The 1963 Mercury Comet sits squarely in the compact American car market of the early 1960s, when practical dimensions, clean styling, and straightforward mechanicals made cars like the Comet especially appealing for family use and everyday driving. Today, that same simplicity makes the car attractive to restorers and collectors who want a period-looking tire that suits the car’s character. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch bias-ply sizes, 600-13 and 650-13, depending on the exact Comet configuration. Available choices include narrow and wide whitewall treatments, along with radial-equivalent alternatives for buyers considering a different road-use approach while still keeping the proportions in mind.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Mercury Comet
The 1963 Mercury Comet uses two primary tire sizes, both in bias-ply construction on 13-inch rims. The first step is confirming the exact sub-model, because some Comet configurations use 650-13 exclusively while the Base model can use either 600-13 or 650-13. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, brand and series selection, and whether a modern radial equivalent deserves consideration.
A 600-13 numeric bias-ply size uses the first number to indicate an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, while the final number denotes a 13-inch wheel. On the 1963 Mercury Comet, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits owners aiming for an early-1960s tire profile and driving feel. Available 600-13 choices center on the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with either a wide whitewall or a narrower whitewall presentation. This size is worth evaluating carefully on Base models where period-style appearance, wheel width, and overall visual proportion all matter.
A 650-13 numeric bias-ply size indicates an approximate 6.50-inch nominal section width paired with a 13-inch rim. For the 1963 Mercury Comet, it is the broader primary bias-ply fitment and appears across more of the lineup, including Hardtop & Convertibles and Wagon models. Product choices include Coker Classic and US Royal offerings in classic bias-ply series, with both wide and narrow whitewall treatments available. This size is the one to focus on when the goal is matching the car’s intended stance while still choosing among brand character and sidewall appearance.
Sub-model fitment on the 1963 Mercury Comet is not completely uniform, so identifying the exact version matters before choosing a tire. Hardtop & Convertibles and Wagon models center on 650-13, while the Base model has a broader fitment picture that deserves a closer look.
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1963 Mercury Comet Base
The 1963 Mercury Comet Base uses 600-13 or 650-13 bias-ply tires, making it the sub-model where wheel and existing setup confirmation matters most. That means the buyer should verify what is actually on the car before choosing between whitewall styles, brand options, or a radial-equivalent path.
The 1963 Mercury Comet Hardtop & Convertibles use the 650-13 bias-ply size on a 13-inch rim. Tire selection here is more straightforward, so the main decision becomes whether to keep a traditional bias-ply presentation or compare the available radial-equivalent alternatives carefully.
The 1963 Mercury Comet Wagon uses the 650-13 bias-ply tire size. With the size question narrowed down, the choice moves to sidewall treatment, brand and series preference, and checking wheel width and overall fit before moving to a radial equivalent.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1963 Mercury Comet
The original 600-13 and 650-13 tire sizes each have radial-equivalent options to consider. For 600-13, the choices are 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. For 650-13, the options are 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and the 650R13 bias-look radial. These alternatives span traditional metric, P-metric, and bias-look formats, with recommended rim-width ranges of 4-5 inches for 600-13 and 4-6 inches for 650-13, so wheel compatibility and clearance should be checked before conversion.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
175R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (650-13)
P175/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (650-13)
P185/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (650-13)
650R13
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (650-13)
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 Mercury Comet Tires for Sale
Available 1963 Mercury Comet tire choices focus on 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply sizes, with BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal options across classic bias-ply series. The main comparisons are wide versus narrow whitewall styling, brand preference, and the rim-width ranges tied to each size.
These FAQs for the 1963 Mercury Comet address the key questions owners usually have around tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, whitewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Mercury Comet?
The 1963 Mercury Comet uses two primary tire sizes: 600-13 and 650-13, both in bias-ply construction on 13-inch rims. Fitment depends on the exact sub-model, with the Base model using either 600-13 or 650-13, while Hardtop & Convertibles and Wagon models use 650-13.
That means the first step is confirming the exact Comet configuration and checking the wheels that are currently on the car. A Base model deserves extra attention because either size may be present, and any past wheel or tire changes can affect what should be selected now.
What size rim does a 1963 Mercury Comet use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1963 Mercury Comet use a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 600-13 and 650-13 are built around that same wheel diameter, so the size difference is in tire width and overall fitment character rather than a change in rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still needs to be checked before choosing a tire. A 600-13 and a 650-13 do not use the same rim-width ranges, which is especially important on a Base model where either primary tire size may be encountered.
Do all 1963 Mercury Comet sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1963 Mercury Comet lineup does not use one single tire size across every covered sub-model. Hardtop & Convertibles and Wagon models use 650-13, while the Base model can use either 600-13 or 650-13, depending on the setup being matched.
That variation makes sub-model identification an important part of tire selection, especially when restoring the car’s period-style appearance. It also helps to inspect the wheels already on the vehicle so the chosen tire size matches the wheel width and the way the car is currently configured.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1963 Mercury Comet?
