The 1966 Auto-Union Audi comes from a transitional period in postwar European motoring, when compact German sedans and coupes were blending everyday practicality with increasingly modern road manners. For tire selection, that split shows up clearly here: this model uses either a 590-13 bias-ply tire or a 165R13 radial, both on 13-inch rims. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply presentation and a more modern radial format, with available options ranging from a wide whitewall bias-ply to blackwall Michelin and Dunlop radials. The right direction depends on whether the priority is restoration-minded appearance, original-style driving character, or regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 Auto-Union Audi
The 1966 Auto-Union Audi uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is tied to construction rather than wheel diameter, since both fit a 13-inch rim. One choice is the traditional 590-13 bias-ply size, while the other is the 165R13 radial, so the key decision is whether to retain the vintage bias-ply format or use the radial fitment that also applies to this model.
A 165R13 tire uses a nominal 165-millimeter section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter; in this format, the aspect ratio is not separately stated and is commonly treated as an 80-series type. On the 1966 Auto-Union Audi, this size represents the radial fitment choice for owners seeking a later-style tire format. Available products center on blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, including XAS, XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet series. This size is worth evaluating when road use, radial construction, and period European tire character matter more than a bias-ply look.
A 590-13 tire is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number refers to nominal section width, approximately 5.90 inches, and the final number identifies a 13-inch rim. For the 1966 Auto-Union Audi, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and the closer match to an earlier tire presentation. Available choices in this size include a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a 2.375-inch wide whitewall. This size makes the most sense when preserving vintage construction, sidewall character, and a restoration-oriented appearance is the main goal.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered sub-models because the same two tire sizes apply throughout. The main choice is not trim-specific sizing, but whether the car will stay with the 590-13 bias-ply fitment or use the 165R13 radial format.
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1966 Auto-Union Audi Base
The 1966 Auto-Union Audi Base can be equipped with either 165R13 radial tires or 590-13 bias-ply tires on 13-inch rims. That makes tire selection more about construction, sidewall appearance, and intended use than about identifying a different size for this sub-model.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1966 Auto-Union Audi
For the original 590-13 tire size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 165R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent, and P175/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial equivalent. These choices give you a range of radial sizing formats rather than a single substitute, with the 70-series option representing a lower-profile convention than the others. A 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range applies here, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before changing sizes.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (590-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (590-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (590-13)
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 1966 Auto-Union Audi Tires for Sale
Available 1966 Auto-Union Audi tire choices span both constructions: blackwall Michelin and Dunlop radials in 165R13, plus a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply 590-13 with a wide whitewall. That gives buyers room to compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility.
Owners of a 1966 Auto-Union Audi usually need clarity on two things first: whether the car should stay with 590-13 bias-ply tires or move to the 165R13 radial fitment, and what to inspect before putting an older car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
The 1966 Auto-Union Audi uses two primary tire sizes: 590-13 in a bias-ply construction and 165R13 in a radial construction. Both sizes fit a 13-inch rim, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which construction and sizing convention matches the car’s setup and intended use.
That distinction matters because a 590-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, while 165R13 is a Euro-metric radial format. Before choosing between them, confirm the actual wheels on the car, check wheel width, and decide whether the goal is a traditional restoration-style presentation or a radial tire format for regular driving.
What size rim does a 1966 Auto-Union Audi use?
The applicable tire sizes for a 1966 Auto-Union Audi both use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 590-13 bias-ply fitment and the 165R13 radial fitment, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire constructions and sizing systems differ.
Rim diameter is only the first check, though. The available products show different rim-width ranges depending on tire type, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel before selecting a tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been updated over the years.
Does the 1966 Auto-Union Audi Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1966 Auto-Union Audi Base uses the same two tire size choices associated with this model: 165R13 in radial construction and 590-13 in bias-ply construction. There is no separate alternate size tied to the Base sub-model within this fitment range.
That keeps sub-model fitment simple, but tire selection still requires a construction decision. A buyer choosing tires for the Base should focus on whether the car is being kept in a more vintage configuration with bias-ply tires or set up around the radial fitment and its related wheel-width requirements.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 590-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
On the 1966 Auto-Union Audi, 590-13 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and represents the traditional construction choice for this car, while 165R13 is the radial-format alternative used on the same 13-inch rim diameter.
Choosing 590-13 generally points toward a more vintage tire appearance and driving character. Before staying with bias-ply tires, check that the wheels match the narrower rim-width needs of the available product and make sure the rest of the suspension and steering are in sound condition for collector-car road use.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 590-13?
