The 1963 Ford Ford sits squarely in the early 1960s full-size American car era, when ride quality, road presence, and traditional tire styling all played a major role in how a car looked and felt. For owners restoring or maintaining one of these cars today, tire choice is tied as much to appearance and stance as it is to basic fitment. This application uses bias-ply 700-14 and 750-14 sizes on 14-inch rims. Within those sizes, there are meaningful differences in sidewall presentation, brand, and tire series, along with modern radial equivalent options. The right choice starts with confirming which size suits the car and whether the goal is restoration-minded authenticity or more contemporary road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Ford Ford
The 1963 Ford Ford uses two primary tire sizes, 700-14 and 750-14, and both are bias-ply sizes for 14-inch rims. Since both covered sub-models can use either size, the main decision is not identifying a different trim-specific fitment, but deciding which size, sidewall style, and overall tire presentation best match the car’s wheels, appearance goals, and intended road use.
A 700-14 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which the 7.00 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1963 Ford Ford, this keeps the car in a traditional bias-ply fitment with the period-style look and construction many restorers want. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich options in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with either a blackwall or a narrow whitewall. This size is worth considering when the goal is a more restrained original-style presentation on a 14-inch wheel.
A 750-14 size uses the same vintage numeric bias-ply system, with the 7.50 indicating a nominally wider tire than a 700-14 and the 14 again identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1963 Ford Ford, it remains a bias-ply fitment but opens up a much broader range of period-style tire choices. This size is available from BFGoodrich, US Royal, Firestone, Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Classic, and Goodyear across blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline styles. It is the size to evaluate closely when appearance variety matters as much as basic fitment.
Fitment is fairly straightforward across the covered 1963 Ford Ford sub-models because both can use the same two primary bias-ply sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the bigger decision usually becomes whether to stay with 700-14 or move to 750-14 based on wheel setup and desired appearance.
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1963 Ford Ford 260 8 Cyl.
The 1963 Ford Ford 260 8 Cyl. uses the same 14-inch bias-ply fitment family as the other covered sub-model, with both 700-14 and 750-14 available for consideration. That gives the owner room to choose between a slightly narrower or wider traditional tire presentation while also comparing blackwall, whitewall, or redline product options.
The 1963 Ford Ford 300 6 Cyl. also falls within the same 14-inch bias-ply sizing range, so tire selection is not separated by a unique sub-model-only fitment. The practical choice is deciding which of the two primary sizes best suits the car’s current wheel setup, restoration direction, and preferred sidewall style.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1963 Ford Ford
For 700-14, three radial-equivalent options are available: 185R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P195/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P205/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. For 750-14, the available equivalents are 195R14, P205/75R14, P215/70R14, and 750R14 as a bias-look radial. These choices span traditional tall metric sizing, 75-series P-metric sizing, lower-profile 70-series sizing, and a more vintage-looking radial option for 750-14. A 4-6 inch rim-width range is associated with both primary sizes, and overall dimensions, wheel compatibility, and vehicle clearance should be checked before changing formats.
Modern Radial Equivalents
185R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (700-14)
P195/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (700-14)
P205/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (700-14)
195R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (750-14)
P205/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (750-14)
P215/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (750-14)
750R14
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (750-14)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-6 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 Ford Ford Tires for sale
Available 1963 Ford Ford tire choices focus on bias-ply construction in 700-14 and 750-14, with BFGoodrich, US Royal, Firestone, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear represented. Buyers can compare several tire series and sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline.
These 1963 Ford Ford tire FAQs focus on the two primary bias-ply sizes, 14-inch rim fitment, radial-equivalent options, sidewall and brand choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a collector-era Ford back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Ford Ford?
The 1963 Ford Ford uses two primary tire sizes: 700-14 and 750-14. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes designed for 14-inch rims, and both appear across the covered sub-models in this application rather than being limited to one version only.
That means the first step is confirming which size is already on the car, which wheel width it has, and whether the goal is a narrower or wider period-style look. Since both sizes are associated with the same model family, owners usually end up choosing based on wheel setup, appearance preference, and whether they plan to stay with bias-ply construction or compare radial-equivalent alternatives.
What size rim does a 1963 Ford Ford use?
The 1963 Ford Ford uses a 14-inch rim with both primary tire sizes in this fitment group. That applies to 700-14 and 750-14, so the wheel diameter remains the same even though the tire width designation changes between the two sizes.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to verify the actual wheel on the car before choosing tires. Many older cars have had wheels changed over the years, and wheel width also matters when comparing products or looking at radial-equivalent options. A quick confirmation of the wheel stamping or measured rim dimensions can prevent ordering the right size for the wrong wheel.
Do all 1963 Ford Ford sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1963 Ford Ford sub-models share the same two primary tire sizes: 700-14 and 750-14. Both the 260 8 Cyl. and the 300 6 Cyl. fall within that same 14-inch bias-ply fitment range rather than splitting into different sub-model-specific tire sizes.
That makes sub-model identification less complicated than on vehicles where each trim uses a different wheel or tire package. The practical decision is still important, though, because choosing between 700-14 and 750-14 can change the visual stance of the car and the range of available sidewall styles. It also helps to confirm whether the car still has stock-type wheels or has been altered over time.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 700-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1963 Ford Ford?
For the 1963 Ford Ford, 700-14 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system common to American cars of the period, where the section width is expressed in inches and the construction in this fitment is traditional bias-ply rather than radial.
That matters because a buyer may be choosing between preserving the original-style driving feel and appearance or considering a radial-equivalent alternative. If the car is being restored with a strong period-style focus, staying with a bias-ply 700-14 keeps the sizing format and construction in line with the era. If road manners are the priority, compare the approved radial equivalents carefully against wheel width and clearance.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 750-14?
