1963 Ford-Taunus 12M Tires

The 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M uses three primary tire sizes across its covered sub-models: 155R13 radial, 560-13 bias-ply, and 590-13 bias-ply. Base and TS models use either 155R13 or 560-13, while the Wagon uses 590-13. All of these sizes mount on 13-inch rims, but they are not the same construction or sizing format.

The key step is matching the tire to the exact sub-model before comparing products. Once that is confirmed, the next decision is whether the car is being kept in a period-style bias-ply presentation or aligned with the radial fitment already associated with the Base and TS. Wheel width and overall clearance should still be checked before installation, especially on a car that may have been altered over time.

The 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M uses a 13-inch rim diameter across its primary tire fitments. That applies to the 155R13 radial size as well as the 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes. While the rim diameter remains consistent, the tire constructions and width conventions differ, so diameter alone does not settle the full fitment question.

A 13-inch wheel still needs to be checked for actual width before choosing a tire. Product specifications for this application show different rim-width ranges depending on the tire, and that matters when moving between radial and bias-ply designs or between the 560-13 and 590-13 numeric sizes. On an older car, it also helps to confirm that the wheels are original-style pieces and not later replacements.

No. The 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M Base and TS share the same fitment pattern, using either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. That means tire selection is not uniform across every 12M sub-model, even though all of the sizes use the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference matters because a buyer cannot choose only by year, make, and model name. The Wagon's 590-13 size follows its own fitment path, while Base and TS owners may be deciding between a radial fitment and a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment. Checking the exact body configuration first prevents ordering a tire that matches the wheel diameter but not the intended tire size or construction.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M. It appears on the Base and TS sub-models as a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, while 155R13 serves as the radial fitment associated with those same versions. The two sizes share a 13-inch rim diameter, but they belong to different sizing systems and different construction types.

That distinction matters because choosing between 560-13 and 155R13 is not simply a matter of style. Bias-ply construction supports a more traditional early-1960s appearance, especially with narrow or wide whitewall options, while the radial path uses a Euro-metric size convention and blackwall presentation. Wheel width, vehicle stance, and the car's restoration direction should all be considered before switching from one construction path to the other.

For 560-13, the radial equivalents are 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. For 590-13, the equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. No bias-look radial equivalent is shown for either size in this application.

Those alternatives give owners a way to compare modern radial sizing formats against the original numeric bias-ply sizes, but they should be treated as equivalents rather than automatic substitutions. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches accompanies both bias-ply comparison sets, so the actual wheel width should be confirmed. Clearance, vehicle condition, and intended road use also deserve a final check before changing construction.

Start by confirming the car's exact sub-model and original size path. A Base or TS can involve 560-13 bias-ply with 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13 as radial equivalents, while the Wagon's 590-13 bias-ply can be compared with 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13. In both cases, the comparison rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches.

After the size comparison, inspect the actual wheels on the car and verify there is enough clearance at the fenders, steering, and suspension. An older 12M may no longer be on its original wheels or ride height, and those changes can affect how an equivalent radial sits in the car. Matching the tire to the vehicle's intended use and overall presentation is just as important as matching the diameter.

Begin with the exact sub-model, because Base and TS use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. From there, consider whether the goal is a blackwall radial presentation or a period-style bias-ply look with whitewall treatment. The correct 13-inch rim diameter is common across the range, but wheel width still varies by tire.

Product differences matter once the size is settled. Available options vary by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, load figure, and construction, so the best comparison is within the correct size rather than across all 13-inch tires. A car intended for restoration display may point in one direction, while a car being driven regularly may lead the owner to evaluate the radial fitment path more closely.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction chosen for the 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. The 590-13 bias-ply option for the Wagon is available as a wide whitewall.

That gives the 12M owner a meaningful appearance choice once the correct fitment is confirmed. Blackwall radials lean toward a restrained European touring look, while the whitewall bias-ply choices create a more overt early-1960s visual statement. Sidewall style should be selected after the tire size is settled, since a whitewall preference alone should not override the sub-model's actual fitment path or the wheel's compatible width.

Available brands for the 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M include Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial fitment, plus BFGoodrich and Firestone in the numeric bias-ply sizes. Michelin appears in the XAS-FF series, Dunlop in the SP Sport Aquajet series, and the bias-ply choices appear in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply lines.

Brand choice should come after the correct size and construction are confirmed. On this car, brands also align with different visual and fitment directions, since the radial offerings are blackwalls and the bias-ply products emphasize whitewall presentation. Comparing each option by size, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and overall restoration goal will be more useful than selecting a brand name first.

A period-style 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M usually starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model and, in many cases, a bias-ply construction. Base and TS models can use 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 590-13 bias-ply. Those sizes carry the vintage numeric format and visual character that many restoration-oriented owners associate with an early-1960s compact Ford.

From there, the appearance decision comes down to sidewall treatment and how closely the car is meant to reflect a traditional showroom-era look. Narrow and wide whitewall options exist in 560-13, while 590-13 is offered as a wide whitewall. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque references, period photography, and model-specific historical material are the right next checks before making a final choice.

Tire construction changes both the visual language and the stance impression of a restored 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M. The bias-ply sizes, 560-13 and 590-13, use vintage numeric sizing and are available with whitewall treatments that suit a restoration-oriented presentation. The radial fitment, 155R13, uses a Euro-metric format and is offered as a blackwall, giving the car a more modernized road-going look.

That means construction choice is about more than ride preference. A bias-ply selection tends to support the car's early-1960s visual character, while a radial can shift the appearance toward later replacement practice even when the wheel diameter remains correct. The best choice depends on whether the car is being preserved as a period-style display piece, driven regularly, or balanced somewhere between those two aims.

Yes. A 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M may still use the correct 13-inch wheel diameter but have different wheel widths, offset changes, suspension alterations, or body clearances that affect which tire works cleanly. That matters even more when comparing the car's bias-ply sizes, 560-13 and 590-13, with radial alternatives such as 155R13 or the listed P-metric equivalents.

A car with aftermarket wheels or altered ride height should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement before settling on a tire. Older imported cars can also pick up replacement wheels over time, so it helps to verify actual wheel dimensions rather than relying on assumption. Matching the tire to the current setup is the safest way to avoid rubbing, clearance surprises, or an awkward stance.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the tire size matches the correct sub-model, and make sure the wheel width suits the tire being installed. The tires themselves should be checked for proper seating, visible damage, and stable air retention after mounting. On a collector-era car, it also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components before putting miles on fresh tires.

A short local test drive is a smart follow-up after installation. Pay attention to steering response, any contact at the fenders or inner wheelhouses, and whether the car tracks normally under braking and cornering. Recheck air pressure and visible clearance after that first drive, especially if the 12M has sat for long periods or has been fitted with anything other than its long-established wheel setup.

Collector-car tire maintenance on a 1963 Ford-Taunus 12M starts with routine inspection rather than mileage alone. Tires should be checked regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and gradual air loss, whether the car uses 155R13 radial tires or one of the numeric bias-ply sizes. A low-use vintage car can age its tires out long before it wears them out.

Storage conditions also matter. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and maintaining proper inflation reduces flat-spotting and sidewall stress while the car is parked. It is also wise to inspect the spare, because a correctly sized spare tire can become important on a car that still runs uncommon 13-inch vintage fitments.