1963 Ford Cortina Tires

A 1963 Ford Cortina uses either a 560-13 bias-ply tire or a 155R13 radial tire. Both sizes are associated with this model year, and both the Base and GT sub-models share those same fitment paths on 13-inch rims.

The practical choice is not just the size code but the type of setup on the car today. A Cortina kept close to a period-style presentation may stay with 560-13, while a car using radial construction may point toward 155R13. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the fenders and suspension should be confirmed before settling on either direction.

The 1963 Ford Cortina uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire fitment options. That applies whether the car is using the 560-13 bias-ply size or the 155R13 radial size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage compact car. Bias-ply and radial products in these sizes can call for different rim-width ranges, so the wheel should be measured rather than assumed to be correct simply because it is 13 inches across. That extra check becomes especially important if the car has replacement wheels or has been updated over time.

Yes. The covered 1963 Ford Cortina sub-models use the same two tire-size paths: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. That shared fitment applies to both the Base and GT.

Even with the same size choices across sub-models, the car still needs to be evaluated as it sits today. A restored Cortina on narrow original-style wheels may be better matched to the bias-ply option, while a car already set up around radial tires may lead in the other direction. Checking the current wheels and the tire style already on the car helps avoid mismatching construction to the wheel.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1963 Ford Cortina. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment and uses the same 13-inch rim diameter as the radial alternative, but it represents the more traditional construction style for this car.

That matters because a bias-ply tire is often chosen as much for appearance and period feel as for fitment itself. The available 560-13 products also use narrower rim-width ranges than the radial offerings, so the actual wheel should be checked before making a selection. Owners considering a switch from bias-ply to radial should compare wheel width and vehicle clearance instead of assuming the change is automatic.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These are the radial comparison sizes associated with the original 560-13 bias-ply fitment.

Those equivalents are useful because they show different radial sizing conventions and profile families, not because they should be treated as automatic replacements. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is tied to the equivalent path, and the car should also be checked for diameter compatibility and clearance. That is especially important on a small vintage sedan where modest size changes can affect the way the tire sits in the wheel opening.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width actually on the car, then compare the original 560-13 fitment against the radial size being considered, such as 155R13 or one of its P-metric equivalents. The Cortina uses 13-inch rims, but wheel width remains a critical part of the conversion decision.

Steering clearance, fender space, suspension condition, and the car’s intended use should all be reviewed before making the switch. A radial-equivalent size may be a sound alternative, but it should still be evaluated as a complete setup rather than just by the last number in the size code. On an older car, it is also smart to inspect the wheels themselves for age, damage, or mismatch before mounting new tires.

Begin with the two valid fitment directions for the 1963 Ford Cortina: 560-13 in bias-ply construction or 155R13 in radial construction. From there, the right choice depends on whether the car is being kept closer to a period-style presentation or set up for use with a radial tire format on a 13-inch wheel.

Construction, wheel width, sidewall appearance, and intended use all matter once the basic size path is chosen. A restoration-minded owner may focus on bias-ply style and whitewall treatment, while a driver may look more closely at radial series and blackwall presentation. It also helps to compare load figures, product dimensions where available, and the actual wheel on the car rather than selecting by size code alone.

Sidewall choices for the 1963 Ford Cortina include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on the tire size and construction selected. The 155R13 radial options are offered as blackwalls, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.

That sidewall choice can noticeably change the car’s visual character even when the wheel diameter stays the same. Blackwall radials tend to suit a cleaner, more understated road-use presentation, while the whitewall bias-ply options lean more heavily into vintage style. The best match depends on how the Cortina is being restored or presented, not on a universal rule that one sidewall treatment belongs on every car.

The available 1963 Ford Cortina tire choices include Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, along with BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those brands cover both of the main fitment directions used on this model year.

Brand becomes most useful after the correct size and construction have been narrowed down. Michelin and Dunlop represent the blackwall radial path, while BFGoodrich and Firestone focus on the classic bias-ply look with whitewall variations. Rather than picking by brand name alone, compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and how each option supports the way the Cortina will actually be used.

For a period-style 1963 Ford Cortina, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the more traditional starting point. It preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and is available in classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich and Firestone, including whitewall sidewall treatments that support an older visual presentation.

Choosing the right one still depends on the look being pursued and the wheels on the car. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall can create very different visual results, and not every restored Cortina was finished the same way. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against period photos, marque references, or restoration records rather than assuming any whitewall style is automatically correct.

Tire construction changes the character of a restored 1963 Ford Cortina in a visible way. A 560-13 bias-ply keeps the older numeric size format and traditional sidewall presentation, while a 155R13 radial brings a more modern radial look even though it remains within the same 13-inch rim diameter family.

That difference matters most on a small early-1960s car, where the tire plays a large role in overall stance and visual balance. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented finish often start with the bias-ply route, while drivers who want radial construction may accept a different visual impression. The best choice depends on whether historical appearance or modernized road use is the stronger priority for the finished car.

Yes. Modifications can change how a tire fits on a 1963 Ford Cortina even when the size appears correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body and brake updates can all affect the suitability of either the 560-13 bias-ply size or the 155R13 radial size.

That is why the current wheel and chassis setup should be checked before choosing tires for a modified car. Tire-to-fender clearance, steering travel, and wheel width become especially important once the Cortina differs from a stock-style configuration. A size that works well on one restored car may need closer evaluation on another with replacement wheels or suspension changes.

Before driving a 1963 Ford Cortina on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or mismatch, confirm that the tire size matches the wheel setup, and make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake system on a car of this age.

A short, careful road test can reveal rubbing, pulling, vibration, or other signs that the fitment needs a second look. Collector vehicles that have sat for long periods may also have aged valve stems, worn bushings, or wheel issues that show up only after fresh tires are installed. Catching those problems early helps the new tires work as intended and protects the car.

Collector-car tires on a 1963 Ford Cortina should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss whether the car runs 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials. Pressure should be checked before use, and the car should not sit for long periods on neglected or visibly aged tires.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a lightly used Cortina. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to roll the car periodically and inspect the tread and sidewalls before longer outings, since low-use collector vehicles can age tires long before the tread appears worn out.