1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 Tires

The 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in a bias-ply construction and 155R13 in a radial construction. Both are associated with this vehicle and both are built around a 13-inch rim diameter, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but tire type and sizing system.

That means the first decision is whether the car is staying with a period-style bias-ply setup or moving to a radial-format tire. Once that is settled, check the actual wheel width on the car, because the available bias-ply and radial products do not share the same rim-width specifications.

The tire sizes associated with the 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 are built for a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions and sizing formats differ.

Rim diameter alone is not enough to choose a tire, because wheel width also matters. Some 560-13 bias-ply products are intended for narrower wheels than the 155R13 radial options, so measuring the wheel before ordering helps avoid choosing a tire whose approved rim-width range does not match the car.

560-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 560 portion refers to an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width, while 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500, this is the period-style bias-ply fitment and it sits alongside a radial alternative rather than being the only sizing path.

For the owner, that means 560-13 is as much an appearance and construction choice as a size choice. It keeps the car in a more traditional bias-ply format and opens the door to narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styles, but the wheel should still be checked because bias-ply product rim-width ranges vary.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500. It uses the older numeric sizing system and appears here as the traditional fitment, while 155R13 represents the radial-format alternative associated with the same vehicle and 13-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both the car’s visual presentation and the type of wheel-width specification to check. An owner choosing 560-13 is usually leaning toward a more vintage look, so whitewall style, approved rim width, and the car’s actual wheel setup should be confirmed before making the final selection.

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. These are equivalent-size alternatives to the original bias-ply fitment, and a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with the conversion path.

Those options give a buyer three different radial sizing conventions to compare, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering should be checked carefully, especially if the Fiat has replacement wheels or any suspension changes from stock.

Either direction can make sense on a 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 because both a 560-13 bias-ply fitment and a 155R13 radial fitment are associated with the car. Bias-ply keeps the tire presentation closer to an early 1960s look, while the radial side of the fitment gives a more modern construction choice in an appropriate 13-inch size.

The better choice depends on the purpose of the car. A restoration-oriented owner may prefer the traditional look of a 560-13 whitewall, while a driver focused on radial construction may look to 155R13 or one of the radial equivalents tied to 560-13. Wheel width and vehicle clearance should be checked before changing construction.

Start with the basics of construction, sidewall style, and wheel width. A 560-13 tire for the 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 is a bias-ply choice, and the available products include BFGoodrich and Firestone options with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations across classic bias-ply series.

From there, compare the tire against the car’s actual wheel. Some 560-13 options are intended for a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim width, while another extends to a 4.00 to 4.50-inch range. That makes wheel measurement important, especially on a car that may have had wheels replaced over the years.

The available sidewall styles depend on the size and construction selected. In 155R13 radial form, the current choices are blackwall tires. In 560-13 bias-ply form, the available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall, which creates a noticeably more traditional visual effect on a small early 1960s Fiat sedan.

That makes sidewall style an appearance decision tied directly to construction. A buyer who wants a simpler European blackwall presentation will naturally look toward the radial offerings, while someone aiming for a stronger vintage look may prefer one of the whitewall bias-ply options. The sidewall treatment should complement both the car’s style and its intended use.

The 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial category, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply category, giving the buyer a clear split between radial and period-style bias-ply product families.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the more important fitment details. The right comparison points are size, construction, approved wheel width, sidewall appearance, and tire series character rather than the name alone. Once those basics are aligned with the car, the brand becomes part of a broader selection decision instead of the starting point.

A period-style approach to the 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 usually starts with the 560-13 bias-ply size. That size matches the older numeric bias-ply format associated with the car and is available in classic-series tires with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments that suit a more traditional early 1960s presentation.

The exact look still depends on how the car is being restored. Some owners prefer a subtler whitewall, while others want a stronger vintage statement, and either choice should be checked against the wheel width on the car. For exact historical originality, marque-specific restoration references remain the best final checkpoint.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 more than many owners expect. A 560-13 bias-ply keeps the car in a distinctly vintage tire format and is available with whitewall styling, while a 155R13 radial presents a blackwall look in a more modern radial sizing convention.

That visual difference can shape the entire stance and personality of the car, even when both choices use the same 13-inch wheel diameter. A restoration-oriented owner should decide early whether the project is aiming for a traditional showroom-era impression or a more driver-focused radial presentation, then match that choice to the wheel setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 even when the nominal size appears correct. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or bodywork differences can all change how a 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial sits within the wheelwell and steering range.

That is especially important when considering a radial equivalent for the original bias-ply size. A car that has been lowered, fitted with non-original wheels, or rebuilt with different alignment settings should be checked for wheel width, turning clearance, and fender space before settling on a tire choice. Small cars leave less room for assumptions.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the overall condition of the mounting surfaces, then confirm the tires are the intended size and construction for the car. It also helps to check for obvious clearance concerns at the front suspension, steering stops, and inner fenders, especially if the car has not worn that size recently.

A short test at low speed is a smart follow-up after installation. Watch for rubbing, unusual steering feel, vibration, or uneven stance, and keep an eye on pressure retention during the first several drives. On an older collector car, tire fitment should be considered part of the broader wheel, brake, and suspension inspection rather than a stand-alone task.

560-13 tires on a collector 1962 Fiat 1200 & 1500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Because many collector cars see limited mileage, sidewall condition, signs of cracking, bulges, cuts, and any unusual air loss deserve as much attention as tread wear itself.

Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect tires that may spend long periods parked. It is also wise to inspect the tires before each meaningful drive, since an older vehicle can sit for weeks or months between outings and problems may develop unnoticed.