The 1967 Austin 850 sits squarely in the small-car tradition that made the Mini formula so influential, combining compact dimensions, light weight, and a footprint that still feels unmistakably British. Owners often approach this car with two different tire paths in mind because the 1967 Austin 850 uses either a 5.20-10 bias-ply tire or a 145R10 radial on a 10-inch rim. That creates a meaningful decision between traditional construction and a later-style radial fitment. Available choices center on blackwall tires across several radial series, while the bias-ply option keeps the earlier sizing language intact. The right pick depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1967 Austin 850
The 1967 Austin 850 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is construction rather than wheel diameter. Both 145R10 and 5.20-10 fit a 10-inch rim, so the first decision is whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply presentation or moving to a radial size. The covered sub-models share these same fitment paths, which makes the real choice one of construction, appearance, and product selection.
145R10 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 10 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1967 Austin 850, this size represents the radial fitment path and keeps the car on its original 10-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein, all in blackwall form across several radial series. It is the size to evaluate if the goal is a radial tire in the proper rim diameter without moving away from the compact proportions of the car.
5.20-10 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.20 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 10 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1967 Austin 850, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and suits buyers who want to retain an earlier tire construction and period-style sizing convention. Bias-ply tires also preserve the visual character that many restoration-minded owners prefer on small British cars of this era. This size deserves a close look when maintaining a more original driving feel and appearance matters as much as simple rim compatibility.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1967 Austin 850 sub-models because each one uses the same two tire-size paths. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the car is staying with 5.20-10 bias-ply tires or using the 145R10 radial option.
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1967 Austin 850 Base, Super Mini, Seven
The 1967 Austin 850 Base, Super Mini, and Seven share the same 10-inch tire fitment choices, with 5.20-10 as the bias-ply size and 145R10 as the radial size. That means tire selection is less about trim differences and more about choosing the construction, appearance, and product style that suit the car's intended use.
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 1967 Austin 850 Tires for Sale
Available 145R10 choices give the 1967 Austin 850 buyer several radial blackwall options from Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein. The product grid is where to compare tire series, construction details, and supporting specifications within the correct 10-inch fitment.
Common 1967 Austin 850 tire questions usually come down to size selection, 10-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose a tire that matches the car's restoration goals and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1967 Austin 850?
The 1967 Austin 850 uses two primary tire sizes: 5.20-10 in bias-ply construction and 145R10 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the car's 10-inch wheel diameter, so the fitment question is not about changing rim size as much as choosing the construction and sizing system that matches the car.
That distinction matters because a bias-ply 5.20-10 and a radial 145R10 do not represent the same type of tire even though they share the same rim diameter. Before choosing between them, confirm the actual wheels on the car and decide whether the goal is a traditional period-style presentation or a radial setup for regular road use.
What size rim does a 1967 Austin 850 use?
The tire sizes used on a 1967 Austin 850 both fit a 10-inch rim. That applies to the 5.20-10 bias-ply size and the 145R10 radial size, making 10 inches the key wheel diameter to verify before comparing actual tire choices.
Wheel diameter is only the first checkpoint, especially on a small classic car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. It is also worth checking wheel width, the condition of the rims, and whether the car still has its intended wheel setup before selecting a tire in either bias-ply or radial construction.
Do all 1967 Austin 850 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1967 Austin 850 Base, Super Mini, and Seven sub-models share the same two fitment paths: 5.20-10 as the bias-ply size and 145R10 as the radial size. There is no separate sub-model-only tire size within this group.
That makes sub-model identification less critical than confirming how the individual car is equipped today. If the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with different wheels at some point, the safest next step is to inspect the actual rim diameter and current tire construction before choosing a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R10 or 5.20-10 tire for a 1967 Austin 850?
Start with the correct size and construction for the way the car is set up. A 1967 Austin 850 can use a 5.20-10 bias-ply tire or a 145R10 radial, both on a 10-inch rim, so the main decision is whether to keep the traditional bias-ply format or use the radial option.
After that, compare the tire's intended character and supporting specifications rather than looking only at size. Owners usually weigh appearance, construction type, rim compatibility, and how the car will be driven, while also checking that the wheel setup and clearances still suit the chosen tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1967 Austin 850 tires?
The available 145R10 radial products for the 1967 Austin 850 are offered in blackwall form. That creates a fairly consistent sidewall presentation across the current radial choices, even though the tires come from several different brands and tire series.
Sidewall style still affects the overall look of a small classic car, especially one with exposed wheel and tire proportions like the Austin 850. A blackwall radial keeps the appearance simple and understated, so the remaining visual differences usually come from the tread style, casing shape, and the tire series selected.
What brands offer tires for the 1967 Austin 850?
Available 145R10 radial tires for the 1967 Austin 850 include options from Firestone, Kings, Camac, Dunlop, and Vredestein. These choices span several distinct tire series, giving buyers more than one brand path within the same basic radial fitment.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It makes more sense to compare each tire's construction, series, sidewall presentation, and any relevant specifications alongside the car's intended use, whether that means a restoration-minded road car, a regularly driven classic, or a vehicle that sees occasional fair-weather outings.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1967 Austin 850?
For a period-style 1967 Austin 850, the 5.20-10 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point because it retains the earlier numeric sizing format and bias-ply construction. That approach often appeals to owners who want the car's stance and overall presentation to stay closer to what a mid-1960s small British car would have shown.
A 145R10 radial can still be a sensible choice when road manners and radial construction matter more than preserving an earlier tire look. When exact restoration accuracy is important, compare the tire choice against marque-specific historical references so the size, construction, and appearance align with the car's restoration goal.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1967 Austin 850?
Tire construction changes more than the way the car drives. On a restored 1967 Austin 850, a 5.20-10 bias-ply tire supports a more traditional small-car look, while a 145R10 radial introduces a later-style metric size format and a different visual character even though the rim diameter remains 10 inches.
That difference is especially noticeable on compact classics where the tire fills a large share of the car's visual profile. Owners focused on presentation usually choose construction first, then compare the available tire series and sidewall treatment so the finished look suits either a restoration-oriented build or a more road-focused driver.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1967 Austin 850?
Yes. Even though the 1967 Austin 850 uses 10-inch tire fitments, modifications can change whether a particular tire setup remains appropriate. Different wheels, altered ride height, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect how a 5.20-10 bias-ply or 145R10 radial sits and clears.
A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension movement rather than judged by size code alone. It also helps to confirm actual wheel width and the condition of the suspension components so the tire choice matches the way the car is currently configured, not just how it left the factory era.
What should I inspect before driving a 1967 Austin 850 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting condition, and tire pressure, then look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear that could affect how the car tracks. On a 1967 Austin 850, it is also smart to confirm that the new tires match the intended 10-inch wheel setup and clear properly.
A short, careful test drive is the best way to catch rubbing, vibration, or air-loss issues early. Since many collector cars spend long periods parked, it also pays to recheck lug fasteners, inspect for sidewall damage or cuts, and make sure the tires are not contacting bodywork once the car is fully loaded and moving.
How should tires on a collector 1967 Austin 850 be maintained?
Collector-car tire care starts with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and keeping an eye on age-related condition rather than tread depth alone. On a 1967 Austin 850, both 5.20-10 bias-ply tires and 145R10 radials deserve routine inspection for cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss.
Storage conditions matter because small classic cars are often parked for long stretches. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and occasional movement of the vehicle helps reduce prolonged flat spotting during periods when it is not being driven.
