1960 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M uses three primary tire sizes: 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13. The Base model uses 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. All three sizes mount on 13-inch rims, but they are not all assigned to the same sub-model.

The most important step is matching the tire to the exact version of the car before comparing brands or sidewall styles. A Base model owner may be choosing between radial and bias-ply construction, while a Wagon owner needs to stay focused on the 590-13 fitment and confirm that the wheels on the car still match the original diameter and width range.

The 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M uses a 13-inch rim with its applicable tire sizes. That applies across 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13, so rim diameter remains consistent even though the vehicle can use different tire constructions and different size codes depending on sub-model.

Diameter is only the first check, because rim width also matters when choosing among available tires. The radial 155R13 options and the bias-ply 560-13 and 590-13 options do not all share the same rim-width ranges, so the actual wheel on the car should be measured or confirmed before selecting a tire, especially if the car has been modified over the years.

No, the covered 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base model uses either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. That means tire selection changes with the exact body configuration.

This matters because a buyer cannot safely choose by year and model name alone. The Base creates a construction decision between radial and bias-ply, but the Wagon points toward a different bias-ply size altogether. Checking the existing wheel setup, the current tire markings, and the actual sub-model helps prevent choosing a tire that matches the rim diameter but not the intended fitment.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M. It uses the older numeric sizing system, with 560 indicating the nominal width class and 13 identifying the wheel diameter. On this vehicle, that size appears on the Base model as the bias-ply alternative to the radial 155R13 fitment.

That distinction matters because tire construction affects both presentation and setup choices. A buyer keeping a traditional early-1960s look may stay with 560-13 bias-ply, while someone evaluating a radial alternative should compare the equivalent radial sizes carefully and verify wheel width, vehicle clearance, and the current condition of the suspension and steering before making the change.

For 560-13, radial equivalents include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For 590-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Those choices span an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial for each original bias-ply size.

The equivalent sizes give useful alternatives, but they should be treated as fitment options to evaluate rather than automatic swaps. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalent groupings, and the owner should still compare wheel width, overall tire proportions, and available fender and steering clearance before converting a bias-ply-equipped Ford-Taunus 12M to radial tires.

Start by confirming the original bias-ply size on the car, then match it to the correct radial-equivalent group. For a 560-13 fitment, the radial alternatives are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For a 590-13 fitment, the comparable radial options are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13.

Wheel width, wheel condition, and available clearance should be checked before any conversion. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalent groups is 4-5 inches, but actual fit also depends on the car’s existing wheels, suspension condition, and whether any aftermarket changes have been made. A careful measurement is more useful than assuming every 13-inch wheel will suit every radial alternative.

The first decision is identifying the correct sub-model and its primary tire size. A Base model may call for either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. After size is confirmed, the main considerations become construction type, wheel compatibility, and whether the goal is road-use practicality or a more traditional appearance.

Once the fitment path is clear, compare the available tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width requirements within that exact size. A blackwall radial presents the car differently from a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall bias-ply tire, and those visual choices matter on a compact 1960s European car. The best selection process starts with fitment, then moves to appearance and intended use.

The available sidewall styles for 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears with the radial 155R13 choices, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include narrow and wide whitewalls. The 590-13 bias-ply offering is presented as a wide whitewall.

Sidewall style changes the overall personality of the car as much as the construction itself. A blackwall radial gives a restrained European look, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more formal and period-style appearance. Since sidewall treatment varies by size and construction, the smartest approach is to confirm the correct fitment first and then choose the visual presentation that suits the car’s restoration or driving intent.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all have applicable tire offerings for the 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the numeric bias-ply sizes. Those brand differences also reflect differences in construction, sidewall style, and tire series.

Brand choice should follow size and fitment, not replace it. A buyer comparing 155R13 tires will be looking at blackwall radial products, while someone shopping 560-13 or 590-13 will be comparing bias-ply options with whitewall styling. It helps to narrow the decision by sub-model and desired appearance first, then compare the available brands within the exact tire size that belongs on the car.

A period-style 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M usually points toward the original style of construction and size format used on that exact configuration. For the Base model, that can mean a 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. Those numeric sizes preserve the traditional small-car look more closely than a modern-looking substitute.

Appearance choices still vary within the correct size, especially where whitewall treatments are available. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options create different visual effects, and neither should be assumed to be exact factory trim without model-specific historical confirmation. When originality matters at a high level, compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, or restoration documentation for the specific car.

Tire construction changes the restored look of a 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M in a noticeable way. Bias-ply tires in 560-13 or 590-13 carry the older numeric sizing style and support a more traditional presentation, especially with whitewall sidewalls. The 155R13 radial fitment gives a more modern tread-and-sidewall character while still remaining in an appropriate small 13-inch format.

That means construction is not only a driving decision but also a visual one. Buyers restoring for shows, period-style display, or a distinctly early-1960s appearance often give extra weight to the bias-ply look, while road-use-focused owners may prefer the radial route where applicable. Choosing between them works best when the car’s intended use and desired presentation are defined before the tire search begins.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can all change how a 13-inch tire sits in the car and how much clearance is available during steering and suspension movement.

That is especially important on a compact vehicle with multiple fitment paths across its sub-models. A radial conversion or a move between bias-ply and radial construction should always be checked against the actual wheel and chassis setup on the car. Measuring the wheel width and inspecting fender, inner-body, and steering clearance prevents surprises that a simple size code cannot reveal.

Before driving a 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the application. It also helps to look over the valve stems, check for any interference at full steering lock, and make sure the suspension and steering components are not excessively worn.

A short, careful test drive is the best next step after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for vibration, and recheck air pressure after the first miles. Collector cars that spend long periods parked can hide problems in wheel bearings, brakes, or steering joints, so a tire change is a good time to look at the whole rolling assembly rather than focusing on the tires alone.

Collector-car tire maintenance for a 1960 Ford-Taunus 12M starts with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Tires on low-mileage cars can deteriorate from time, storage conditions, and inactivity long before they look worn out in the usual modern-driver sense.

Good storage habits help preserve both radial and bias-ply tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources reduces sidewall aging, and moving the vehicle occasionally helps avoid long-term flat spotting. Each inspection should include cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of air loss, especially before a longer drive after the car has been parked for an extended period.