1962 Goggomobil 700 Tires

The 1962 Goggomobil 700 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R12 in radial construction and 520-12 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the model, and both are built for 12-inch rims, so the main distinction is the tire type and sizing format rather than a different wheel diameter.

That means the real fitment decision is whether the car should remain with a traditional numeric bias-ply tire or use the Euro-metric radial size. Before choosing, confirm the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified over the years, and match the tire to the appearance and driving character you want.

The 1962 Goggomobil 700 uses a 12-inch rim with both of its covered tire sizes, 145R12 and 520-12. That shared rim diameter simplifies the basic wheel-size question, since the difference between the two fitments is construction and sizing convention rather than a change in rim diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Wheel width still matters, especially when considering radial-equivalent sizing from the 520-12 bias-ply fitment, and an older collector car may no longer have its original wheels. Checking the wheel stampings or measuring the wheels before selecting tires helps avoid unnecessary fitment surprises.

Yes. The 1962 Goggomobil 700 Wagon uses the same two tire-size paths as the model overall: 145R12 in radial construction and 520-12 in bias-ply construction. That keeps sub-model fitment straightforward, with no separate Wagon-only size to sort out before looking at specific tire options.

Even with shared fitment, the Wagon owner still has a meaningful choice to make. A 520-12 bias-ply keeps the car in a more traditional vintage tire format, while 145R12 follows a classic Euro-metric radial approach. The best selection depends on the car’s current wheels, intended use, and the balance you want between period-style appearance and radial construction.

520-12 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Goggomobil 700. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format and is offered here in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, making it the traditional construction choice among the model’s primary fitments.

That makes 520-12 the size to focus on when the goal is a more period-style presentation, especially since it is available in both blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Anyone considering a move away from bias-ply should treat the radial options as alternatives to evaluate carefully, not as automatic substitutions without checking wheel and vehicle compatibility.

Radial equivalents for 520-12 include 125R12 and P125/75R12. The 125R12 option is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while P125/75R12 is the listed P-metric 75-series radial equivalent for buyers comparing modern radial sizing to the original numeric bias-ply format.

Those two equivalents give different sizing conventions to consider while staying within the same general replacement conversation. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with these radial alternatives, so wheel width should be confirmed before conversion. Clearance, overall tire dimensions, and the car’s current setup also deserve a careful check before changing construction.

Either can be appropriate for a 1962 Goggomobil 700, because this model is covered by both a 520-12 bias-ply size and a 145R12 radial size. The choice depends less on basic fitment than on what the car is being asked to do and how closely you want the tire presentation to reflect a traditional small-car vintage look.

Bias-ply tires usually appeal more to restoration-minded owners who want a classic profile and sidewall style, while radial choices are often considered when road use and modern sizing conventions matter more. Matching the tire to the wheel, the car’s condition, and the intended use is more important than treating one construction as universally right for every Goggomobil.

Start with the correct size and construction choice for the 1962 Goggomobil 700: 520-12 if you want the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, or 145R12 if you want the radial option. Both use a 12-inch rim, so the decision centers on construction, sizing format, and the kind of presentation you want from the car.

After that, compare practical details such as wheel width, sidewall style, brand, and tire series. A small collector car can be sensitive to wheel changes, so confirm the actual wheels on the vehicle before making a final selection. It also helps to think through whether the car is being restored for show-style appearance or prepared for regular road use.

Sidewall choices for the 1962 Goggomobil 700 include blackwall and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product selected. The 520-12 BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply is available in both blackwall and 2.00-inch wide whitewall form, while the 145R12 Michelin MX radial is offered as a blackwall.

That gives the buyer an appearance decision as well as a fitment decision. A blackwall usually keeps the look simple and understated, while a wide whitewall pushes the car toward a more styled vintage presentation. Since sidewall treatment changes the car’s visual character immediately, many owners choose this detail only after deciding between bias-ply and radial construction.

Michelin and BFGoodrich both offer tires for the 1962 Goggomobil 700. Michelin covers the 145R12 radial fitment with the Michelin MX series, while BFGoodrich covers the 520-12 bias-ply fitment through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line in more than one sidewall treatment.

The brand question here is tied closely to construction and style rather than simple name preference. Choosing between Michelin and BFGoodrich also means choosing between radial and bias-ply fitment paths. Once that decision is made, compare the available series and sidewall presentation so the final tire matches both the car’s wheel setup and the look you want.

For a period-style 1962 Goggomobil 700, the 520-12 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it uses the traditional numeric format associated with older tire sizing. It is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, giving restoration-minded owners a vintage-style construction option rather than a modern radial presentation.

Appearance choices still matter within that size. A blackwall keeps the look restrained, while the 2.00-inch wide whitewall creates a stronger vintage visual statement. If exact originality is an important goal, the final call should be checked against marque references, historical photos, or vehicle-specific documentation rather than assuming any currently available sidewall treatment was factory-delivered.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1962 Goggomobil 700 more than many owners expect. A 520-12 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional vintage tire format, while a 145R12 radial introduces a classic Euro-metric look that reads as more modern even though it still suits the car’s small European proportions.

That difference matters because microcars depend heavily on overall stance and scale. A restoration focused on period-style presentation will often lean toward bias-ply construction and the available sidewall choices in that size. A radial can still look appropriate, but it tends to shift the result toward a road-use-oriented presentation instead of a strictly vintage visual impression.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Goggomobil 700 even though the listed sizes are relatively small. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 145R12, 520-12, or a radial equivalent sits in the wheel opening.

That is why the actual car should be inspected before assuming any listed size will suit a modified setup in the same way it suits a stock one. Verify wheel diameter and width first, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and the condition of suspension components. Small vehicles often show fitment changes quickly when wheel or suspension dimensions are altered.

Before driving a 1962 Goggomobil 700 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then confirm that the tires are seated properly and inflated correctly for the application. It is also smart to look over the steering and suspension for looseness, because an older microcar can react noticeably to worn components.

A short initial drive should include checks for rubbing, unusual vibration, pulling, and any sign that the tires are not clearing consistently through turns. After that first outing, recheck inflation and look for fresh marks on the sidewalls or inner wheelhouses. Early inspection catches mounting or clearance issues before they become more serious road-use problems.

Tires on a collector 1962 Goggomobil 700 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when the car is driven sparingly, the tires still deserve attention for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and slow air loss because age and storage conditions can be just as important as mileage.

Collector cars benefit from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment. It also helps to move the car occasionally so one spot on the tire is not carrying the load for too long. If the Goggomobil has sat for an extended period, inspect the tires thoroughly before returning it to regular road use.