1963 Ford-Taunus 17M Tires

The 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M uses three primary tire sizes: 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13. The Base model appears with either 165R13 radial or 590-13 bias-ply fitment, while the Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply tires. All of these sizes mount on 13-inch rims, but they are not the same construction or width category.

The practical decision starts with identifying the exact sub-model and then confirming the wheel setup already on the car. A Base model being kept in bias-ply form raises different choices than one already set up for radial tires, and the Wagon’s 640-13 fitment should not be assumed to match the Base. Wheel width and overall clearance are worth checking before changing size or construction.

The 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M uses 13-inch rims across its covered tire sizes. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment as well as the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply sizes. Even though the constructions differ, the rim diameter remains the same at 13 inches.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it should not be the only checkpoint before choosing tires. Width still matters, especially when moving between bias-ply sizing and radial equivalents, and an older car may no longer be wearing its original wheels. Measuring the wheel and confirming the car’s current setup helps avoid choosing a tire that matches diameter but not the wheel width or intended use.

No, the covered sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M Base is associated with either 165R13 radial or 590-13 bias-ply fitment, while the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply tires. That means size selection varies by sub-model and by construction type.

This matters because the correct tire decision is not just about finding any 13-inch tire that looks close. The Wagon’s fitment should be treated separately from the Base, and the Base itself may need a construction choice based on the wheels currently on the car and the owner’s restoration goals. Confirming the exact sub-model before comparing products keeps the search focused and reduces the chance of choosing the wrong width range.

On the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M, 590-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is used on the Base model as a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, not as a radial. The radial size associated with the Base model is 165R13, which uses a different sizing convention even though both mount on 13-inch wheels.

That distinction matters because a car set up for 590-13 bias-ply tires may call for different wheel-width considerations than one using 165R13 radials. A buyer comparing the two should think about restoration presentation, current wheel dimensions, and whether the car is being kept close to its traditional tire construction or updated to a radial alternative that still respects the overall fitment envelope.

For 590-13, the available radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. For 640-13, the available radial equivalents are 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. These options cover Euro-metric, P-metric 75-series, P-metric 70-series, and, in the case of 640-13, a radial designed to keep a more traditional visual character.

Choosing among them depends on more than the size code alone. Rim-width range, wheel design, section width, and clearance at the fender and steering points should all be reviewed before conversion. The recommended rim-width range for 590-13 equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, while 640-13 equivalents use 4 to 6 inches, so wheel measurement is an important first check.

Start by confirming the tire size the car currently uses and whether it is a Base model or Wagon. A Base model with 590-13 bias-ply tires has different radial-equivalent choices than a Wagon using 640-13, and those equivalents include both Euro-metric and P-metric options. The wheel’s actual width should also be measured before any conversion.

A careful conversion review should include wheel compatibility, overall tire dimensions, steering clearance, and space at the fenders and suspension. It also helps to inspect the car for prior wheel, brake, or ride-height changes that could affect fitment. On an older collector car, matching the intended driving style and restoration appearance to the new construction is just as important as matching the nominal rim diameter.

The first consideration is the exact sub-model and primary tire size. A 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M Base can require either 165R13 radial or 590-13 bias-ply tires, while the Wagon uses 640-13 bias-ply. Once the correct size is established, the next factors are construction type, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional restoration-oriented form or driven with a radial setup.

Product differences become more meaningful after the fitment question is settled. In 165R13, the choice leans toward blackwall radial offerings from Michelin and Dunlop, while the bias-ply sizes center on BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Matching the tire to the car’s look, current wheels, and intended road use will usually lead to a better result than choosing by appearance alone.

Two distinct sidewall presentations are available for the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M. The 165R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply choices are offered with wide whitewall styling. That creates a clear visual split between the radial fitment and the traditional bias-ply sizes.

Sidewall style can strongly affect the finished look of the car, especially on a compact European sedan or wagon from the early 1960s. A blackwall radial leans toward a more restrained road-going appearance, while a wide whitewall emphasizes a restoration-focused presentation. The better choice depends on the size that belongs on the car first, then on whether originality of appearance or day-to-day driving character is the priority.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M across its covered sizes. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 590-13 and 640-13 bias-ply sizes. Those brand choices also align with different constructions and visual styles rather than simply different labels on the same kind of tire.

Brand should be considered alongside the actual tire size, series, and sidewall treatment. A buyer looking at 165R13 is comparing radial blackwall products with a more European flavor, while someone choosing 590-13 or 640-13 is looking at BFGoodrich wide whitewall bias-ply options. The useful comparison is not which brand is better in the abstract, but which brand offers the right type of tire for the exact car and setup.

A period-style choice starts with the size that belongs on the exact sub-model. On the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M, that could mean 590-13 bias-ply for a Base model or 640-13 bias-ply for a Wagon, both of which preserve a traditional small-car tire format on a 13-inch wheel. A Base model using 165R13 radial fitment points in a different visual and driving direction.

The final decision depends on how closely the car is being restored and which look is appropriate for its presentation. Wide whitewall bias-ply tires create the strongest vintage visual statement among the available options, while radial blackwalls look more understated. When exact originality matters, the safest approach is to compare the chosen tire against marque-specific historical references and the car’s existing wheel setup before committing.

Tire construction changes both the stance and the visual mood of a restored 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M. The available bias-ply fitments, 590-13 and 640-13, are paired with wide whitewall styling and give the car a more traditional presentation. The 165R13 radial offerings are blackwall tires, which create a simpler, more restrained look on the Base model.

That makes construction choice part of the restoration conversation, not just a driving decision. An owner aiming for a vintage show-car feel may gravitate toward the bias-ply look, while someone preserving a European road-use character may prefer the radial appearance. The right visual result still depends on matching the tire to the proper sub-model and verifying that the wheel dimensions support the construction being considered.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M even when the tire size itself appears correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel design, ride height, brakes, or suspension components can alter how a 165R13, 590-13, or 640-13 tire sits in the wheel opening. That becomes especially important when moving from a bias-ply setup to a radial equivalent.

A modified car should be checked for steering clearance, fender space, and the actual wheel dimensions before new tires are chosen. Older vehicles are often no longer on their original wheels, and even a same-diameter rim can differ in width or profile. Looking over the full setup first helps prevent rubbing, mismatch between tire and wheel, or an appearance that no longer suits the car’s intended stance.

Before driving a 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that the chosen size matches the car’s sub-model and wheel setup. A quick visual check for clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering range is also worthwhile, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or changed from one construction type to another.

The rest of the inspection should focus on basic roadworthiness rather than the tires alone. Check inflation, look over the brakes and suspension for obvious wear, and make sure the car tracks freely without interference when turning lock to lock. A short, cautious test drive is a sensible final step on a collector vehicle, particularly when fresh tires are being paired with wheels or chassis components of uncertain age.

Collector-car tire maintenance starts with regular inspection, even if the 1963 Ford-Taunus 17M is driven only occasionally. Check 165R13, 590-13, or 640-13 tires for proper inflation, uneven wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss. On a low-mileage car, age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.

Storage practices also influence long-term condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the sidewalls, while periodic movement can reduce flat-spotting during long layups. It is also smart to recheck tire condition before any extended drive, since collector vehicles often sit longer between uses and may reveal issues only when they are returned to regular road speeds.