The 1966 BMW 700 came from a pivotal moment in BMW’s postwar evolution, when small-displacement coupes and specialty-bodied variants helped define the brand’s sporting character in a compact format. Its light size and distinctly European proportions make tire choice especially important to both appearance and drivability. Tire fitment for the 1966 BMW 700 centers on 12-inch bias-ply sizes including 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12, with fitment varying by sub-model. For buyers considering 520-12, modern radial equivalents are available alongside period-style bias-ply options such as blackwall and wide whitewall treatments. The right choice starts with confirming the exact sub-model and then deciding whether originality, road use, or visual presentation matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 BMW 700
The 1966 BMW 700 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All three are bias-ply sizes for 12-inch rims, so the key decision is not just wheel diameter but whether your car uses 5.60-12, 520-12, or 5.50-12 before comparing period-style tire choices or a radial equivalent for 520-12.
A 5.60-12 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where the first number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number refers to the wheel diameter. On the 1966 BMW 700, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the compact proportions and period character of the car. It sits within the same 12-inch wheel family as the other BMW 700 sizes, but it should be matched to the correct sub-model rather than treated as universal. This size makes the most sense when the goal is to stay with the primary vintage construction and preserve a restoration-oriented look.
The 520-12 designation is a numeric bias-ply size, with a nominal section width of about 5.2 inches and a 12-inch rim diameter. It is one of the primary fitments for the 1966 BMW 700 and is also the only size here with clearly defined modern radial equivalents. Available bias-ply products in this size include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, giving buyers a visible appearance choice within the correct vintage format. This size deserves extra attention if road-use priorities make a radial alternative worth comparing against a period-style bias-ply replacement.
A 5.50-12 tire follows the same numeric bias-ply format, using a nominal section width of about 5.5 inches on a 12-inch wheel. For the 1966 BMW 700, it is a primary fitment tied to specific sub-model coverage rather than the full model line. Like the other BMW 700 sizes shown here, it reflects a vintage bias-ply construction choice that supports an authentic small-car presentation from the period. Choosing this size starts with confirming that your particular BMW 700 configuration uses it, then checking actual wheel condition and overall setup before replacement.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1966 BMW 700 because the covered versions do not all use the same tire-size combination. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is an LS Coupe or a Sport & Cabrio, then match the tire size to that configuration.
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1966 BMW 700 LS Coupe
The 1966 BMW 700 LS Coupe uses two covered bias-ply sizes within the 12-inch fitment family: 5.60-12 and 520-12. That makes size confirmation especially important, and 520-12 also opens the door to comparing period-style bias-ply options with a modern radial equivalent.
The 1966 BMW 700 Sport & Cabrio uses 5.50-12 and 5.60-12 bias-ply tire sizes on 12-inch rims. Tire selection here starts with identifying which of those two primary sizes belongs on the car, then choosing a replacement that suits its appearance and intended road use.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1966 BMW 700
For 520-12, two radial-equivalent choices are available. 125R12 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, while P125/75R12 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent. These alternatives give the 520-12 fitment two modern sizing formats to consider rather than a bias-look radial option. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies, and any conversion should still be checked against the car’s actual wheels, overall dimensions, and clearance.
Modern Radial Equivalents
125R12
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (520-12)
P125/75R12
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (520-12)
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 BMW 700 Tires for Sale
Available 520-12 products center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations. That gives the product grid a clear appearance-focused comparison within the same 12-inch bias-ply size.
Owners of a 1966 BMW 700 usually need to sort out sub-model tire size first, then decide between period-style bias-ply fitment and the available radial alternatives for 520-12. The questions below focus on size meaning, wheel fitment, product choice, appearance, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 BMW 700?
The 1966 BMW 700 uses three primary bias-ply tire sizes: 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model, since the LS Coupe and the Sport & Cabrio do not share the same two-size combination.
That means the first step is identifying the car’s exact version before ordering tires. Once the sub-model is confirmed, compare the existing wheel setup and the size currently on the car, especially if it has been restored or altered over time, because a BMW 700 with changed wheels or previous substitutions may not still match its original fitment pattern.
What size rim does a 1966 BMW 700 use?
The tire sizes used on the 1966 BMW 700 are all built for 12-inch rims. That applies across the 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12 primary fitments tied to this model.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so do not stop at confirming that the wheel is 12 inches. The actual wheel width, the condition of the rim, and any prior wheel changes should also be checked before mounting a new tire, especially on a small vintage BMW where tire and wheel proportions are easy to alter unintentionally.
Do all 1966 BMW 700 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1966 BMW 700 LS Coupe uses 5.60-12 and 520-12, while the 1966 BMW 700 Sport & Cabrio uses 5.50-12 and 5.60-12. The shared size is 5.60-12, but the second covered size differs by sub-model.
That difference matters because a tire that is correct for one BMW 700 version should not be assumed correct for another. A buyer standing in front of the car should confirm the sub-model name first, then verify the wheel and the tire size already fitted, particularly if the vehicle has passed through multiple owners or older restoration work.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 520-12 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1966 BMW 700?
