1960 Opel 1200 Tires

The 1960 Opel 1200 uses two primary tire sizes: 590-13 in bias-ply construction and 165R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the choice is not about changing wheel diameter first, but about selecting the construction and tire style that best matches the car's setup.

That means the real fitment decision is whether the Opel is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or run on a radial tire in a period European size format. Checking the actual wheel width, current tire type, and any prior modifications helps avoid choosing a tire that conflicts with the car's present wheel and clearance arrangement.

The 1960 Opel 1200 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The 590-13 bias-ply and the 165R13 radial are both built around that same 13-inch wheel size, which keeps rim diameter straightforward even though the tire constructions differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the check, though, because wheel width still matters when moving between a narrow bias-ply tire and a radial alternative. A car that has changed wheels over the years may still have 13-inch rims but not the same width or profile, so measuring the wheel before ordering remains a smart step.

590-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 590 represents an approximate 5.90-inch nominal section width, with the decimal omitted, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1960 Opel 1200, it is the traditional bias-ply size and carries a distinctly vintage small-car appearance.

Buyers familiar only with modern metric sizes often mistake numeric bias-ply sizing for a direct modern measurement, but it works within an older sizing system. If the goal is to keep the car visually closer to its original era, 590-13 is the place to start; if a radial alternative is being considered, wheel width and overall fit should be checked carefully first.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1960 Opel 1200. It uses the older numeric sizing format and represents the more traditional construction choice on this car, while 165R13 is the radial-format option associated with the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because bias-ply and radial tires do not present the same look or behave the same way on the road. Keeping 590-13 usually aligns with a more vintage appearance, while moving to a radial means checking wheel width and overall vehicle setup so the alternative size works with the Opel's existing wheels and clearance.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Those cover three different radial formats: an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial. Each serves as an equivalent comparison point for owners evaluating a radial alternative to the original bias-ply size.

The practical difference is that these sizes use different sizing conventions and profile families rather than representing one identical replacement. A 4- to 5-inch recommended rim-width range is tied to the equivalent range, so the wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and steering or fender clearance should all be verified before making the switch.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and, just as important, the wheel width. The 1960 Opel 1200 uses 13-inch tires in both constructions, but a radial alternative to 590-13 should still be checked against the actual wheel on the car, especially if the Opel has been updated over the years.

Clearance at the fenders and steering should also be inspected once a radial equivalent is under consideration. A conversion can affect both appearance and the way the car feels on the road, so it helps to decide first whether the goal is a vintage bias-ply presentation or a radial-driving approach with a compatible 13-inch setup.

Begin with the correct primary size and construction for the way the car will be used. The 1960 Opel 1200 can be fitted with a 590-13 bias-ply tire or a 165R13 radial, both on 13-inch rims, so the choice comes down to whether period-style presentation or radial construction is the stronger priority.

After that, compare the details that shape practical fitment and appearance, including wheel width, sidewall style, tire series, and brand offerings. A narrow bias-ply wide whitewall creates a very different visual result from a blackwall radial, so the right choice is the one that matches the Opel's wheels, intended use, and restoration direction.

Two sidewall styles are available across the 1960 Opel 1200 tire choices shown here. The 165R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is offered as a wide whitewall. That gives the car two distinctly different visual directions even before construction differences are considered.

A blackwall radial tends to suit an understated European road-car look, while a wide whitewall bias-ply leans more heavily into vintage presentation. Sidewall style should be chosen alongside size and construction rather than after them, since a change in sidewall often also means a change in tire type, wheel-width needs, and overall character.

The available tire brands for the 1960 Opel 1200 include Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich appears in the 590-13 bias-ply size. That split makes brand selection closely tied to construction choice as well as appearance.

Instead of treating brand as the only decision, compare each option within the context of the correct size, wheel compatibility, and visual goal. Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials suit buyers staying with radial construction, while the BFGoodrich wide whitewall bias-ply option serves a more traditional styling direction on the Opel's 13-inch fitment.

For a period-style 1960 Opel 1200, the 590-13 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point because it preserves the older numeric size format and traditional construction associated with the car. In the available selection, that size also carries a wide whitewall presentation, which creates a distinctly vintage visual character.

A restoration-oriented choice should still be guided by the specific look being pursued, since period-style does not always mean the same sidewall treatment on every car. Owners aiming for exact originality should compare the Opel's historical references, photographs, or marque-club guidance before settling on a sidewall style or brand for a more exact restoration result.

Tire construction changes the visual stance of a restored 1960 Opel 1200 more than many buyers expect. A 590-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional early-1960s look, while a 165R13 radial introduces a later-style radial presentation even though it remains within an appropriate small European tire format.

That means construction should be treated as both a fitment decision and an appearance decision. A bias-ply setup generally supports a more vintage impression, while a blackwall radial can make the Opel look more road-oriented and updated, so the right answer depends on whether the restoration goal leans toward era character or regular-use practicality.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Opel 1200 even when the tire size itself appears correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered ride height, suspension updates, or bodywork repairs can all influence whether a 590-13 or 165R13 setup clears properly and sits correctly on the car.

That is especially important on a small 1960s vehicle where the margin around the tire can be tighter than on larger American cars. Any Opel that has been changed from its original wheel or suspension setup should have wheel dimensions and tire clearance checked at steering lock and through suspension movement before finalizing the tire choice.

Inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition first, then confirm that the tires are properly seated and inflated for the setup being used. On a 1960 Opel 1200, it also makes sense to look at steering travel, fender clearance, and suspension condition so the new 13-inch tires are not introduced into a worn or misaligned system.

A short local drive is a useful first check before longer use, especially on a collector car that may have spent time parked. Any pull, rubbing, unusual vibration, or visible air loss deserves attention right away, since age-related wheel, brake, and suspension issues can show up only after the new tires are back in service.

Tires on a collector 1960 Opel 1200 should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions rather than through tread wear, so appearance alone is not a complete measure of condition.

Proper storage also matters. Keeping the Opel away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and maintaining correct inflation reduces flat-spotting during periods of limited use. Before any longer drive, a fresh visual inspection and pressure check are worthwhile on both bias-ply and radial setups.