Radial equivalents for 750-14 include 195R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 750R14 as a bias-look radial. These options give the 1963 Ford Ford owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing against the original bias-ply fitment.
Each equivalent uses a different sizing convention or profile, so the decision is not only about choosing radial construction. A taller traditional metric format, a 75-series P-metric, a lower-profile 70-series option, and a bias-look radial can all change the presentation of the car. The associated rim-width range is 4-6 inches, and wheel compatibility and vehicle clearance should be checked before making the change.
What should I check before converting my 1963 Ford Ford from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by matching the radial equivalent to the original primary size, then confirm wheel diameter and wheel width before going further. For this 1963 Ford Ford fitment, the equivalent options are tied to the original 700-14 or 750-14 sizes, and both are associated with a 4-6 inch recommended rim-width range.
After that, inspect the actual car rather than assuming every survivor remains stock. Clearance at the fenders, steering travel, suspension condition, and any previous wheel changes all matter when moving from a bias-ply format to a radial equivalent. A radial can be considered as an alternative, but it should be checked against the vehicle’s wheel setup and intended road use before making the switch.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 750-14 tire for a 1963 Ford Ford?
A 750-14 tire for a 1963 Ford Ford should be chosen by balancing correct size, 14-inch rim compatibility, construction type, and the visual style you want from the finished car. This size has the broadest product assortment, so buyers can compare brands, tire series, sidewall treatments, and product specifications within the same primary fitment.
That wider selection makes it easier to tune the car’s appearance without leaving the original-style size family. A blackwall can give a simpler presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls and redline options create a more deliberate period-style look. It also helps to compare rim-width specs, load figures where given, and the actual wheel on the car so the chosen tire suits both the vehicle and the intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 Ford Ford tires?
The available sidewall styles for 1963 Ford Ford tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. Those choices appear primarily in the 750-14 size, while 700-14 is available in blackwall and narrow whitewall form, keeping the visual options more limited in the narrower size.
Sidewall style changes the character of the car even when the tire size stays the same. A blackwall tends to look understated, narrow whitewalls maintain a cleaner early-1960s look, wide whitewalls create a stronger traditional statement, and redlines add a more performance-oriented visual cue. The best choice depends on how the Ford is being presented, not just on which tire physically belongs on a 14-inch wheel.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Ford Ford?
Available brands for the 1963 Ford Ford include BFGoodrich, US Royal, Firestone, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, and Goodyear. Most of the brand variety appears in 750-14, while 700-14 is represented by BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with blackwall and narrow whitewall options.
Brand choice should be treated as one part of a larger fitment decision rather than the only decision. It helps to compare each brand’s available tire series, sidewall offerings, rim-width specification, and load figure where it is stated. Since collector cars are often restored toward a certain visual theme, the brand that offers the sidewall style and size combination you want may matter just as much as the name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Ford Ford?
For a period-style 1963 Ford Ford, the starting point is one of the original-style bias-ply sizes used on the car: 700-14 or 750-14 on a 14-inch rim. From there, the most appropriate choice depends on how the car is being restored and whether a narrower or wider traditional tire presentation better suits the vehicle.
A buyer aiming for a restoration-oriented look should consider both construction and sidewall treatment rather than size alone. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline options can all change the car’s visual character. If exact originality is important, compare the final choice against marque references, period photos, or vehicle-specific documentation before deciding on a brand or sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1963 Ford Ford?
Tire construction affects more than ride characteristics on a restored 1963 Ford Ford; it also shapes the visual impression of the car. A bias-ply tire preserves the original-style sizing language and traditional profile associated with the era, while a radial equivalent can change the look even when it remains close in fitment intent.
That is why construction choice should be made early in the restoration process, especially if the car’s wheels, trim, and stance are being considered together. A 750-14 bias-ply also opens up appearance-driven choices such as wide whitewall or redline styling. Owners trying to balance road use with vintage presentation often compare a standard bias-ply against a radial equivalent before settling on the final direction.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Ford Ford?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Ford Ford even when the tire size itself is correct for the application. Wheel changes, different wheel widths, altered offset, lowered suspension, replacement springs, or body work can all influence how a 700-14 or 750-14 tire sits and clears the car.
A collector car that has changed hands several times may no longer be wearing its original wheel setup, so it is smart to inspect the car before choosing tires. Check steering clearance, fender clearance, and the space around suspension components with the wheels turned and the vehicle at normal ride height. That simple inspection matters even more when comparing a bias-ply tire to a radial-equivalent alternative.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Ford Ford on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Ford Ford on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and general condition of the suspension and steering components. It also makes sense to verify that the mounted tire size matches the intended fitment, that inflation is set appropriately for the tire, and that there is no obvious interference at full steering lock.
A new tire cannot compensate for aged mechanical parts or a damaged wheel, especially on a car that may have spent long periods parked. After installation, recheck air pressure, look for any signs of rubbing, and pay attention to how the car tracks and steers during the first few drives. Early inspection helps catch wheel or clearance issues before they become tire problems.
How should 700-14 and 750-14 tires on a collector 1963 Ford Ford be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 700-14 and 750-14 sizes should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Even when tread wear is minimal, an older 1963 Ford Ford may spend enough time parked that age, air loss, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or environmental exposure become bigger concerns than mileage.
Good maintenance starts with checking the tires before each outing and giving them a closer inspection before longer drives. Look for cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any change in how the car steers or rides. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment also helps protect low-use collector tires, especially on vehicles that are driven seasonally rather than every week.