For the 1963 Mercury Comet, 600-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, with the 6.00 designation indicating nominal section width and the 13 indicating the wheel diameter in inches.
Radial alternatives do exist for buyers considering a different construction, but the primary 600-13 fitment itself is bias-ply. Any move to a radial equivalent should include a check of wheel width, overall vehicle setup, and clearance so the change in construction is evaluated carefully rather than assumed.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 650-13?
Radial equivalents for 650-13 include 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P185/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. Those choices give the 1963 Mercury Comet owner several ways to compare modern radial sizing formats.
Each option preserves the 13-inch rim diameter, but the sizing conventions and intended presentation are not the same. The 650R13 bias-look radial is the most traditional visually, while the metric and P-metric choices follow later radial sizing practice, so wheel width and vehicle clearance should be confirmed before choosing one.
What should I check before converting my 1963 Mercury Comet from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the original primary size on the car, then compare the available radial equivalent for that size. A 600-13 can be evaluated against 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13, while a 650-13 can be compared with 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, or 650R13.
The next checks are wheel width, wheel condition, tire clearance, and the overall stance of the car with its current suspension setup. On a collector Comet, it also helps to decide whether road-use priorities favor a radial alternative or whether a traditional bias-ply appearance remains the better match.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-13 tire for a 1963 Mercury Comet?
Begin with the basics: make sure 650-13 is the correct primary size for the specific 1963 Mercury Comet sub-model and wheel setup. Then compare the available bias-ply options by brand, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, and whether the visual goal is a broader whitewall look or a more restrained narrow whitewall treatment.
Coker Classic and US Royal both offer 650-13 choices, and the decision often comes down to appearance and wheel compatibility more than anything else. Owners considering radial alternatives should treat that as a separate decision and check dimensions, wheel suitability, and the car’s intended use before changing construction.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 Mercury Comet tires?
The available 1963 Mercury Comet tires include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles, depending on the size and product chosen. In 600-13, BFGoodrich options include wide and narrow whitewall versions, while 650-13 choices from Coker Classic and US Royal also offer both wide and narrow whitewall presentations.
That gives the buyer a meaningful appearance decision even after the correct tire size is confirmed. A wider whitewall leans more heavily into early-1960s visual character, while a narrower whitewall creates a subtler presentation, so the best choice depends on how the car is being restored or displayed.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Mercury Comet?
Tire options for the 1963 Mercury Comet include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal, depending on the tire size being selected. BFGoodrich appears in 600-13 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, while Coker Classic and US Royal are available in 650-13 with their own classic bias-ply series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the correct tire size, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width requirement rather than as a standalone decision. A buyer comparing these options is usually narrowing the field by size first, then by the look and fitment details that best match the car’s purpose.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Mercury Comet?
A period-style 1963 Mercury Comet usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model, either 600-13 or 650-13. From there, the most important visual choices are the whitewall treatment and the overall tire width, both of which strongly affect how authentic the car feels at a glance.
A buyer focused on restoration presentation will generally want the tire size settled first and the sidewall style chosen second. When exact originality matters beyond a period-style look, marque references and vehicle-specific historical material are the right places to confirm whether a particular whitewall treatment matches the car’s intended presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1963 Mercury Comet?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1963 Mercury Comet; it also changes the car’s visual character. The primary fitments are bias-ply, which preserve the traditional sizing language and overall period presentation associated with early-1960s compact American cars.
A radial equivalent can still be a useful option, especially when the goal includes regular driving, but it should be chosen with an eye toward proportions and sidewall appearance. The 650R13 bias-look radial is especially relevant for buyers who want a more traditional look while considering a radial construction.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Mercury Comet?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1963 Mercury Comet even when the original tire size is known. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork changes can all affect how a 600-13 or 650-13 tire sits within the wheel opening.
A Comet that has been changed from stock should be measured rather than assumed to follow original fitment exactly. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, side-to-side clearance, and steering clearance before mounting new tires helps prevent choosing a size that matches the cataloged fitment but not the car’s current configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Mercury Comet on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Mercury Comet on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, verify the tire size matches the car’s setup, and make sure inflation is correct for the tire being used. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn hardware.
A short test drive should be treated as a final fitment check rather than a formality. Watch for rubbing, unusual pull, vibration, or uneven steering response, and recheck air pressure after the first outings to make sure the tires are settling in normally on a collector car that may not see daily use.
How should 600-13 or 650-13 tires on a collector 1963 Mercury Comet be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1963 Mercury Comet should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 600-13 or 650-13 tires, the important points are watching for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss that can go unnoticed on a low-mileage vehicle.
Storage conditions matter just as much as miles driven, especially on an older car that spends long periods parked. Keeping the Comet away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while periodic inspection keeps age-related issues from appearing only when the car is ready for the road.
