1962 Pontiac Tempest Tires

The 1962 Pontiac Tempest uses three primary tire sizes: 6.50-15, 600-15, and 670-15. All three are bias-ply sizes for 15-inch rims, but they do not apply across the entire model range in the same way. Base models are associated with 6.50-15 and 600-15, while Wagon and w/Air versions are associated with 6.50-15 and 670-15.

That means the right starting point is the exact Tempest sub-model, followed by the wheel that is actually on the car today. A restored or modified car may no longer wear its original wheel setup, so checking rim diameter and current tire size before replacing anything helps narrow the decision to the proper vintage fitment.

The 1962 Pontiac Tempest uses 15-inch rims with its primary tire sizes. The bias-ply fitments tied to this model family are 6.50-15, 600-15, and 670-15, and each of those sizes is built around a 15-inch wheel diameter. That shared rim diameter makes wheel-size confirmation straightforward even though the Tempest uses more than one tire size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though, especially on a collector car that may have changed wheels over time. Wheel width still matters when comparing available tires or considering a radial equivalent, so it is smart to verify both the 15-inch diameter and the actual wheel width before settling on a replacement.

The 1962 Pontiac Tempest has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model. Base versions are associated with 6.50-15 and 600-15, while Wagon and w/Air versions are associated with 6.50-15 and 670-15. All of them remain 15-inch bias-ply fitments, but the size range changes depending on the specific Tempest configuration.

For a buyer, that means the decision is not just about finding any 15-inch vintage tire. The exact Tempest version needs to be identified first, and the current wheel setup should be checked next. That extra step helps avoid choosing a narrower or wider fitment simply because it looks similar on paper.

On the 1962 Pontiac Tempest, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses vintage numeric sizing and belongs to the original-style bias-ply fitment family for this model. A radial version does exist as an equivalent in 670R15, but that radial option is an alternative size interpretation rather than the original primary construction for the Tempest.

That distinction matters because construction choice affects both appearance and wheel matching. A buyer keeping a traditional early-1960s presentation will usually focus on the 670-15 bias-ply offerings, while someone considering radial behavior should compare the radial equivalent carefully against wheel width, tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. These choices cover several modern sizing conventions while keeping the same 15-inch wheel diameter as the original Tempest fitment.

Each equivalent should be treated as an alternative to evaluate, not as an automatic swap. Rim width guidance for these 670-15 equivalents is 5-7 inches, and the car should also be checked for actual wheel width, suspension condition, steering clearance, and fender room before converting from the original bias-ply sizing format.

A 1962 Pontiac Tempest owner considering radial tires should first confirm the original bias-ply size on the specific sub-model, then compare it with the available equivalent size for that same fitment. For 600-15, the radial alternatives are 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. For 670-15, the choices are 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15.

The next step is verifying the wheel itself, not just the tire label. Wheel width, 15-inch rim diameter, tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and the overall condition of the suspension should all be reviewed before changing construction. On a modified Tempest, those checks become especially important because the current setup may differ from the original arrangement.

Choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1962 Pontiac Tempest starts with making sure that size belongs to the specific sub-model and wheel setup on the car. From there, the main variables are construction, sidewall treatment, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. In this size, the available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply tires across several vintage-oriented product lines.

The best way to narrow the field is to decide what matters most for the finished car. A restoration-minded Tempest may lean toward a particular whitewall presentation, while a more understated driver may suit a blackwall. Comparing rim-width requirements, load figures where shown, and overall appearance helps separate similar-looking 670-15 options.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 1962 Pontiac Tempest. In 600-15, available products include blackwall and wide whitewall choices. In 670-15, the selection is broader and includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs across several brands and series, giving the Tempest owner a meaningful appearance decision within the correct vintage sizing range.

That choice has a noticeable effect on the car’s finished look even when the size and construction stay the same. Buyers chasing a restrained driver presentation often compare blackwall and narrow whitewall options, while a more pronounced early-1960s visual statement may point toward a wide whitewall. Appearance should still be weighed alongside size, wheel compatibility, and intended use.

Tire brand availability for the 1962 Pontiac Tempest depends on size, but the strongest selection appears in 670-15. Brands in that size include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. For 600-15, BFGoodrich options are available in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations.

Brand is only one part of the decision on a vintage Tempest. It makes more sense to compare brands alongside tire series, sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and the kind of look the car is meant to carry. That approach keeps the selection focused on fitment and presentation instead of choosing on name alone.

A period-style 1962 Pontiac Tempest tire choice begins with the correct original-type size for the specific sub-model, since the car uses 6.50-15, 600-15, or 670-15 depending on configuration. All of those primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, which keeps the Tempest in the visual and construction language of its early-1960s era. Within that framework, blackwall and whitewall treatments can shift the finished look substantially.

The right choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained driver, a restoration-oriented street car, or a more formal early-1960s presentation. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and historical vehicle documentation are worth checking before settling on a sidewall style, since period-style and exact as-delivered appearance are not always the same thing.

Tire construction affects more than ride and handling on a restored 1962 Pontiac Tempest; it also changes the car’s overall visual character. The primary Tempest fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction preserves the traditional sizing format and vintage presentation associated with the model. On sizes that have radial equivalents, the tire can still remain on a 15-inch rim while taking on a more modern sizing convention.

For many restorations, the visual question is whether the car should retain a distinctly period-style tire profile or move toward a radial alternative for road use. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap on 670-15 applications, but the result should still be checked against wheel width, stance, and the look the restoration is trying to achieve.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1962 Pontiac Tempest, even when the chosen size is one of the correct vintage fitments. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how a 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15 tire sits and clears. That becomes even more important when comparing a bias-ply tire to a radial equivalent.

A Tempest that has been lowered, widened, or updated with different wheels should be measured rather than assumed to match stock fitment. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, and fender clearance before purchase is the safest way to avoid a mismatch. Those same checks should be repeated any time the car changes from bias-ply to radial construction.

Before driving a 1962 Pontiac Tempest on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter and confirm that the wheel width suits the tire being installed. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, even bead seating, and any obvious shipping or mounting damage. Lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel condition also deserve attention before the car goes back on the road.

After the car is rolling again, it helps to recheck clearance at full steering lock and look for any signs of rubbing. A low-use collector car should also have its suspension, brakes, and alignment reviewed, since fresh tires can reveal long-standing issues elsewhere. A short, cautious test drive is a smart way to confirm everything is settling in properly.

670-15 tires on a collector 1962 Pontiac Tempest should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Even when tread looks good, a lightly used vintage car can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, cuts, or bulges simply from long periods of storage. Those checks matter whether the Tempest stays on bias-ply tires or moves to a radial equivalent.

Storage habits play a big role in tire life on a collector car. Keeping the Tempest away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. Before any longer outing, inspect the tread and sidewalls closely and make sure the car has not developed clearance problems from suspension settling or wheel changes.