1967 Auto-Union Audi Tires

A 1967 Auto-Union Audi uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 590-13 in bias-ply construction. Both fit a 13-inch rim, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire construction and sizing system used on the car.

That means the first step is confirming how the car is currently set up. A radial and a bias-ply tire of the same rim diameter can call for different wheel-width ranges and can change the car’s look and road feel, so the best choice depends on whether the goal is traditional presentation, radial road use, or a careful conversion from one construction type to the other.

The primary tire fitments for a 1967 Auto-Union Audi use a 13-inch rim. That applies to both the 165R13 radial size and the 590-13 bias-ply size, so buyers do not need to choose between different rim diameters within these covered fitments.

Wheel diameter is only part of the picture, though. The 590-13 bias-ply tire is associated with a narrower rim-width range than the 165R13 radial options, so a 13-inch wheel still needs to be measured for width before selecting a tire. That check becomes especially important if the car has replacement wheels or if it has been converted from bias-ply to radial service at some point.

590-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.90 refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1967 Auto-Union Audi, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than the later-style metric radial format.

Understanding that format helps avoid mixing modern and vintage sizing assumptions. A 590-13 tire should be chosen as part of a bias-ply setup, with attention paid to wheel width and the car’s intended use. If the goal is to keep a more traditional look, this size stays closest to that presentation, while owners considering radial alternatives should evaluate the dedicated equivalent sizes instead of assuming a simple one-to-one swap.

590-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1967 Auto-Union Audi. It uses the older numeric sizing format and represents the traditional construction choice for this vehicle, while 165R13 is the radial fitment in a Euro-metric size format.

That distinction matters because construction affects more than labeling. A car set up for 590-13 bias-ply tires may have narrower wheels than a radial-equipped setup, and owners often choose it for a more vintage appearance. Anyone moving away from 590-13 should confirm wheel width and vehicle clearance rather than assuming any 13-inch radial is automatically suitable.

Radial equivalents for 590-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are equivalent-size alternatives to the original bias-ply fitment, not additional primary factory size listings.

Each of those options keeps the fitment in the 13-inch radial family, but they use different sizing conventions and profile groupings. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with this equivalent path, so the next step is to compare the actual wheel width on the car, then check overall dimensions and clearance before selecting one of those radial alternatives.

Start by confirming the wheel width, since the original 590-13 bias-ply size and its radial equivalents do not necessarily want the same wheel setup. Then compare the radial option being considered, such as 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13, against the car’s available clearance and intended use.

A careful conversion also means checking suspension condition, steering clearance, and any past wheel changes. The car may still be on original-style narrow wheels, or it may already have been updated for radial use years ago. Looking at the full setup before choosing a tire helps avoid problems with appearance, wheel compatibility, or clearance once the car is back on the road.

The main decision is whether the car should use the 590-13 bias-ply fitment or the 165R13 radial fitment. From there, compare wheel-width compatibility, construction type, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and the way the car is expected to be used, whether that means show presentation, occasional driving, or regular road use.

A narrow original-style wheel may point toward the bias-ply route, while a car already equipped for radials may suit the 165R13 path better. It also helps to think about visual character: the available range includes a Wide Whitewall bias-ply and Blackwall radial choices. Matching the tire to both the wheel and the car’s purpose usually leads to a better result than choosing by size alone.

The available sidewall styles for the 1967 Auto-Union Audi are Blackwall and Wide Whitewall. Blackwall appears on the radial 165R13 options, while the 590-13 bias-ply offering uses a Wide Whitewall treatment for a more traditional vintage look.

That sidewall difference can shape the character of the car almost as much as the construction choice. A Blackwall radial usually supports a cleaner European road-car presentation, while a Wide Whitewall pushes the car toward a stronger period-style appearance. The right choice depends on whether the priority is visual authenticity to a chosen style, everyday drivability goals, or simply matching the look the car already has.

Available tires for the 1967 Auto-Union Audi come from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 590-13 bias-ply fitment in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, and appearance rather than as a separate decision. Michelin and Dunlop keep the search focused on Blackwall radial products, while BFGoodrich serves the buyer looking for a bias-ply tire with a more vintage sidewall treatment. The most useful comparison is how each brand’s available product aligns with the car’s wheel setup and the owner’s restoration or driving goals.

For a period-style 1967 Auto-Union Audi, the 590-13 bias-ply tire is the more traditional starting point because it keeps the vintage numeric format and bias-ply construction. The available option in that size also carries a Wide Whitewall sidewall, which gives the car a distinctly older visual character.

That said, period style can mean different things depending on how the car is being restored or presented. Some owners prefer a radial tire that still feels era-appropriate to a later 1960s European road car, which is where 165R13 becomes relevant. When exact originality matters, the final choice should be checked against marque-specific historical references and the wheel setup actually on the car.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1967 Auto-Union Audi in a noticeable way. A 590-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage stance and presentation, while a 165R13 radial usually reads as a more modernized period-European fitment, especially in Blackwall form.

That appearance shift is one reason construction should be chosen early in a restoration plan. A car built around a classic show-style look may seem more cohesive on a bias-ply tire, while a driver-focused restoration may look right with a radial. Since both use 13-inch rims, the deciding factors become wheel width, intended presentation, and how strictly the restoration follows a specific historical standard.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1967 Auto-Union Audi even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all alter how a 165R13 or 590-13 tire sits in the car.

That is why a modified car should be checked as an individual setup before a tire is chosen. Measuring wheel width, verifying 13-inch diameter, and inspecting steering and fender clearance are more useful than relying on the model name alone. A car converted from bias-ply to radial service in the past deserves the same attention, since earlier wheel changes may still affect today’s fitment decision.

Before driving a 1967 Auto-Union Audi on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and tire pressure, then look closely at suspension and steering components. It also helps to verify that the installed tire matches the wheel diameter and width intended for that particular bias-ply or radial setup.

A short, careful test drive should follow the initial installation, with attention paid to rubbing, steering response, and any sign of uneven seating or air loss. Collector cars often sit for long periods, so it is wise to check brake operation, alignment feel, and general road readiness at the same time. Those basic checks help the new tires work as intended and reduce surprises once the car is in motion.

Tires on a collector 1967 Auto-Union Audi should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 590-13 bias-ply tires or 165R13 radials, owners should watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and gradual air loss between drives.

Storage conditions matter because collector cars are often driven infrequently. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat-spotting concerns. It is also smart to inspect tires before every outing rather than assuming low mileage means they are ready for road use.