1968 DAF Daffodil Tires

The 1968 DAF Daffodil uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with this exact model year and both work with a 13-inch rim, so the key fitment question is not wheel diameter but which construction and size format your car is set up to use.

That distinction matters because a numeric bias-ply size and a Euro-metric radial size do not represent the same tire layout, even though they share the same rim diameter. Check the tires already on the car, confirm wheel width, and compare the intended appearance and driving use before choosing between the two fitment paths.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1968 DAF Daffodil use a 13-inch rim. That applies to the 520-13 bias-ply fitment and the 145R13 radial fitment, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire sizing systems and construction types are different.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the choice, because wheel width and tire construction still need to match the setup on the car. A 13-inch wheel can be correct in diameter but still require verification before switching from one tire type to another, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has been modified over time.

520-13 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 520 indicates a nominal section width of about 5.20 inches, while 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1968 DAF Daffodil, that size represents the bias-ply fitment rather than the radial-style 145R13 size.

Knowing that helps you separate a traditional bias-ply setup from a later-style radial setup, even though both mount on 13-inch wheels. It also affects the kinds of tires you can compare, since 520-13 includes choices such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs with a more vintage visual character.

520-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1968 DAF Daffodil. The radial fitment associated with this model is 145R13, so the two sizes represent different construction paths rather than two ways of writing the same tire.

That matters because construction affects appearance, feel, and the kinds of products available in the correct size. A buyer keeping a period-style presentation may stay with 520-13, while someone evaluating a radial alternative should confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance before moving away from the original-style bias-ply format.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1968 DAF Daffodil owner more than one modern radial sizing convention to consider.

These are useful alternatives, but they should be treated as equivalent options rather than automatic substitutions. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is tied to the equivalent group, and the final choice should also account for wheel condition, vehicle clearance, and the look you want the finished car to have.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width, then compare the radial size you are considering against the car's existing setup. For a 520-13 bias-ply DAF Daffodil, radial-equivalent options include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, and the equivalent group carries a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

The next checks are practical rather than theoretical: inspect steering and fender clearance, look at suspension condition, and verify that the car is not using aftermarket wheels that alter the fitment picture. A conversion can be worthwhile, but only after the full wheel and vehicle setup has been checked against the selected radial size.

The first priority is staying with the correct 520-13 size if the car is set up for the bias-ply fitment. From there, the choice comes down to construction style within that size, sidewall appearance, brand, and the character of the available series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider options.

A restoration-oriented car may call for a traditional blackwall or whitewall presentation, while a custom-influenced build may lean toward a different visual treatment. Rim compatibility also matters, so compare the wheel on the car against the tire's intended fitment range and confirm that the final choice suits how the Daffodil will actually be driven.

The 1968 DAF Daffodil has several sidewall styles available across its applicable tires. Blackwall appears in both the 145R13 radial and 520-13 bias-ply fitments, while the 520-13 size also offers narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices for owners who want a more stylized or restoration-oriented look.

Sidewall choice does more than change appearance, because it often narrows the field to certain brands or tire series within the correct size. Once the size and construction are settled, the sidewall becomes an easy way to match the tire to the car's presentation, whether the goal is understated, traditional, or more visually distinctive.

Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport all offer tires for the 1968 DAF Daffodil across the applicable fitments. Michelin and Firestone cover the 145R13 radial size, while Firestone and Premium Sport appear in the 520-13 bias-ply size with multiple sidewall treatments and series options.

Brand selection should follow the tire size and vehicle setup rather than the other way around. Once the car's fitment path is confirmed, compare the available brands by construction type, series, sidewall style, and wheel compatibility so the final choice supports both the look of the car and the way it will be used.

A period-style 1968 DAF Daffodil often starts with the 520-13 bias-ply size, because that size preserves a traditional vintage sizing format and opens the door to classic-looking sidewall treatments. Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider offerings make that route especially relevant for owners focused on an older visual presentation.

The best appearance choice still depends on how faithfully the car is being restored and what look is appropriate for its finished presentation. Exact originality can require marque-specific research, but for most restoration-oriented buyers, the right starting point is the correct size first, then a sidewall and series that suit the car's era.

Tire construction changes the overall impression of a restored 1968 DAF Daffodil as much as the size marking on the sidewall. A 520-13 bias-ply tire presents the car in a more traditional vintage format, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-style Euro-metric look even though both use 13-inch rims.

That difference becomes more visible once sidewall style enters the picture. A blackwall radial can give the car a cleaner, more understated roadgoing look, while a bias-ply whitewall can push it toward a more period-inspired presentation. Choosing between them depends on whether the restoration goal favors historical character, practical use, or a balance of both.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1968 DAF Daffodil even when the nominal wheel diameter remains 13 inches. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all affect whether a 520-13 bias-ply, 145R13 radial, or radial-equivalent option is still appropriate for the car.

A modified car should be checked as it sits, not as it left the factory decades ago. Measure the actual wheel, inspect steering clearance lock to lock, and look for any signs that the tire may contact the body or suspension. Those checks matter before choosing either the original-style fitment or a radial alternative.

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the basic condition of the suspension and steering components. The new tires should also be checked for proper inflation, visible seating on the rim, and any immediate signs of clearance trouble once the car is back on the ground.

Collector vehicles can hide problems that are not obvious during installation, especially if they have spent long periods parked. A short, careful shakedown drive followed by another visual inspection is a smart next step. Pay attention to rubbing, vibration, uneven stance, or air loss so any issue is caught early.

Collector-car tires on a 1968 DAF Daffodil should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even if tread wear is minimal. That applies to both 520-13 bias-ply tires and 145R13 radials, since low annual mileage does not prevent cracking, flat spotting, or general deterioration.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used car. Keeping the Daffodil away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and the car should be inspected before any longer drive. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and persistent air loss deserve immediate attention.