1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 Tires

The 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with this model on 13-inch rims, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which tire construction and sizing format matches the car's present setup.

That means the next step is to confirm what is actually on the car now, especially if it has been restored or updated over time. Wheel width, tire construction, and the owner's appearance goals all matter. A car staying close to a traditional bias-ply presentation may use 560-13, while a radial-configured car may be better matched to 155R13.

The tire fitments for a 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 560-13 bias-ply size and the 155R13 radial size, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing systems and construction types differ.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the whole fitment question. Bias-ply and radial tires can have different rim-width requirements, and the available products reflect that. Before choosing a tire, it helps to verify the actual wheel width stamped on the rim or measured on the car, especially if the wheels may have been changed during earlier service or restoration work.

560-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 560 refers to an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial size.

Understanding that format helps when comparing it to radial alternatives. A 560-13 tire is selected for its vintage construction and look, while a metric radial uses a different sizing system and may call for a different wheel-width range. Owners moving away from 560-13 should compare the replacement size carefully instead of assuming any 13-inch radial is automatically suitable.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to many period tires, and the available products in this size are classic bias-ply designs from BFGoodrich and Firestone with whitewall sidewall treatments.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and fitment planning. It keeps the car in a more traditional presentation, but the wheel-width requirements shown for 560-13 are not the same as every radial option. Before changing construction, it is worth confirming the actual rim width and checking that the car has enough clearance for the tire being considered.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. These are radial alternatives tied specifically to the 560-13 bias-ply size rather than additional primary sizes for the car.

Each equivalent should be treated as a comparison point, not as an automatic swap. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, which is important when evaluating older factory wheels or later replacements. Clearance at the fender and steering components should also be checked before converting from the original-style bias-ply fitment.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width, then compare the intended radial equivalent to the car's present bias-ply setup. For a 560-13 conversion, the equivalent radial choices include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

The next checks are physical and practical. Look at clearance during full steering movement, inspect suspension condition, and make sure the selected tire suits how the car will be driven. A collector car that still wears narrow original-style wheels may not want the same radial choice as a car that has already been updated, so setup verification comes before conversion.

The first decision is whether the car is being kept on its traditional 560-13 bias-ply fitment or set up around the 155R13 radial size. Both use a 13-inch rim, but they differ in construction, visual character, and the wheel-width ranges seen across the available products.

After size and construction are settled, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, brand, and rim-width compatibility. A blackwall radial suits a more understated European appearance, while narrow whitewall and wide whitewall bias-ply options create a stronger period-style presentation. The best choice depends on the wheel on the car, the desired look, and how closely the car is being restored.

The available sidewall styles for the 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 include blackwall in the 155R13 radial fitment, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. Those choices give the car very different visual personalities even before brand or tire series enters the decision.

A blackwall radial keeps the look more restrained and European, while whitewall bias-ply tires lean into a more decorative period presentation. Sidewall style should be chosen after confirming the correct size and construction path, since the available appearance options are tied to specific tire sizes. It also helps to consider the car's paint, trim, and restoration direction so the tire does not look out of place.

The 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 has tire options from Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, and from BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Those brands are spread across different constructions, sidewall treatments, and tire series rather than all offering the same type of tire.

Brand choice should be considered alongside fitment details, not ahead of them. Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet serve the radial blackwall side, while Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply cover the vintage bias-ply look. Once the correct size and construction are established, the brand comparison becomes much more useful and much less confusing.

For a period-style 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500, the 560-13 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage sizing format and offers traditional whitewall presentations. BFGoodrich and Firestone choices in this size make it possible to keep the car visually aligned with an early-1960s compact-sedan character.

That does not automatically make every 560-13 the right restoration choice. Whitewall width, brand preference, and the car's documented history can all influence the final decision. When exact originality matters, marque-club references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific historical sources are worth consulting before selecting a sidewall treatment simply because it is available in the correct size.

Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 as much as the size code itself. A 560-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional early-1960s presentation, especially with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling, while a 155R13 radial creates a more later-service, European blackwall look.

That difference matters because tires sit high in the owner's line of sight and strongly affect stance and character. A radial may suit a car restored for regular road use, but a bias-ply tire often better supports a vintage visual impression. The right answer depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, practical touring, or a careful balance between the two.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can all alter how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits within the wheel opening and how much clearance remains during steering movement.

That is especially important on a small sedan where available space is not generous to begin with. A car that has been modified should be checked at full lock and through suspension travel before regular use. Verifying wheel width also matters, since the available bias-ply and radial products do not all share the same rim-width specifications.

Before driving a 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. The tires themselves should be checked for proper seating, correct inflation, and adequate clearance at the fenders and suspension once the car is back on the ground.

A short test at low speed is a sensible next step, paying attention to rubbing, pull, or vibration. Collector cars that have sat for long periods also deserve a second look at brake function and wheel-bearing condition before heading onto faster roads. New tires improve nothing if surrounding mechanical issues have been left unaddressed.

Tires on a collector 1964 Fiat 1200 & 1500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration as much as tread wear. On low-mileage cars, cracking, flat spotting, sidewall damage, and slow air loss can become more important than mileage alone, whether the car is on bias-ply or radial tires.

Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, excess moisture, and long periods of weight in one position helps preserve the tires. It also makes sense to inspect them before every meaningful outing, since collector cars often spend more time parked than driven and can develop issues between road trips.