1967 BMW 1600 Tires

A 1967 BMW 1600 can use 165R13 or 600-13 on 13-inch wheels, and 165R14 or 6.00-14 on 14-inch wheels. The /2 uses the 13-inch size family, while the /4 uses the 14-inch size family. Within each wheel diameter, the radial and bias-ply sizes represent different construction choices rather than unrelated fitments.

The key is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter on the car before selecting a tire. Many collector cars have had wheels changed over time, so the safest path is to verify the actual rim size and then choose between the period-style bias-ply option or the radial option that matches that setup.

The 1967 BMW 1600 uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The /2 is associated with 13-inch tire sizes, while the /4 is associated with 14-inch tire sizes. That split is important because the tire sizes are not all built around one wheel diameter across the full model line.

Checking the wheel itself matters just as much as knowing the model designation, especially on an older BMW that may have seen replacement wheels during its life. Once rim diameter is confirmed, the tire search becomes much more focused, and then construction, sidewall appearance, and product series become the next meaningful decisions.

The 1967 BMW 1600 has more than one tire size because the covered sub-models do not share the same wheel diameter, and each wheel setup appears in both radial and bias-ply sizing conventions. The /2 uses 13-inch fitments, while the /4 uses 14-inch fitments. That creates four valid primary sizes across the full model core.

This is why tire selection should not start with appearance alone. A whitewall bias-ply may suit one owner’s restoration goals, while a blackwall radial may suit another car’s road use better, but neither choice makes sense until the sub-model and wheel size are confirmed on the vehicle itself.

600-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1967 BMW 1600. It belongs to the 13-inch fitment family used on the /2 and follows the older numeric sizing convention, where the section width is expressed in inches rather than millimeters. The radial counterpart within that same wheel diameter family is 165R13.

That distinction affects both appearance and tire selection. A 600-13 keeps the car in a traditional bias-ply format, while 165R13 moves to a classic radial format on the same nominal rim diameter. Before changing constructions, it is worth checking wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P175/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. These are equivalent-size choices tied specifically to the 600-13 bias-ply fitment. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with this size here.

Those alternatives give a buyer several ways to compare a modern radial format against the original bias-ply size, but they should not be treated as automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range here is 4 to 5 inches, and the final decision should still account for wheel compatibility, vehicle clearance, and the intended balance between vintage character and road use.

Start by confirming the car’s actual wheel diameter and identifying whether it is working from the 13-inch or 14-inch fitment family. On a 13-inch setup, 600-13 has explicit radial equivalents, including 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. The conversion question is therefore not just construction, but also which radial sizing format best matches the car’s wheel and intended use.

Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, steering clearance, and fender clearance should all be reviewed before making the change. It also helps to inspect suspension condition and alignment, since an older chassis with worn components can react differently once radial tires are installed in place of a traditional bias-ply setup.

The first decision is the car’s exact sub-model and wheel diameter, because the 1967 BMW 1600 uses both 13-inch and 14-inch tire families. After that, the next choice is construction: a bias-ply size for a more traditional presentation or a radial for a classic European blackwall look. Size comes before brand, sidewall, or tire series.

Once the fitment basics are confirmed, compare the available tire lines by construction, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the overall character you want the car to have. A restoration-oriented car and a regularly driven car may point toward different choices even when they share the same wheel diameter.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction selected. The radial offerings in 165R13 and 165R14 are blackwall tires, while the 600-13 bias-ply options are available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall sidewalls. That means sidewall appearance is tied closely to whether the car is being kept in a bias-ply presentation or moved to a radial look.

Choosing a sidewall style should follow the fitment decision, not replace it. Once the correct wheel diameter and size family are confirmed, the sidewall becomes an appearance choice that can shift the car toward a cleaner sporting look with blackwalls or a more traditional vintage look with whitewalls.

Tires for the 1967 BMW 1600 are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. The radial side includes Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, Pirelli Cinturato CA67, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, while the 600-13 bias-ply options come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should still come after confirming size, wheel diameter, and construction. Once those are settled, the available brands help shape the tire’s visual style and product character, whether the goal is a traditional whitewall bias-ply look or a classic blackwall radial presentation on a 13-inch or 14-inch setup.

A period-style 1967 BMW 1600 tire choice starts with the correct wheel diameter and sub-model, then narrows to the construction that best suits the car’s intended presentation. The 13-inch /2 can be set up in 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial form, while the 14-inch /4 can be set up in 6.00-14 bias-ply or 165R14 radial form.

Bias-ply sizing usually gives the more traditional vintage look, while the classic blackwall radial sizes preserve a strong European period character of their own. If exact originality matters, the final appearance decision should be checked against marque references, restoration photos, or vehicle-specific historical documentation rather than relying on size alone.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1967 BMW 1600 as much as the sidewall treatment does. A numeric bias-ply size such as 600-13 or 6.00-14 presents the car in an older sizing format, while 165R13 and 165R14 maintain a classic radial look associated with European blackwall tires of the era.

That means the visual choice is not simply blackwall versus whitewall. Construction influences the tire’s profile, the way the size reads on the sidewall, and the overall impression of the car. For a restoration-minded owner, matching construction style to the car’s intended presentation is often just as important as choosing the correct wheel diameter.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1967 BMW 1600 even when the tire size itself is otherwise appropriate for the model. Wheel changes, altered offset, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork changes can all influence how a 13-inch or 14-inch tire clears the fenders and steering components.

That is especially important on a collector BMW where the current setup may differ from the original one. A car with aftermarket wheels should have wheel diameter, width, and clearance checked before ordering, and any change from bias-ply to radial construction deserves an added look at available space during turning and suspension movement.

Before driving a 1967 BMW 1600 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size family, and check inflation carefully. It also makes sense to look over the suspension, steering, and alignment, since a classic sedan can reveal worn components more clearly once fresh tires are installed.

A short shakedown drive should include listening for rubbing, checking straight-line behavior, and verifying that the tires clear the body and suspension through normal steering travel. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and take another look for any signs of contact or uneven seating at the wheel.

Tires on a collector 1967 BMW 1600 should be inspected regularly for air loss, cuts, bulges, sidewall cracking, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Long periods of storage can be harder on vintage-car tires than regular use, especially when the car sits in heat, sunlight, or damp conditions.

Proper inflation and clean, dry storage do a great deal to preserve both radial and bias-ply tires on a low-use BMW. It also helps to move the car periodically and check the tires before any longer outing, since age, storage conditions, and inactivity can all affect road readiness on a classic vehicle.