1964 Chevrolet Nova Tires

The 1964 Chevrolet Nova uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 650-13, 6.50-14, and 700-14. The correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel setup. The Base model uses 650-13, the 14 Inch Factory Opt. version uses 6.50-14, and the V8 & SS Series can use either 6.50-14 or 700-14.

That means the first step is not choosing a brand or sidewall style, but confirming exactly which wheels are on the car now. A 13-inch Nova and a 14-inch Nova do not use the same tire size, and the V8 & SS Series adds another layer because two 14-inch sizes are possible. Checking the wheel diameter before ordering helps avoid choosing a visually similar but incorrect size.

A 1964 Chevrolet Nova can use either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire fitment. The 650-13 tire uses a 13-inch rim, while both 6.50-14 and 700-14 use 14-inch rims. That makes rim diameter one of the key fitment details on this car.

Wheel diameter should be verified at the car rather than assumed from the model name alone. A Base model points toward the 13-inch setup, while the 14 Inch Factory Opt. and V8 & SS Series point toward 14-inch applications. Once diameter is confirmed, it becomes much easier to narrow the tire choice by sidewall style, brand, or radial-equivalent availability where that option exists.

The 1964 Chevrolet Nova has more than one tire size because fitment varies across the model range. Chevrolet offered both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel applications, and the V8 & SS Series can use either 6.50-14 or 700-14. All of these are bias-ply primary fitments, but they are not used interchangeably across every Nova configuration.

For a buyer, that means the important decision is identifying the exact sub-model and current wheel setup before focusing on tread appearance or construction changes. A Nova that looks similar from the outside may still require a different tire because of its wheel diameter or equipment level. Matching the tire to the car's actual wheels is the cleanest way to keep sizing, stance, and clearance in the right range.

On the 1964 Chevrolet Nova, 650-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It is the size used on the Base model's 13-inch application and is available in traditional bias-ply form with period-style whitewall treatments. A radial version is not the primary fitment even though radial equivalents exist for buyers considering an alternative construction.

That distinction matters because staying with a bias-ply tire preserves the vintage sizing format and appearance many Nova owners want. If a radial alternative is being considered, it should be treated as an equivalent option rather than an automatic substitute. Wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance around steering and suspension should be checked before moving away from the original-style bias-ply setup.

Radial equivalents for 700-14 include 185R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P195/75R14 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P205/70R14 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These sizes give the 1964 Chevrolet Nova owner several modern sizing formats to compare when evaluating alternatives to the original bias-ply 700-14 fitment.

Each of those options should be viewed as a comparison path rather than a guaranteed replacement. The 4-6 inch recommended rim width range is a useful reference, but wheel compatibility is only part of the decision. The actual wheel on the car, plus fender and steering clearance, should still be checked carefully before choosing one of these radial-equivalent sizes for a V8 & SS Series Nova.

A bias-look radial is available for one of the 1964 Chevrolet Nova's primary sizes. The 650-13 bias-ply size has a 650R13 bias-look radial equivalent, giving owners of 13-inch Base-model applications a way to consider radial construction while keeping a more traditional visual presentation than a modern metric tire usually delivers.

That option is most useful when appearance matters but the owner still wants to evaluate a radial-style alternative. It should not be treated as automatic interchangeability simply because the naming looks similar. Wheel width, actual mounted dimensions, and clearance around the car's front suspension and fenders still need attention, especially on older vehicles that may no longer be riding at original height.

Start with the car's exact tire size and wheel diameter, because the 1964 Chevrolet Nova uses 650-13, 6.50-14, or 700-14 depending on sub-model and wheel setup. After that, the real comparison points are construction, sidewall style, and whether the car is being kept in a period-style bias-ply presentation or evaluated for a radial-equivalent alternative where one exists.

It also helps to think about how the Nova will be used. A restoration-oriented car may prioritize the look of a narrow or wide whitewall, while a more understated build may suit a blackwall. Rim-width specifications, load figures tied to inflation pressure, and the car's current suspension and wheel condition should all be reviewed before settling on one of the available options.

