The 1960 DKW Cross Country comes from a period when small European utility vehicles balanced compact dimensions with real off-pavement character and practical everyday use. That makes tire choice especially important, because the vehicle’s look and road manners depend heavily on whether it stays with a traditional bias-ply setup or moves to a radial. This Cross Country uses two 16-inch tire formats: 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial. Within those sizes, the available choices range from simple blackwall touring styles to wide whitewall and more specialized military- or truck-style tread offerings. The right selection depends on whether the goal is period-style presentation, road-going usability, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 DKW Cross Country
The 1960 DKW Cross Country uses two primary tire sizes on the same 16-inch rim diameter: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. Since both sizes apply to the Base model, the first step is confirming which construction and wheel setup is already on the vehicle. From there, the real decision becomes whether to maintain the traditional bias-ply presentation or continue with a radial fitment that matches the existing setup.
175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 denotes the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1960 DKW Cross Country, this format points to a more modern radial-style fitment while keeping the same 16-inch wheel diameter. The size is useful for owners who want to stay with a radial construction rather than a traditional bias-ply layout. Before choosing it, confirm the actual wheel width and overall clearance on the vehicle, especially if the Cross Country has had wheel, suspension, or ride-height changes over the years.
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 refers to an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1960 DKW Cross Country, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and it carries the most variety in available tire styles. Options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments, along with several period-style bias-ply series and more utility-focused military or truck-style patterns. This size deserves a closer look when appearance matters, or when the goal is to keep a more traditional vintage tire character on the vehicle.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1960 DKW Cross Country because the covered Base model uses the same two 16-inch tire choices. The key is not trim identification so much as confirming whether the vehicle is set up for the 175R16 radial or the 600-16 bias-ply arrangement.
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1960 DKW Cross Country Base
The 1960 DKW Cross Country Base can use either the 175R16 radial or the 600-16 bias-ply size on a 16-inch rim. That means tire selection comes down to the vehicle’s present wheel and construction setup, along with whether the goal is traditional appearance or a radial-based driving setup.
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 DKW Cross Country Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles across several bias-ply touring, military, and truck-oriented series, with rim-width specifications varying by product.
These 1960 DKW Cross Country tire FAQs focus on the two primary 16-inch sizes, construction choice, period-style appearance, and the wheel, clearance, and condition checks that matter before putting a vintage vehicle back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 DKW Cross Country?
A 1960 DKW Cross Country uses two primary tire sizes: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim, and the Base model is associated with both fitment paths rather than just one size.
That means the important next step is checking what is actually on the vehicle now. A Cross Country that already has radial tires and compatible wheels may be best matched by staying with 175R16, while a vehicle set up around traditional bias-ply fitment may point toward 600-16 and the broader range of period-style bias-ply options.
What size rim does a 1960 DKW Cross Country use?
The 1960 DKW Cross Country uses a 16-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That shared diameter applies whether the vehicle is running the 175R16 radial size or the 600-16 bias-ply size.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the whole fitment question, because wheel width and overall tire shape still matter. A 16-inch wheel can be correct in diameter but still need verification for width, especially when switching construction types or selecting among specialty bias-ply products with different intended uses and rim-width specifications.
Does the 1960 DKW Cross Country Base use the same tire size?
The 1960 DKW Cross Country Base is tied to both of the vehicle’s primary tire sizes: 175R16 radial and 600-16 bias-ply. In other words, the Base model does not narrow the choice to one single fitment path by itself.
That makes the vehicle’s current setup more important than the sub-model name. Checking the tires already mounted, confirming wheel width, and looking for any older wheel or suspension changes will help determine whether the Base is presently configured around the radial size or the more traditional 600-16 bias-ply arrangement.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-16 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 DKW Cross Country?
For the 1960 DKW Cross Country, 600-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional numeric vintage format and it is also the size with the broadest range of available products, including blackwall, wide whitewall, double-whitewall, touring-style, and more utility-oriented tread choices.
Choosing 600-16 usually means preserving a more traditional vintage tire presentation and staying within the established bias-ply format for this vehicle. Even so, product details still matter, because rim-width specifications vary and some 600-16 offerings lean toward passenger-car styling while others are clearly military- or truck-oriented in character.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1960 DKW Cross Country?
A 1960 DKW Cross Country can be found with either 600-16 bias-ply tires or 175R16 radial tires. The better choice depends on how the vehicle is already configured and what matters more to the owner: traditional vintage presentation or continuing with the radial setup already in place.
