The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine sits squarely in the British sports car tradition of the early 1960s, with light weight, crisp proportions, and a roadster character that rewards attention to detail. Tire choice plays a big role in how that character is presented and experienced, because this Alpine can be fitted with either a period-style 600-13 bias-ply tire or a 165R13 radial on the same 13-inch rim. That opens the door to different sidewall looks and driving priorities. Choosing between traditional bias-ply appearance and a radial alternative starts with the correct size, then moves to wheel compatibility, intended road use, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine
The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is tied to construction rather than wheel diameter, since both sizes fit a 13-inch rim. The first step is deciding whether your Alpine is being kept in a period-style bias-ply setup with 600-13 or fitted with a radial-size option in 165R13. From there, the real decision becomes appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and how you want the car to feel in regular road use.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine, this size represents the radial fitment path and gives the car a more modern sizing convention while keeping the correct 13-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop products in blackwall form, with series such as Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet. It is the size to evaluate when the goal is radial construction without moving away from the Alpine's proper wheel diameter.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 600 designation refers to nominal section width in the older inch-based system, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and suits owners who want a more vintage tire presentation and construction type. Available examples come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. It is the size to keep in focus when period-style appearance and original-era tire character matter more than moving to a radial format.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1964 Sunbeam Alpine sub-models because the same two tire sizes are used. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is staying with a bias-ply presentation or moving to a radial-size setup on the 13-inch rim.
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1964 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe
The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe uses the same 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply fitment paths found on this model line. That means tire selection comes down to construction choice, sidewall presentation, and making sure the wheel setup matches the tire you want to run.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine
For the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine, the original 600-13 bias-ply size has three radial-equivalent options. 165R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P175/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. These choices differ by sizing convention and profile family rather than serving as automatic substitutes for one another. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with the equivalent sizing path, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before conversion.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
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 Sunbeam Alpine Tires for Sale
Available 1964 Sunbeam Alpine tire choices include Michelin and Dunlop radials in 165R13 blackwall form, along with BFGoodrich 600-13 bias-ply options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The product grid is most useful for comparing construction, series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility.
Owners researching 1964 Sunbeam Alpine tires usually need to sort out size, 13-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and what the available sidewall and brand choices mean for restoration or regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are associated with a 13-inch rim, so the key difference is the tire sizing system and construction type rather than a change in wheel diameter.
That means the right choice starts with how the car is set up and what kind of tire presentation you want. A 600-13 keeps the Alpine in a traditional bias-ply format, while 165R13 follows the radial route. Before choosing, confirm actual wheel width, check for any aftermarket wheel changes, and make sure the tire's dimensions and construction suit the car's intended use.
What size rim does a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine use?
The tire fitments for the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both the 165R13 radial size and the 600-13 bias-ply size use that same wheel diameter, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire formats differ.
Diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Wheel width matters too, especially when comparing a 600-13 bias-ply tire with a 165R13 radial or one of the radial equivalents tied to the bias-ply size. It is smart to measure the wheels actually on the car before ordering, particularly if the Alpine has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.
Does the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe uses the same fitment choices found on this model, with 165R13 in radial form and 600-13 in bias-ply form. The wheel diameter remains 13 inches in either case, so the basic fitment path stays consistent for the Coupe.
That consistency makes tire shopping simpler, but the construction choice still matters. A buyer choosing for the Coupe still needs to decide whether the goal is a more period-style bias-ply look or a radial setup in the proper size family. Wheel width, suspension condition, and any non-stock wheel or brake changes should still be checked before settling on one construction or equivalent route.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
On the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine, 600-13 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is tied to the traditional construction choice for this car, while 165R13 represents the radial-size path on the same 13-inch rim diameter.
Choosing 600-13 keeps the Alpine in a more vintage construction and appearance range, especially with whitewall sidewall options. Switching away from it means more than changing the number on the sidewall, since radial alternatives bring a different sizing format and may call for closer attention to wheel width and overall fit. The best approach is to match the tire type to the car's setup and intended use.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 600-13?
Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These sizes provide several radial-format alternatives to the original bias-ply size used on the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine.
Those equivalents should be treated as comparison options, not automatic swaps. The associated rim-width range for the equivalent path is 4 to 5 inches, and the final choice should still account for wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components. That check becomes especially important on a small sports car like the Alpine, where wheel and tire proportions affect both appearance and fitment.
