1961 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M uses three primary tire sizes across the covered configurations: 155R13 radial, 560-13 bias-ply, and 590-13 bias-ply. The Base model uses either 155R13 or 560-13, while the Wagon uses 590-13. All three fitments are built around a 13-inch rim, but the construction type and size format vary depending on the version of the car.

That means the first step is confirming whether the car is a Base model or a Wagon, and then checking whether it is set up for radial or bias-ply tires. Once the correct primary size is established, the real choice becomes sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the car is being kept in a more traditional period-style presentation or prepared for regular road use.

The covered tire fitments for the 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 155R13 radial fitment as well as the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes. Even though the tire sizes differ by sub-model and construction, they share the same basic wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it is still important to confirm wheel width before choosing a tire. Product specifications in these sizes show different rim-width ranges, especially between the radial and bias-ply options. A car that has been fitted with replacement wheels over the years should be measured rather than assumed to still have the original wheel setup.

No, the covered 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base model uses either a 155R13 radial or a 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses a 590-13 bias-ply. That makes sub-model identification a necessary part of selecting the correct tire.

This difference matters because a size that suits the Base model should not be assumed to be right for the Wagon. It also affects the type of choices available, since the Base offers both radial and bias-ply routes, while the Wagon remains in a single bias-ply size. Confirming the body style and wheel setup first keeps the selection process much more straightforward.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M. It is one of the Base model’s primary fitments and uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format rather than a metric radial designation. In available products, this size appears in classic bias-ply construction with whitewall sidewall treatments from BFGoodrich and Firestone.

That makes 560-13 the size to consider when a more traditional visual presentation is important. Buyers comparing it with a radial setup should remember that the Base model also has a 155R13 radial fitment, but the two constructions are not simply interchangeable by assumption. Wheel width, vehicle setup, and the intended appearance of the finished car should guide the decision.

For 560-13, the radial equivalents are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For 590-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Each group includes an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, giving several ways to compare a modern radial-format alternative against the original bias-ply size.

The useful distinction is not just radial versus bias-ply, but also which sizing convention and profile family best suit the car. Both equivalent groups are associated with a 4-5 inch rim-width range, which helps frame the wheel check before any conversion. Even when an equivalent size is available, wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around steering and bodywork still need to be verified.

That depends on the sub-model and the goal for the car. A 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M Base can be kept in either a 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial fitment, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. Bias-ply tires suit a more traditional period-style appearance, while radial fitment may appeal to owners who want a radial-format setup on the Base model.

The decision should start with the exact model configuration and the wheels currently on the car. From there, think about whether the priority is restoration-minded appearance, maintaining an existing radial setup, or comparing a bias-ply size with one of its stated radial equivalents. Any construction change should include checks for wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance under real driving conditions.

Start by confirming the exact sub-model, because the 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M does not use one universal tire size. The Base model can use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. After size and construction are settled, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and any load information that matters for the car’s intended use.

The right choice often comes down to how the car is being presented and driven. A blackwall radial can suit a more road-oriented setup on the Base model, while whitewall bias-ply tires support a more traditional vintage look. Cars with replacement wheels or long-stored suspension components deserve an extra fitment check before final selection, even when the nominal tire size appears correct.

The available sidewall styles for 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size and construction. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall, while the 560-13 bias-ply offerings include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. The 590-13 bias-ply option is offered as a wide whitewall.

That gives the car owner a meaningful appearance choice once the correct size is confirmed. Blackwall radials tend to present the car differently than a classic whitewall bias-ply, so the visual result can be as important as the construction itself. Matching the sidewall style to the vehicle’s restoration direction, trim, and overall period presentation usually leads to a more satisfying finished look.

Available tire brands for the 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply size. The 590-13 bias-ply fitment is available from BFGoodrich in the current product mix.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the actual size, construction, and style needed for the car rather than treated as the first decision. A buyer choosing among these options will usually get more value by comparing series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility within the correct fitment. Once that is narrowed down, brand preference becomes a more useful final filter.

For a period-style 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M, the bias-ply fitments are the natural starting point. The Base model can be matched with 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. Those sizes preserve the vintage numeric format and are available with traditional whitewall treatments that suit the look many restoration-minded owners want from an early 1960s compact Ford.

The exact choice still depends on the sub-model and the visual direction of the car. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall can change the presentation noticeably even within the same size. When historical accuracy matters beyond general period style, marque references and vehicle-specific documentation are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment or construction type.

Tire construction changes both the look and the character of a restored 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M. A numeric bias-ply size such as 560-13 or 590-13 keeps the car in a distinctly vintage sizing format and is offered with whitewall treatments that reinforce a traditional presentation. A 155R13 radial, by contrast, gives the Base model a metric radial look and is available as a blackwall.

That difference matters because tires occupy a large visual area on a small car, and they strongly influence the finished stance. Buyers who want a restoration-oriented result often start with the correct primary size for the sub-model, then decide whether the car should lean toward a preserved period appearance or a more road-use-focused setup. Construction choice is part of that visual decision, not just a technical one.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 155R13, 560-13, or 590-13 tire sits on the car. That is especially important when comparing bias-ply fitments with radial alternatives or equivalents.

A practical check should include wheel diameter, actual wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering components. Turning the front wheels lock to lock and looking for signs of rubbing is a useful step on compact vintage cars. Any car that has been restored, modified, or assembled from mixed parts deserves measurement and inspection before a new set of tires is chosen.

Before driving a 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. Make sure the chosen tire size matches the car’s sub-model and that the wheel diameter and width are appropriate for that tire. It is also wise to confirm that the tires are seated properly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for their application.

A short low-speed test drive can reveal rubbing, pulling, vibration, or clearance issues before the car is taken farther from home. Older collector vehicles can hide worn bushings, loose steering parts, or uneven wheel condition that only become obvious once fresh tires are installed. Looking for cuts, bulges, unusual air loss, and contact marks after the first drive is a sound precaution.

Tires on a collector 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Whether the car uses 155R13 radial tires or 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes, it helps to watch for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Low-use vintage cars often need this kind of inspection more than high-mileage drivers do.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Rolling the vehicle occasionally or moving it during long storage periods can also help reduce set-in flat spotting. Before any longer outing, a quick check of pressure, tread condition, and visible sidewall health is worthwhile.