1962 Triumph Spitfire Tires

The 1962 Triumph Spitfire is associated with two tire sizes: 560-13 in a bias-ply construction and 155R13 in a radial construction. Both use a 13-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and sizing format matches the car’s current setup and intended use.

A Spitfire that still carries narrow original-style wheels may point you toward the bias-ply option, while a car already set up for radial use may suit 155R13. Checking the wheel width and the tire type already on the car helps prevent mixing assumptions about appearance, handling feel, and wheel compatibility.

Both primary tire sizes associated with the 1962 Triumph Spitfire use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 560-13 bias-ply fitment and the 155R13 radial fitment, so the wheel diameter itself remains consistent even though the tire construction and sizing conventions differ.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width also matters, especially if the car has been changed over time or fitted with aftermarket wheels. Before selecting a tire, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car so the chosen 13-inch tire matches both the rim and the Spitfire’s available clearance.

The 1962 Triumph Spitfire Base is associated with the same two fitment paths: 560-13 as a bias-ply tire and 155R13 as a radial tire. There is no separate sub-model-specific tire size split here, so the Base follows the same overall 13-inch fitment pattern for this model year.

That keeps the decision centered on construction rather than trim differences. A buyer choosing tires for the Base should focus on whether the car is being kept in a more period-style bias-ply configuration or driven on radial tires, then confirm the wheel width and current chassis setup before final selection.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 Triumph Spitfire. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, where the 560 designation reflects the nominal section width class and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

Choosing 560-13 keeps the car in a traditional construction style and opens the door to period-style whitewall presentations. Because bias-ply and radial tires can call for different wheel-width considerations and produce a different overall feel on the road, it is smart to verify the wheel setup and avoid assuming that any 13-inch tire behaves the same.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. These are equivalent-size alternatives rather than additional primary bias-ply fitments for the 1962 Triumph Spitfire.

The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, which makes wheel measurement especially important before conversion. It also helps to compare the actual tire dimensions, suspension clearance, and fender room on the car, particularly if the Spitfire has seen wheel changes or other modifications over the years.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the current bias-ply setup. For a 560-13 Spitfire, radial-equivalent choices include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches for those equivalent options.

The next step is checking practical fitment around steering travel, fenders, and suspension components. A car that has been lowered, fitted with replacement wheels, or altered during restoration may not respond the same way as a stock-height example, so clearance and wheel compatibility deserve as much attention as the tire size itself.

The first consideration is whether the car should stay with a bias-ply 560-13 tire or use the 155R13 radial fitment. After that, compare wheel width, sidewall style, tire series, and the overall look you want the finished Spitfire to have, since the available options range from blackwall radials to whitewall bias-ply tires.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward the traditional presentation of 560-13, while a driver-focused Spitfire may point toward 155R13 radial choices. It also helps to review tire weight and load figures where available, then match those details to the car’s actual wheel setup and the kind of road use expected.

The available sidewall styles for 1962 Triumph Spitfire tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear in the radial 155R13 fitment, while narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments are available in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment.

That sidewall split makes appearance an important part of the buying decision. A blackwall radial gives the car a cleaner sports-car presentation, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a stronger vintage visual statement. The right choice depends on whether the Spitfire is being finished for period-style looks, general enjoyment, or a blend of the two.

Tires for the 1962 Triumph Spitfire are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, giving buyers a mix of construction types and visual styles.

Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than as a stand-alone decision. On this Spitfire, the biggest dividing line is still radial versus bias-ply, so choosing a brand makes the most sense after the correct construction and overall presentation have already been settled.

A period-style 1962 Triumph Spitfire usually starts with the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That size keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and is available in traditional bias-ply tire series from BFGoodrich and Firestone, making it the more natural choice when the goal is an earlier visual character rather than a later radial presentation.

The final decision still depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what look you want from the finished vehicle. Whitewall width and brand selection can change the visual impression, so buyers focused on exact historical detail should compare the tire choice with marque references, period photography, and restoration records for their specific car.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1962 Triumph Spitfire; it also changes the car’s overall visual stance and presentation. The 560-13 bias-ply fitment carries a more traditional vintage look, while the 155R13 radial option presents the car in a more modernized manner, especially with blackwall-only choices.

Sidewall treatment plays into that difference as well. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options are available in 560-13, while the radial 155R13 choices are blackwall. That makes construction part of the restoration conversation, particularly for owners trying to balance authenticity of appearance with the practical appeal of radial tires.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Triumph Spitfire even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can alter how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits and moves through steering and suspension travel.

A Spitfire with aftermarket wheels or suspension work deserves a closer fitment check before new tires go on. Turn the steering from lock to lock, inspect fender and inner-clearance areas, and make sure the chosen tire matches the actual wheel dimensions rather than assuming the car still has its original setup.

Before driving a 1962 Triumph Spitfire on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general state of the suspension and steering. It also helps to confirm that the tires are seated properly, inflated evenly, and free from any immediate interference with bodywork, brake components, or steering movement.

Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so a quick road-use inspection matters even after fresh tires are installed. Look for fluid leaks that could reach the tires, listen for rubbing on the first few miles, and recheck pressure after initial use so the new setup settles in without avoidable fitment or maintenance issues.

Maintain 560-13 or 155R13 tires on a collector 1962 Triumph Spitfire by checking pressure regularly, inspecting tread and sidewalls for cuts or cracking, and watching for bulges or slow air loss. Because low-use cars age differently than daily drivers, visual condition and storage environment matter just as much as remaining tread depth.

Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. It is also wise to inspect the tires before each driving season and again before a longer trip, since a lightly used collector car can develop age-related tire issues long before the tread appears worn out.