1962 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M uses three primary tire sizes: 155R13 radial, 560-13 bias-ply, and 590-13 bias-ply. The Base model appears with either 155R13 or 560-13, while the Wagon uses 590-13. All of these sizes are built around a 13-inch rim.

The practical difference is that tire choice is tied to the exact sub-model and, for the Base, the construction style you want to run. A buyer should confirm whether the car is a Base or Wagon, then check the current wheel size and width before selecting a tire, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point.

The tire fitments used on the 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M are all built for a 13-inch rim. That applies to the 155R13 radial as well as the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire sizes themselves vary across the model line.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the actual wheel on the car before choosing tires. Wheel width can vary by tire size and product, and that matters if the Taunus has replacement steel wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a mixed set assembled during an older restoration.

No. The 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M Base can use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, while the 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. The model line shares a 13-inch rim diameter, but the actual tire size and construction path are not the same across both sub-models.

That means a Wagon owner should not assume the Base tire size is appropriate, and a Base owner should not assume every 13-inch tire in the range belongs on the car. Matching the sub-model first helps narrow the decision to the correct fitment family before comparing whitewall style, brand, radial alternatives, or other product details.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M. It appears on the Base model as a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, using a 13-inch rim and a traditional sizing system that predates modern metric radial sizing.

That matters because a buyer comparing 560-13 with 155R13 is also comparing construction style, not just size notation. Bias-ply tires can be important to owners pursuing a more traditional appearance, while any move toward a radial equivalent should involve checking wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming every radial in the same rim diameter will suit the car.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 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 alternative radial sizing formats associated with the same basic fitment family, and the recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches.

The useful distinction is that these equivalents step through different sizing conventions and profile families rather than representing one identical tire in three labels. A buyer considering one of them should compare the actual wheel width on the Taunus, then verify section fit, overall clearance, and the intended look of the finished installation before making the change from bias-ply.

Start by confirming the original bias-ply size used on the car and then matching it to the appropriate radial equivalent family. For this model line, 560-13 can be compared with 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13, while 590-13 can be compared with 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13.

A conversion should also include checking wheel width, wheel condition, suspension health, and clearance at the fenders and steering stops. Cars that have sat for long periods or have been altered over the years deserve extra attention, since changed ride height, replacement wheels, or prior bodywork can affect whether a radial alternative suits the car's real-world setup.

The key factors are the exact sub-model, the correct primary size, and whether the car is staying with bias-ply construction or using a radial fitment. A Base may use 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply, so the right starting point depends on the specific car in front of you.

From there, compare the practical details that shape the finished result: wheel width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and the kind of appearance or road use you want. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a period-style whitewall bias-ply, while a driver-focused Base may lead the buyer toward one of the radial-format options.

Sidewall choices for the 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on the tire size and construction selected. The radial 155R13 products are blackwall, while the bias-ply 560-13 and 590-13 options bring the whitewall choices into the mix.

That means sidewall style is tied closely to the size and tire type you choose rather than being a simple cosmetic add-on across the whole range. Buyers should decide whether they want a cleaner radial blackwall look or a more traditional whitewall presentation, then confirm that the selected sidewall treatment exists in the correct size for the specific Taunus sub-model.

The 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone across its applicable sizes. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 155R13 radial range, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, and BFGoodrich also appears in 590-13.

Brand choice should be considered alongside construction, series, sidewall styling, and wheel compatibility instead of treated as the only decision. A buyer comparing tires for this Taunus will usually get more value from matching the correct size and intended look first, then using brand and series differences to narrow the selection within that proper fitment.

For a period-style presentation, the bias-ply sizes are the natural starting point on the 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M. The Base can use 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply, both of which preserve the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction associated with the era.

The final choice depends on the sub-model and the visual effect you want from the completed car. Whitewall width can change the car's character noticeably, so it helps to compare the available narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options against the restoration's overall style, especially when originality matters as much as simple drivability.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M; it also changes the visual language of the car. A bias-ply tire in 560-13 or 590-13 supports a more traditional presentation, while a 155R13 radial brings a later-style metric look and a blackwall-only product mix in the available range.

That difference can matter on a small European Ford where tire shape and sidewall treatment are highly visible. Buyers aiming for a restoration-oriented appearance often start by deciding whether the car should read as period-style or more driver-focused, then match the tire construction and sidewall style to that goal without assuming one approach suits every restored example.

Yes. A 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M may have the correct nominal tire size on paper and still present fitment issues if it has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, replacement springs, brake conversions, or body repairs that changed wheel positioning. Even with the same 13-inch rim diameter, width and clearance can shift enough to matter.

That is especially important when moving from a bias-ply size to a radial equivalent or when buying a car that has been restored over many years. Checking the actual wheel width, steering travel, fender clearance, and suspension condition before installation helps avoid choosing a tire that suits the catalog size but not the car's present setup.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire beads are seated properly, and make sure inflation is correct for the tire being installed. It also makes sense to check that the tires clear the fenders, suspension, and steering components throughout the full range of motion, especially on a freshly mounted set.

A broader safety walk-around is equally worthwhile on a collector-era car like the Taunus 12M. Look for worn suspension parts, loose wheel hardware, fluid leaks, and uneven stance that could point to an underlying chassis problem. A short, careful test drive followed by a second inspection can catch rubbing, air loss, or vibration before longer use.

Collector-car tires on a 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, and irregular wear. Since many surviving cars are driven infrequently, tire condition matters just as much as tread depth, and long periods of storage can age a tire without adding many miles.

Good storage habits help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, and move it occasionally if possible to reduce flat spotting. Before each driving season or a longer trip, recheck pressure, sidewalls, valve stems, and overall tire age rather than relying on appearance alone.