The 1966 Nissan 1600 sits in the early wave of Japanese sports cars that brought light weight, simple roadster character, and European-inspired proportions to American enthusiasts. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice has a real effect on both appearance and driving feel. This model uses either a 560-14 bias-ply tire or a 165R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. That opens the door to traditional bias-ply styling with blackwall or whitewall treatments, or to classic blackwall radial choices from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The right decision comes down to how closely the car should reflect period presentation versus how it will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 Nissan 1600
The 1966 Nissan 1600 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is tied to construction rather than wheel diameter. Both fit a 14-inch rim, but one is a vintage 560-14 bias-ply and the other is a 165R14 radial. The first step is deciding whether the car should keep a more traditional bias-ply setup or use the radial fitment, then comparing the available tire styles within that size.
The 165R14 size uses a metric section-width measurement in millimeters, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On a 1966 Nissan 1600, this is the radial-format fitment and suits owners who want a classic blackwall look in a more modern tire sizing convention. Available choices include the Pirelli Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, all within the 165R14 family. This size is worth considering when the car already runs radial-compatible wheels and the goal is a vintage sports-car presentation with established radial options.
The 560-14 size is a traditional numeric bias-ply designation, where the leading number reflects nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the 14-inch rim. For the 1966 Nissan 1600, it represents the period-style bias-ply fitment and keeps the car in a more traditional tire construction. BFGoodrich offerings in this size include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. This size makes sense when restoration appearance matters most and the wheel setup matches the narrower rim-width range used by bias-ply tires.
The covered 1966 Nissan 1600 sub-model shares the same two-size fitment pattern, so the decision is more about construction and presentation than trim-level differences. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car should stay with a 560-14 bias-ply or use the 165R14 radial setup.
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1966 Nissan 1600 Sports
The 1966 Nissan 1600 Sports uses the same 14-inch fitment choices found across this page: 560-14 in bias-ply form or 165R14 in radial form. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more traditional period-style tire presentation and a classic blackwall radial approach, with wheel compatibility worth confirming before changing construction.
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 Nissan 1600 Tires for Sale
Available 1966 Nissan 1600 tire choices split cleanly between 165R14 radial blackwalls from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, and 560-14 BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall form. Tire series, sidewall style, construction, and rim-width range are the main points to compare.
Owners of a 1966 Nissan 1600 usually need to sort out two things first: whether the car should run 560-14 bias-ply tires or 165R14 radials, and how that choice affects appearance, wheel fitment, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 Nissan 1600?
The 1966 Nissan 1600 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-14 in bias-ply construction and 165R14 in radial construction. Both sizes are tied to 14-inch rims, so the key distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire type and sizing system used on the car.
Choosing between them starts with the current wheel setup and the kind of result you want. A 560-14 keeps a more traditional bias-ply presentation, while a 165R14 moves into a classic radial format. If the car has been modified, or if the wheels are not original-style, confirm wheel width and clearance before changing construction.
What size rim does a 1966 Nissan 1600 use?
The tire fitments for a 1966 Nissan 1600 use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 560-14 bias-ply size and the 165R14 radial size, so either primary fitment stays within the same wheel diameter family.
Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. The available tires do not share the same rim-width range, and that matters when moving between narrow bias-ply tires and radials. Before selecting a tire, inspect the wheels already on the car and verify that their width matches the intended tire's requirements rather than assuming every 14-inch wheel is equally suitable.
What does 560-14 mean on a 1966 Nissan 1600?
A 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 portion refers to a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1966 Nissan 1600, this is the vintage bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial size.
That matters because a 560-14 should be evaluated as a traditional bias-ply tire, not as a direct substitute for every 14-inch radial. Its wheel-width needs and overall visual character differ from the 165R14 option. Buyers usually choose it when preserving a period-style look is more important than moving the car into a radial-format setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 560-14 or 165R14 tire for a 1966 Nissan 1600?
Start with the correct primary size for the way the car is set up: 560-14 for bias-ply fitment or 165R14 for radial fitment. From there, compare construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall presentation, and the character of the tire series available in that size.
A bias-ply 560-14 leans toward traditional appearance, especially with whitewall choices, while 165R14 radial options keep a classic sports-car blackwall look. Product details such as rim-width range, weight, and load information can also help narrow the choice. The right pick depends on whether the car is being restored visually, driven regularly, or set up around existing wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 1966 Nissan 1600 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction you choose. In 560-14 bias-ply form, the 1966 Nissan 1600 has blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. In 165R14 radial form, the available choices are blackwall tires.
That makes sidewall treatment part of the overall direction of the car. A whitewall bias-ply tire gives a more restoration-oriented or period-style presentation, while a blackwall radial keeps the look cleaner and more understated. Before deciding on appearance alone, make sure the selected tire also matches the wheel width and construction plan for the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1966 Nissan 1600?
The 1966 Nissan 1600 has radial tire options from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in 165R14, while the 560-14 bias-ply choices come from BFGoodrich. Those brands cover both the radial and bias-ply paths available for this car's 14-inch fitment.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, construction, and sidewall style rather than in isolation. A Michelin XAS or Pirelli Cinturato CA67 serves a different purpose than a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. The better comparison is which size and tire type suits the car's restoration goals, wheel setup, and expected driving use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 Nissan 1600?
For a period-style 1966 Nissan 1600, the 560-14 bias-ply tire is the most traditional-looking starting point. That size keeps the car in a vintage numeric bias-ply format and is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.
The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what look suits it best. Some owners prefer a plain blackwall presentation, while others want a more pronounced whitewall treatment. If exact historical accuracy matters beyond general period style, compare the tire choice with marque references or restoration documentation before settling on a sidewall design.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1966 Nissan 1600?
Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1966 Nissan 1600 as much as it changes the specification. A 560-14 bias-ply gives the car a narrower, more traditional vintage look, while a 165R14 radial presents the car in a classic blackwall radial format that feels more contemporary in appearance.
That difference becomes especially noticeable on a small sports car where the tire profile is a visible part of the stance. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented presentation often begin with the bias-ply option, while drivers who want a classic road-use look may lean toward radial. Matching the tire to the wheel and overall build theme keeps the result more coherent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 Nissan 1600?
Yes. Even though the 1966 Nissan 1600 uses 14-inch tire fitments, modifications can change whether a given tire works well on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect how a 560-14 bias-ply or 165R14 radial sits and clears.
That is especially important when changing between bias-ply and radial construction, because the wheel requirements are not identical. A car that has been lowered or fitted with non-original wheels should be checked for steering clearance, suspension clearance, and wheel width before a new set is chosen. Small roadsters leave less room for assumption than larger collector cars.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 Nissan 1600 on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 Nissan 1600 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and basic mounting condition, then check that the tires are inflated properly and seated correctly. A quick visual check for rubbing at the fenders, inner wheel wells, and steering range is also worthwhile before heading onto the road.
Collector cars often sit for long periods, so the rest of the chassis deserves attention too. Look at suspension wear, brake condition, and any signs of uneven ride height that could affect clearance. A short, careful test drive can reveal pulling, vibration, or interference early, which is far better than discovering a fitment issue at highway speed.
How should 560-14 or 165R14 tires on a collector 1966 Nissan 1600 be maintained?
Maintain 560-14 or 165R14 tires on a 1966 Nissan 1600 with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age and storage conditions. Tread depth matters, but on collector cars, sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and gradual air loss can become just as important as wear.
Storage has a direct effect on long-term condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, especially when the vehicle is not driven often. It also helps to inspect the spare and rotate road-use tires into regular checks, since low annual mileage can hide deterioration that would be obvious on a daily driver.
