1962 Plymouth Valiant Tires

The 1962 Plymouth Valiant uses two primary tire sizes: 650-13 and 700-13. Both are bias-ply sizes for 13-inch wheels, and the Base model can be found with either one. That means the correct starting point is not guessing by appearance, but identifying which size is already fitted to the car or which size matches its wheel and clearance setup.

A Valiant that has been through years of service, restoration, or wheel changes may no longer match its earlier tire setup. Checking the sidewall size marking, measuring the wheel diameter, and confirming wheel width can prevent ordering a tire that changes the car's look or creates clearance concerns. Once the size is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall style, brand, and whether to stay with bias-ply construction or consider a radial equivalent.

The primary tire fitments for a 1962 Plymouth Valiant are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 650-13 and 700-13 use that same wheel diameter, so the main rim question is not diameter variation between sizes, but whether the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels and an appropriate rim width for the tire being considered.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment. Product specifications for these Valiant tire options also show rim-width ranges, and that matters when choosing between the narrower 650-13 and the wider 700-13. A car with replacement wheels, repainted steel wheels, or older aftermarket rims should have the wheel measured before new tires are selected. That quick check helps avoid mismatch between the tire's designed shape and the wheel supporting it.

On a 1962 Plymouth Valiant, 650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 indicates the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a traditional pre-metric sizing format that looks unfamiliar to many modern buyers because it does not use millimeters, aspect ratios, or an R construction code.

Understanding that format helps when comparing period-style tires with modern radial equivalents. A 650-13 is not read the same way as a metric radial size, so it should not be matched by guesswork. If the Valiant is already wearing 650-13 tires, use that as the baseline and then compare radial alternatives, rim-width requirements, and vehicle clearance carefully. That approach keeps the size conversation grounded in the car's actual wheel and tire setup.

For the 1962 Plymouth Valiant, 650-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. The available period-style products in this fitment use bias-ply construction, which suits an owner trying to keep a traditional early-1960s look and the visual character associated with vintage sidewall proportions and whitewall treatments.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be approached as an equivalent rather than the same construction. The choice between bias-ply and radial often comes down to restoration priorities, road-use expectations, and how closely the owner wants to preserve a traditional presentation. Before changing construction, confirm wheel width, wheel condition, and clearance so the new tire matches the car's actual setup rather than just the original size code.

Radial equivalents for 650-13 include 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P185/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. These choices give the 1962 Plymouth Valiant owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply format into radial sizing while staying within the same 13-inch wheel diameter family.

Those equivalents do not all present the tire in the same way. The 80-series and 75-series options follow more conventional radial sizing, the 70-series option reflects a lower-profile format, and the 650R13 bias-look radial is meant to retain a more traditional appearance. A 4-6 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalent choices, but wheel width, clearance, and overall vehicle setup should still be checked before conversion.

That decision depends on what matters most for the car. The original primary fitments for the 1962 Plymouth Valiant are bias-ply sizes, so staying with bias-ply preserves the traditional sizing format and vintage tire appearance. Radial equivalents are available for both 650-13 and 700-13, giving owners another path if they want a modern construction in a comparable size family.

A restoration-focused Valiant often stays with bias-ply because the sidewall shape and general presentation suit the car's period look. A Valiant intended for more frequent road use may lead the owner to evaluate radial options instead. Either way, the smart approach is to start by confirming which primary size the car uses, then compare rim-width compatibility and physical clearance before deciding whether construction change makes sense.

Start with the basics: confirm that 650-13 is actually the size on the car and that the wheel is a 13-inch rim with a compatible width. In this size, the 1962 Plymouth Valiant has bias-ply choices from Coker Classic and US Royal, along with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives the buyer meaningful appearance options within the same traditional sizing format.

After size confirmation, compare the details that change how the tire suits the car. Rim-width specification, sidewall treatment, brand, and tire series all shape the final choice more than the size code alone. A Valiant kept close to period style may call for one whitewall treatment, while a car with a different visual direction may suit another. The right selection is the one that matches the wheel, the car's presentation, and intended use.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Plymouth Valiant tires include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments. In 650-13, both Coker Classic and US Royal offer narrow and wide whitewall choices. In 700-13, the available Firestone option uses a wide whitewall style, giving that size a more limited appearance range among current period-style bias-ply offerings.

