1962 Ford Cortina Tires

The 1962 Ford Cortina uses two primary tire sizes: 155R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch tire sizes, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire's sizing system, construction, and overall style direction for the car.

Choosing between them starts with the wheel and the type of setup you want. A Cortina kept closer to a traditional vintage presentation may favor the 560-13 bias-ply route, while a car set up around radial tires may use 155R13 instead. It is smart to confirm actual wheel width and inspect for any wheel or suspension changes before making the final selection.

The 1962 Ford Cortina uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 155R13 and 560-13. That shared rim diameter simplifies the first step of fitment because the buyer does not have to sort between multiple wheel diameters for this application.

Rim diameter is only part of the decision, though. The available tires do not all share the same wheel-width requirements, so confirming the actual width of the wheel matters before choosing between bias-ply and radial options. On an older car, it also helps to verify that the wheels are original size or that any replacement wheels still suit the intended tire.

The 1962 Ford Cortina Base is associated with the same two tire-size choices used on this model: 155R13 as a radial and 560-13 as a bias-ply. That means the sub-model does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or an additional specialty size in this fitment range.

The practical choice is therefore about construction and presentation rather than tracking down a different sub-model size. A buyer can focus on whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply look or moving to a radial format, then compare the wheel-width requirements and the tire's sidewall style, series, and brand options before making a decision.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Ford Cortina. It uses the older numeric sizing format and represents the more traditional construction choice available for this car, with period-style options offered in whitewall treatments rather than the blackwall radial presentation seen in 155R13 products.

That matters because construction affects both appearance and how the tire should be matched to the wheel. The available 560-13 tires also have specific wheel-width ranges that differ from the radial offerings, so the wheel should be measured rather than assumed. For a restoration-minded owner, 560-13 keeps the decision centered on vintage character as much as basic fitment.

Radial equivalents for the 1962 Ford Cortina's 560-13 bias-ply size 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 alternatives rather than additional primary bias-ply sizes.

Each option uses a 13-inch rim, but the buyer should still check the recommended wheel-width range, along with overall clearance at the suspension and fenders. The equivalent guidance points to a 4 to 5 inch rim-width range, which is a useful starting point when evaluating a radial conversion instead of assuming any 13-inch wheel on the car will automatically suit every alternative.

Either path can be appropriate on a 1962 Ford Cortina because both a primary bias-ply size, 560-13, and a primary radial size, 155R13, are available. The better choice depends on whether the car is being kept in a more traditional presentation or set up around radial construction and the wheel requirements that come with it.

A bias-ply choice keeps the car visually closer to an earlier tire style, especially with whitewall options, while a radial choice moves toward a later-format tire selection in blackwall form. The smartest approach is to match the tire to the vehicle's current wheels, suspension condition, and use pattern, then verify wheel width and clearance before changing construction.

Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is set up. A 1962 Ford Cortina can use either 560-13 in bias-ply form or 155R13 in radial form, so the decision is less about rim diameter and more about choosing the proper construction, sizing format, and compatible wheel width.

After that, compare the tire's series, sidewall style, and brand options to your goals for the car. A restoration-oriented owner may lean toward whitewall bias-ply choices, while a driver focused on radial construction may prefer the blackwall Michelin or Dunlop offerings. Wheel width, load-related specifications, and the car's actual stance or modifications should all be checked before final selection.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Ford Cortina tires include blackwall in the 155R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. That creates a clear appearance split between the radial and bias-ply choices rather than a single sidewall style across every product.

Sidewall selection should match the visual direction of the car as well as the chosen construction. A blackwall radial gives the Cortina a cleaner, later-style presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls push the look toward a more traditional vintage character. Appearance alone should not decide the purchase, though, because wheel-width compatibility still needs to line up with the selected tire.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all offer applicable tires for the 1962 Ford Cortina across its two fitment paths. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial side, while BFGoodrich and Firestone provide 560-13 bias-ply choices with different whitewall presentations.

Brand alone should not make the decision. It helps more to compare which brand is available in the construction, tire series, and sidewall style that suit the car you are building. Once the preferred style direction is clear, check the tire's wheel-width range and any load specification details so the chosen brand also matches the Cortina's physical setup.

For a period-style 1962 Ford Cortina, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a vintage numeric tire format and opens the door to narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling. That approach tends to suit buyers who want the tire itself to contribute to an earlier visual character.

The exact sidewall treatment still comes down to the look you want rather than an automatic originality claim. When strict authenticity matters, it helps to compare your car against marque references, historical photos, or restoration documentation. Even with appearance as the priority, the selected tire should still match the wheel width and the car's actual running setup.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1962 Ford Cortina almost immediately. A 560-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, especially in whitewall form, while a 155R13 radial in blackwall form moves the look toward a cleaner and more modernized road-use appearance.

That difference matters on a compact classic where the tire sidewall is a visible part of the stance. Buyers restoring for show, preservation, or a distinctly earlier look often begin with the bias-ply route, while drivers who want a radial-format tire may accept a different visual character. Either way, the final choice should respect wheel dimensions and the car's intended use.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Ford Cortina even when the nominal tire size is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork differences can all influence whether a 155R13 or 560-13 tire has proper clearance in real driving conditions.

A modified Cortina should be checked at the wheel openings and around steering travel rather than relying only on the size stamped on the sidewall. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect clearance at the fenders and suspension. That is especially important when moving between bias-ply and radial construction because wheel-width requirements may differ.

Before driving a 1962 Ford Cortina on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even bead seating, and any obvious issues such as cuts, bulges, or unexpected air loss after installation.

A short, careful road test is a smart next step on any vintage car. Pay attention to clearance while steering lock to lock and while the suspension settles over bumps. It also helps to recheck air pressure and wheel fastener torque after the first drive, especially if the car has not been used regularly or has recently received wheel or brake work.

Collector-car tires on a 1962 Ford Cortina should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is running 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, low annual mileage does not prevent age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or sidewall deterioration.

Periodic inspection is especially important if the car sits for long stretches. Keep the Cortina away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tread and sidewalls before every road outing. Any sign of damage, unusual wear, or persistent pressure loss should be evaluated before the car is driven at normal road speeds.