The 1966 Triumph Sports Six belongs to the compact British sports-car tradition that prized light weight, quick responses, and tidy proportions over sheer size. Owners today usually approach it with the same mindset: preserve the car’s character while making sensible choices for the way it will actually be driven. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch options, a 560-13 bias-ply and a 155R13 radial, so the key decision is whether to keep the traditional construction or move to a radial in the same general fitment range. Available choices also bring in brand, series, and whitewall-versus-blackwall appearance, which matters for both restoration style and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 Triumph Sports Six
The 1966 Triumph Sports Six uses two primary tire sizes on 13-inch rims: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Because the covered sub-model shares both fitment paths, the real choice is not identifying a different wheel diameter but deciding whether a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial setup better suits the car’s intended appearance and driving use.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1966 Triumph Sports Six, this size represents the radial fitment path and gives buyers a more modern sizing format while staying on a 13-inch wheel. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop products in blackwall form, with series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. This size is worth evaluating when road use and a traditional blackwall sports-car look are both part of the plan.
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the leading 560 representing an approximate nominal section width of 5.60 inches and the 13 indicating the wheel diameter. For the 1966 Triumph Sports Six, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment choice and keeps the car in a period-style sizing and construction format. Available products include BFGoodrich and Firestone options in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply lines, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. This size makes the most sense when preserving vintage tire character and traditional visual presentation are central to the decision.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1966 Triumph Sports Six sub-model because the same 13-inch tire paths are available throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters so the buyer can stay aligned with the intended bias-ply or radial setup before comparing products.
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1966 Triumph Sports Six Base
The 1966 Triumph Sports Six Base can be equipped with either the 560-13 bias-ply size or the 155R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. That means tire selection comes down to choosing the construction, appearance, and product style that best matches a restoration-oriented look or a more road-focused radial setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1966 Triumph Sports Six
For the original 560-13 size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 155R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P155/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P155/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. These choices move from a classic Euro-metric radial format to progressively more modern P-metric sizing conventions. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the radial-equivalent path, and any conversion should still be checked against wheel dimensions and vehicle clearance.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (560-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (560-13)
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 Triumph Sports Six Tires for Sale
Available 1966 Triumph Sports Six tires span both fitment directions, with Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials in 155R13 and BFGoodrich plus Firestone bias-ply choices in 560-13. The product grid is where to compare tire series, sidewall style, construction, and rim-width specifications.
Owners shopping for 1966 Triumph Sports Six tires usually want to sort out the 560-13 versus 155R13 decision, understand radial-equivalent choices, and compare appearance, wheel fitment, and road-use considerations before settling on a tire.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
The 1966 Triumph Sports Six uses two recognized tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but tire type and sizing convention.
That makes the next step fairly clear. A buyer should first decide whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation or moving to a radial setup, then confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car before choosing among the available products, sidewall styles, and brands.
What size rim does a 1966 Triumph Sports Six use?
The applicable tire sizes for a 1966 Triumph Sports Six are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both the 560-13 bias-ply size and the 155R13 radial size share that same wheel diameter, which keeps the fitment decision focused on construction and product choice rather than a different rim size.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Before changing from one tire type to another, it is smart to confirm actual wheel width as well, because the available products do not all share the same rim-width range and an older sports car may no longer be wearing its original wheels.
Does the 1966 Triumph Sports Six Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1966 Triumph Sports Six Base uses the same two fitment paths found on this page: 560-13 as a bias-ply choice and 155R13 as a radial choice. Both options remain centered on a 13-inch rim diameter.
That consistency helps simplify shopping, but it does not remove the need to inspect the car itself. A Sports Six Base with replacement wheels, suspension changes, or a long-restored setup should still have its actual wheel width and tire clearance checked before switching constructions or moving from bias-ply to radial.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
On the 1966 Triumph Sports Six, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system and represents the traditional construction choice for this car, while 155R13 is the radial fitment path in a Euro-metric format.
That difference matters because the tire’s look and driving feel can change with construction. Staying with 560-13 keeps the car in a period-style bias-ply format, while moving to a radial means confirming wheel width, overall suitability, and clearance before assuming the car’s current setup is ready for the change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-13?
Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These are alternative radial sizing formats related to the original 560-13 fitment rather than additional primary factory-style sizes.
Each equivalent should be treated as a fitment option that still needs to be checked on the car. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the radial-equivalent path, and wheel width, tire clearance, and the vehicle’s actual wheel setup should all be verified before conversion.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
The right choice depends on what matters most for the car. A 560-13 bias-ply keeps the Triumph Sports Six in a traditional period-style construction, while 155R13 gives it a radial fitment path in a 13-inch size that suits buyers looking for a more modern tire format.
Appearance, driving expectations, and wheel specifications should guide the decision. A restoration-oriented owner may prefer the traditional look of the bias-ply setup, while a road-use owner may focus on the radial option, but either path still deserves a careful check of wheel width and available space around the tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
Start with the car’s intended direction: 560-13 bias-ply for a traditional vintage presentation or 155R13 radial for a more modern construction in the same 13-inch rim diameter. After that, compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and any load details shown for the specific product.
A sports car this small can be sensitive to wheel changes and visual proportion, so appearance matters alongside fitment. Narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall choices create very different looks, and a car with replacement wheels should have its actual rim width checked before a final tire decision is made.
What sidewall styles are available for 1966 Triumph Sports Six tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1966 Triumph Sports Six include blackwall in 155R13 radial form, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices in 560-13 bias-ply form. Those sidewall differences are not just cosmetic details; they often go hand in hand with different tire constructions and product families.
A blackwall radial usually suits an understated sports-car look, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a more overt vintage presentation. The best choice depends on how the car is being finished and driven, so it helps to decide on the overall character first and then compare the products within that size and construction.
What brands offer tires for the 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
Michelin and Dunlop offer 155R13 radial choices for the 1966 Triumph Sports Six, while BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 560-13 bias-ply options. Those brands span both of the car’s primary fitment paths, giving buyers a real choice between construction types as well as between different tire lines.
Brand should be considered alongside the rest of the specification, not by itself. One product may differ from another in sidewall treatment, rim-width range, load figure, or tire series, so the smarter comparison is between complete tire configurations that match the car’s wheel setup and intended appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
For a period-style 1966 Triumph Sports Six, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a vintage numeric size and traditional construction. BFGoodrich and Firestone choices in that size also allow the look to be shaped further through narrow whitewall or wide whitewall treatments.
A restoration-oriented decision usually balances appearance with how the car will actually be used. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and historical vehicle documentation are worth consulting, while a road-driven car may still lead its owner toward the radial fitment path instead.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
Construction changes the visual character of the car almost immediately. A 560-13 bias-ply gives the 1966 Triumph Sports Six a more traditional small-sports-car presentation, especially with whitewall options, while a 155R13 radial in blackwall form creates a more modern and understated look.
That visual shift is one reason construction choice matters in restoration planning. Buyers trying to preserve a vintage feel often stay closer to the bias-ply path, while those prioritizing regular road use may accept the different look of a radial, provided the wheel width and overall fitment are confirmed first.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 Triumph Sports Six?
Yes. Modifications can change how either 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials fit on a 1966 Triumph Sports Six, even though both use a 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body changes can all influence clearance and tire suitability.
A car that has been lowered, widened, or fitted with replacement wheels should be measured rather than assumed correct. Checking wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender openings is especially important before switching constructions, since an older British sports car may have evolved far from its earlier setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 Triumph Sports Six on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 Triumph Sports Six on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, verify that the tires are seated properly, and check for adequate clearance at the suspension, steering, and body. Tire pressure should be set appropriately, and the car should be looked over for any obvious alignment or wear issues.
A short, careful road test is a smart follow-up after installation. Listen for rubbing, watch for unusual steering behavior, and recheck pressure after the first drive, especially on a collector car that may sit for long periods or have older suspension parts that can influence how the new tires behave.
How should tires on a collector 1966 Triumph Sports Six be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1966 Triumph Sports Six should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage classics can age their tires through time and storage conditions just as much as through road use.
Proper inflation and storage make a noticeable difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excessive heat, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and an owner planning a longer drive should always recheck pressure and overall condition rather than assuming a seldom-driven tire is still road-ready.