Radial equivalents for 590-13 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 are recognized equivalent-size options for buyers comparing a vintage bias-ply fitment with later radial sizing conventions.
Each of those sizes should be treated as an alternative to evaluate, not as an automatic interchange. The recommended rim-width range associated with the 590-13 equivalency is 4-5 inches, so wheel width, tire clearance, and the actual condition of the car’s wheel and suspension setup should be verified before conversion.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
The answer depends on what matters most for the car. A 590-13 bias-ply tire keeps the vintage sizing format and a more traditional presentation, while a 165R13 radial follows the radial fitment used on this model and opens the door to blackwall Michelin or Dunlop radial choices.
A restoration-oriented car may lean toward bias-ply for period-style character, while a regularly driven car may be evaluated around the radial size. The smart approach is to confirm wheel width, review the car’s current setup, and make sure the selected construction matches both appearance goals and practical road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 590-13 or 165R13 tire for a 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
Start with the correct primary size and construction for the way the car will be used. The 1966 Auto-Union Audi allows a choice between 590-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial tires, so the first decision is whether the priority is vintage presentation and traditional construction or a radial-format tire selection.
After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and any available load information. A bias-ply wide whitewall creates a very different look from a blackwall Michelin or Dunlop radial, and the right choice usually comes down to restoration goals, actual wheel setup, and how often the car sees the road.
What sidewall styles are available for 1966 Auto-Union Audi tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1966 Auto-Union Audi include blackwall and wide whitewall. The 165R13 radial options from Michelin and Dunlop are blackwall tires, while the 590-13 BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply is offered with a 2.375-inch wide whitewall.
That sidewall difference can shape the car’s overall look as much as the construction choice itself. Buyers aiming for a cleaner European radial appearance may prefer blackwalls, while those chasing a stronger vintage visual statement may want the wide whitewall bias-ply option after confirming it suits the vehicle’s presentation goals.
What brands offer tires for the 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer applicable tires for the 1966 Auto-Union Audi. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich supplies the 590-13 bias-ply option through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.
Brand choice should be viewed alongside size, construction, and style rather than in isolation. Michelin XAS and XAS-FF, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, and the BFGoodrich wide whitewall bias-ply option serve different visual and fitment priorities, so compare them by how they match the car’s wheels, use pattern, and appearance direction.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
For a period-style 1966 Auto-Union Audi, the 590-13 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply also adds a wide whitewall presentation that gives the car a distinctly classic visual character.
That does not automatically make it the right answer for every restoration. Some owners prefer a later-style blackwall radial appearance in 165R13, so the best choice depends on the look being recreated and the level of historical accuracy being pursued for the individual car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
Tire construction changes both stance and visual character on a restored 1966 Auto-Union Audi. A 590-13 bias-ply keeps the older sizing language and, in the available wide whitewall version, gives the car a noticeably more traditional look than the blackwall 165R13 radial options from Michelin or Dunlop.
Appearance-focused buyers should think about sidewall style and tire profile at the same time as construction. Bias-ply and radial tires can both suit a vintage car, but they communicate different eras and intentions, so it helps to decide early whether the restoration is aiming for a classic whitewall presentation or a more understated blackwall look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 Auto-Union Audi?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1966 Auto-Union Audi even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 590-13 or 165R13 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A car that has been updated over the years should be measured rather than assumed to remain stock. Confirm actual wheel diameter and width, then check steering movement and fender clearance before committing to a tire, especially when moving between the original-style bias-ply size and a radial equivalent or radial primary fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 Auto-Union Audi on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 Auto-Union Audi on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tire clearance at the front and rear. It is also wise to check alignment, steering play, suspension bushings, and brake condition, since an older car often reveals chassis issues once fresh tires are installed.
Tire condition should still be monitored after installation, especially on collector cars that sit for long periods. Keep pressures consistent, watch for uneven wear or rubbing marks, and recheck the setup after the first few drives so any clearance, balance, or suspension concerns can be addressed before longer road use.
How should 590-13 or 165R13 tires on a collector 1966 Auto-Union Audi be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1966 Auto-Union Audi should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread irregularities, and slow air loss, whether the car runs 590-13 bias-ply tires or 165R13 radials.
Low-use cars often age their tires before they wear them out, so mileage alone is not enough. Keeping the Audi away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspection of wheel condition and balance helps keep a vintage car ready for safe road use.
