The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 sits squarely in the era of compact European sedans and wagons that balanced tidy dimensions, efficient engineering, and everyday practicality. For owners preserving that distinctly mid-century Italian feel, tire choice has a real effect on both stance and road character. This Fiat uses two 13-inch tire fitments: a 560-13 bias-ply size and a 155R13 radial. That opens the door to traditional whitewall bias-ply options as well as blackwall radial choices from Michelin and Dunlop. The real decision is whether to keep a period-style bias-ply presentation or move toward a radial setup while confirming wheel width and overall fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500
The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes, both on 13-inch rims: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Because both sizes appear on the same covered model range, the key first step is confirming the wheel setup on the car, then deciding whether the goal is a more traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial driving and appearance approach.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500, this size represents the radial fitment path and keeps the car on a 13-inch rim. Available choices center on blackwall radial products from Michelin and Dunlop, including Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet series offerings. This size is worth considering when the car already has radial-compatible wheels and the goal is a radial tire in a period-appropriate European sizing format.
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size where 5.60 indicates the tire's nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, and 13 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and it preserves the earlier sizing language many collectors expect to see on a compact European car of this period. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Firestone bias-ply tires with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments in classic bias-ply series. This size suits owners who want a more traditional look and are keeping the car close to its earlier-style tire construction.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Wagon configuration uses the same two 13-inch tire choices found across this page. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, especially when deciding between a bias-ply 560-13 setup and a radial 155R13 setup on the wheels currently fitted to the car.
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1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 Wagon
The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 Wagon can be fitted with either the 560-13 bias-ply size or the 155R13 radial size, both on 13-inch rims. That gives Wagon owners a clear choice between a more traditional whitewall bias-ply look and a blackwall radial approach, with wheel width and overall vehicle setup worth confirming before changing construction.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500
For the original 560-13 tire size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 155R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P155/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P155/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. These choices move through different sizing conventions and profile families rather than representing the same tire in different wording. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before treating any of these as a usable alternative.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (560-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (560-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 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 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 Tires for Sale
Available 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 tire choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials in 155R13-style sizing, plus BFGoodrich and Firestone bias-ply options in 560-13 with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. The product grid is most useful for comparing construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
Common questions for the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 usually come down to choosing between 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial fitment, understanding 13-inch wheel requirements, and deciding how appearance, restoration goals, and road use should shape the final tire choice.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both are 13-inch tire fitments, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the sizing system and tire construction used on the car.
Choosing between them starts with confirming what wheels are actually on the vehicle now. A car kept in period-style form may stay with 560-13, while a car set up for radial use may use 155R13 instead. When the car has been restored or modified over time, checking wheel width and clearance is more useful than relying on appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 use?
The tire fitments used on the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 560-13 bias-ply size and the 155R13 radial size, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire sizing format changes.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially when switching between bias-ply and radial construction. Wheel width matters as well, because the available 560-13 and 155R13 products are intended for different rim-width ranges. Measuring the wheel before selecting tires helps avoid a mismatch between the tire choice and the car's current wheel setup.
What does 560-13 mean on a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
560-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 portion refers to nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, and the 13 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment used with a classic small-car sizing convention.
That older format matters because it points you toward bias-ply tire choices rather than modern metric radials. It also helps explain why whitewall options appear in this size while the radial offerings use a different size language. When converting away from 560-13, use an actual equivalent size and verify the wheel width and vehicle clearance before making the change.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
560-13 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment on a 13-inch rim, and the available products in this size include classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich and Firestone with whitewall sidewall treatments.
That makes 560-13 the natural choice for owners who want a more traditional presentation and period-style sizing language. Moving away from it changes more than construction alone, because radial alternatives use different size formats and may call for different wheel-width considerations. A car that has been updated over time should have its wheels checked before any construction change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-13?
Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent appears for this size, so the available alternatives are standard radial formats rather than a radial styled like a bias-ply tire.