For the 1966 BMW 700, 520-12 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the older numeric sizing system and is offered in bias-ply construction within the BMW 700’s original 12-inch fitment family.
That matters because bias-ply and radial tires are different constructions, even when a radial equivalent exists for the same primary size. Anyone replacing 520-12 should decide whether the goal is to keep the traditional bias-ply setup for period-style appearance or to evaluate a radial alternative after confirming wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance on the actual car.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 520-12?
Radial equivalents for 520-12 include 125R12 and P125/75R12. The 125R12 is a Euro-metric 80-series style radial equivalent, while P125/75R12 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent for the same primary vintage size.
Those options give the BMW 700 two modern radial sizing formats to compare, but neither should be treated as automatic interchangeability. The recommended rim-width range is 4 to 5 inches, and the actual wheel, tire clearance, and overall vehicle setup should be checked carefully before switching from the original bias-ply format to either radial alternative.
What should I check before converting my 1966 BMW 700 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car uses the 520-12 primary size, since that is the BMW 700 fitment with stated radial equivalents. Then compare the candidate radial size, the 12-inch wheel diameter, and the recommended 4 to 5 inch rim-width range before making the change.
A conversion decision should also include clearance at the fenders and steering, the condition and width of the existing wheels, and whether the car has had suspension or wheel changes over the years. On a compact vintage car like the BMW 700, even modest fitment differences deserve a careful check rather than an assumption that every equivalent will behave the same way.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 520-12 tire for a 1966 BMW 700?
The main factors are confirming that 520-12 is the correct primary size for your sub-model, deciding whether to stay with bias-ply construction, and choosing the appearance you want. In this size, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options include both blackwall and wide whitewall styles.
That means the decision is partly visual and partly practical. A period-style restoration may favor the bias-ply format and a sidewall treatment that matches the car’s overall presentation, while a road-use-oriented owner may also want to compare the available radial equivalents after checking wheel width, fitment, and the condition of the 12-inch rims.
What sidewall styles are available for 1966 BMW 700 tires?
Within the available 520-12 product range for the 1966 BMW 700, sidewall choices include blackwall and wide whitewall. Both are offered in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, so the buyer can stay within the same vintage construction while changing the tire’s visual character.
That sidewall decision is mostly about presentation rather than basic fitment. A blackwall usually gives a cleaner, more understated look, while a wide whitewall creates a more pronounced period-style appearance, so it helps to step back from the car and consider how the tire will look against the body, trim, and overall restoration direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1966 BMW 700?
Available products in the covered BMW 700 tire range include BFGoodrich. The currently available 520-12 offerings are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with more than one sidewall style available in that size.
Brand is only one part of the selection process on a specialty vintage fitment like this. It still makes sense to confirm the exact size your sub-model uses, compare construction type and sidewall presentation, and look at wheel compatibility before making a final choice, especially when the visible character of the tire is as important as the nominal fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 BMW 700?
A period-style 1966 BMW 700 starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model, whether that is 5.60-12, 520-12, or 5.50-12. Keeping the original construction type usually preserves the compact vintage look more naturally than moving immediately to a modern radial format.
Once the size is confirmed, appearance becomes the next decision. A buyer focused on restoration should compare sidewall treatment and overall visual character rather than assuming any tire sold in the right size reflects the car’s original delivery specification, and exact originality questions are best checked against marque-specific historical references when details matter closely.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1966 BMW 700 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1966 BMW 700 because the car’s small dimensions make tire proportions highly visible. Using the right primary size and the proper bias-ply construction helps maintain the balanced, period-style stance that buyers and enthusiasts expect from a compact 1960s BMW.
Fitment also affects more than appearance alone. A substituted size can alter wheel fill, sidewall presence, and visual scale, so restorers should confirm the exact sub-model and tire size before choosing between blackwall, wide whitewall, or a radial alternative, especially if the car has already been through earlier cosmetic or mechanical work.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 BMW 700?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1966 BMW 700 even when the tire size itself looks close to stock. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can all influence how a 12-inch vintage tire sits and clears.
That is especially important on a compact car where space is limited and visual proportions change quickly. A BMW 700 with non-original wheels or previous restoration changes should have its actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and fender clearance checked carefully before replacement, rather than relying only on the nominal tire size printed on an older sidewall.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 BMW 700 on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 BMW 700 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper mounting on the 12-inch rims, and make sure the tires are inflated correctly for the application. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering for obvious wear that could affect tracking or clearance.
A short initial road test is a smart next step. During that first drive, pay attention to rubbing, vibration, unusual pull, or contact at full steering lock, then recheck air pressure and visual seating afterward, because small vintage cars can reveal fitment issues quickly once the tires are carrying the car’s full weight in motion.
How should 520-12 tires on a collector 1966 BMW 700 be maintained?
520-12 tires on a collector 1966 BMW 700 should be maintained with regular air-pressure checks, visual inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic review of the wheel condition itself. Low-mileage collector cars often need more condition monitoring than mileage-based replacement thinking.
Storage habits matter too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps protect the rubber, and the tires should be inspected before any longer outing even if the BMW 700 has spent most of its time parked, since age and storage conditions can affect a vintage tire just as much as road use.
