The 1968 Nissan 2000 sits in the era when compact Japanese sports cars earned serious enthusiast attention with lively road manners and clean, purposeful styling. For owners today, tire choice plays a big role in whether the car feels more like a period roadster or a vintage sports car adapted for modern driving. The 1968 Nissan 2000 Sports uses either a 560-14 bias-ply tire or a 165R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. That opens the door to traditional bias-ply styling or blackwall radial choices from brands such as Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The right selection depends on the car's wheel setup, the look you want, and how the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1968 Nissan 2000
The 1968 Nissan 2000 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is not just the size code but the tire construction itself. Both fit 14-inch rims, but one is a vintage 560-14 bias-ply and the other is a 165R14 radial. The first step is confirming whether your 2000 Sports is set up for the traditional bias-ply fitment or the radial fitment before comparing brands, sidewall styles, and tire series.
165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1968 Nissan 2000, this size gives the car a radial tire option on a 14-inch rim rather than a vintage bias-ply setup. Available choices center on blackwall designs from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein across series such as Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. This size makes sense for an owner focused on a classic radial presentation and a road-use oriented setup that still suits the car's vintage character.
560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size where the 560 designation reflects nominal section width in the older inch-based sizing system, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1968 Nissan 2000, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment path and keeps the car visually closer to an earlier sports-car tire presentation. BFGoodrich options in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments. This size is the one to evaluate when period-style appearance matters most and when the wheel width and overall vehicle setup still suit a vintage bias-ply tire.
The covered sub-model fitment is straightforward because the 1968 Nissan 2000 Sports can use both primary tire sizes. What matters most is confirming whether the car is staying with a bias-ply setup or running a radial setup before choosing a tire.
1
1968 Nissan 2000 Sports
The 1968 Nissan 2000 Sports can be fitted with either the 165R14 radial or the 560-14 bias-ply, both using a 14-inch rim. That gives the owner a clear choice between a more traditional bias-ply appearance and blackwall radial alternatives aimed at vintage road use.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1968 Nissan 2000 Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1968 Nissan 2000 span both primary fitments: 165R14 radials from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, plus 560-14 BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. Buyers can compare construction, blackwall versus whitewall appearance, and rim-width specifications within each size.
These FAQs focus on the tire decisions that matter most for a 1968 Nissan 2000: choosing between 165R14 and 560-14, understanding 14-inch rim fitment, comparing bias-ply and radial setups, and checking the car carefully before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1968 Nissan 2000?
A 1968 Nissan 2000 uses either a 165R14 radial tire or a 560-14 bias-ply tire. Both sizes are associated with the 1968 Nissan 2000 Sports and both use a 14-inch rim, but they represent two different construction types and two different approaches to how the car is equipped.
Choosing between them starts with the wheel and tire setup already on the car. A 560-14 is the vintage numeric bias-ply option, while 165R14 is a Euro-metric radial. Before selecting a tire, confirm the actual wheel width, check for any previous wheel changes, and decide whether the goal is a period-style presentation or a radial-equipped road car.
What size rim does a 1968 Nissan 2000 use?
The 1968 Nissan 2000 uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The radial 165R14 and the bias-ply 560-14 are both built around that same rim diameter, so wheel diameter is consistent even though the tire sizing systems and constructions are different.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing radial and bias-ply options, because the available products do not all share the same recommended width range. Measuring the actual wheel before ordering is worthwhile, particularly on a vintage sports car that may have had replacement wheels installed over the years.
What does 560-14 mean on a 1968 Nissan 2000?
560-14 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width in the older inch-based sizing system, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1968 Nissan 2000, it represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than the modern-style radial size format.
That older size code matters because it affects both appearance and tire selection. A 560-14 buyer is usually choosing among period-style bias-ply products, and the available options include blackwall and whitewall treatments. It is smart to confirm the car's current wheel width and overall setup so the tire chosen matches the intended look and use of the vehicle.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1968 Nissan 2000?
560-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1968 Nissan 2000. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is available in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, all built around a 14-inch rim.
That makes 560-14 the more traditional-looking choice for the car. It should not be confused with the 165R14 radial option, which uses a different sizing convention and a different construction type. Owners moving between the two should verify wheel width and overall vehicle setup rather than assuming every 14-inch wheel will suit both constructions equally.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1968 Nissan 2000?
