The 1963 BMW 700 belongs to an important chapter in BMW’s small-car history, blending compact dimensions with the crisp, rear-engine character that made the 700 such a distinctive European economy and sporting car. Today, these cars attract owners who value light weight, simple mechanical charm, and period presentation. Tire fitment on the 1963 BMW 700 stays rooted in 12-inch bias-ply sizes, with 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12 appearing across the covered configurations. That keeps the decision focused on the exact sub-model, traditional bias-ply appearance, and, where applicable, whether a modern radial equivalent is worth evaluating. Careful wheel and fitment confirmation matters before making any change.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 BMW 700
The 1963 BMW 700 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All three are bias-ply sizes for 12-inch rims, so the first step is confirming whether the car is an LS Coupe or a Sport & Cabrio and then verifying the wheel setup currently on the car before choosing among the available tire options.
A 5.60-12 size uses vintage numeric bias-ply sizing, where 5.60 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 12 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1963 BMW 700, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s period-style small-diameter wheel setup. It appears alongside other narrow 12-inch sizes across the covered sub-models, so selection starts with confirming which configuration and wheel package the car actually has. This size is a useful choice for owners who want to stay with a stock-looking bias-ply presentation and keep the car visually aligned with its era.
A 520-12 tire is also a vintage numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating an approximate 5.2-inch nominal section width and the final number indicating a 12-inch rim. For the 1963 BMW 700, it is one of the narrower period fitments and remains centered on traditional bias-ply construction. Available 520-12 products include BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, offered in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. This size is especially relevant when preserving a narrow, authentic-looking small-car profile while still comparing sidewall treatment and wheel-width compatibility.
The 5.50-12 designation follows the same vintage numeric bias-ply system, with 5.50 describing the nominal section width and 12 calling for a 12-inch wheel. On a 1963 BMW 700, this size sits close to the other covered fitments and should be chosen only where the sub-model and wheel setup call for it. Its role is less about modern sizing interpretation and more about preserving the correct small-car stance and traditional bias-ply character. Owners considering this size should confirm the exact sub-model and inspect the current wheels carefully, especially if the car has been restored or modified over time.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1963 BMW 700 because the covered versions do not all use the same tire size combination. Identifying whether the car is an LS Coupe or a Sport & Cabrio is the key first step before narrowing the tire choice to the correct 12-inch bias-ply size.
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1963 BMW 700 LS Coupe
The 1963 BMW 700 LS Coupe uses 12-inch bias-ply sizing and is associated with both 5.60-12 and 520-12 fitment. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since the practical decision is not just the tire brand or sidewall style but making sure the car’s current rims match the intended narrow vintage size.
The 1963 BMW 700 Sport & Cabrio also stays with 12-inch bias-ply construction, but its covered fitments differ from the LS Coupe by using 5.50-12 and 5.60-12. Tire selection should therefore begin with the exact car configuration and wheel setup, especially when the goal is a period-style look or a careful restoration-minded replacement.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1963 BMW 700
For the original 520-12 tire size, two radial-equivalent options are available. 125R12 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, and P125/75R12 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent. No 70-series radial or bias-look radial equivalent is associated with this size here. These alternatives give the 1963 BMW 700 owner two different modern sizing formats to compare against the original bias-ply size, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches. Wheel compatibility, overall dimensions, and clearance should still be checked before converting.
Modern Radial Equivalents
125R12
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (520-12)
P125/75R12
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (520-12)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1963 BMW 700 Tires for Sale
Available 520-12 tires focus on traditional bias-ply presentation, with BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The main comparison points are blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, along with rim-width compatibility and other period-style details.
These FAQs for the 1963 BMW 700 cover the key fitment questions: which 12-inch tire size applies, how sub-model fitment differs, when a radial equivalent enters the discussion, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 BMW 700?
The 1963 BMW 700 uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, since the LS Coupe is associated with 5.60-12 and 520-12, while the Sport & Cabrio is associated with 5.50-12 and 5.60-12.
That means the first step is identifying the car correctly and confirming the wheels that are actually on it today. Many small vintage cars have seen wheel swaps or restoration changes over the years, so checking the current rim diameter and the intended period-style fitment is more useful than assuming every 1963 BMW 700 uses the same tire.
What size rim does a 1963 BMW 700 use?
The covered tire sizes for a 1963 BMW 700 all use a 12-inch rim diameter. That applies across 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12, so the tire choice stays within one wheel diameter even though the section widths vary slightly by size and sub-model.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a small vintage BMW. Wheel width should also be checked, especially when considering the 520-12 size or looking at a radial equivalent for that fitment. Cars that have been modified, restored with replacement wheels, or stored for long periods deserve an extra inspection before a new tire is selected.
Do all 1963 BMW 700 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the covered 1963 BMW 700 sub-models do not all share the same tire size combination. The LS Coupe is associated with 5.60-12 and 520-12, while the Sport & Cabrio is associated with 5.50-12 and 5.60-12, so there is overlap but not complete uniformity.
That overlap can make it tempting to assume any 12-inch bias-ply size will do, but the better approach is to verify the exact sub-model and the wheel setup already on the car. On a light, narrow vintage chassis, small changes in section width can affect appearance and fitment, especially around clearance and the overall stance.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 520-12 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1963 BMW 700?