Sidewall choice affects the car's look as much as the tire size itself, especially on an early-1960s compact where the whitewall is visually prominent. A narrower stripe gives a more restrained presentation, while a wider whitewall creates a stronger vintage accent. Since the two Valiant sizes do not offer the same sidewall variety, confirm the actual size on the car first and then choose the sidewall style that best matches its restoration or cruising character.

The available brands for 1962 Plymouth Valiant tires are Coker Classic, US Royal, and Firestone. Coker Classic and US Royal appear in 650-13, while Firestone appears in 700-13. That means brand choice is tied directly to the tire size already on the car, not just to buyer preference alone.

Once the size is confirmed, the useful comparison becomes how each brand's offering is configured in that fitment. In 650-13, the decision may involve Coker Classic versus US Royal along with narrow or wide whitewall styling. In 700-13, the choice is more focused because the available product range is narrower. Choosing intelligently starts with the correct size and then moves into sidewall presentation, tire series, and wheel compatibility.

A period-style 1962 Plymouth Valiant usually starts with one of its original-type primary bias-ply sizes, either 650-13 or 700-13, depending on the car's existing setup. From there, the selection becomes more specific: Coker Classic, US Royal, and Firestone all offer traditional-looking bias-ply options within the Valiant's covered fitments, and whitewall treatment plays a major role in the final appearance.

The best restoration-oriented choice is the one that matches the car's current wheel size, preserves the proportions you want, and supports the visual direction of the build. Because exact originality can vary by individual car, owners pursuing highly precise restoration work should compare the tire choice against period photos, marque-club references, and other vehicle-specific documentation. That extra step helps separate a generally period-style tire from one that best suits the car's intended presentation.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel; it also changes how a restored 1962 Plymouth Valiant looks. Bias-ply tires maintain the traditional sizing language and vintage visual character associated with early-1960s compacts, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall sidewalls. Radial equivalents can be useful alternatives, but they may present the tire differently even when chosen as comparable fitments.

That visual difference matters on a car with modest body lines and a relatively small wheel opening, where the tire is easy to notice. Owners who want the Valiant to retain a stronger period impression often keep bias-ply construction in the primary size. Owners leaning toward regular road use may still consider a radial, but should compare the resulting look at the same time they check wheel width, dimensions, and fender clearance.

Yes. Modifications can change how either 650-13 or 700-13 works on a 1962 Plymouth Valiant, even though both are correct primary size families for the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, and body or brake conversions can all influence whether the tire clears the fenders, steers freely, and sits properly on the rim.

A Valiant that still uses stock-type 13-inch wheels may be straightforward, but any change in wheel shape or chassis height deserves a closer look before tire selection. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, inspect clearance at full steering lock, and make sure the tire size already on the car is not being used as the only proof of fit. On modified cars, current configuration matters more than the original catalog size alone.

Before driving a 1962 Plymouth Valiant on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then verify that the tires are inflated properly for the intended setup. A close visual check should also include sidewall condition, bead seating, tread uniformity, and enough clearance around the fenders and suspension to avoid rubbing once the car is moving and steering under load.

Collector cars often sit for long periods, so the inspection should extend beyond the tire itself. Look at brake function, wheel fastener torque, steering feel, and signs of suspension wear that might affect how the tire tracks on the road. A short, careful test drive is a smart way to confirm that the chosen 650-13 or 700-13 setup behaves as expected before the car is taken on regular drives or longer trips.

650-13 tires on a collector 1962 Plymouth Valiant should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even a low-mileage car can develop age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or sidewall deterioration when it sits for extended periods. That makes routine inspection just as important as occasional driving mileage.

Good maintenance also means keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and ozone-producing equipment during storage. The tires should be checked for cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and changes in ride or steering feel each time the Valiant is brought back into use. A collector car benefits from being exercised periodically, but every return to the road should begin with the same careful tire and wheel inspection.