The 1968 Plymouth Valiant sat in the practical heart of Chrysler’s compact lineup, valued then for straightforward transportation and appreciated now for its clean late-1960s Mopar character. Whether preserved as a tidy driver or restored as a simple, honest compact, tire selection has a real effect on both stance and period feel. The 1968 Plymouth Valiant uses 650-13 or 700-13 bias-ply sizing on 13-inch rims, with fitment varying by engine and air-conditioning configuration. Available choices include traditional whitewall treatments and modern radial equivalents for both primary sizes, including a bias-look radial option for 650-13. The right choice starts with the exact setup on the car and ends with the appearance and road manners you want to preserve.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1968 Plymouth Valiant
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 1968 Plymouth Valiant, and both use bias-ply construction on 13-inch rims. The first step is confirming the exact sub-model, since some 6-cylinder cars use either 650-13 or 700-13, while 8-cylinder and all air-conditioned models use 700-13. Once the correct size is established, the decision shifts to sidewall appearance, brand preference, and whether to stay with bias-ply construction or compare a radial equivalent.
A 650-13 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number as a nominal section width, so this tire is approximately 6.50 inches wide and fits a 13-inch rim. Its bias-ply construction matches the traditional sizing and driving character associated with compact domestic cars of the period. In this size, available choices include Coker Classic and US Royal tires in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall treatments. This size is worth considering when the car’s exact configuration calls for it and when maintaining a more compact, restoration-oriented presentation matters.
A 700-13 numeric bias-ply size indicates a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches and a 13-inch rim diameter. This is also a traditional bias-ply fitment, making it appropriate for buyers who want to retain the original-style construction type used on this Valiant application. The available product selection in this size centers on a Firestone Classic Bias Ply with a 5/8 inch whitewall for a distinctly period-style look. This size becomes the key fitment choice for 8-cylinder cars, all models with air conditioning, and certain 6-cylinder configurations.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1968 Plymouth Valiant because tire size is not the same across every configuration. Identifying whether the car is a 6-cylinder model, an 8-cylinder model, or equipped with air conditioning helps narrow the correct 13-inch bias-ply size before comparing tire options.
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1968 Plymouth Valiant 6 Cyl.
The 1968 Plymouth Valiant 6 Cyl. can use either 650-13 or 700-13 bias-ply tires, so this is the sub-model where fitment needs the closest verification. Tire selection should start with the wheel and the setup currently on the car, then move to whitewall style, brand, and any radial-equivalent comparison.
The 1968 Plymouth Valiant 8 Cyl. & All Models w/Air uses the 700-13 bias-ply size on a 13-inch rim. That makes the buying decision more straightforward, with the focus shifting from size confirmation to construction choice, period-style appearance, and wheel compatibility if a radial alternative is being considered.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant
For the original 650-13 size, four radial-equivalent paths are available: 175R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P185/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. For 700-13, the equivalents are 185R13, P185/75R13, and P205/70R13. These options span traditional metric sizing, later P-metric profiles, and a more vintage-looking radial presentation for 650-13. A 4-6 inch recommended rim-width range applies, and wheel size, overall dimensions, and clearance should still be checked before changing setup.
Modern Radial Equivalents
175R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (650-13)
P175/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (650-13)
P185/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (650-13)
650R13
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (650-13)
185R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (700-13)
P185/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (700-13)
P205/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (700-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-6 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 Plymouth Valiant Tires for Sale
Available 13-inch Valiant tires include bias-ply choices from Coker Classic, US Royal, and Firestone. The main differences are size, tire series, and whitewall treatment, with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall options present depending on the size selected.
These 1968 Plymouth Valiant tire FAQs focus on the two primary sizes, sub-model differences, 13-inch rim fitment, radial equivalents, whitewall choices, and the checks worth making before putting a compact Mopar back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
The 1968 Plymouth Valiant uses either 650-13 or 700-13 tires, and both are bias-ply sizes for 13-inch rims. The 6-cylinder Valiant can use either size, while the 8-cylinder and all models with air conditioning use 700-13.
That means the first job is confirming the exact configuration of the car before choosing a tire. On a 6-cylinder Valiant, the actual wheel and tire setup already on the vehicle may help determine which size belongs there, especially if the car has been changed over time.
What size rim does a 1968 Plymouth Valiant use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant fit a 13-inch rim. The two sizes, 650-13 and 700-13, share that same rim diameter even though they represent different nominal tire widths.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking wheel width before ordering tires. The available 650-13 and 700-13 products do not use the exact same width ranges, and that can matter when comparing bias-ply tires or evaluating a radial equivalent.
Why does the 1968 Plymouth Valiant have more than one tire size?
The 1968 Plymouth Valiant has more than one tire size because fitment varies by configuration. The 6-cylinder model can use 650-13 or 700-13, while the 8-cylinder and all air-conditioned models use 700-13.
