1961 Ford Anglia Tires

The 1961 Ford Anglia uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with 13-inch rims, so the main fitment question is not wheel diameter alone, but which construction and size format the car is currently set up to use.

That distinction matters because a period-style restoration may stay with 520-13, while a car running radial tires may use 145R13 instead. Before choosing, confirm the actual wheels on the car, look at the current tire size and construction, and check whether appearance, road use, or a restoration-oriented presentation is guiding the decision.

The 1961 Ford Anglia uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 520-13 and 145R13. Even though the construction differs between those tires, the wheel diameter remains the same, which helps narrow the fitment decision to size format, wheel width, and intended use.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, especially if the car has been modified or fitted with replacement wheels over the years. It is still important to measure wheel width, inspect the bead-seat area, and make sure the tire being considered matches both the 13-inch diameter and the wheel's usable width range.

The 1961 Ford Anglia Deluxe uses the same two tire sizes associated with this vehicle: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. That means Deluxe fitment is not separated by a different rim diameter or a unique sub-model-only tire size.

The real choice for a Deluxe owner is whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or run on a radial setup. Looking at the wheel width and the tire style already on the car will usually point the decision in the right direction before comparing brands, sidewall treatments, and tire series.

520-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1961 Ford Anglia. It uses the older numeric sizing format, and it is the traditional-looking option for this car, with available blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices that suit a more vintage presentation.

Choosing 520-13 keeps the car in its period-style construction format, which can matter for appearance and for owners who want to stay close to an earlier tire type. It is still wise to confirm wheel width, inspect overall clearance, and compare the current setup carefully before moving between bias-ply and radial constructions.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. A bias-look radial equivalent is not part of the available equivalent set for this size.

Those equivalents provide different sizing conventions while staying in the same general radial-conversion conversation for a 13-inch wheel. The recommended rim width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, so the wheel width, the car's available clearance, and the overall dimensions of the chosen tire should all be checked before making the change.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, then compare the chosen radial size against the current 520-13 setup. For radial equivalents to 520-13, the available options are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches.

A conversion should also account for fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car's intended use. An Anglia that has replacement wheels, altered ride height, or worn steering components deserves a closer inspection before the switch, because an equivalent radial size should be treated as an alternative to verify, not an automatic interchange.

The first decision is whether the car should stay with the 520-13 bias-ply format or use the 145R13 radial format. After that, compare wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and any available load or rim-width details that apply to the specific tire being considered.

A restoration-oriented Anglia may lean toward the traditional look of 520-13, while a car already equipped around radial use may point toward 145R13. Matching the tire to the car's actual wheels and intended appearance is more important than choosing by size code alone, especially when both constructions share the same 13-inch rim diameter.

Sidewall choices for the 1961 Ford Anglia include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product line. The 145R13 radial options are blackwall, while 520-13 bias-ply choices include blackwall as well as narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles.

That makes sidewall selection an important part of the buying decision, especially on a small car where tire appearance has a strong visual effect. A blackwall can keep the look simple and understated, while narrow or wide whitewalls push the car toward a more styled, restoration-oriented, or custom-leaning presentation.

Tires for the 1961 Ford Anglia are available from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 145R13 radial size, while Firestone and Premium Sport offer 520-13 bias-ply choices across different sidewall treatments and tire series.

Brand matters mostly as part of the overall tire package rather than as a ranking exercise. The better approach is to compare each brand's available size, construction, sidewall style, and series character, then match those details to whether the Anglia is being kept close to a period-style look or driven with a radial-based setup.

For a period-style 1961 Ford Anglia, the 520-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction type associated with this car. It is also offered in several visual treatments, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall.

The exact tire to choose depends on how authentic, restrained, or styled the finished car is meant to look. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare sidewall treatment and overall presentation against marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation, since a correct size alone does not automatically settle every appearance detail.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1961 Ford Anglia as much as it changes the sizing format. A 520-13 bias-ply keeps the car in a more traditional presentation, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-style metric look even though it still fits the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference can be easy to notice on a compact car with small wheels and very visible sidewalls. Buyers who care about restoration tone should think about whether the goal is a vintage, road-driven, or subtly updated appearance, then choose the construction and sidewall treatment that supports that direction without assuming all correct-fit sizes look the same.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Ford Anglia even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence how a 520-13 or 145R13 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears the steering and suspension.

An Anglia that has been customized should be measured rather than judged by factory-style assumptions. Checking wheel width, offset-related position, and turning clearance before ordering tires helps avoid surprises, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial constructions or when considering one of the available radial-equivalent sizes for a 520-13 setup.

Before driving a 1961 Ford Anglia on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire pressure, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could affect tracking. It also helps to verify that the tires clear the fenders and steering components through a full range of movement.

Collector cars often sit for long periods, so the first road test should be cautious and deliberate. Recheck pressure after installation, watch for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact, and inspect old tubes or wheel hardware if the setup uses them, since tire condition alone does not guarantee the rest of the rolling assembly is ready.

Tires on a collector 1961 Ford Anglia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 520-13 bias-ply tires or 145R13 radials, owners should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is only driven occasionally.

Long storage can be hard on vintage vehicles, so it helps to keep the car out of prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as running electric motors. A brief inspection before each outing is good practice, and any sign of age-related deterioration deserves attention before the Anglia returns to regular road use.