1967 Sunbeam Arrow Tires

A 1967 Sunbeam Arrow uses either a 165R13 radial or a 600-13 bias-ply tire. Both sizes are associated with the Arrow, and both use a 13-inch rim diameter, but they represent different construction types and different approaches to appearance and road feel.

Choosing between them starts with the car’s current wheel width and the kind of setup the owner wants to maintain. A 600-13 suits a traditional bias-ply presentation, while 165R13 follows a radial path. On an older car, it is also smart to confirm that the wheels, suspension, and clearances have not been altered over time.

The 1967 Sunbeam Arrow uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That means the decision is not between different wheel diameters, but between the 600-13 bias-ply fitment and the 165R13 radial fitment that share the same nominal rim diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a vintage car. The wheel width still needs to match the tire being considered, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial constructions. It is also worth checking the actual wheels on the car, since older vehicles are often fitted with replacement wheels during their service life.

The 1967 Sunbeam Arrow Base uses the same two fitment paths associated with the model: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. There is no separate rim diameter change for the Base, since both sizes stay on a 13-inch wheel.

That makes the Base easier to sort out than a car with multiple trim-specific wheel packages. The main question becomes whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or fitted with a radial. Looking at the current wheels and the owner’s goals for appearance and use will usually settle the decision quickly.

For the 1967 Sunbeam Arrow, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional numeric size used on a 13-inch wheel and represents the vintage construction choice for this car rather than the radial option.

That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both the car’s visual presentation and the kind of replacement choices available. In this size, the available BFGoodrich options focus on classic whitewall styling. Anyone considering a change from 600-13 to a radial alternative should confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 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 options tied to the original 600-13 fitment rather than additional primary factory-style bias-ply sizes.

Each equivalent uses a different sizing convention, so the right choice depends on the wheel and the intended setup. The equivalency set also points to a 4-5 inch rim-width range, which is useful when checking compatibility. Clearance around fenders and suspension should be reviewed as carefully as wheel diameter whenever an older car changes construction type.

A 1967 Sunbeam Arrow can be set up either way, since 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial fitments are both associated with the car. The better choice depends on whether the priority is preserving a more traditional tire presentation or using a radial-format size that matches the available wheel and driving plans.

Bias-ply and radial tires should not be treated as interchangeable just because they share a 13-inch rim diameter. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and suspension clearance all deserve a fresh look before changing construction. On a collector car, the owner’s goals matter too, especially when the tire choice will influence both road character and visual authenticity.

Start with the basics: 165R13 is the radial fitment used on a 13-inch wheel for the 1967 Sunbeam Arrow. From there, the meaningful differences are brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility within the available radial offerings.

Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet give the buyer several period-appropriate radial directions without leaving the correct size family. Looking at the actual wheel width on the car is especially important before choosing among them. For a collector vehicle, it also helps to decide whether the priority is a European-style radial appearance or simply a radial-format replacement.

The available sidewall styles for 1967 Sunbeam Arrow tires include blackwall in the 165R13 radial size, plus narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 600-13 bias-ply size. Those sidewall choices closely follow the two different visual directions offered by the Arrow’s primary tire fitments.

A blackwall radial keeps the presentation restrained and European in character, while the whitewall bias-ply choices create a more obviously vintage look. Sidewall style should still be chosen after the correct size and construction are settled. On an older car, appearance matters, but wheel compatibility and the owner’s intended use matter just as much.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer tires for the 1967 Sunbeam Arrow across its supported size paths. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply fitment in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

That brand mix gives owners a clear split between radial and bias-ply options rather than a long list of overlapping duplicates. The first step is choosing the correct construction and size path for the car. After that, compare details such as series, sidewall style, wheel-width suitability, and overall presentation instead of focusing on brand name alone.

For a period-style 1967 Sunbeam Arrow, the 600-13 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point. It keeps the car in a vintage numeric size format and is offered in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply trim with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall sidewall treatments.

That does not automatically make one whitewall style historically exact for every restoration. A buyer focused on strict originality should compare the car against period photos, marque references, and restoration records before settling on appearance details. The radial 165R13 path can still suit a well-kept collector car, but it creates a different visual result.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1967 Sunbeam Arrow as much as the size marking on the sidewall. A 600-13 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while a 165R13 radial reads as a later, more modernized fitment choice.

That visual difference matters even before the car turns a wheel. Owners restoring for shows, club events, or a distinctly period-style appearance often start by deciding whether the tire should look traditionally British and compact or more contemporary. Once that choice is clear, the remaining decisions about sidewall treatment and brand become much easier.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1967 Sunbeam Arrow even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheels, suspension height, springs, or body clearances can alter how a 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply sits and moves within the wheel opening.

That is why an older car should be inspected as it exists now rather than assumed to be stock. Wheel width is especially important on this Arrow because the bias-ply and radial paths do not use the same fitment assumptions. A quick check of clearance at steering lock and over suspension movement can prevent avoidable rubbing issues.

Before driving a 1967 Sunbeam Arrow on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and basic suspension condition, then confirm that the selected tire size matches the car’s intended setup. It is also wise to check for visible interference around the fenders, steering components, and inner wheelhouse once the tires are mounted.

A collector car that has seen limited use deserves extra attention after installation. Tire pressure, lug hardware, and any sign of sidewall contact should be reviewed before a normal road drive. After the first miles, another inspection helps confirm that the tire is seated properly and that the car is not showing fresh rub marks or unusual wear.

Collector-car tires on a 1967 Sunbeam Arrow should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean, dry storage habits. Whether the car wears 600-13 bias-ply tires or 165R13 radials, low annual mileage does not eliminate the need to watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss.

Storage conditions matter nearly as much as road use on a vintage Sunbeam. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. A car that sits for long periods should still have its tires inspected before each outing, especially ahead of highway use or a longer seasonal drive.