1960 Nissan SPL Tires

The 1960 Nissan SPL uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, so the fitment question is not about changing wheel diameter as much as choosing the construction and sizing format that matches the car's setup and intended presentation.

A 560-13 suits buyers looking for a traditional vintage tire look, while 155R13 keeps the car in a radial format within the same rim diameter. Before choosing, confirm the wheel width on the car now, especially if the wheels have been replaced over the years, because the available products do not all share the same rim-width range.

The 1960 Nissan SPL uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is set up with a 560-13 bias-ply tire or a 155R13 radial tire, so the basic rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire construction and sizing system can differ.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width also matters, because some 560-13 bias-ply tires are intended for narrower rims than the 155R13 radial products. Measuring the actual wheel on the car is worthwhile before selecting tires, particularly on a collector vehicle that may no longer have its original wheels.

560-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 portion refers to a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1960 Nissan SPL, this size represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial designation.

That older size format matters because it shapes both appearance and product selection. A 560-13 opens the door to period-style bias-ply options, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, but it also means wheel-width compatibility should be checked carefully. The size tells you more than width and diameter alone; it also places the tire in a vintage construction family.

On the 1960 Nissan SPL, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system associated with vintage bias-ply construction, while the radial-format alternative for this vehicle is 155R13. That makes 560-13 the traditional choice when the goal is to stay with a classic small-car tire format.

Construction affects more than the label on the sidewall. A bias-ply tire changes the look of the car and can influence how closely the finished setup matches a restoration-oriented direction. Anyone moving away from 560-13 should confirm wheel width and overall clearance, since a same-diameter wheel does not make every alternative automatically suitable.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. Those options give the 1960 Nissan SPL owner several radial-format paths while staying in the 13-inch wheel family.

The practical difference is the sizing convention and profile family rather than a simple yes-or-no swap. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalent sizing path is 4 to 5 inches, and any change should still be checked against the car's actual wheel width, body clearance, and how closely the new tire suits the intended look and use.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare the radial size being considered for clearance at the fenders and steering components. A 1960 Nissan SPL can use radial-format alternatives to 560-13, but the change should be evaluated as a full fitment decision rather than only a change in construction.

Suspension condition, ride height, and any aftermarket wheel changes can all affect the result. It also helps to decide whether the priority is traditional appearance or radial construction, since the available 155R13 products are blackwall radials while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include whitewall treatments that create a very different finished look.

The main considerations are construction style, rim-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, and brand or tire series preference. In 560-13, the 1960 Nissan SPL has bias-ply choices from BFGoodrich and Firestone, with classic-series options that keep the car in a traditional vintage tire format on a 13-inch wheel.

Sidewall style is a major part of the decision because 560-13 is available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. Wheel width should be checked before ordering, since some products suit narrower rims than others. That combination of visual presentation and wheel compatibility usually matters more here than chasing a long list of modern-style specifications.

The available sidewall styles for 1960 Nissan SPL tires include blackwall in the 155R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. That gives the car two distinct visual directions: a cleaner blackwall radial look or a more traditional whitewall bias-ply presentation.

Choosing among them depends on the role of the car. Blackwall radial tires may suit an owner focused on a simple road-use setup, while narrow or wide whitewalls can shift the car toward a stronger vintage appearance. The sidewall should be chosen alongside the correct size and wheel compatibility, not as a separate cosmetic decision.

The 1960 Nissan SPL has available tires from Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, and from BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those brand differences also line up with different tire constructions, sidewall treatments, and series names rather than representing the same type of product repeated under different labels.

A good comparison starts with the size and construction the car actually needs, then narrows the field by sidewall appearance and wheel-width suitability. Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet serve a different purpose from the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply lines, so the best choice depends on the car's intended look and setup.

For a period-style 1960 Nissan SPL, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a vintage numeric size and traditional construction family. Within that size, BFGoodrich and Firestone options give the owner different classic-series and whitewall treatments to shape the finished appearance.

The final choice depends on how the car is being restored and presented. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create very different visual impressions, even when the size is the same. If exact historical originality matters, compare the intended tire against marque-specific references and period photos rather than assuming every vintage-style option reflects the same specification.

Tire construction changes both the size language and the visual character of the car. On a restored 1960 Nissan SPL, a 560-13 bias-ply preserves a distinctly vintage presentation, especially with available whitewall styles, while a 155R13 radial introduces a more modern metric format and is offered here as a blackwall tire.

That difference becomes noticeable even before the car moves. Sidewall shape, tread-era impression, and whitewall availability all influence how authentic or updated the finished roadster looks. Matching the tire to the restoration goal is often more important than choosing by brand alone, particularly on a small sports car where the tires are a visible part of the overall stance.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Nissan SPL even when the nominal tire size stays within the correct 13-inch wheel family. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all influence how a 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial sits and clears.

A changed setup should be measured rather than assumed. Wheel width is especially important on this car because the available bias-ply and radial products do not use the same rim-width ranges. Steering clearance and ride-height changes also deserve attention, since a compact sports car can be sensitive to small changes in wheel and tire package dimensions.

Before driving a 1960 Nissan SPL on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm that lug hardware and valve stems are in good condition, and make sure the tires clear the body and steering components through their full range of movement. It is also smart to verify that inflation and mounting were handled properly.

After the first short drive, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or unusual contact. A collector car that has spent time parked should also have its suspension, steering, and brake condition reviewed, because fresh tires perform best when the surrounding chassis components are equally ready for road use.

560-13 tires on a collector 1960 Nissan SPL should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when the car is not being used. Regular visual checks matter because collector vehicles often spend long periods parked.

Driving habits and storage conditions influence tire life as much as mileage on an older hobby car. Rolling the car occasionally, keeping the suspension in sound condition, and checking the tires before each outing help catch issues early. Any sign of age-related deterioration deserves attention before road use, even if the tread still looks serviceable.