1963 Fairthorpe Electron Tires

The 1963 Fairthorpe Electron is associated with two tire sizes: 155R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire’s sizing system and construction type.

That means the choice usually comes down to how the car is currently equipped and how it will be used. A restoration-oriented setup may point toward 560-13 bias-ply, while a radial-equipped car may be better matched to 155R13. Before choosing, confirm the actual wheel width on the car and make sure the present suspension and body clearance still suit the intended tire.

The 1963 Fairthorpe Electron uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its associated tire sizes. That applies whether the car is running the 560-13 bias-ply fitment or the 155R13 radial fitment, so rim diameter remains consistent across the two primary size paths.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though, especially on a lightweight specialty sports car. Wheel width matters as well, because the available 560-13 bias-ply products and 155R13 radial products do not all share the same width range. It is worth measuring the wheels already on the car rather than assuming every 13-inch wheel is equally suitable.

A 560-13 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation. The 560 portion refers to an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width, and the 13 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1963 Fairthorpe Electron, this is the traditional bias-ply tire size associated with a period-style presentation.

Understanding that format helps separate the original-style bias-ply fitment from modern radial sizing language. A 560-13 is not just another way of writing 155R13, even though radial equivalents are available for comparison. If the car has been changed over to different wheels or has a mixed tire setup from an earlier owner, verify the actual wheel width and current clearances before choosing.

On the 1963 Fairthorpe Electron, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment associated with the car, while 155R13 is the radial size that appears alongside it on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup choices. The 560-13 products available here include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, which suit a more traditional presentation. A switch away from bias-ply should not be treated as automatic, since wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and steering or body clearance still need to be checked.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial. These are alternative radial sizing formats associated with the original bias-ply size rather than additional primary fitments.

Each equivalent represents a slightly different way of translating the older bias-ply size into radial language. The recommended rim-width range attached to the equivalent fitment is 4 to 5 inches, which makes wheel measurement especially important. Clearance at the fenders and steering, along with the car’s current wheel and suspension setup, should be reviewed before any conversion is finalized.

Start by confirming the exact wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare that wheel setup to the radial size being considered. For a 560-13 conversion path, the available radial equivalents include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches tied to the equivalent fitment.

After the wheel is confirmed, inspect front and rear clearance through steering travel and suspension movement. A small sports car can be sensitive to changes in tire profile and section width, especially if wheels, ride height, or suspension parts have been changed over the years. It is also wise to confirm that the overall appearance and driving feel still match what you want from the car.

The first decision is whether the car will stay with the 560-13 bias-ply fitment or use the 155R13 radial fitment. From there, look at wheel width, construction type, sidewall treatment, tire series, and any load or dimensional details that matter for how the Fairthorpe is driven and presented.

A period-style appearance may lead toward one of the whitewall bias-ply options, while a more road-oriented radial setup points toward the blackwall 155R13 choices. Because this is a compact specialty car, it makes sense to confirm the wheels actually on the vehicle before comparing brands or series. That step keeps the selection focused on tires that suit both the car’s look and its hardware.

The available sidewall styles for the 1963 Fairthorpe Electron include blackwall in the 155R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those sidewall differences create very different visual results even though both fitment paths stay within a 13-inch wheel diameter.

Choosing among them depends on how traditional or understated you want the car to appear. Blackwall radials keep the look cleaner and more sporting, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a stronger vintage presentation. Sidewall style should be matched to the construction and wheel setup you intend to use rather than treated as a cosmetic detail alone.

The 1963 Fairthorpe Electron has tire options from Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, and from BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those brand choices reflect the split between a classic radial route and a more traditional bias-ply route for this car.

Brand alone should not make the decision. It helps more to compare the correct size, construction, sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility for the specific setup on the car. A Michelin or Dunlop radial serves a different purpose than a BFGoodrich or Firestone bias-ply whitewall, so the right choice depends on the look and driving character you want to preserve.

For a period-style presentation, the 560-13 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point on a 1963 Fairthorpe Electron. It preserves the older numeric size format and is available in classic bias-ply series with traditional whitewall treatments, which gives the car a distinctly vintage visual character.

That does not mean every whitewall or brand choice is automatically historically exact for every restored car. If exact originality is important, the final appearance should be checked against marque references, period photography, or restoration documentation specific to the car. For many owners, though, staying with the 560-13 bias-ply format is the clearest way to maintain a restoration-minded look.

Tire construction changes more than ride and handling feel on a restored 1963 Fairthorpe Electron; it also changes how the car sits visually. A 560-13 bias-ply keeps the older-size format and supports traditional whitewall styling, while a 155R13 radial gives the car a more modern blackwall presentation.

That visual difference can be important on a small British specialty sports car where the tires are prominent in the overall stance. Owners aiming for a more period-inspired restoration often focus on bias-ply appearance first, while owners building a road-use driver may accept the radial look more readily. The most satisfying choice is usually the one that matches both the car’s purpose and its visual intent.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Fairthorpe Electron even when the nominal tire size remains the same. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits within the car’s available space.

That matters because this is a compact sports car, and small changes can have an outsized effect on steering clearance and body clearance. Any car that has been restored, rebuilt, or modified over the years should be measured rather than assumed to match original geometry. A quick check at full steering lock and normal ride height can prevent avoidable fitment surprises.

Before road use, inspect the tire pressure, bead seating, valve stems, and wheel hardware, then verify that the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering and movement. It is also smart to look over the wheels themselves for damage, corrosion, or width issues that could affect how either 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial tires sit.

A collector sports car often spends long periods parked, so the first drive should include a broader walkaround. Check for any rubbing marks, uneven suspension stance, fluid leaks that may contaminate the tires, and signs of abnormal air loss after installation. Short local driving before a longer outing gives the best chance to catch any setup issue early.

Tires on a collector 1963 Fairthorpe Electron should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and uneven wear, and stored away from prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on a lightly used specialty car.

Regular inspection is especially important if the car sits for long periods between drives or events. Moving the car occasionally can help reduce flat spotting, and a quick pressure check before each outing is worthwhile on both radial and bias-ply tires. Any persistent vibration, pulling, or loss of air should be investigated promptly rather than treated as normal old-car behavior.