1962 Ford Consul Tires

The 1962 Ford Consul uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in a bias-ply format and 145R13 in a radial format. Both are built around a 13-inch rim, so the main fitment distinction is tire construction and sizing system rather than wheel diameter.

Choosing between them depends on how the car is set up now and what kind of result is desired. A Consul kept in a more period-style configuration may stay with 520-13, while a radial-equipped car may use 145R13. On any older vehicle, it is smart to confirm the actual wheel width and inspect for previous wheel or suspension changes before selecting a tire.

The primary tire sizes for a 1962 Ford Consul are both built for a 13-inch rim. That applies to the 520-13 bias-ply size and the 145R13 radial size, so rim diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions differ.

Rim diameter is only the first part of the fitment check on a car of this age. Actual wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a radial alternative to a bias-ply setup. Measuring the wheel already on the car and checking for any aftermarket replacements helps narrow the choice before looking at sidewall style, tire series, or radial-equivalent options.

Yes. The 1962 Ford Consul Cortina follows the same primary fitment path as the model overall, using 520-13 in bias-ply form and 145R13 in radial form. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or a unique tire-size family.

The practical decision is whether the car should remain in the traditional bias-ply size or continue with a radial setup. That choice affects appearance, tire selection, and how the car feels on the road. It is still worth checking the wheels on the individual car, since many collector vehicles have seen wheel swaps or other changes over the years.

520-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Ford Consul. It uses the older numeric sizing system common on compact cars of the period, and it represents the traditional fitment style among the Consul’s primary tire choices.

That matters because a bias-ply tire has a different construction, visual profile, and selection path than a radial. Buyers looking for a period-style appearance often begin with 520-13, especially when whitewall options are part of the goal. Anyone moving away from it should compare wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and fender or steering clearance before treating a radial equivalent as a workable alternative.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These are equivalent-size comparisons for the original bias-ply fitment, not additional primary factory sizing formats.

Each option uses a different sizing convention and profile family, so the decision is not just about finding another 13-inch tire. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the equivalent comparison, and the owner should also check wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s current setup before making the change from 520-13 to any radial alternative.

That depends on the car’s purpose and the style of presentation you want. A 1962 Ford Consul can be equipped in the traditional 520-13 bias-ply size or in the 145R13 radial size, so the choice is between two legitimate primary fitment directions rather than one mandatory construction.

Bias-ply tends to appeal to owners pursuing a more vintage look, especially with whitewall choices, while radial tires may suit owners focused on a more modern road-going setup. Neither decision should be made by size code alone. Checking the existing wheel dimensions and making sure the car has adequate clearance helps avoid problems when changing construction or moving to an equivalent radial option.

Start with the car’s present wheel setup and the result you want from the tire. The 1962 Ford Consul uses 520-13 in bias-ply form and 145R13 in radial form, both on 13-inch rims, so the decision comes down to construction, appearance, and how closely the tire choice matches the car’s intended use.

After size and construction, compare details that affect selection within the correct fitment path. Available choices vary by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width specification. On an older vehicle, it also helps to check whether the wheels are original-style pieces or later replacements, since that can influence whether a bias-ply size, radial size, or radial equivalent makes the most sense.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Ford Consul tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear in the radial 145R13 size, while the 520-13 bias-ply range includes both blackwall and whitewall presentations depending on the tire series and brand.

That gives the owner a meaningful appearance choice even before brand or series is considered. A blackwall tire generally creates a simpler, understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the car toward a more distinctly vintage presentation. The best starting point is to match the sidewall style to the overall restoration direction and then confirm the tire’s size, construction, and wheel compatibility.

Tires for the 1962 Ford Consul are available from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Firestone cover the 145R13 radial side with blackwall offerings, while Firestone and Premium Sport supply 520-13 bias-ply options in several visual styles.

Brand choice matters mostly as part of a larger selection process rather than as a stand-alone answer. It helps to compare each brand’s available size, construction, tire series, sidewall treatment, and any stated rim-width or load specification. Once the correct fitment path is established, those details do more to narrow the field than the brand name alone.

For a period-style 1962 Ford Consul, the 520-13 bias-ply size is usually the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format associated with the car’s era. Within that size, there are blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices that shape the car’s visual character in different ways.

The right version depends on how authentic or personalized the restoration is meant to be. A carefully preserved original-style car may call for a restrained presentation, while another build may suit a more pronounced whitewall treatment. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, and the specific car’s restoration goals rather than choosing by size alone.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1962 Ford Consul as much as the sidewall style does. A 520-13 bias-ply keeps the car in its older sizing language and tends to support a more traditional visual presentation, while a 145R13 radial gives the car a more modernized replacement-tire character.

That difference can matter even when both tires fit the same 13-inch wheel diameter. A restoration focused on period flavor may lean toward the bias-ply route, especially if whitewalls are part of the look. A driver-oriented restoration may still prefer a radial, but it should be selected with attention to wheel width, proportions, and whether the final appearance still suits the car’s early-1960s styling.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1962 Ford Consul even when the size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body alterations can all affect how a 520-13, 145R13, or radial-equivalent tire sits and clears the car.

That is especially important on older cars that may have changed hands many times. Before choosing a tire, inspect the actual wheel diameter and width, then look at fender clearance and steering clearance at full lock. A car that has been lowered or fitted with non-stock wheels may need a closer fitment review than one that still carries its original-style setup.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. On the tires themselves, make sure inflation is set correctly for the chosen tire, and check for proper seating, even clearance, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground.

A short, careful test drive is a good follow-up, with attention paid to pull, vibration, unusual noises, and contact during turning or compression. Collector cars that have sat for long periods also deserve a look at wheel hardware, brake condition, and any fluid leaks before longer road use. Those checks help confirm that the car is ready for the new tire setup.

Maintain 520-13 or 145R13 tires on a collector 1962 Ford Consul by checking inflation regularly, inspecting tread and sidewalls, and watching for cracks, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss. Since collector vehicles often spend long periods parked, tire condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage habits make a real difference on a lightly used car. Keeping the Consul away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the rubber over time. It is also wise to inspect the tires before each driving season and before any longer trip, because age-related deterioration can appear even when the vehicle has seen only limited mileage.