For the 1963 BMW 700, 520-12 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses vintage numeric sizing and remains part of the car’s traditional 12-inch fitment story rather than being a modern radial size in its original form.
That matters because a buyer deciding on 520-12 is really choosing between keeping the original-style bias-ply construction or comparing one of the available radial equivalents for the same general fitment intent. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and the car’s present suspension and clearance should all be reviewed before moving away from the original construction type.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 520-12?
Radial equivalents for 520-12 include 125R12 as the 80-series metric radial option and P125/75R12 as the P-metric 75-series radial option. No 70-series radial equivalent or bias-look radial equivalent is associated with 520-12 here.
Those two alternatives give the 1963 BMW 700 owner a choice between a Euro-metric radial format and a P-metric radial format while staying in the same 12-inch wheel family. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, and the final decision should still account for wheel compatibility, clearance, and how closely the finished look matches the car’s intended character.
What should I check before converting my 1963 BMW 700 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the original tire size you are replacing has a stated radial equivalent, since only 520-12 has one here. Then verify the wheel diameter, wheel width, and the exact radial size under consideration, such as 125R12 or P125/75R12, before assuming the conversion is appropriate.
A small vintage car like the BMW 700 benefits from careful clearance checks at the fenders and steering range, along with a close look at suspension condition and ride height. The car’s current setup may differ from its original form, so radial conversion should be approached as a fitment evaluation rather than an automatic replacement decision.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 520-12 tire for a 1963 BMW 700?
The main considerations are confirming that 520-12 is the correct size for the car, staying with the intended 12-inch rim, and deciding what kind of appearance suits the vehicle. In available 520-12 products, the biggest visible distinction is sidewall style, with both blackwall and wide whitewall versions offered in bias-ply construction.
Beyond appearance, compare practical details such as rim-width compatibility and any stated load information. The BFGoodrich 520-12 options also share the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the choice is less about changing the tire’s character and more about matching the car’s restoration direction, visual presentation, and wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 BMW 700 tires?
For the available 520-12 products associated with the 1963 BMW 700, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Both stay within a traditional bias-ply presentation, but they create very different visual results once mounted on a compact early-1960s BMW.
A blackwall usually gives the car a restrained, understated period look, while a wide whitewall creates a more decorative vintage presentation. The right choice depends on how the car is being restored or displayed, and it is worth checking photos, marque references, or the overall trim and wheel treatment before settling on the sidewall style.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 BMW 700?
Among the available products tied to this fitment, BFGoodrich offers 520-12 tires for the 1963 BMW 700. Those options appear in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and keep the focus on a traditional small-size bias-ply tire rather than a broad multi-brand product spread.
Because the available product range is narrow, choosing the right tire comes down more to correct size, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility than to comparing several brands against one another. If the car uses one of the other primary sizes, the first priority is still verifying that exact fitment before using available 520-12 product choices as a guide.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 BMW 700?
A period-style 1963 BMW 700 build starts with the correct original-format bias-ply size for the exact sub-model, whether that is 5.60-12, 520-12, or 5.50-12. Keeping the proper narrow 12-inch bias-ply look preserves the visual character that suits a small early-1960s BMW much better than an arbitrary modern substitute.
The next decision is appearance within that correct size, especially if 520-12 is the target and blackwall or wide whitewall options are under consideration. When exact originality matters, the safest path is to compare the car against marque-club guidance, historical photos, or restoration records instead of assuming every period-style tire treatment was used the same way.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1963 BMW 700 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1963 BMW 700 restoration because the car’s proportions are closely tied to its narrow 12-inch wheels and vintage bias-ply sizing. Using the right size family helps maintain the proper stance, sidewall shape, and overall visual balance of the finished car.
Fitment also affects the practical side of the restoration. A tire that departs too far from the intended dimensions or construction can change how the car sits and may introduce clearance questions that distract from an otherwise careful build. On a small collector car, tire choice is part of the restoration presentation, not just a maintenance item.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 BMW 700?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 BMW 700 even when the original tire sizes are all based on 12-inch rims. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body repairs can all change how a vintage bias-ply or radial-equivalent tire sits in the car.
That is especially important on a compact vehicle with tight proportions. A car that has been lowered, fitted with replacement wheels, or rebuilt after decades of use should be checked for steering clearance, fender space, and wheel compatibility before a new tire is mounted. Small differences matter more on a small chassis.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 BMW 700 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the tire size matches the car’s actual fitment, and make sure each tire is mounted on the correct 12-inch rim. It is also wise to check for proper inflation, secure valve stems, and any obvious clearance concerns at the fenders or steering range.
A collector BMW that has spent time parked deserves a broader inspection as well. Look at suspension bushings, steering components, brake condition, and wheel hardware so the car is ready to use the new tires safely and predictably. The tires may be new, but the rest of the chassis still needs to be ready for the road.
How should 520-12 tires on a collector 1963 BMW 700 be maintained?
Maintain 520-12 tires on a collector 1963 BMW 700 by checking inflation regularly, watching for air loss, and inspecting the tread and sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or age-related deterioration. This matters even more on a car that is driven infrequently, since storage time can be harder on old-style tire applications than steady use.
Storage conditions make a difference too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Regular visual checks are worthwhile before every outing, and any sign of unusual wear should prompt a closer look at alignment, wheel condition, or suspension health.
