide early whether the project is aiming for a traditional display-oriented look, a more road-focused setup, or a balance of both.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 BMW 507 even when the nominal tire size appears correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, brake components, or body clearances can alter how either a 600-16 bias-ply or 175R16 radial sits and moves through its travel.

A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement before settling on a replacement tire. On a collector vehicle, it is also wise to verify whether past restoration work changed the wheel package, since that can matter just as much as the size molded into the sidewall.

Before driving a 1960 BMW 507 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tires match the intended 16-inch fitment, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also important to check for adequate clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components.

A collector sports car deserves a broader once-over before road use, especially if it has been parked for extended periods. Looking at brake function, wheel fastener condition, steering play, and any signs of rubbing during low-speed maneuvering helps catch issues early, before the first real drive puts fresh tires under unnecessary stress.

Tires on a collector 1960 BMW 507 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even when tread wear is low. Both 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial tires can spend long periods parked, which makes sidewall cracking, flat spotting, and gradual air loss especially important to monitor.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a car like this. Keeping the BMW away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspections before each driving season make it easier to catch hardening, cuts, bulges, or other deterioration before the car returns to the road.