1968 Austin-Healey Sprite Tires

The 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite uses two primary tire sizes: 145R13 in radial construction and 520-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to a 13-inch rim, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire format and construction style you want on the car.

That means the first step is deciding whether the Sprite is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up with a radial tire. After that, compare sidewall style, rim-width suitability, and overall appearance so the tire choice matches the car’s use and current wheel setup.

The 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 145R13 and 520-13. That shared rim diameter keeps the fitment question focused on tire construction and sizing format rather than changing to a different wheel diameter between the two main options.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Wheel width still matters, especially when considering radial equivalents or comparing among available tires, so it is smart to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car before choosing a replacement, particularly if the Sprite has been altered over the years.

The covered 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I, II, III, and IV sub-models share the same primary tire choices: 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply. In practical terms, the sub-model lineup does not introduce a separate tire size, rim diameter, or a different basic fitment path within this page’s covered configurations.

That simplifies the search, because choosing a tire is less about trim differences and more about deciding how the car should look and drive. A buyer can concentrate on radial versus bias-ply construction, then narrow the selection further by sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel compatibility.

520-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing convention, where the 5.20 figure represents nominal section width in inches and the 13 identifies the rim diameter, making it the more traditional-looking of the Sprite’s two primary fitment options.

Choosing 520-13 usually comes down to preserving a vintage presentation and staying with bias-ply construction. Buyers should still compare the actual wheel width, sidewall style, and intended road use, since a car driven mostly for shows or light touring may call for a different approach than one used more regularly.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. Those sizes provide several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply format into modern radial sizing while staying within the same general 13-inch fitment family.

A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalents, which makes wheel measurement especially important before converting. It is also wise to compare the chosen equivalent against the Sprite’s current wheel setup and available clearance rather than treating any radial alternative as an automatic substitute.

Either can make sense on a 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite, because both 520-13 bias-ply and 145R13 radial are primary fitment choices for this car. The decision usually comes down to whether the priority is a more traditional period-style presentation or a radial-format setup with a different construction approach.

A Sprite kept close to a vintage appearance often points buyers toward 520-13, especially when whitewall or classic blackwall styling matters. A car driven with radial tires in mind should still have its wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance checked carefully before settling on 145R13 or a radial equivalent to 520-13.

Start by confirming that 520-13 is the direction you want, since it is the Sprite’s bias-ply option and carries a more traditional look than the 145R13 radial. Within that size, the meaningful differences are sidewall treatment, brand, tire series, wheel-width suitability where stated, and load figures on products that include them.

Firestone and Premium Sport both appear in 520-13, but the available tires are not all styled the same way. A buyer choosing for restoration-oriented appearance may focus on blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall presentation first, then compare the wheel dimensions on the car so the selected tire matches the actual setup.

The 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite has several sidewall styles available across its applicable tires. Blackwall appears in both radial and bias-ply offerings, while 520-13 bias-ply options also include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments for buyers who want a stronger period-style visual statement.

That variety matters because sidewall style can change the car’s overall character almost as much as the construction choice itself. A subtle blackwall tends to keep the presentation simple and sporting, while whitewall options lean more decorative, so it helps to match the sidewall to the Sprite’s restoration theme and intended use.

Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport offer tires for the 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite within the applicable 13-inch sizes. Michelin appears in 145R13 radial form, Firestone offers both radial and bias-ply choices, and Premium Sport is represented in 520-13 bias-ply options with whitewall-focused styling.

Brand alone should not drive the entire decision. The smarter comparison is to start with the correct size and construction, then look at tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility where available, and the kind of appearance you want the finished car to have once the tires are mounted.

A period-style 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite will usually start with the 520-13 bias-ply size, because it preserves the older numeric sizing format and the traditional construction associated with many vintage small sports cars. That size also gives access to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations depending on the look you want.

A careful restoration still benefits from checking marque references, period photos, or model-specific historical guidance before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment. The size and construction provide the right starting point, but appearance details should match the specific direction of the car rather than a generic vintage formula.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite as much as it changes the spec sheet. A 520-13 bias-ply keeps the car in a more traditional format, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-style radial presentation even though both sizes share the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference is especially noticeable on a small sports car where the tire is a visible part of the stance. Buyers who want the Sprite to read as authentically vintage often lean toward bias-ply, while those balancing appearance with radial-format use should compare the mounted look carefully before making the final choice.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how a 145R13, 520-13, or a radial equivalent actually sits on the car.

A Sprite that has been lowered, fitted with different wheels, or rebuilt over time should be measured rather than assumed to match stock clearances. Checking the real wheel dimensions and looking at fender and steering clearance before mounting new tires helps prevent problems that a simple size label will not reveal.

Before driving a 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires seat properly and clear the car through steering travel. It is also smart to confirm inflation, look for any interference points, and check that the spare and tools still suit the setup.

A short, careful test drive is the next sensible step. Pay attention to rubbing, unusual vibration, air loss, or anything that suggests the wheel or suspension condition needs attention, especially on a collector car that may have sat for long periods or changed owners several times over the years.

Collector-car tires on a 1968 Austin-Healey Sprite should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Check inflation, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of air loss on both 520-13 bias-ply and 145R13 radial tires, since low annual mileage does not prevent tire aging.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keeping the Sprite away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and periodic inspections before each outing are worthwhile because a lightly used vintage sports car can hide age-related tire problems until it is back on the road.