1962 Rover 80 & 100 Tires

The 1962 Rover 80 & 100 uses two primary tire sizes: 600-15 and 640-15. Both are bias-ply fitments for 15-inch wheels, so the car is not limited to a single size across every setup covered here.

The practical choice is confirming which of those two sizes matches the actual wheels and fitment on the car. Since both sizes share the same rim diameter, the difference comes down to the tire’s section-width class, the look you want, and whether the Rover remains on its original-type wheel configuration.

The primary tire sizes for the 1962 Rover 80 & 100 mount on 15-inch rims. Both 600-15 and 640-15 are built around that same wheel diameter, so rim diameter is consistent across the covered fitments.

Wheel diameter is only part of the check, though, because wheel width still matters when comparing tires or considering a radial alternative. Measuring the actual wheel on the car is worthwhile, especially on a collector vehicle that may have had replacement wheels fitted at some point in its life.

A 600-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

That sizing system is different from modern metric radials, so it helps to read it as a traditional bias-ply designation rather than trying to compare it directly to a current passenger-car tire label. On a 1962 Rover 80 & 100, understanding that format makes it easier to choose between staying with a period-style bias-ply tire or evaluating a radial equivalent carefully.

On the 1962 Rover 80 & 100, 600-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the older numeric sizing system and is offered in traditional bias-ply construction rather than as a primary radial fitment.

That matters because staying with bias-ply keeps the tire in the same basic construction family as the original-style fitment. A radial can still be considered through an equivalent size, but the owner should compare wheel width, overall setup, and intended use before changing construction on a vintage Rover.

For 600-15, radial equivalents include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. For 640-15, the equivalent radial sizes are 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15.

Those options span an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial for each original size. Recommended rim-width ranges are 4-5 inches for 600-15 and 5-6 inches for 640-15, and any conversion should be checked for wheel compatibility and vehicle clearance before use.

Start by identifying whether the car is currently set up for 600-15 or 640-15, then match that size to its correct radial-equivalent group. From there, confirm the actual wheel diameter and wheel width before choosing an 80-series, 75-series, or 70-series radial option.

A radial equivalent is an alternative, not an automatic substitute, so clearance at the fenders and steering should still be verified. It also helps to inspect suspension condition and make sure the car has not been altered with different wheels, ride height changes, or other modifications that could affect fitment.

Begin with the correct primary size for the car, since the 1962 Rover 80 & 100 can use either 600-15 or 640-15 depending on its setup. After size, the next decisions are construction type, brand, sidewall style, and the overall presentation you want from the tire.

A buyer choosing among available tires should also compare the wheel-width specifications that accompany each product, especially if the car has been apart or restored. Once the fitment side is settled, the choice becomes one of blackwall versus whitewall styling and which classic tire series best matches the Rover’s intended look.

Tires for the 1962 Rover 80 & 100 are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The exact sidewall treatment depends on the tire size and the product series being considered.

That gives the owner room to shape the car’s appearance without changing away from the correct size family. A blackwall tends to keep the look understated, while whitewall options create a more formal period-style presentation, so sidewall choice often comes down to restoration direction and the character you want the Rover to project.

The 1962 Rover 80 & 100 has tire options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across the available 600-15 and 640-15 bias-ply offerings, with the broadest assortment centered on 640-15.

Brand is only one part of the decision, because the available series and sidewall treatments vary as well. Comparing the tire series, whitewall or blackwall presentation, and wheel-width specifications will usually tell you more than the brand name alone when narrowing the right tire for a specific Rover.

A period-style approach starts with the correct primary bias-ply size, either 600-15 or 640-15, depending on the car’s actual setup. From there, the decision usually comes down to whether a blackwall or whitewall presentation better suits the Rover’s restoration direction.

Bias-ply construction preserves the traditional tire format used by the car, which matters visually on a saloon of this era. When exact originality is important, tire size and general appearance should be checked against marque references or restoration records rather than assuming any current brand or whitewall width is automatically authentic.

Construction changes the visual character of the tire as much as the driving feel. On a restored 1962 Rover 80 & 100, a bias-ply tire maintains the traditional vintage look associated with the car’s original-era fitment.

A modern radial equivalent can be useful for owners who want an alternative sizing format, but the tire will not present exactly the same way as a bias-ply. That is why restoration-minded buyers often decide on construction first, then compare sidewall style and brand within the size that suits the car.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1962 Rover 80 & 100 even when the intended size is still 600-15 or 640-15. Different wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all influence what fits properly.

That is especially important when considering a radial equivalent, because the tire may sit differently on the wheel than a bias-ply. Any Rover that has been restored, lowered, or fitted with non-original wheels should be checked for steering clearance, wheel compatibility, and space around the body before road use.

Before driving, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and inflation pressure, then look closely at the new tires for proper seating and any signs of shipping or mounting damage. It also helps to verify that the installed size matches the Rover’s intended wheel and fitment.

A short test drive should be followed by another visual check for rubbing, uneven clearance, or air loss. On an older car, the surrounding suspension and steering components deserve attention as well, since worn bushings, play in the front end, or brake issues can affect how a fresh set of tires behaves.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even if the Rover is driven only occasionally. Check for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and tread wear, and keep the tires properly inflated for storage and road use.

Long idle periods can be just as hard on tires as mileage, so storage matters. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle periodically or taking it on short drives can help prevent flat-spotting on a vintage bias-ply setup.