Bias-ply selection often makes sense for a period-style look, especially because 600-16 has the strongest variety of sidewall and series choices. A radial choice should be approached by confirming wheel width, overall tire clearance, and the condition of the steering and suspension, rather than treating the change as automatic because the rim diameter is the same.
What should I check before converting my 1960 DKW Cross Country from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the wheel diameter and wheel width are appropriate for the radial size you plan to use, and make sure the vehicle is actually being converted from 600-16 bias-ply to the 175R16 radial fitment. Clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering range should also be reviewed carefully.
A conversion is also a good time to inspect suspension wear, alignment condition, and any age-related wheel issues that may affect how the vehicle drives on a different construction. The Cross Country may have accumulated decades of changes, so the safest approach is to evaluate the whole setup rather than focusing on tire size alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1960 DKW Cross Country?
The biggest factors are intended use, appearance, and wheel compatibility. A 600-16 tire for a 1960 DKW Cross Country is available in traditional bias-ply construction across blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall styles, along with touring-oriented and more utility-focused tread patterns.
That range means two 600-16 tires can suit very different goals even though they share the same nominal size. Compare sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and any stated load figures that match your intended driving needs, then make sure the tire’s visual character aligns with the way the vehicle is being restored or driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 DKW Cross Country tires?
For the 1960 DKW Cross Country’s 600-16 bias-ply fitment, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices create noticeably different visual results, from a simple utility-oriented look to a more dressed, restoration-minded presentation.
Sidewall style should be chosen as an appearance decision rather than a fitment shortcut, because the same vehicle can wear very different-looking tires within the correct size. It is worth pairing the sidewall treatment with the overall personality of the Cross Country, especially if the vehicle leans more toward functional utility, preserved originality themes, or a finished show-style look.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 DKW Cross Country?
The 600-16 tire size for the 1960 DKW Cross Country is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series, including traditional passenger-car styles and more specialized military or truck-oriented patterns.
Brand choice works best when it is tied to the kind of tire you want rather than treated as the decision by itself. Looking at the series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and the vehicle’s intended use will usually narrow the field more effectively than choosing by name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 DKW Cross Country?
A period-style 1960 DKW Cross Country usually starts with the 600-16 bias-ply size, because it preserves the traditional vintage sizing format and offers the strongest range of era-appropriate visual choices. Blackwall versions keep the look simple, while whitewall and double-whitewall options create a more styled presentation.
The right period-style choice depends on how the vehicle is being restored and what visual story you want it to tell. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the tire to marque-specific photos, period literature, and club knowledge, since a tire can look appropriately vintage without necessarily matching every original delivery detail.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 DKW Cross Country?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1960 DKW Cross Country; it also changes how the vehicle sits visually. A 600-16 bias-ply tire gives the Cross Country a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 175R16 radial usually reads as a later or more modernized fitment choice.
That visual difference matters on a small European utility vehicle where tire profile and stance are very noticeable. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance often start by deciding whether the vehicle should look authentically period-inspired or intentionally updated, then choose the construction that supports that result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 DKW Cross Country?
Yes. Modifications can change how either 175R16 or 600-16 fits a 1960 DKW Cross Country, even though both sizes use a 16-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body alterations can all affect clearance and construction compatibility.
A vehicle that has been modified over time should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before settling on a replacement tire. That is especially important on older collector vehicles, where decades of repairs or upgrades may have altered the original relationship between tire, wheel, and body.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 DKW Cross Country on new tires?
Inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, inflation pressure, and the general condition of the steering and suspension before driving a 1960 DKW Cross Country on new tires. It is also smart to verify that the tires clear the fenders and suspension components throughout the steering range.
On an older vehicle, the first drive should also include a close look for rubbing, unusual vibration, or uneven settling after the tires have been mounted. A short road test followed by a second inspection can catch problems early, especially if the Cross Country has sat for long periods or has had older wheel changes.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1960 DKW Cross Country be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1960 DKW Cross Country should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and monitored for air loss after periods of storage. Vintage vehicles that are driven infrequently can show tire aging even when tread wear is still minimal.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage, so it helps to keep the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Regular visual checks and occasional hands-on inspection of the sidewalls and tread area are worthwhile before any longer drive, even if the tires still look presentable at a glance.
