1964 Austin A 40 Tires

The 1964 Austin A 40 uses two primary tire sizes: 145R13 in radial construction and 520-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to the same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the difference is not wheel size but the tire construction and sizing format you want to run on the car.

That means the first choice is whether to keep a more traditional bias-ply setup or use a radial fitment. Once construction is settled, compare details such as rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the overall look you want on the car, especially if the A 40 has been restored or modified from stock wheel and suspension specifications.

The primary tire sizes used on a 1964 Austin A 40 both fit a 13-inch rim. That applies to the 145R13 radial size and the 520-13 bias-ply size, so wheel diameter stays consistent even though the tire constructions are different.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a small vintage car. It is still important to confirm the actual wheel width on the car before choosing between available tires, since some products include narrower rim-width specifications and radial-equivalent choices for 520-13 call for a 4- to 5-inch width range.

520-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 520 portion is the older width-style designation used on classic bias-ply tires, and the 13 indicates the rim diameter in inches. On the 1964 Austin A 40, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than the radial-size alternative.

That matters because a 520-13 tire carries a different visual and construction character than a 145R13 radial. Buyers considering this size should focus on period-style appearance, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility, then compare whether a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall best suits the car’s restoration direction and intended use.

520-13 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1964 Austin A 40. The radial fitment for this vehicle is 145R13, so the two sizes represent different construction types even though both fit a 13-inch rim.

Choosing between them changes more than the sidewall lettering on the tire. A 520-13 keeps the car in a vintage numeric bias-ply format, while a 145R13 moves to a radial layout, so the owner should confirm wheel width, overall tire proportions, and the kind of driving and appearance the car is meant to deliver.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 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. Each one is a radial alternative to the original bias-ply size, but they are not all the same sizing convention or profile style.

A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with those radial equivalents, which makes wheel measurement especially important before changing sizes. It is also wise to compare clearance at the fenders and steering components, since equivalent sizing is a useful guide rather than an automatic one-to-one swap on every individual car.

Before converting a 1964 Austin A 40 from 520-13 bias-ply tires to a radial alternative, confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size carefully. For the 520-13 size, the common radial-equivalent choices are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13.

Suspension condition, steering clearance, and fender clearance should all be checked before making the change, especially on a lightly modified or long-stored car. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a traditional appearance or a radial-format driving setup, since that choice influences whether a 145R13 primary radial fitment or an equivalent-to-520-13 path makes more sense.

The main consideration is construction choice. A 520-13 keeps the Austin A 40 in a vintage bias-ply format, while 145R13 is the radial option, and both fit a 13-inch rim. After that, compare the tire’s intended appearance, sidewall style, brand, and any stated rim-width details that apply to the product you are considering.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a bias-ply look, especially if whitewall styling matters to the overall presentation. A driver-focused car may point you toward the radial fitment instead, but that still calls for checking wheel width and making sure the car’s current wheel and suspension setup matches the tire you plan to use.

Sidewall choices for the 1964 Austin A 40 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product line. The 145R13 radial options are blackwall, while the 520-13 bias-ply range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That spread gives the buyer real appearance choices without changing the car’s basic 13-inch fitment. A blackwall usually preserves a simpler, understated look, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more styled presentation, so the best choice depends on how period-inspired or personalized the Austin A 40 is meant to appear once the tires are mounted.

The 1964 Austin A 40 has tire options from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 145R13 radial size, while Firestone and Premium Sport offer 520-13 bias-ply choices with different sidewall treatments and series styling.

Brand alone should not make the decision. It is more useful to start with the correct size and construction, then compare the tire series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-compatibility details that matter for your car. That approach keeps the choice centered on fitment and appearance rather than assuming every tire in the right diameter serves the same purpose.

For a period-style 1964 Austin A 40, the 520-13 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and the traditional bias-ply construction associated with small cars of the era. It also opens the door to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations.

The right version depends on how the car is being finished and how strictly the owner wants to follow a traditional look. When exact originality matters, compare your planned tire choice against marque-specific references and historical documentation, then make sure the selected tire also matches the wheel width and intended road use of the car.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1964 Austin A 40 in a noticeable way. A 520-13 bias-ply keeps the car in an older sizing language and a more traditional presentation, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-style metric radial look even though it still fits the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

Sidewall treatment adds another layer to that decision. A blackwall radial can keep the car clean and understated, while whitewall bias-ply options give it a stronger vintage accent, so the best result depends on whether the restoration is aiming for subtle authenticity, broader period flavor, or a personalized classic finish.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1964 Austin A 40. Even though the vehicle’s primary tire choices use a 13-inch rim, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence whether a given tire size and construction still has proper clearance.

That is especially important when moving from a 520-13 bias-ply tire to a radial or radial-equivalent option. Measuring the actual wheel setup on the car and checking fender, steering, and suspension clearance at full travel helps avoid selecting a tire that matches the nominal size but does not suit the car’s present configuration.

Before driving a 1964 Austin A 40 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, check that lug hardware and valve stems are in good condition, and confirm there is no rubbing at the steering or fender edges. Tire pressure should also be set correctly and rechecked after the tires have been mounted and seated.

On an older car, it also makes sense to look beyond the tires themselves. Suspension bushings, steering components, wheel bearings, and brake condition can all affect how the car feels on the road, so a careful once-over helps the new tires perform as intended and reduces the chance of blaming the tires for unrelated chassis issues.

Collector-car tires in 520-13 or 145R13 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, and inspect the sidewalls as closely as the tread, since low-use vintage cars often age their tires long before they wear them out.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a car like a 1964 Austin A 40. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, while periodic movement and inspection help catch developing issues early enough to address them before the car goes back on the road.