1963 Pontiac Tempest Tires

A 1963 Pontiac Tempest uses one of three primary bias-ply tire sizes on a 15-inch rim: 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15. The correct size depends on the exact Tempest configuration, because the 6 Cyl. cars use 6.50-15 and 600-15, while the 8 Cyl. & Air and wagon versions use 6.50-15 and 670-15.

The practical step is to match the tire to the exact sub-model and confirm what wheel is actually on the car today. Many collector cars have seen wheel or tire changes over time, so checking the mounted size, wheel width, and clearance is just as important as knowing the original fitment range.

The 1963 Pontiac Tempest uses a 15-inch rim diameter with its primary tire sizes. Whether the car is running 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15, the tire is built around a 15-inch wheel, which keeps rim diameter straightforward even though the Tempest has more than one applicable tire size.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it helps to verify rim width before ordering a tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels. Two 15-inch wheels can still differ in width enough to affect tire choice, sidewall shape, and whether a radial equivalent is a sensible option.

No. The 1963 Pontiac Tempest line shares 6.50-15 across several sub-models, but the second size changes by configuration. The 6 Cyl. version uses 600-15, while the 8 Cyl. & Air, Wagon 8 Cyl., and Wagon L-4 versions use 670-15, all in bias-ply construction.

That difference matters because 600-15 and 670-15 do not represent the same fitment choice or the same product selection. Before choosing a tire, identify the exact sub-model and check the car’s current wheel setup, since a Tempest that has been restored or modified may not still be wearing its original size.

For the 1963 Pontiac Tempest, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It appears on the 8 Cyl. & Air and wagon configurations as one of the original-style 15-inch fitments, and it is also the size with the widest range of available bias-ply product choices and sidewall treatments.

Radial alternatives do exist for 670-15, but that does not change the original construction type of the primary fitment. Owners deciding between bias-ply and radial should consider wheel width, clearance, and the kind of appearance they want, because a traditional bias-ply presentation and a converted radial setup do not make the same visual statement.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Those options give the 1963 Pontiac Tempest owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into radial sizing conventions. Each one should be checked against the actual wheel, the car’s clearance, and the way the vehicle is set up, especially if it no longer has its original wheels or suspension height.

Start by confirming the original tire size on the car and then matching it to an actual radial equivalent such as the 600-15 or 670-15 alternatives. After that, check wheel diameter, wheel width, and the recommended rim-width range for the radial size you are considering, because radial conversion is more involved than simply matching a 15-inch wheel.

It also helps to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and overall tire-to-body space before making the change. A Tempest with aftermarket wheels, tired springs, or earlier modifications may respond differently than a stock car, so the wheel and vehicle setup should be verified before committing to a radial alternative.

A 670-15 choice for a 1963 Pontiac Tempest starts with confirming that your sub-model actually uses that size, since it applies to the 8 Cyl. & Air and wagon configurations rather than the full Tempest range. From there, compare construction, sidewall style, brand, and tire series to decide whether the goal is a blackwall look, a narrow whitewall, or a wider whitewall presentation.

Rim-width compatibility is worth checking carefully because 670-15 products are not all built around the same wheel-width recommendation. Load figures and overall product character can also vary, so the best comparison is one that matches the car’s wheel setup, intended appearance, and the way the vehicle will actually be driven.

Sidewall choices for 1963 Pontiac Tempest tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size and product line. The 600-15 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall, while 670-15 opens up the broadest variety with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and several wide whitewall treatments across multiple brands and series.

That sidewall choice has a major effect on the car’s finished look, especially on an early 1960s Tempest where the tire visually frames the wheel opening. It helps to decide first whether the car is being styled as a modest driver, a restoration-oriented cruiser, or something in between, then narrow the tire options from there.

Available brands for 1963 Pontiac Tempest tires include BFGoodrich for 600-15 and a wider 670-15 field that includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands span several classic tire series, with differences in sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and other product details.

Brand choice should follow size confirmation rather than the other way around, because not every brand appears in every Tempest fitment. Once the correct size is established, compare the available series and sidewall presentations within that size so the finished tire matches both the car’s setup and the owner’s appearance priorities.

For a period-style 1963 Pontiac Tempest, the starting point is the correct original-type bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether the car looks right on a blackwall, a narrow whitewall, or a wider whitewall, depending on the presentation you want.

A restoration-oriented approach usually favors staying with the proper bias-ply format before considering modern radial alternatives. When exact originality matters, it is smart to compare the tire choice against period photos, marque-club guidance, or other vehicle-specific references so the sidewall treatment and overall stance suit the car’s intended finish.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1963 Pontiac Tempest; it also changes how the car looks at a glance. The original-style fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction supports the traditional visual character associated with early 1960s domestic cars, especially when paired with an appropriate blackwall or whitewall sidewall treatment.

A radial equivalent can still be a useful alternative, but it may present the car differently than a bias-ply tire in both profile and overall impression. Owners restoring for visual authenticity often start by deciding how closely the finished Tempest should reflect period style, then choose construction with that goal in mind.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Pontiac Tempest even when the tire size matches one of the original 15-inch applications. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, springs, or body clearance can alter how a 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much space it has during steering or suspension movement.

That is especially important on older cars that may have been updated over several decades. A Tempest with aftermarket wheels or suspension changes should be measured and inspected before choosing a replacement tire, because the original size range is only one part of the fitment picture once the chassis or wheels have changed.

Before driving a 1963 Pontiac Tempest on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure lug hardware is in good condition, and confirm that the tires have proper clearance at the front and rear. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to work with loose or worn parts.

After installation, check inflation, recheck for any rubbing during full steering lock, and watch for signs of uneven seating or air loss. A short initial drive followed by another inspection is a sensible step on a collector car, particularly if the Tempest has been sitting for long periods or recently returned to road use.

Collector-car tires on a 1963 Pontiac Tempest should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss. Whether the car is on 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15 tires, maintenance matters because vehicles that spend long periods parked can age their tires differently than frequently driven cars.

Storage conditions also make a difference, so it helps to keep the Tempest away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources when possible. Even a car that sees limited mileage deserves routine tire checks before longer drives, since age and storage history can matter just as much as tread depth on a vintage vehicle.