1965 Singer Gazelle Tires

The 1965 Singer Gazelle uses two primary tire sizes: 600-13 and 650-13. Both are bias-ply fitments for 13-inch rims, and both appear within the covered Gazelle IV, V, and VI range. The difference between them is mainly section width, with 600-13 representing the narrower of the two period-style sizes.

Choosing correctly starts with confirming what is actually on the car now, especially if wheels have been changed during restoration or long-term ownership. Check the wheel diameter, measure wheel width if needed, and compare the present tire size before ordering. Once the size is settled, the next decisions are usually whitewall style, brand, and whether to remain with bias-ply construction or evaluate a radial equivalent.

The 1965 Singer Gazelle tire fitments use a 13-inch rim diameter. Both primary sizes, 600-13 and 650-13, are built around that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the basic rim size stays consistent even though the tire width can vary between the two fitments.

Rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width still matters because the available 600-13 and 650-13 tires are designed around different rim-width ranges, and that can affect proper mounting and tire shape. If the car has aftermarket wheels, verify both diameter and width before choosing a replacement. That extra step helps avoid selecting the right nominal size for the wrong wheel.

No. The 1965 Singer Gazelle IV, V, and VI grouping is associated with both 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply tire sizes rather than one shared size across every covered car. Both fitments use 13-inch rims, but the tire size itself is not limited to a single choice across the whole sub-model range.

That means the sub-model name alone may not settle the decision. It is smart to confirm the actual wheel and tire setup on the individual car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or maintained over many years. A quick check of the current tire sidewall and wheel dimensions usually answers the question faster than relying on assumptions about the Gazelle badge or series designation.

For the 1965 Singer Gazelle, 600-13 is a bias-ply primary fitment. In this sizing system, the number indicates an approximate nominal section width and the 13 identifies the rim diameter. The available 600-13 products are traditional bias-ply tires rather than radial tires in the primary fitment listing.

That matters because staying with a bias-ply tire preserves the original style of construction and the vintage look of the car’s narrow wheel-and-tire package. If a radial alternative is being considered, compare it as a separate equivalent rather than treating it as the same thing. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and fender or steering clearance should all be checked before making that change.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Radial equivalents for 650-13 include 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13, with 650R13 serving as the bias-look radial option. Those choices cover 80-series metric, 75-series P-metric, 70-series P-metric, and one radial styled to keep a more vintage appearance.

Equivalent sizing is useful, but it does not remove the need for a fitment check. The wheel must suit the intended radial size, and the car should have adequate room for section width and overall tire dimensions under real driving conditions. For the Gazelle, the recommended rim-width range is 4-5 inches for 600-13 equivalents and 4-6 inches for 650-13 equivalents.

Start with the exact original-size baseline on the car, then compare it to the specific radial equivalent being considered, such as 165R13 or P165/75R13 for 600-13, or 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, or 650R13 for 650-13. The wheel diameter must remain 13 inches, and the wheel width needs to suit the radial size chosen.

A careful conversion also means checking clearance at full steering lock, under suspension movement, and around the fender openings. Collector cars can have wheel swaps, tired springs, or previous repairs that change the available space. It is also worth considering the goal of the car: a restoration-oriented presentation may favor bias-ply or a bias-look radial, while regular road use may lead the owner to study the metric radial options more closely.

Begin with the exact size the car is set up to use, since the 1965 Singer Gazelle can take either 600-13 or 650-13 on 13-inch wheels. From there, compare tire construction, rim-width compatibility, and the visual effect of the available sidewall styles. The available tires are all bias-ply in the primary fitments, so the next differences are mostly sizing, brand, series, and whitewall treatment.

A narrower 600-13 and a wider 650-13 can change the overall look of the car even when both are period-style choices. It also helps to compare product details such as load capacity and tire weight, especially if the car is driven regularly rather than displayed occasionally. Once the fitment is confirmed, the best choice is usually the one that matches the car’s wheel dimensions, use pattern, and desired appearance.