What should I check before converting my 1964 Sunbeam Alpine from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the current wheel diameter and width, then compare the radial size you are considering against the Alpine's existing setup. A 600-13 bias-ply owner may look at 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13, but the change should be reviewed as a fitment decision rather than assumed interchangeable.
After that, inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and overall wheel condition before road use. Cars that have sat for long periods or received aftermarket wheels deserve extra attention. It also helps to think through the purpose of the car, since a restoration-oriented Alpine may lean toward the original-style bias-ply appearance, while a road-driven car may push the decision toward one of the radial-size alternatives.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-13 tire for a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
The first consideration is whether you want to keep the Alpine in its traditional bias-ply format. In 600-13, the available choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply products, and the main visual distinction is sidewall treatment rather than a change in basic construction.
That makes appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use the real decision points. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall can change the car's presentation noticeably, even though both remain in the same vintage-style size family. Check that the wheels match the tire's width requirements, and make sure the choice supports the look you want before moving on to any radial-equivalent comparison.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Sunbeam Alpine tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction you choose. The 165R13 radial options are offered as blackwall tires, while the 600-13 bias-ply choices are available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments, giving the Alpine distinct visual directions depending on the setup.
That difference matters because sidewall style influences the car's overall presentation almost as much as the wheel itself. A blackwall radial usually supports a cleaner sporting look, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more vintage-oriented appearance. The smartest way to choose is to start with the correct size and construction, then decide which sidewall treatment best fits the Alpine's restoration goals and road use.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
The 1964 Sunbeam Alpine has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial side with blackwall products, while BFGoodrich supplies 600-13 bias-ply choices in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with whitewall variations.
Brand matters mainly as part of the overall package, not as a shortcut to the right answer. It still makes sense to compare size, construction, sidewall style, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and any load information that comes with the product. Once the correct fitment path is settled, the brand and series can help narrow the choice to the tire that best suits the Alpine's appearance and use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
A period-style 1964 Sunbeam Alpine usually starts with the 600-13 bias-ply fitment, because that size and construction preserve the car's vintage tire character more closely than a modern radial format. Within that size, the available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply choices let appearance become part of the decision.
The final selection depends on whether the goal is a roadgoing vintage look or a more exact restoration effort. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions create different visual impressions, but neither should be assumed factory-correct without model-specific historical verification. When exact originality matters, compare your car against marque references, period photos, and restoration documentation before settling on the sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1964 Sunbeam Alpine as well as its fitment language. A 600-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a traditional period-style presentation, while a 165R13 radial introduces a more modern sidewall and sizing convention, even though the wheel diameter remains 13 inches.
That visual difference is often one of the biggest restoration decisions on a small 1960s sports car. Owners aiming for a vintage look usually focus on the bias-ply route and its whitewall options, while drivers leaning toward regular road use may accept the radial appearance tradeoff. Tire choice should support the story you want the car to tell when viewed at a glance as much as how you plan to drive it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?
Yes. Even though the 1964 Sunbeam Alpine uses 13-inch tire fitments, modifications can change what works cleanly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or bodywork repairs can all affect how a 165R13, 600-13, or radial equivalent sits in the wheel opening.
That is why actual measurement matters more than assumption on an older sports car. Check wheel width, verify tire-to-fender and tire-to-suspension clearance, and turn the steering through its full range before committing to a new setup. Small changes can matter on compact vintage cars, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial formats or when the car no longer sits at stock ride height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine on new tires?
Start with the basics: confirm tire pressure, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the setup you chose. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a small sports car feels on fresh tires.
A careful walkaround should also include checking for body or chassis interference once the car is on the ground. Turn the steering from lock to lock, look for any rubbing points, and recheck lug hardware after initial driving. On a collector vehicle that may have spent time parked, it is smart to watch for air loss, settling, or vibration during the first few outings.
How should 1964 Sunbeam Alpine tires be maintained?
Tires on a 1964 Sunbeam Alpine should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, and bulges, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage, so visual condition matters just as much as tread depth.
Good maintenance also means protecting the car from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when stored. Move the Alpine periodically if it sits for extended stretches, and look over the tires before every longer drive. Keeping wheel alignment and suspension condition in check helps preserve both bias-ply and radial tires and makes the car more predictable on the road.
