1962 Opel Olympia Tires

A 1962 Opel Olympia uses two primary tire sizes: 590-13 in bias-ply construction and 165R13 in radial construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they represent different tire-sizing systems and different construction types, so the choice is not simply between two labels that mean the same thing.

The practical question is whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply setup or run with a radial setup. Before selecting either size, confirm the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years, then compare the tire’s construction and appearance to the way the Opel is intended to be used.

The 1962 Opel Olympia uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 590-13 bias-ply fitment and the 165R13 radial fitment, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire construction and sizing format change.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width also matters, particularly when comparing a narrower bias-ply wheel setup to a radial-compatible setup. A buyer should confirm the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming every surviving Olympia still has its original wheel specification, because later replacement wheels can affect which tire size and construction are appropriate.

590-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 refers to an approximate 5.90-inch nominal section width, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1962 Opel Olympia, it represents the bias-ply fitment path rather than a radial size written in modern metric form.

That matters because a 590-13 tire carries both a different construction style and a different visual character than a 165R13 radial. Owners choosing this size are usually looking for a more traditional presentation, so the next step is confirming that the wheel and intended use suit a bias-ply tire rather than assuming any 13-inch tire will serve the same role.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Opel Olympia. It is the vintage numeric fitment path for this car, while 165R13 is the radial-format fitment path. The two sizes share the same 13-inch rim diameter but represent different construction types and sizing conventions.

Choosing between them affects more than the size code on the sidewall. A bias-ply tire often appeals to owners focused on period-style appearance, while a radial path may suit a car set up for modern road use. Wheel width, the car’s present wheel setup, and the desired look should all be checked before changing construction.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. In that group, 165R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R13 is the 75-series P-metric alternative, and P175/70R13 is the 70-series P-metric alternative. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches accompanies this equivalent path.

Those sizes give an Olympia owner several ways to compare a radial alternative to the original bias-ply fitment, but equivalency should not be treated as automatic interchangeability. The right approach is to check wheel width, wheel condition, tire dimensions, and available clearance at the fenders and steering components before deciding which radial format makes sense.

That decision depends on how the 1962 Opel Olympia is being preserved and driven. A 590-13 bias-ply tire supports a more traditional early-1960s appearance, while the 165R13 radial path follows a later-style radial setup on the same 13-inch wheel diameter. Both fitment directions appear for this model.

Owners focused on restoration-minded presentation often start with the bias-ply option, especially when sidewall style matters to the car’s look. Buyers planning regular road use may lean toward the radial path, but the wheel width and overall setup still need verification first. Matching the tire to the car’s intended use is more important than choosing by construction alone.

Start with the construction choice, because a 1962 Opel Olympia can run either 590-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial tires on a 13-inch rim. That decision shapes the car’s visual character, the type of tire series available, and the wheel-width requirements that matter before a tire is mounted.

After construction, compare sidewall style, brand, and the way the Opel will actually be used. The available 590-13 option emphasizes period-style appearance with a wide whitewall, while 165R13 offers blackwall radial choices from Michelin and Dunlop. Wheel width, load figures where given, and the condition of the car’s wheels should all be part of the comparison.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Opel Olympia tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears with the 165R13 radial options, while wide whitewall appears with the 590-13 bias-ply option. That means sidewall appearance is closely tied to the construction path and size being considered.

A buyer choosing on appearance should look at sidewall style together with tire construction rather than treating sidewall treatment as a separate cosmetic detail. The wide whitewall gives the Olympia a more traditional presentation, while the blackwall radial options create a cleaner, more understated look. The best match depends on whether the car is being set up for restoration-style display or regular road use.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer tire options for the 1962 Opel Olympia. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich appears in the 590-13 bias-ply fitment. The available radial series include Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet.

Brand choice should follow size and construction, not the other way around. Once the Olympia owner decides between the bias-ply and radial paths, the remaining comparison becomes more specific: blackwall radial series from Michelin or Dunlop, or a wide whitewall bias-ply from BFGoodrich. Checking rim-width compatibility and the intended appearance helps narrow the field quickly.

For a period-style 1962 Opel Olympia, the 590-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point. It uses the older numeric bias-ply format and is available with a wide whitewall, which gives the car a more traditional early-1960s visual presentation than the blackwall radial options in 165R13.

That does not make every 590-13 automatically correct for every restoration goal, especially when exact originality matters. Owners pursuing a highly detailed restoration should compare tire appearance against marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific documentation. For many buyers, though, the main advantage of the 590-13 path is its stronger period-style character on a 13-inch wheel.

Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1962 Opel Olympia as much as it changes the size format. A 590-13 bias-ply brings a more traditional look, especially with a wide whitewall, while a 165R13 radial creates a more modernized presentation with blackwall sidewalls and a later-style metric size designation.

That appearance difference matters because compact European cars can look noticeably different once the tire profile and sidewall treatment change. A restoration-minded owner should choose construction in line with the car’s intended finished character, then verify that the wheel setup supports that choice. The tire should complement the Olympia’s proportions rather than simply satisfy the rim diameter.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Opel Olympia even when the car still uses a 13-inch wheel. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can all influence whether a 590-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial setup remains appropriate on the car.

An Olympia with aftermarket wheels or altered suspension should be checked carefully before a tire is chosen. The important points are wheel diameter, wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and space at the fender openings. Those checks matter even more when changing from one construction type to another, because the wheel and vehicle setup may no longer match the original intent.

Before driving a 1962 Opel Olympia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the car’s setup. It is also smart to check valve stems, balance, inflation, and visible clearance around suspension and body components.

Collector cars often sit for long periods, so a broader inspection is just as important as the tire installation itself. Look over steering and suspension condition, brake function, and whether the car tracks and turns freely without rubbing. A short local test drive, followed by another pressure and visual check, is a sensible final step before regular road use.

Tires on a collector 1962 Opel Olympia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and storage habits that reduce unnecessary aging. Whether the car wears 590-13 bias-ply tires or 165R13 radials, low annual mileage does not prevent sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or age-related deterioration.

The car should be inspected before each driving season and again before longer trips. Watch for cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign of rubbing after suspension or wheel changes. Keeping the Opel out of prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and any collector car with questionable tire condition deserves a professional inspection before road use.