The 1960 Jaguar Mark sits in the final years of Jaguar’s big postwar saloon tradition, combining formal British luxury with the strong road manners that made these cars respected grand touring sedans in their day. For owners today, tire choice matters because this model is served by two distinct 16-inch fitments: a 670-16 bias-ply option and a 185R16 radial option. That opens two different paths, one centered on traditional construction and one on a more modern radial format from brands such as Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The right decision usually comes down to how the car is equipped now, the look you want, and how you plan to drive it.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Jaguar Mark
The 1960 Jaguar Mark uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit 16-inch wheels. One is a traditional 670-16 bias-ply size, while the other is a 185R16 radial, so the first step is confirming which construction and wheel setup your car is using now. Once that is clear, the decision shifts to period-style appearance, road-use preferences, and the product choices available within the correct size.
185R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1960 Jaguar Mark, this size represents the radial fitment path and suits owners looking for a later-era radial format on the original 16-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include blackwall tires from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across series such as Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car is already running radial-compatible wheels and you want to compare brand character and rim-width specifications carefully.
670-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 670 representing an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and 16 identifying the wheel diameter. On the 1960 Jaguar Mark, this size is the traditional bias-ply fitment and gives the car a more period-style tire presentation than a modern metric radial. Blackwall options are available from Firestone and Avon in series including Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4. This size deserves a close look when preserving the car’s earlier driving feel and appearance matters as much as simple wheel-diameter compatibility.
Fitment across the covered 1960 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9 range is straightforward because the same two 16-inch tire sizes apply throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is being kept on its traditional bias-ply setup or has been equipped for radial use.
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1960 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9
The 1960 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9 grouping uses the same two primary tire formats: 670-16 in bias-ply and 185R16 in radial form. That means tire selection is less about trim differences and more about confirming the wheel setup on the car, then choosing the construction, brand, and presentation that suit its intended use.
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 Jaguar Mark Tires for Sale
Available 1960 Jaguar Mark tires cover both fitment paths, with radial 185R16 choices from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, plus 670-16 bias-ply options from Firestone and Avon. The product grid is most useful for comparing construction, tire series, blackwall presentation, and rim-width compatibility within the correct size.
These 1960 Jaguar Mark tire FAQs focus on the two 16-inch fitment paths, how bias-ply and radial choices differ, and what to inspect before selecting tires for restoration use or regular road driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Jaguar Mark?
The 1960 Jaguar Mark uses two primary tire sizes: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. Both are 16-inch fitments, but they represent different sizing systems and different tire constructions, so they should not be treated as the same choice in different wording.
The important next step is to confirm what is actually on the car now, especially if it has been restored or updated over time. A 16-inch wheel is common to both sizes, but wheel width, tire construction, and clearance should still be checked before selecting between the radial and bias-ply fitment paths.
What size rim does a 1960 Jaguar Mark use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1960 Jaguar Mark use a 16-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 185R16 radial fitment and the 670-16 bias-ply fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing system and construction type change.
Rim diameter is only the starting point for a correct tire choice. It is still worth checking actual wheel width before selecting a tire, since the available radial and bias-ply products do not all share the same rim-width specifications, and many collector cars have had wheels changed during restoration or long-term ownership.
Does the 1960 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1960 Jaguar Mark 7, 8 & 9 grouping shares the same two tire-size choices: 185R16 in radial form and 670-16 in bias-ply form. That means the basic fitment decision is consistent across the covered sub-model range rather than changing from one Mark variant to another.
Even with shared fitment, the right tire still depends on how the individual car is set up today. A restored sedan kept in a traditional presentation may stay with 670-16 bias-ply tires, while a car equipped for radial use may be better matched to 185R16 after confirming wheel width and general clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1960 Jaguar Mark tire?
Start by choosing the correct primary size and construction for the car: 670-16 if it is staying with a traditional bias-ply setup, or 185R16 if it is using the radial fitment. From there, compare rim-width compatibility, tire series, and the overall appearance you want on the car.
A large British saloon like the 1960 Jaguar Mark benefits from getting the basics right before comparing brands. Think about whether the car is judged for authenticity, driven regularly on the road, or kept mostly for touring and shows, then match the tire to that role rather than choosing by appearance alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Jaguar Mark?
The 1960 Jaguar Mark is served by Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone, depending on the tire size and construction you choose. Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein appear in the 185R16 radial fitment, while Firestone and Avon are available in the 670-16 bias-ply size.
Brand choice matters most after the correct size and construction are settled. Once that is done, compare each tire’s series, blackwall presentation, and wheel-compatibility details to make sure the tire suits the car’s intended use, whether the goal is a traditional restoration look or a more road-oriented radial setup.
What tire series are available for the 1960 Jaguar Mark?
Available tire series for the 1960 Jaguar Mark include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Turbospeed Mk4. Those series are divided across the two main fitments, with the first group in 185R16 radial form and the latter two in 670-16 bias-ply form.
The series name helps distinguish the character of the available products, but it should not override basic fitment checks. Choose the series only after confirming the car’s current construction type, wheel dimensions, and the kind of presentation you want, since a well-matched period-style bias-ply choice and a proper radial choice serve different ownership goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Jaguar Mark?
A period-style 1960 Jaguar Mark often starts with the 670-16 bias-ply fitment, since that construction delivers the more traditional presentation of the two primary sizes. Firestone and Avon both offer blackwall choices in that size, giving owners a bias-ply route that stays visually in step with the car’s era.
Some restorations place appearance ahead of all else, while others balance appearance with regular road use. If exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance or vehicle-specific historical references, then confirm wheel width and overall setup so the final selection supports both the restoration goal and safe fitment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Jaguar Mark?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling on a restored 1960 Jaguar Mark; it also changes how the car looks. A 670-16 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional visual stance, while a 185R16 radial introduces a later-style metric tire presentation even though both use 16-inch rims.
That difference matters on a large, formal Jaguar sedan where proportions are part of the car’s character. Owners focused on a restoration-oriented look often begin with the bias-ply size, while owners prioritizing road use may accept the radial appearance as part of a broader driving setup after checking wheel compatibility.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Jaguar Mark?
Yes. Even though the 1960 Jaguar Mark uses 16-inch tire fitments, modifications can change what works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body changes can all affect whether a 185R16 radial or 670-16 bias-ply tire remains a sensible choice.
Any modified car should be checked at the wheel and body level before tires are chosen. Clearance at the fenders and steering range matters, and construction changes can alter the overall fitment picture, so confirm the actual wheel setup on the car instead of relying only on model-year fitment information.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Jaguar Mark on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Jaguar Mark on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and general suspension condition, then confirm that the selected tire matches the car’s 16-inch wheel setup. It is also wise to look for rubbing points, uneven old-tire wear, and anything that suggests alignment or steering issues.
New tires perform best when the rest of the setup is ready for them. Check inflation carefully, recheck clearance after installation, and pay attention to how the car tracks and steers on its first miles, especially if the Jaguar has been converted between bias-ply and radial construction at any point in its life.
How should tires on a collector 1960 Jaguar Mark be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1960 Jaguar Mark should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. That advice matters whether the car is running 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radial tires.
Low annual mileage can hide age-related tire issues, so condition matters as much as tread depth on an older Jaguar. A car that spends long stretches parked deserves frequent visual checks and occasional pressure verification, especially before a tour or event where a long highway drive will place more sustained demand on the tires.
