1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon Tires

The 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon uses two recognized tire sizes: 640-13 in bias-ply construction and 175R13 in radial construction. Both fitments use a 13-inch rim diameter, so the main difference is the sizing system and tire construction rather than a change in wheel diameter.

Choosing between them starts with the condition and width of the wheels already on the car, along with the type of driving and appearance desired. A period-style restoration may lean toward 640-13 bias-ply, while a radial-format setup points toward 175R13 or one of the related radial equivalents that should still be checked carefully on the vehicle.

The 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is set up with a 640-13 bias-ply tire or a 175R13 radial, so the wheel diameter remains consistent across the main fitment choices.

Rim diameter is only one part of the match, though. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing bias-ply tires to radial alternatives, and any older wagon should be checked for replacement wheels or previous modifications. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions before choosing a tire helps avoid clearance or fitment surprises during installation.

Yes. The 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon Base uses the same core fitment choices as the model coverage here, with 640-13 bias-ply and 175R13 radial sizes both associated with the vehicle. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and puts the focus on construction choice rather than trim-level tire differences.

Even with shared sizing, it still helps to inspect the car as it sits today. A Base model that has been fitted with different wheels over the years may need extra wheel-width and clearance checks before moving to a radial equivalent. On an unrestored car, matching the tire style to the intended look and road use is usually the more important decision.

640-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system and represents the traditional construction choice for this Opel, while 175R13 is the radial-format size associated with the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That distinction matters because construction affects both appearance and how the car feels on the road. Buyers keeping a period-style presentation often start with 640-13, especially when a wide-whitewall look is part of the plan. Anyone considering a move away from bias-ply should compare wheel width, vehicle clearance, and the overall character they want the wagon to retain.

Radial equivalents for 640-13 include 175R13 as the 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial, P185/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each one offers a different sizing format while staying in the same general replacement conversation for this Opel.

Those options should be treated as alternatives to evaluate, not automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range attached to the equivalent group is 4 to 6 inches, and actual wheel width, section clearance, and the condition of the suspension and steering should all be checked before making a conversion from the original-style bias-ply setup.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare the radial size being considered against available clearance at the fenders, steering, and suspension. For a 640-13 Opel fitment, radial alternatives include 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, each of which should be evaluated on the car itself.

A conversion also changes the character of the setup, so the decision is not purely dimensional. Older collector vehicles sometimes have replacement wheels, sagging springs, or alignment issues that were never noticed with the previous tires. Looking over the front end, wheel condition, and overall stance before mounting new radials helps make the change more predictable.

The main considerations are staying with the correct 640-13 size, confirming the 13-inch wheel setup, and deciding how important traditional bias-ply construction is to the car's intended use. In this size, the available product focus is a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a wide whitewall presentation.

That makes the decision partly about appearance and partly about how faithfully the car should retain a period-style tire character. Wheel width should be checked against the tire's compatibility range, and the wagon's use matters too. A show-oriented restoration may prioritize the classic visual effect, while a driver-oriented car may lead the owner to compare radial alternatives separately.

For the 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon products available here, the visible sidewall treatment is a wide whitewall in the 640-13 bias-ply size. That sidewall style gives the compact Opel a distinctly vintage presentation and is especially relevant for buyers pursuing a more traditional restoration-oriented appearance.

Sidewall style should be chosen as part of the overall look of the car rather than as an isolated detail. A whitewall can visually change the stance and character of a small wagon quite a bit, so it helps to match the tire treatment to the vehicle's trim, wheel finish, and intended era feel without assuming any one sidewall is the only historically appropriate choice.

The product assortment for the 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon includes the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series in 640-13. That series places the emphasis on traditional bias-ply construction and a vintage-style appearance rather than presenting a broad mix of modern touring-style product lines in the same primary product group.

For a buyer, that means the product comparison is less about sorting through many series names and more about deciding whether this classic-style bias-ply direction fits the project. If the car is being restored with visual authenticity in mind, the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply approach makes sense. If road-use priorities point elsewhere, the radial-equivalent options become the next comparison point.

A period-style 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon is usually best approached by starting with the 640-13 bias-ply size. That size preserves the older numeric sizing format and keeps the car in its traditional construction category, which matters visually and helps maintain the character many collectors want from a compact European wagon of this era.

The final choice still depends on how exact the restoration needs to be and how the car will be driven. A BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with wide whitewall provides a strong vintage presentation, but exact originality should be checked against marque-specific historical references if that level of detail matters. For a driver, radial alternatives can be considered separately without replacing the period-style starting point.

Tire construction changes more than ride characteristics on a restored 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon; it also changes the visual impression of the car. A 640-13 bias-ply setup presents the wagon in a more traditional manner, while a radial-size presentation such as 175R13 tends to shift the look away from that earlier tire style.

That is why construction choice should be made alongside wheel appearance and sidewall treatment. A wide whitewall bias-ply can reinforce a distinctly vintage look, especially on a restoration-minded build. Owners aiming for a more authentic period feel usually begin with size and construction first, then refine the sidewall style, rather than selecting a modern-format tire purely by convenience.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon even when the nominal tire size remains within the normal 13-inch range. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, lowering, or body repairs can all alter how a 640-13 or 175R13-size tire sits in the wheel opening and clears nearby components.

That is especially important when comparing a traditional bias-ply setup to a radial alternative, since the car may no longer be sitting on its original hardware. Checking steering lock, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions before ordering helps prevent surprises. On an older wagon, it is also worth looking for signs that previous owners already changed the stance or wheel package.

Before putting a 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or rust at the bead area, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the suspension and body through a full steering sweep. It also helps to check for loose steering components and worn front-end parts.

A fresh set of tires cannot compensate for underlying mechanical problems on a low-use collector vehicle. Looking over wheel bearings, alignment condition, and the general state of the suspension gives the new tires a fair starting point. After the first few drives, recheck pressure and inspect for any unusual rub marks or uneven wear that could point to setup issues.

640-13 tires on a collector 1960 Opel Caravan & Wagon should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. Cars that sit for long stretches deserve closer observation because tire aging can progress even with low mileage.

Collector use also means checking the tires before each outing rather than assuming they are fine from the last drive. A wagon stored for months can develop slow air loss or reveal wheel and suspension issues only once it is moving again. Clean storage conditions, periodic pressure checks, and routine visual inspection go a long way toward preserving both appearance and roadworthiness.