1960 Ford Consul Tires

The 1960 Ford Consul is associated with two tire sizes: 590-13 in bias-ply construction and 165R13 in radial construction. Both use a 13-inch rim, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire type, profile style, and the wheel-width range each size is intended to work with.

Choosing between them starts with the car itself. A Consul being restored around a traditional look may point toward the 590-13 bias-ply, while a road-driven car may be evaluated around the 165R13 radial. Before changing construction, confirm the actual wheel width on the car and make sure the tire choice matches the vehicle's clearance and use.

The tire sizes associated with the 1960 Ford Consul both use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 590-13 bias-ply size and the 165R13 radial size, so the vehicle's tire decision centers more on construction and wheel width than on changing to a different rim diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture. The 590-13 bias-ply product shown is intended for a narrower wheel than the radial 165R13 products, so measuring the actual wheel width matters before choosing between them. On an older car, it is also wise to confirm the wheels have not been changed over the years.

The 1960 Ford Consul Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used on this page: 590-13 as a bias-ply fitment and 165R13 as a radial fitment. Both are 13-inch sizes, so the Base model follows the same overall size and construction choice pattern as the rest of the covered fitment.

That means the real decision is not between different sub-model-only sizes, but between a vintage bias-ply presentation and a radial alternative. Looking at the car's current wheels, intended use, and desired appearance will help narrow the choice. A car with replacement wheels should have width checked before moving from one construction type to the other.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1960 Ford Consul. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to many period vehicles, and in this application it represents the traditional construction choice rather than the modern radial format represented separately by 165R13.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup. The available 590-13 option carries a wide whitewall and is intended for a narrower wheel than the 165R13 radial products. Anyone considering a switch from 590-13 to a radial alternative should confirm wheel width and make sure the tire change suits the car's condition and intended use.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P175/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. No bias-look radial equivalent appears with this size, so the available alternatives are conventional radial formats.

Those equivalent sizes give a 1960 Ford Consul owner several ways to evaluate a radial conversion while staying on a 13-inch rim diameter. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the equivalents, but that does not make them automatic replacements. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance should still be verified on the actual car.

A 1960 Ford Consul owner considering a move from 590-13 bias-ply to a radial should first confirm the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car. The radial equivalents tied to 590-13 use a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches, so the existing wheels need to suit that range before the tire change is evaluated further.

It also helps to compare the current stance and available clearance around the fenders, steering components, and suspension. Older cars are often running replacement wheels, worn springs, or other changes that affect fitment. A conversion can be a sensible option, but the wheel setup and the car's overall condition should be checked before assuming any equivalent size will work.

Start with the construction type that suits the car's purpose. The 590-13 size keeps the Consul in a bias-ply format with a traditional wide whitewall presentation, while 165R13 moves the car into a radial format with blackwall options. Both use 13-inch rims, but they are intended for different wheel-width ranges and different ownership goals.

Appearance, wheel compatibility, and road use should all guide the final decision. A restoration-oriented Consul may point naturally toward the bias-ply size, while a driver may benefit from considering the radial route. Checking the actual wheel width before ordering is especially important, since a tire that matches the diameter still needs to suit the wheel itself.

The available sidewall styles for the 1960 Ford Consul are blackwall and wide whitewall. The 165R13 radial options from Michelin and Dunlop are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a 2.375-inch wide whitewall.

That choice has a major effect on the car's presentation. A blackwall radial gives the Consul a cleaner, more understated look, while a wide whitewall pushes it toward a stronger period-style appearance. Sidewall style should be chosen alongside tire size and construction, since the look of the car changes significantly depending on whether the owner stays with 590-13 or moves to 165R13.

Tires for the 1960 Ford Consul are available from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 165R13 radial size, while BFGoodrich appears in the 590-13 bias-ply size through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with a wide whitewall treatment.

Brand choice is only one part of the decision. The bigger distinction on this car is whether the tire is radial or bias-ply, followed by sidewall appearance and wheel-width suitability. It helps to decide first whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented format or prepared for regular road use, then compare the brand and series options within that direction.

For a period-style 1960 Ford Consul, the 590-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and the traditional construction associated with the era. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply also brings a wide whitewall look that strongly supports a restoration-oriented presentation.

That does not automatically make it the right choice for every car. Some owners want the Consul to retain period character while still considering a radial for road use, and that can shift the decision toward 165R13. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-specific historical references so appearance and fitment stay aligned with the car's goals.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1960 Ford Consul more than many buyers expect. A 590-13 bias-ply tire carries an earlier, more traditional profile and is offered here with a wide whitewall, while the 165R13 radial choices are blackwall tires in a later-style metric format.

That means the construction decision is also an appearance decision. A radial can still suit a well-kept driver or a subtly updated restoration, but it will not present the car the same way as a narrow-wheel bias-ply setup with whitewalls. Looking at period photos of similar cars can help clarify which direction best matches the desired finished look.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Ford Consul even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs around the fender openings can all alter how a 590-13 or 165R13 tire fits on the car.

That is especially important when moving from the narrow-wheel bias-ply setup toward a radial. A car that has been updated over time may no longer match its original wheel specifications. Measuring the wheel width, checking steering clearance at full lock, and confirming fender and suspension clearance can prevent fitment surprises before the tires go into service.

Before driving a 1960 Ford Consul on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel width suits the tire being installed, and make sure the tires are seated correctly and holding pressure. It also helps to look over the steering and suspension for looseness that could affect how the car behaves on fresh tires.

A careful walk-around afterward is just as important. Check for sidewall clearance at the fenders, verify nothing rubs at full steering lock, and recheck air pressure after the first short drive. On an older car, new tires often reveal issues that worn tires masked, so the first miles should be used to confirm the entire setup feels stable and consistent.

Collector-car tires on a 1960 Ford Consul should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is running 590-13 bias-ply tires or 165R13 radials, look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.

Storage conditions matter on a low-use car. Keeping the Consul away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can reduce flat-spotting concerns. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be evaluated before road use, since collector vehicles often accumulate less mileage than their tire condition would suggest.