These options should be treated as equivalent choices to evaluate, not automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range tied to the equivalency guidance is 4 to 5 inches, which makes wheel measurement especially important. Overall dimensions, fender space, and steering clearance should also be reviewed before changing from the original 560-13 bias-ply setup.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
That choice depends on how the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 is being preserved and what wheel setup it has today. A 560-13 bias-ply tire keeps the traditional construction and vintage sizing style, while 155R13 provides a radial fitment in a period European size format on the same 13-inch rim diameter.
Owners focused on appearance often start with the look they want the car to present, especially when whitewall styling is part of the plan. Owners considering radial tires should confirm wheel width and vehicle clearance before converting, since radial-equivalent sizing is a fitment comparison point rather than a guaranteed interchange. Construction choice works best when matched to both the car's setup and its intended use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 560-13 or 155R13 tire for a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
Start with the correct size for the wheel and construction you intend to run. The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 uses 560-13 as a bias-ply fitment and 155R13 as a radial fitment, both on 13-inch rims, so the main decision is construction type, sizing format, and the visual style you want.
After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the available tire series. A whitewall bias-ply choice sends the car in a very different visual direction than a blackwall radial from Michelin or Dunlop. The best selection process is to confirm the wheel dimensions first, then match the tire to the car's current setup, use, and presentation goals.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears on the radial offerings in 155R13-style sizing, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.
That makes sidewall style one of the clearest ways to shape the car's final appearance. A blackwall radial gives a restrained European look, while narrow or wide whitewalls create a more visibly vintage presentation. Sidewall preference should still come after the basic fitment decision, because the whitewall options and blackwall options are tied to different construction types and tire sizes.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 has tire choices from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial side in 155R13-style sizing, while BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 560-13 bias-ply options in classic series with whitewall sidewall treatments.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the type of tire you want rather than trying to rank one maker over another. Some buyers begin with radial versus bias-ply, then compare the available series and sidewall presentation within that group. That approach keeps the decision tied to fitment, appearance, and wheel compatibility instead of just the brand name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
A period-style approach usually starts with the 560-13 bias-ply size, because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing convention and supports traditional whitewall presentations. For the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500, that creates the most clearly traditional visual character among the available tire choices.
Exact originality can vary by market, trim, and individual restoration goals, so buyers pursuing strict historical accuracy should compare the car against marque references or restoration documentation. For many owners, the practical decision is simpler: use 560-13 when the goal is an earlier-style look, and evaluate 155R13 when a radial format better suits the car's current setup.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 more than many buyers expect. A 560-13 bias-ply tire carries the older numeric size format and is available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling, while 155R13 radial choices appear as blackwall tires in a later metric format.
That difference influences how authentic, formal, or subtly updated the car appears from the curb. A restoration built around traditional presentation may lean toward the bias-ply look, while a car restored for regular road use may accept the radial appearance more easily. Matching the tire's visual language to the car's finish and wheel setup usually produces the most coherent result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 even when the nominal size still sounds correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and brake updates can all change the space available for either a 560-13 bias-ply tire or a 155R13 radial tire.
The safest approach is to inspect the car as it sits rather than assuming it still matches original wheel and chassis dimensions. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering stops should all be confirmed. That matters even more when moving between bias-ply and radial construction, since the tire category itself can change the fitment relationship.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall clearance with the new tires mounted. The 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 should also be checked for rubbing during steering movement and suspension travel, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or has had wheel or suspension changes over the years.
Tire condition deserves the same attention on a collector car as fitment itself. Make sure inflation is set properly for the tire being used, then inspect for cuts, bulges, visible sidewall damage, and any signs of air loss after installation. A short test drive followed by a second visual inspection is a sensible final step before regular road use.
How should 560-13 or 155R13 tires on a collector 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to storage conditions. Whether the 1964 Fiat 1300 & 1500 is running 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials, low annual mileage does not eliminate aging, air loss, or the effects of long-term heat and sunlight exposure.
A good routine is to inspect tread and sidewalls before each drive and give the tires a closer check after longer periods of storage. Look for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues. Keeping the car clean, dry, and away from prolonged ozone and direct sun helps preserve both appearance and service life.