Sidewall choices for the 1964 Chevrolet Nova include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and blackwall, depending on the tire size. The 650-13 size is offered in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, while 700-14 is available in narrow whitewall and blackwall form. Those options give the Nova owner meaningful appearance choices even within the correct size.

The best sidewall style depends on the look of the car rather than on fitment alone. A wider whitewall can emphasize a more traditional early-1960s presentation, while a blackwall tends to look more restrained. Since sidewall style varies by tire size, the buyer should confirm the Nova's correct fitment first and then compare the available appearance options within that size instead of assuming every style exists in every application.

Available brands for the 1964 Chevrolet Nova include Coker Classic, US Royal, and BFGoodrich. Coker Classic and US Royal appear in the 650-13 size, while BFGoodrich appears in 700-14. Those brand choices are tied to the Nova's exact tire size, so brand selection begins only after the correct wheel diameter and fitment have been confirmed.

Brand comparison on this car is really a comparison of what each size makes possible. In 650-13, the decision may center on wide versus narrow whitewalls across two brand families, while 700-14 offers BFGoodrich blackwall and narrow whitewall choices in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Looking at brand, series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification together usually gives a clearer buying picture than brand name alone.

A period-style 1964 Chevrolet Nova tire starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the car's sub-model and wheels: 650-13, 6.50-14, or 700-14. Once that is confirmed, the choice becomes one of visual character and intended use, such as wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, or blackwall depending on the size and the look the car is meant to carry.

Bias-ply construction is the natural starting point when the goal is to keep the car's vintage tire profile and presentation. Exact originality, however, can be more specific than size and construction alone. Owners pursuing a highly detailed restoration should compare their tire choice with marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical documentation before deciding that a particular sidewall treatment matches their Nova exactly.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1964 Chevrolet Nova as much as the sidewall style does. The car's primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, so a bias-ply tire keeps the vintage sizing language and traditional profile associated with the period. A radial equivalent can alter the visual impression even when chosen carefully within the same general fitment family.

That is why construction should be part of the restoration conversation, not just a driving decision. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap on a 650-13 application, while metric and P-metric radial equivalents read more modern at a glance. Buyers who want the car to look authentically mid-1960s from the curb usually begin with the correct bias-ply size and then refine the appearance through the sidewall choice.

Modifications can absolutely affect tire fitment on a 1964 Chevrolet Nova. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or body and brake updates can change the space available for a 650-13, 6.50-14, or 700-14 tire. Even when the size is correct on paper, the car's actual setup may no longer match a stock-style fitment.

That is why the wheel on the car should be measured before a new tire is chosen. Diameter is only the beginning; width and the car's stance also matter. Turning clearance, fender space, and any signs of rubbing should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement. A Nova that has been modified may need a more careful fitment review than one still on original-style wheels and ride height.

Before driving a 1964 Chevrolet Nova on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure mounting, and adequate clearance at the front and rear. On a collector car, it is also smart to verify that old alignment, brake, or wheel-bearing issues are not still present.

A short local test drive is a sensible first step after installation. Pay attention to any pull, vibration, unusual noise, or contact during turns, and recheck air pressure once the car has settled into use. Because Novas of this era may sit for long periods, it is worth giving the car a general roadworthiness inspection rather than assuming that fresh tires alone are enough to make it ready for regular driving.

Collector-car tires on a 1964 Chevrolet Nova should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean, dry storage conditions. Whether the car uses 650-13, 6.50-14, or 700-14 tires, watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss. Low-use cars often need condition checks more than they need mileage-based maintenance.

Storage habits matter just as much as road use on an older Nova. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can help preserve tire condition over time. It is also wise to inspect the tires before every longer outing, since a collector vehicle may look fine cosmetically while still developing age-related issues that deserve attention before highway driving.