1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 Tires

The 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 uses two primary tire sizes: 560-13 in a bias-ply format and 155R13 in a radial format. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the car’s tire choice centers on construction type as much as size code. The Sedan sub-model is covered by this same basic size pattern.

That means the first step is confirming whether the car still wears a period-style bias-ply setup or has already been moved to radial tires. Wheel width matters as well, since the available bias-ply and radial products do not share the same rim-width ranges. A quick check of the wheels already on the car can prevent choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but mismatched to the wheel.

The 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 uses a 13-inch rim diameter. Both of its primary tire sizes, 560-13 and 155R13, are built for that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the rim size itself stays consistent even though the tire construction changes between bias-ply and radial.

Rim diameter alone is not the whole fitment picture, though. The available products show different compatible wheel-width ranges, which can affect whether a specific bias-ply or radial choice is suitable for the wheels on the car. Measuring the wheel width and checking for aftermarket wheel changes is a sensible step before settling on one construction or the other.

Yes. The 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 Sedan uses the same fitment pattern, with 560-13 available as the bias-ply size and 155R13 available as the radial size. The key difference is not a separate Sedan-only tire size, but which construction and presentation the owner wants to run on the 13-inch wheel.

That makes sub-model identification less complicated than on vehicles with multiple wheel packages or trim-specific tire sizes. Instead, attention should go to the current wheel width, the desired sidewall look, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply appearance or a radial alternative. Those details shape the buying decision more than the Sedan designation itself.

560-13 is the bias-ply tire size for the 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 560 figure refers to nominal section width and the 13 refers to wheel diameter. On this Fiat, it is the traditional construction choice among the primary fitments.

That matters because a 560-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a different look and setup path than a 155R13 radial. Bias-ply products here also come with whitewall styling choices that may appeal to restoration-minded owners. Before switching away from 560-13, compare wheel width, tire profile expectations, and the kind of road use the car will actually see.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. These sizes provide radial alternatives while staying within the same general 13-inch fitment category for the 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500.

Each equivalent should still be evaluated against the car’s actual wheels and available clearance. The recommended rim-width range for those radial equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, which is especially important when the car still has narrow original-style wheels. A radial equivalent is a useful alternative, but wheel width and overall fitment should be verified before making the change.

Start by confirming the current wheel diameter and wheel width, since the Fiat’s bias-ply and radial options share a 13-inch rim diameter but can differ in wheel-width suitability. Then compare the radial size being considered, such as 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13, against the car’s existing setup rather than assuming any equivalent is automatically interchangeable.

Clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension should be checked with the car at normal ride height. It also helps to inspect whether the vehicle has aftermarket wheels, changed springs, or other modifications that could affect space around the tire. On a lightly used collector car, this is also a good time to inspect the wheels and valve stems before road use.

The main decision is whether the car should stay with a traditional 560-13 bias-ply tire or use a 155R13 radial. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they differ in construction, appearance, and the wheel-width ranges supported by the products available for this Fiat. That makes size selection closely tied to the wheels already on the car.

From there, compare the tire’s visual style and product details against the car’s purpose. A whitewall bias-ply may suit a restoration-oriented presentation, while a blackwall radial keeps a more understated European look. Brand, tire series, max load figures where shown, and rim-width compatibility are all worth checking before making the final selection.

The available sidewall styles for the 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear with the radial 155R13 offerings, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. That gives the car noticeably different visual directions even within the correct fitment family.

Sidewall style should be chosen with the overall look of the car in mind, not just the size code. A blackwall radial keeps the presentation restrained and European in character, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more traditional vintage appearance. Since sidewall style is tied to certain constructions and series here, appearance and fitment choice often go hand in hand.

Tires for the 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial 155R13 side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 560-13 bias-ply choices. The brand split follows the broader decision between radial and bias-ply construction.

That makes brand selection less about choosing a favorite name and more about choosing the type of tire the car should wear. Once construction is settled, the available series and sidewall treatments become easier to compare. Checking rim-width compatibility and any stated max load figures can also help narrow the options without treating one brand as universally better than another.

For a period-style presentation, the 560-13 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point on a 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500. It uses the vintage numeric sizing format and is available in classic bias-ply series with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. That combination tends to preserve a more traditional small-car appearance than a modern-style radial presentation.

The right choice still depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be used. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare tire appearance against marque references, period photos, or restoration records before settling on a sidewall treatment. For a more road-driven collector car, period-style may matter more than matching one precise visual specification.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 restoration because the tire’s size, construction, and sidewall presentation all influence how the finished car looks and sits. A 560-13 bias-ply and a 155R13 radial can both belong to this Fiat, but they create different restoration outcomes in both stance and visual character.

Fitment accuracy also affects wheel compatibility and the overall credibility of the restoration. Even when the goal is not concours-level originality, staying within the proper 13-inch fitment family keeps the car closer to its intended proportions. It is wise to confirm wheel width and compare the chosen tire’s appearance with the style direction planned for the rest of the car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 even when the chosen tire is one of the correct 13-inch sizes. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, suspension work, or ride-height changes can all influence how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits within the fender and steering space.

That is why a modified car should be checked as an actual vehicle rather than treated like a stock example. Measuring wheel width, confirming clearance at full steering lock, and looking for signs of rubbing are practical steps before ordering or mounting new tires. The more the car differs from original-style wheel and suspension dimensions, the more important that verification becomes.

Before driving a 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, make sure the tire size matches the intended wheel diameter, and confirm that the mounted tire suits the wheel width. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance around the fenders and suspension once the car is back on the ground.

A short low-speed test drive is a sensible way to confirm that nothing rubs, pulls, or feels unusual. After that first drive, recheck inflation, look for any contact marks, and verify that the tires are seated and wearing evenly. On an older collector car, this inspection routine is just as important as choosing the correct size in the first place.

Collector-car tires on a 1968 Fiat 1200 & 1500 should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Both 560-13 bias-ply tires and 155R13 radials can age out from time and storage conditions long before the tread appears worn in the usual modern-driver sense.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a lightly used Fiat. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the tires before longer trips and after long storage periods, since dormant collector vehicles often reveal problems only when returned to the road.