That variation makes sub-model identification more important than it would be on a single-size application. Engine choice, air-conditioning equipment, and any wheel changes made during the car’s life can all affect what is currently on the vehicle and what should be checked before selecting replacement tires.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 650-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
On the 1968 Plymouth Valiant, 650-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to many domestic compact cars of the period and fits a 13-inch rim.
Radial alternatives do exist for buyers who want to compare another construction type, but the original primary fitment remains bias-ply. Construction choice affects both appearance and setup, so the wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the car should be reviewed before making a conversion.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 650-13 and 700-13?
For 650-13, radial equivalents include 175R13, P175/75R13, P185/70R13, and 650R13 as a bias-look radial. For 700-13, radial equivalents include 185R13, P185/75R13, and P205/70R13.
Those options give a 1968 Plymouth Valiant owner several ways to move from numeric bias-ply sizing into modern radial sizing conventions. A 4-6 inch recommended rim-width range applies to both size groups, but wheel width, tire dimensions, and fender or steering clearance should still be confirmed before using an equivalent.
Can I use a bias-look radial on a 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
A bias-look radial is available for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant in the 650-13 fitment group, where 650R13 serves as the radial equivalent. That gives owners an option that preserves a more traditional visual character while moving to radial construction.
This choice is especially useful when appearance matters but the owner also wants to consider a modernized tire format. It should still be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic swap, so rim width, section fit, and clearance around the suspension and body need to be checked carefully.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-13 or 700-13 tire for a 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
Start by confirming which of the two primary sizes belongs on the car, since the 1968 Plymouth Valiant does not use the same size across every configuration. Both are 13-inch bias-ply tires, but 650-13 and 700-13 differ in nominal width and in the product choices available.
After size is settled, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, construction goals, and whether the car is being restored or driven regularly. A 6-cylinder car deserves extra attention because either size may appear there, while 8-cylinder and air-conditioned cars point the choice toward 700-13.
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 Plymouth Valiant tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles, depending on the tire size selected. The 650-13 options include both wide and narrow whitewall treatments, while the 700-13 offering uses a wide whitewall presentation.
That makes sidewall appearance an important part of the decision, especially on a compact Mopar where whitewall width can noticeably influence the car’s overall look. Buyers focused on a more restrained period-style appearance may compare narrow and wide options in 650-13, while 700-13 centers on a traditional whitewall look.
What brands offer tires for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
The available brands for the 1968 Plymouth Valiant include Coker Classic, US Royal, and Firestone. Coker Classic and US Royal appear in 650-13, while Firestone is represented in the available 700-13 bias-ply offering.
Brand choice should be considered alongside tire size, sidewall style, and tire series rather than as a stand-alone decision. On this application, the brand lineup also reflects how the available assortment differs by size, so the exact Valiant configuration should be confirmed before narrowing the comparison.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
A period-style 1968 Plymouth Valiant usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the car’s configuration, either 650-13 or 700-13. Staying with numeric bias-ply sizing preserves the visual character and tire profile associated with a late-1960s compact sedan.
Appearance details then come down to the sidewall treatment and the overall presentation you want from the car. If exact originality matters, vehicle-specific historical references and marque expertise are worth consulting, since a tire that looks right for the era is not automatically the exact factory-delivered style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
Tire construction plays a visible role on a restored 1968 Plymouth Valiant because a bias-ply tire presents the car in the original sizing language used for its primary fitment. That tends to support a more traditional stance and sidewall profile than many later radial formats.
A radial equivalent can still be a useful option, especially where regular road use is part of the plan, and 650-13 even has a bias-look radial alternative. The right choice depends on whether the priority is a restoration-oriented appearance, a more modern tire format, or a balance of both.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1968 Plymouth Valiant?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Plymouth Valiant even when the car still uses a 13-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or body modifications can influence which tire size works comfortably on the car.
That matters even more on a Valiant that already has two possible primary sizes depending on configuration. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, steering travel, and body clearance before choosing between bias-ply tires or radial equivalents helps avoid selecting a size that conflicts with the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1968 Plymouth Valiant on new tires?
Before driving a 1968 Plymouth Valiant on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, verify that lug hardware and valve stems are in good condition, and make sure the tires have adequate clearance at the fenders and suspension. Tire pressure should also be set correctly for the application.
A short test drive followed by a recheck is a smart habit on a collector-era compact car. Watch for rubbing during turns, confirm that the car tracks normally, and keep an eye on air retention, especially if the vehicle has not seen regular road use in some time.
How should 650-13 or 700-13 tires on a collector 1968 Plymouth Valiant be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1968 Plymouth Valiant should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage storage does not stop rubber from aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.
Proper inflation, clean storage, and periodic movement all help protect a set of 650-13 or 700-13 tires. A Valiant kept away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources generally gives its tires a better chance of staying roadworthy between drives and seasonal inspections.
