1962 Mercury Comet Tires

A 1962 Mercury Comet uses 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply tire sizes on 13-inch rims. The Base model can use either 600-13 or 650-13, while the Wagon uses 650-13. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes, with the first number indicating nominal section width and the final number identifying the rim diameter.

The practical next step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking what is on the car now, especially if wheels have been changed over the years. Once the correct primary size is established, selection becomes more about sidewall style, brand, and whether to keep the traditional bias-ply construction or explore one of the radial-equivalent alternatives tied to that size.

The 1962 Mercury Comet uses a 13-inch rim with both primary tire sizes, 600-13 and 650-13. That means rim diameter stays consistent even though the vehicle can use more than one tire size. The difference between those two sizes is in the tire’s nominal section width rather than a change in wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is worth checking actual wheel width before choosing a tire. The available 600-13 products are built for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, while the 650-13 products are built for 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims. That helps narrow the correct choice when a Base model could be running either size.

No. The 1962 Mercury Comet does not use one single tire size across every covered sub-model. The Wagon uses 650-13 bias-ply tires, while the Base model can use either 600-13 or 650-13. That makes the Comet a case where sub-model and existing wheel setup both matter before settling on a tire.

For a buyer, that means it is not enough to know only the year, make, and model. Checking whether the car is a Base or Wagon, then confirming the wheels actually installed, helps prevent ordering a size that matches one Comet configuration but not another. On a Base car, the current wheel width can be especially useful in sorting out which size makes the most sense.

For the 1962 Mercury Comet, 600-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric bias-ply format, where the 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the 13 indicates rim diameter. That makes it part of the original-style sizing language most buyers associate with compact American cars of the early 1960s.

Staying with 600-13 bias-ply construction keeps the traditional size format and period-style presentation intact. A radial equivalent can still be considered, but it should be treated as an alternative rather than the same thing in a different material. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be reviewed before moving away from the primary bias-ply fitment.

Radial equivalents for 650-13 include 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P185/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. Those alternatives give the 1962 Mercury Comet owner several ways to compare a traditional 650-13 bias-ply fitment with more modern radial sizing formats.

The useful distinction is that these choices are not all aimed at the same appearance or profile. A bias-look radial keeps a more traditional visual character, while the metric and P-metric sizes follow newer sizing conventions. The recommended rim-width range for 650-13 equivalents is 4 to 6 inches, so wheel width, body clearance, and the car’s intended use should be checked before converting.

That depends on what matters most for the car. The primary fitments for a 1962 Mercury Comet are 600-13 and 650-13 in bias-ply construction, so bias-ply remains the starting point for period-style sizing and appearance. Radial equivalents are available for both sizes, including metric, P-metric, and a bias-look radial option for 650-13.

A restoration-oriented Comet often stays with bias-ply because the sizing format and sidewall presentation match the era more closely. A car driven more regularly may lead the owner to compare radial alternatives instead. The best approach is to begin with the correct primary size for the specific Comet, then verify wheel width and vehicle clearance before changing construction.

Start by confirming that 650-13 is the correct primary size for the specific 1962 Mercury Comet, since the Wagon uses it and the Base model may as well. From there, compare bias-ply construction, sidewall style, brand, and tire series. In this size, choices include Coker Classic and US Royal products in classic bias-ply lines with either wide whitewall or narrow whitewall styling.

Wheel width matters too, because the available 650-13 bias-ply products are built around a 4.50 to 5.00-inch rim-width range. That makes this more than an appearance choice alone. The right selection should match the car’s existing wheels, the look you want under the body, and whether the goal is a more restoration-oriented presentation or a starting point for evaluating radial equivalents.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Mercury Comet tires are narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. In 600-13, BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.00-inch wide whitewall. In 650-13, Coker Classic and US Royal offer 1.00-inch narrow whitewalls and wider whitewall options as well.

That makes sidewall style one of the biggest visual decisions on this page, especially for a compact car whose tire and wheel package is easy to see. A wider whitewall gives the Comet a stronger early-1960s presentation, while a narrower whitewall looks a bit more restrained. The best choice depends on how original-looking, dressy, or understated the finished car is meant to appear.

The 1962 Mercury Comet has tire options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal. BFGoodrich appears in 600-13 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, while Coker Classic and US Royal offer 650-13 tires in their respective classic bias-ply series. That gives the Comet buyer more than one brand path, depending on size and appearance preference.

Brand should be compared alongside the actual tire size, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. A 600-13 buyer is choosing within a different brand set than a 650-13 buyer, so the right sequence is size first, then construction and fitment details, then the visual differences between the available brand and series combinations.

A period-style 1962 Mercury Comet usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the specific car: 600-13 or 650-13. Both use the vintage numeric sizing format that suits an early-1960s compact Mercury. From there, the choice becomes one of sidewall presentation and brand or series preference rather than moving immediately to a modern sizing convention.

For a Base model, confirming whether the car is set up for 600-13 or 650-13 is especially important before deciding on appearance details. A wide whitewall creates a stronger early-1960s visual statement, while a narrow whitewall is more restrained. When exact originality matters, the smartest next step is comparing the car against marque references, period photos, or restoration documentation.

On a restored 1962 Mercury Comet, tire construction influences both the visual character and the sizing language seen at a glance. Bias-ply tires keep the original-style numeric format of 600-13 or 650-13, which tends to look more natural on an early compact car. Radial equivalents can work visually, but they introduce newer metric or P-metric sizing conventions unless a bias-look radial is used.

That difference matters most on cars built with a strong restoration or period-style focus. A traditional bias-ply with the right whitewall treatment often supports the car’s era better than a modern-looking sidewall and size code. If road use is the higher priority, a radial alternative may still be worth evaluating, but the change should be made with wheel fitment and overall presentation in mind.

Yes. Modifications can change how well a tire size works on a 1962 Mercury Comet, even when the size itself is appropriate for the model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, lowering, or body work can all affect clearance and stance. That matters on this car because it already has more than one primary tire size depending on configuration.

A Base model owner should be especially careful, since both 600-13 and 650-13 may be seen on the car. Before choosing a tire, inspect the wheel diameter and actual wheel width, then look at fender and steering clearance at full lock. Any shift from the original wheel setup can influence whether a traditional bias-ply size or a radial equivalent remains a sensible choice.

Before driving a 1962 Mercury Comet on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 13-inch diameter and confirm that the rim width matches the tire being installed. Then check valve stems, wheel condition, lug hardware, and visible clearance around suspension and fender openings. It is also wise to verify inflation, especially on a collector car that may have sat for long periods.

The tires themselves should be examined for proper seating, even sidewall appearance, and any immediate signs of air loss after installation. A cautious first road test can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or clearance issues that are easier to correct early. On an older Comet, good tire fitment works best when the surrounding wheel and suspension components are in equally sound condition.

Collector-car tires on a 1962 Mercury Comet should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 600-13 or 650-13, look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss. Low-use classic cars can age tires out before they wear them out, so appearance and condition matter as much as tread depth.

Good storage makes a difference, especially for a car parked for long stretches. Keeping the Comet away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect the car before longer trips rather than assuming little-used tires are ready for road use simply because they still show strong tread.