1962 Ford-Taunus 17M Tires

The 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M uses three primary tire sizes: 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13. The Base model can use either 165R13 radial or 590-13 bias-ply tires, while the Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply tires. All of these fitments are built around a 13-inch rim, but they are not the same size or construction.

That makes the first step identifying whether the car is a Base or a Wagon, then confirming whether it is set up for a radial or bias-ply tire. A restored or modified car may no longer be on its original-style wheels, so checking the actual wheel dimensions and the current tire clearance is just as important as reading the size on the sidewall.

The 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M uses a 13-inch rim across its listed tire sizes. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment as well as the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply fitments. Even though the tire sizes differ by width class and construction, they share the same basic rim diameter.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the full fitment question, because wheel width still matters. The available products show different rim-width ranges depending on size, so a 13-inch wheel that works with one tire may not suit another equally well. Measuring the actual wheel before changing size or construction helps avoid clearance and compatibility issues.

No, the 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M does not use one shared tire size across all covered sub-models. The Base model uses either 165R13 radial or 590-13 bias-ply fitment, while the Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply. That means the correct tire depends on the exact version of the car as well as the wheel setup already on it.

This matters because the difference is not just a sidewall marking; it changes the type of tire you should be comparing. A buyer working on a Base model may be deciding between radial and bias-ply presentations, while Wagon owners are matching a larger bias-ply fitment or reviewing its radial-equivalent options. Checking the sub-model first prevents choosing from the wrong size family.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M. It is one of the primary fitments used on the Base model and represents a vintage numeric bias-ply format rather than a metric radial size. The available tire in this size is a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a wide whitewall sidewall treatment.

That makes 590-13 the right starting point for a buyer who wants to retain a traditional look and a period-style construction. If the goal is to move from bias-ply to radial, the tire size should not be changed casually. Wheel width, actual rim condition, and the car's available clearance should all be checked before choosing one of the listed radial-equivalent alternatives.

For 590-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. For 640-13, the radial equivalents are 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, with 650R13 serving as the bias-look radial option. These alternatives span Euro-metric, P-metric 75-series, P-metric 70-series, and bias-look radial formats depending on the original size.

Those options give a buyer several ways to compare radial construction without treating every equivalent as identical. The recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches for 590-13 equivalents and 4 to 6 inches for 640-13 equivalents. It is smart to confirm wheel width, overall vehicle clearance, and the intended appearance before deciding which equivalent format makes the most sense.

Start by confirming the original bias-ply size on the car, then match it only to a radial equivalent that belongs to that same size family. On the 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M, 590-13 and 640-13 each have their own radial-equivalent options, and they do not lead to the same alternatives. Rim diameter stays at 13 inches, but width requirements can change.

A careful conversion also means checking the actual wheel width, the condition of the wheels, and the space available at the fender, steering, and suspension points. Cars that have been restored, lowered, or fitted with different wheels deserve extra attention. The decision is not only about construction; it is also about preserving proper proportions and avoiding avoidable fitment surprises.

A 165R13 tire for a 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M should first be chosen by confirming that the car is a Base model using the radial fitment. After that, the main factors are brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility. In this size, the available choices are blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, including Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet.

Those differences matter most when the goal is to match the look and use of the car rather than simply fill a 13-inch wheel. A buyer should compare the actual wheel width to the tire's approved range and consider whether the car is being kept in a restoration-oriented presentation or driven more regularly. Staying within the correct size family keeps the decision focused and practical.

The available sidewall styles for the 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M are blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear in the 165R13 radial size, while the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply offerings use wide whitewall sidewalls. That creates a clear visual split between the radial and bias-ply product groups shown for this vehicle.

Sidewall style affects the car's presentation as much as the size marking does. A blackwall radial tends to suit a more understated or European road-use appearance, while a wide whitewall bias-ply leans into a stronger period-style visual statement. The right choice depends on whether the car is being preserved as a traditional-looking collector vehicle or set up with a more modern radial look.

Tires for the 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M are available from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment in blackwall form, while BFGoodrich covers the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply sizes through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. That gives the car a mix of radial and traditional bias-ply brand options depending on fitment.

The practical choice still starts with the correct size and construction for the specific car, not with brand alone. Once the right fitment is confirmed, comparing brands makes more sense in terms of tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width suitability. That approach helps narrow the selection without treating all three brands as interchangeable across every 17M configuration.

A period-style choice for a 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M usually starts with the primary size and construction used on the specific sub-model. That means 590-13 bias-ply for a Base in bias-ply form or 640-13 bias-ply for a Wagon, both offered here with wide whitewall styling. A Base model already using 165R13 radial fitment calls for a different visual and construction approach.

The key is matching the tire to the presentation you want without assuming one sidewall or construction is universally correct for every car. Buyers pursuing exact restoration standards should compare their car against marque-specific historical references and surviving examples. For many owners, staying with the proper size family and a traditional sidewall treatment is the most useful starting point.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M as much as it changes the way the size is written on the sidewall. The bias-ply options, especially with wide whitewalls, create a distinctly vintage presentation. The 165R13 radial fitment uses blackwall tires and gives the car a cleaner, more modern European road-car appearance.

That difference matters because many restorations are judged first by proportion and stance, not just by mechanical correctness. A car that looks right on bias-ply may feel visually different once switched to a radial format, even when the wheel diameter stays the same. Owners should think about the finished look of the car before deciding that construction is only a driving-related choice.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M even when the tire size appears close to the intended specification. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, or bodywork revisions can change the space available for the tire. That matters on a car with multiple primary sizes and both bias-ply and radial fitment paths.

A modified car should be measured rather than assumed to match stock dimensions. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance is especially important when moving from a bias-ply size to a radial equivalent. Small setup changes can influence what works comfortably, so the actual car in front of you should guide the final fitment decision.

Before driving a 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, proper width, and any signs of damage or corrosion that could affect mounting and sealing. It also helps to confirm that the tire size on the car matches the intended sub-model fitment. Basic checks should include valve condition, air pressure, and visible clearance around the tire.

A short, careful road test is the right next step after installation. Listen and feel for rubbing during turns, suspension movement, and normal straight-line tracking. Collector vehicles that sit for long periods deserve extra attention to brakes, steering components, and wheel fasteners as well, since tire replacement often reveals other age-related issues that should be addressed before regular road use.

Tires on a collector 1962 Ford-Taunus 17M should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and close attention to age-related condition. Even a car that sees limited mileage can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or hidden damage from long storage. That applies to both the bias-ply and radial fitments used on this vehicle.

Good storage habits help preserve the tires between drives. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can slow deterioration, and moving the car occasionally can help reduce flat spotting. Before any longer trip, inspect tread and sidewalls carefully and confirm that the tires still suit the actual wheels and current setup on the car.