1964 Singer Gazelle Tires

The 1964 Singer Gazelle uses two primary tire sizes: 600-13 and 650-13. Both are bias-ply sizes for 13-inch rims, and both are associated with Gazelle IV, V, and VI applications, so this is not a case where one sub-model automatically gets one size and another gets a different one.

The practical question is which setup your individual car is actually using today. Checking the tires already on the car, confirming wheel width, and measuring available clearance will help determine whether 600-13 or 650-13 is the appropriate starting point before comparing whitewall styles or looking at radial-equivalent alternatives.

The primary tire fitments for the 1964 Singer Gazelle are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 600-13 and 650-13 use that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the last number in each size points to the rim diameter rather than a different tire profile family.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment check, especially on a car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. It still makes sense to verify actual wheel width before ordering tires, because the available 600-13 and 650-13 products do not share the same rim-width recommendations.

These are older numeric bias-ply tire sizes. In this format, the first number is the nominal section-width class with the decimal omitted, so 600-13 represents roughly a 6.00-inch section-width class and 650-13 represents roughly a 6.50-inch section-width class, both for 13-inch rims.

For a 1964 Singer Gazelle owner, that means the two sizes share wheel diameter but differ in overall tire proportions and product selection. Since many modern buyers are more familiar with metric radials, understanding that these are vintage bias-ply sizes helps when comparing period-style replacements to radial-equivalent options.

Both 600-13 and 650-13 are primary bias-ply fitments for the 1964 Singer Gazelle. That means the original fitment path for this car stays within vintage-style bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial size being the starting point.

Bias-ply choice matters for owners aiming to preserve a traditional look and older sizing character. Anyone considering a radial alternative should treat that as a separate fitment decision, then confirm wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before moving away from the primary bias-ply setup.

For 600-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. For 650-13, the radial equivalents are 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, with 650R13 serving as a bias-look radial option for owners who want a more traditional visual presentation.

These equivalents give the Gazelle owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into metric or P-metric radial sizing. The next step is checking the wheel against the recommended rim-width range for the intended equivalent and making sure the tire’s dimensions and clearance suit the car’s actual setup.

Start with the original bias-ply size on the car, then compare it to the intended radial equivalent for the same 13-inch wheel diameter. On a 1964 Singer Gazelle, that means confirming whether the car is set up for 600-13 or 650-13 before considering sizes such as 165R13, 175R13, or the related P-metric alternatives.

A careful conversion review should include wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components. A car that has been modified, lowered, or fitted with non-original wheels deserves extra attention, because an equivalent radial size still needs to work with the vehicle’s actual wheel and body setup.

Begin with the correct primary size for the car’s current wheel and tire setup, then look at construction, sidewall style, and product-series character. The 1964 Singer Gazelle uses bias-ply tires in either 600-13 or 650-13, so the first decision is size confirmation rather than jumping straight to brand preference.

Once the size is settled, compare the visual effect of narrow versus wide whitewalls, along with rim-width compatibility and load figures such as 1010@32 psi for 600-13 products and 1150@32 psi for 650-13 products. Those details help separate a restoration-oriented choice from one aimed more at general road use.

The available sidewall styles for the 1964 Singer Gazelle center on whitewall variations. In 600-13, options include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall, and the 650-13 offerings also include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments across the applicable classic bias-ply products.

That gives the car a meaningful appearance choice even before brand or series enters the picture. A wider whitewall can create a more formal period-style look, while a narrower whitewall keeps the presentation more restrained, so the right choice depends on how the Gazelle is being restored or displayed.

Tires for the 1964 Singer Gazelle are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal in the applicable 13-inch bias-ply sizes. BFGoodrich appears in 600-13, while 650-13 opens up choices from Coker Classic and US Royal in classic bias-ply series.

Brand matters here mainly as part of the overall presentation and product mix rather than as a ranking exercise. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare each brand’s available sidewall style, rim-width specification, and series character so the tire suits both the car’s setup and the owner’s appearance goals.

A period-style starting point for a 1964 Singer Gazelle is the correct primary bias-ply size already associated with the car, either 600-13 or 650-13, depending on its setup. Staying with bias-ply construction preserves the older sizing format and the traditional sidewall shape that many restoration-minded owners want.

After size is confirmed, the appearance decision shifts to whitewall treatment and brand or series preference. If exact historical authenticity matters beyond general period style, it is worth checking marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation before deciding that one sidewall treatment is more appropriate than another.

Construction changes the visual character of the car as much as the driving feel. A bias-ply tire in 600-13 or 650-13 keeps the 1964 Singer Gazelle in its vintage numeric sizing system, while a modern radial equivalent shifts the tire into metric or P-metric form and can change the overall presentation.

That is especially important on a compact British saloon where wheel-and-tire proportions are easy to notice. Owners who want a traditional restoration look often stay with bias-ply or consider a bias-look radial where available, while owners focused more on general road use may be more open to a conventional radial appearance.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1964 Singer Gazelle even when the tire size itself is appropriate on paper. Wheel changes, altered offsets, suspension work, or ride-height changes can all influence whether a 600-13, 650-13, or radial-equivalent tire clears the fenders and steering components correctly.

A Gazelle that has aftermarket wheels or non-stock suspension should be checked more carefully than an untouched car. Measuring wheel width, confirming 13-inch rim diameter, and inspecting tire clearance at full steering lock will do more for fitment confidence than relying on the size code alone.

Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, confirm that the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the car’s setup, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It also helps to check for any visible interference around the fenders, suspension, and steering when the car is on the ground.

A short, careful test drive is useful after installation, especially on a low-use collector car. Pay attention to pull, vibration, unusual contact marks, or signs of uneven clearance, then recheck pressure and fasteners so the 1964 Singer Gazelle is ready for regular local driving or a longer outing.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. On a 1964 Singer Gazelle, that means watching 600-13 or 650-13 tires for cracking, bulges, cuts, unusual air loss, and uneven wear, while also keeping inflation consistent and checking that the car is not sitting for long periods on underinflated tires.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a vintage car. Keeping the Gazelle away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires, and periodic movement of the car helps reduce flat-spotting concerns on bias-ply constructions used for long-term display or seasonal use.