The 1965 Singer Gazelle tire offerings include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. In 600-13, the available BFGoodrich options are offered with either a 2.00-inch whitewall or a 1.00-inch whitewall. In 650-13, Coker Classic and US Royal options appear with wider and narrower whitewall treatments as well.

That sidewall choice has a big effect on the finished character of the car, especially on a compact British saloon where the tire is visually prominent against a small wheel diameter. A wide whitewall leans into a more formal vintage presentation, while a narrow whitewall is more restrained. Since both sizes and both whitewall styles are not automatically interchangeable, confirm the tire size first and treat the sidewall as the appearance decision that follows.

Tires for the 1965 Singer Gazelle are available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal. BFGoodrich appears in 600-13 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Coker Classic and US Royal appear in 650-13 through their respective classic bias-ply series. Each brand offering stays within the period-style bias-ply theme for this car’s primary fitments.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the actual size, wheel-width compatibility, and the sidewall look wanted for the car. In practical terms, the product grid gives the owner a way to compare how the same vintage fitment can be presented differently across tire series and whitewall treatments. That makes the final decision more about matching the car’s setup and style than simply picking a name on the sidewall.

A period-style 1965 Singer Gazelle starts with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, either 600-13 or 650-13, depending on the wheel and tire setup on the individual car. That keeps the size format and construction in line with the car’s original-era presentation. From there, choices within BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal lines let the owner refine the finished look.

The most appropriate visual result usually comes from matching the tire’s width and whitewall treatment to the way the car is being restored or preserved. A wide whitewall creates a more pronounced vintage statement, while a narrow whitewall is subtler. If exact originality matters beyond a period-style appearance, marque-specific photos, club references, and restoration records are worth checking before settling on a particular sidewall presentation.

Construction changes the visual character of a restored 1965 Singer Gazelle as much as the size itself. A bias-ply tire gives the car the more traditional look associated with narrow 13-inch vintage fitments, especially when paired with the available whitewall styles. A radial equivalent can alter the overall presentation even when it is chosen to stay close to the original size range.

That does not mean a radial is automatically wrong for the car. It simply means the owner should decide whether the priority is restoration-oriented appearance, regular road use, or a balance of both. For 650-13, the 650R13 bias-look radial offers a middle ground in concept by keeping a more vintage visual theme while still being a radial alternative rather than a bias-ply tire.

Yes. A 1965 Singer Gazelle may originally be associated with 600-13 or 650-13 on 13-inch wheels, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body repairs can affect what actually fits the car now. Even when the tire size on paper seems right, a changed wheel width or altered clearance can make the final fitment decision more complicated.

That is why it helps to inspect the car as it sits rather than relying only on the model name. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, and how much room exists around the fenders and steering components. Modified collector cars often carry changes that are easy to miss at first glance, and catching those details before mounting tires is simpler than correcting a clearance problem afterward.

Before putting a 1965 Singer Gazelle back on the road, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic alignment condition along with the new tires themselves. Confirm that the chosen size matches the wheel setup, then look for any obvious interference points around the fenders and suspension. It is also smart to verify that tire pressures are set appropriately for the tires being installed.

A short shakedown drive should include attention to steering feel, pulling, vibration, and any signs of contact under turning or bumps. Collector cars that have sat for long periods can reveal unrelated issues once fresh tires are fitted, including worn suspension bushings or wheel-bearing play. Catching those problems early helps the new tires wear more evenly and keeps the car more confidence-inspiring on the road.

Collector-car tires in 600-13 or 650-13 should be checked regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Because a 1965 Singer Gazelle may see limited mileage, age and storage conditions matter just as much as visible tread depth. Keeping the tires clean and visually inspected is especially important on a car that spends long periods parked.

Good storage habits help preserve both appearance and serviceability. Try to keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment, and move it periodically so the tires are not left in one loaded position for too long. Before any longer drive, give the tires and wheels another quick inspection so a low-use classic does not surprise its owner once it is back on the road.