A 1968 Nissan 2000 can be equipped with either 560-14 bias-ply tires or 165R14 radial tires. The choice depends less on a single right answer and more on how the car is set up, how closely the owner wants to preserve a period-style look, and how the car will be used on the road.
Bias-ply tires keep the car in a more traditional visual and construction category, while 165R14 radials open up blackwall options from several classic tire brands. The practical step is to confirm the wheel width already on the car and make sure the selected construction suits that wheel, the intended driving use, and the appearance goals for the vehicle.
What should I check before converting my 1968 Nissan 2000 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car's wheels are appropriate for the radial size being considered. On the 1968 Nissan 2000, that means verifying the 14-inch wheel diameter and checking the actual wheel width against the radial tire's recommended range, since 165R14 products do not all share the same rim-width specification.
The rest of the check should focus on the full vehicle setup. Inspect steering and fender clearance, look for any suspension or wheel changes made over the years, and compare the current tire fitment to the intended radial choice. A conversion can be considered, but the car should be evaluated as it sits rather than treated as an automatic size swap.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1968 Nissan 2000?
The main decision is whether the car should run the 560-14 bias-ply size or the 165R14 radial size. That choice affects the tire's construction, the visual character of the car, and the range of products available, from BFGoodrich bias-ply options to radial offerings from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein.
After the size and construction are settled, compare the details that matter to your car. Sidewall style, tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and even product weight can help narrow the field. A period-style restoration may lean one way, while a regularly driven roadster may point another, so the intended use should guide the final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 Nissan 2000 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1968 Nissan 2000 depend on which primary tire size you choose. The 165R14 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-14 bias-ply options are available as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.
That makes sidewall styling part of the construction decision as well as the appearance decision. A blackwall radial gives the car a clean vintage sports-car look, while the bias-ply offerings allow a more traditional whitewall presentation. Before settling on appearance alone, make sure the tire size and wheel specifications still suit the car's actual setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1968 Nissan 2000?
The 1968 Nissan 2000 has tire options from Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein cover the 165R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply fitment in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
Brand choice should be considered after confirming the correct primary size and construction for the car. In this application, the bigger distinction is often radial versus bias-ply, then blackwall versus whitewall, followed by each product's rim-width specification and other details. The strongest comparison starts with fitment and intended appearance rather than brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1968 Nissan 2000?
For a period-style 1968 Nissan 2000, the 560-14 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point because it uses the older numeric sizing format and keeps the car in a traditional construction category. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options create different vintage visual effects.
The right choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and how it will be presented. A buyer concerned with exact originality should compare the selected tire style against marque-specific historical references or restoration documentation. For many owners, the goal is a restoration-oriented look that suits the car without overstating claims about factory-original detail.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1968 Nissan 2000?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1968 Nissan 2000 more than many owners expect. A 560-14 bias-ply presents the car in a more traditional vintage style, while a 165R14 radial gives the car a later classic road-use look built around a Euro-metric blackwall radial format.
That difference matters because restoration goals are not always the same as driving goals. Some owners want the stance and feel of a period-style bias-ply setup, while others prefer the look of a classic radial-equipped sports car. The best result comes from choosing a construction that matches the car's wheels, intended use, and presentation standard.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1968 Nissan 2000?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Nissan 2000 even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, lowering, or body repairs can all influence how a 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply sits within the car's available space.
A vintage sports car should always be checked as equipped, not just as cataloged. Measure the wheel, inspect steering clearance from lock to lock, and look closely at inner and outer fender room before committing to a tire. Small setup changes can matter on compact cars, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial constructions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1968 Nissan 2000 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and tire seating, then confirm that all four tires are properly inflated and free from visible damage. On a 1968 Nissan 2000, it also makes sense to verify that the selected tire size matches the car's actual wheel setup and that there is no interference at the front or rear.
A careful first check should include tread condition, sidewall condition, any sign of air loss, and steering clearance through the full range of motion. Vintage sports cars often sit for long periods, so an owner should also look over suspension and brake condition before a longer drive. Tires are only one part of making the car road-ready.
How should tires on a collector 1968 Nissan 2000 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1968 Nissan 2000 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car runs 560-14 bias-ply tires or 165R14 radials, low annual mileage does not eliminate the need to watch for cracking, bulges, uneven wear, cuts, or gradual air loss.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a car like this. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the tires before each outing and give them a closer review before any longer trip, even if the tread still looks usable.