1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 Tires

The 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the model range, including the Belina and Wagon, and both are built around a 13-inch rim diameter.

The practical choice is less about wheel diameter and more about the type of tire you want on the car. A 560-13 keeps the vintage numeric bias-ply format and traditional look, while 155R13 moves to a Euro-metric radial format. Before choosing, confirm the wheels currently on the car and decide whether appearance, driving feel, or restoration goals are leading the decision.

The 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with a 560-13 bias-ply tire or a 155R13 radial, so the wheel diameter itself stays consistent across the fitment paths.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing bias-ply and radial choices, because the available products are built around different rim-width ranges. It is wise to measure the actual wheels on the car, particularly if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement steel wheels at some point in its life.

The covered 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 sub-models share the same tire-size choices. Both the Belina and the Wagon use 560-13 as a bias-ply option and 155R13 as a radial option, all on 13-inch rims.

That makes sub-model fitment fairly simple, but the real-world car should still be checked before selecting tires. Older Fiats are often restored over time, and replacement wheels or non-original suspension parts can change how a tire sits in the wheel opening. Even with shared fitment across sub-models, verifying wheel width and clearance remains a smart last step.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500. It uses the older numeric sizing system common to many period cars, and it keeps the vehicle in a traditional construction format on a 13-inch wheel.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both the car's look and the way it is set up compared with a radial. Buyers usually choose 560-13 when they want a more vintage presentation, especially with narrow or wide whitewall styling. Wheel width should still be confirmed, since the available 560-13 products are intended for relatively narrow rims.

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 comparison sizes for owners considering a radial alternative to the original numeric bias-ply format.

The main difference between those options is the sizing convention and profile family rather than the rim diameter, since all stay with a 13-inch wheel. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with these equivalents. Actual fit should still be checked against the car's wheels, suspension condition, and available clearance before changing construction.

Either route can make sense on a 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 because both 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial fitments are available. The better choice depends on whether the car is being kept in a period-style presentation or driven with a preference for radial construction.

Bias-ply tires usually appeal to owners focused on vintage appearance, especially when whitewall styling is part of the car's look. Radials appeal to buyers who want a more modern tire format while staying on a 13-inch rim. The safest path is to match the tire choice to the actual wheels on the car and to inspect clearance carefully if anything has been changed from stock.

Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car will be used. On a 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500, that means choosing between 560-13 in bias-ply form and 155R13 in radial form, both on 13-inch rims, rather than treating the decision as a simple brand comparison.

Once the fitment path is clear, compare the details that shape the final choice: wheel width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and overall presentation. A whitewall bias-ply can support a more traditional look, while blackwall radials suit a more European road-use feel. It also helps to inspect the car's current wheels so the chosen tire matches the actual hardware, not just the intended specification.

The available sidewall styles for the 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 include blackwall in the radial 155R13 size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those sidewall differences create a noticeable change in the car's character even when the wheel diameter stays the same.

Sidewall style should be chosen as part of the car's overall appearance, not as an isolated detail. A blackwall radial tends to look more understated and functional, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more traditional presentation. Since sidewall style is tied to specific sizes and constructions here, the appearance decision naturally connects back to whether the car stays bias-ply or moves to radial.

Tires for the 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 are available from Michelin and Dunlop in the radial 155R13 fitment, and from BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. Those brand choices align with the split between a more modern radial path and a more traditional bias-ply path.

Brand should be considered alongside construction, sidewall styling, and tire series rather than treated as the only deciding factor. Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet keep the car in a blackwall radial format, while BFGoodrich and Firestone focus on classic bias-ply presentation with whitewall options. Checking the wheel width first helps narrow the field to the products most appropriate for the actual car.

For a period-style 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in its vintage numeric format and opens the door to traditional whitewall treatments. That combination supports the kind of visual character many restoration-minded owners want from an early-1960s Fiat.

The exact sidewall look still depends on the way the car is being finished, since narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions are both available. If strict originality matters, the final choice should be checked against marque references, period photography, or other vehicle-specific historical documentation. For many owners, though, staying with the proper size and bias-ply construction captures the right overall presentation.

Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 almost as much as the wheel itself. A 560-13 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional period look, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while a 155R13 radial presents a more modern blackwall appearance.

That difference matters because early-1960s European sedans and wagons rely on proportion and restraint for their visual appeal. Choosing bias-ply or radial is not only a driving decision but also an appearance decision. Owners restoring the car for shows, vintage presentation, or a more original feel usually think about construction first, then choose the sidewall style that best suits the finished car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered ride height, replacement suspension parts, or body repairs can all influence how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits in the car.

That is why actual measurement matters on an older vehicle. A tire that matches the intended fitment still needs enough steering, fender, and suspension clearance on the specific car. Any Fiat that has been restored over many years may differ slightly from original condition, so checking wheel width and clearances before installation is smarter than assuming every surviving example is identical.

Before driving a 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then confirm the tires are seated properly and inflated correctly for the chosen setup. It is also worth checking that there is no interference at the fenders, suspension, or steering when the car is at rest and at full lock.

A short, careful road test is the best next step. Listen for rubbing, feel for vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. On an older Fiat, this is also a good time to inspect steering and suspension condition, since worn components can affect how any new tire behaves and can hide fitment issues until the car is actually moving.

Collector-car tires on a 1962 Fiat 1300 & 1500 should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and keep the tires clean and properly inflated for the car's actual use and storage pattern.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a lightly used vintage Fiat. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. It is also wise to roll the car periodically or move it during long storage so the tires are not supporting the same load point for months at a time.