1960 Metropolitan 1500 Tires

The 1960 Metropolitan 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 and 560-13. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes built for 13-inch rims, so this model does not narrow the decision to one universal primary fitment across every car in circulation.

The practical next step is confirming which size matches the wheels and setup on the car today. Since both sizes are associated with the Metropolitan 1500, owners should verify the wheel width, the current tire size already in use, and the appearance they want before choosing between a narrower 520-13 path or a broader 560-13 path.

The 1960 Metropolitan 1500 uses a 13-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 520-13 and 560-13 are built around that 13-inch rim diameter, so rim diameter remains consistent even though the car can use more than one tire size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a compact car where tire proportions affect both appearance and clearance. It is worth checking the actual wheel width before choosing a tire, because the available products for these sizes show different rim-width specifications depending on the brand and tire series.

A 520-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 520 portion represents an approximate 5.20-inch nominal section width, while the 13 refers to the rim diameter in inches.

That sizing format is different from modern metric radial markings, so it helps to read it as an older width-and-rim code rather than a modern performance designation. On a 1960 Metropolitan 1500, understanding that format makes it easier to compare period-style bias-ply options with radial equivalents such as 155R13 or P155/75R13 without confusing those alternatives with the original primary sizing system.

Both 520-13 and 560-13 are primary bias-ply tire sizes for the 1960 Metropolitan 1500. That means the original fitment path on this model uses vintage-style bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial as the primary tire specification.

Keeping bias-ply construction is often the natural choice when traditional appearance and period-style presentation matter most. Owners considering a different road-use feel can look at the available radial equivalents, but the change should be treated as a conversion choice that deserves a check of wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance rather than a simple one-for-one assumption.

Both 520-13 and 560-13 share the same radial-equivalent options: 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with either primary size here.

Those alternatives give a Metropolitan owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing formats while staying in the 13-inch rim family. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the radial-equivalent path, and final selection should still account for the car’s wheel width, tire clearance, and the visual result desired on a small-bodied collector car.

Start by matching the radial equivalent to the original primary size path and confirming that the wheel diameter remains 13 inches. For the available equivalents tied to 520-13 and 560-13, the recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches, which makes actual wheel width an important first check.

Clearance around the fenders, steering components, and suspension should be reviewed before making the switch, especially if the car has been modified or sits differently than stock. It also helps to compare the car’s intended use, since some owners want a period-style bias-ply presentation while others are comfortable using a modern radial format for regular road driving.

The first priority is choosing the correct primary size for the wheel setup on the car, since the 1960 Metropolitan 1500 can use either 520-13 or 560-13. After that, compare construction, rim-width suitability, sidewall appearance, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial-equivalent alternative.

Product differences matter most in how the car will look and how closely the tire matches the wheel. A compact collector car like the Metropolitan can change character noticeably with a different whitewall treatment, so narrowing the choice by size first and appearance second usually leads to a more confident decision than shopping by brand name alone.

The available sidewall styles for the 1960 Metropolitan 1500 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size and product line. Those choices appear across the 520-13 and 560-13 bias-ply offerings, giving the car a broad range of traditional visual treatments.

Sidewall style has a strong effect on the Metropolitan’s stance because the car is small and visually sensitive to tire detail. A blackwall gives a more understated appearance, while narrow and wide whitewalls create progressively more vintage visual emphasis, so the right choice often depends on whether the car is being preserved as a modest driver or finished as a more restoration-oriented presentation.

The available brands for the 1960 Metropolitan 1500 include Firestone, Premium Sport, and BFGoodrich. Those brands cover the two primary bias-ply sizes and span several tire series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Premium Sport Lowrider, and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the exact size and sidewall treatment rather than treated as a shortcut to the final answer. Some products focus on traditional blackwall or whitewall presentation, while others differ in rim-width specifications, so the best comparison starts with the tire size and the desired appearance before narrowing the field by series or brand.

A period-style 1960 Metropolitan 1500 usually starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 520-13 or 560-13, rather than beginning with a modern radial. That keeps the sizing format and construction aligned with the car’s era, while still leaving room to choose among blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall presentations.

The right visual result depends on how the individual car is being restored and what wheel setup it uses. Owners aiming for a historically faithful look should confirm the preferred size and sidewall treatment through marque-specific references or restoration photography, then use the available tire series and whitewall styles to support that direction without assuming every period-style tire is identical.

Tire construction influences both the visual character and the stance of a restored 1960 Metropolitan 1500. A bias-ply tire preserves the vintage sizing format used on the car, while a modern radial equivalent introduces a later-style sidewall and sizing convention even if the rim diameter remains 13 inches.

That difference matters most on a compact car where the tires are easy to notice in profile. Buyers focused on restoration appearance often stay with bias-ply construction and then refine the look through blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall choices, while buyers who prioritize road-use preferences may accept the more modern visual cues that come with a radial-equivalent setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Metropolitan 1500. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body adjustments can all influence whether a 520-13, 560-13, or a radial equivalent remains a sensible match for the car.

That matters because this Metropolitan already has two primary size paths, so any change in wheel or chassis setup adds another variable. Measuring the actual wheel, checking steering and fender clearance, and confirming how much space remains at full lock are worthwhile steps before choosing a new tire, especially if the car no longer sits exactly as it did when originally built.

Before driving a 1960 Metropolitan 1500 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the clearances around the suspension, steering, and fenders. It also helps to confirm that all four tires match the intended size path and that air pressure is set appropriately for the tire being used.

A short test drive followed by another visual check can reveal rubbing, uneven seating, or other setup issues before they become larger problems. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so it is wise to keep an eye on air retention and look for cuts, bulges, or unusual wear early rather than assuming a fresh installation removes the need for follow-up inspection.

Collector-car tires in 520-13 or 560-13 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even on a lightly used 1960 Metropolitan 1500, low annual mileage does not prevent aging, so sidewall condition, tread condition, and signs of air loss deserve attention.

Good storage practices help preserve both appearance and service life, especially on whitewall tires that owners want to keep presentable. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, moving it occasionally to avoid long-term flat spotting, and inspecting the tires before each outing are sensible habits for a small collector vehicle that may spend more time parked than driven.