1968 Sunbeam Alpine Tires

A 1968 Sunbeam Alpine uses two primary tire sizes: 600-13 in bias-ply construction and 165R13 in radial construction. Both belong on 13-inch wheels, so the size decision is closely tied to the type of tire construction and the kind of look or driving setup the car is meant to have.

That makes wheel confirmation simpler, since the rim diameter stays the same, but the tire choice still needs to match the actual wheels on the car. It is worth checking wheel width, current tire clearance, and whether the Alpine is being kept in a restoration-oriented bias-ply style or fitted with a radial setup already within the accepted size range.

The 1968 Sunbeam Alpine uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment and the 600-13 bias-ply fitment, so the tire choice does not require changing to a different wheel diameter within this fitment range.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially if the car has replacement wheels. A radial 165R13 and a bias-ply 600-13 can have different wheel-width preferences, so measuring the wheel before choosing a tire is worthwhile. That is especially important if the Alpine has been updated from its earlier setup or fitted with aftermarket wheels.

The 1968 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe falls within the same fitment range as the model core, using either 165R13 in radial form or 600-13 in bias-ply form. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, so the Coupe does not introduce a separate wheel-diameter requirement within this covered fitment.

That consistency means the main question is not Coupe versus another sub-model, but which construction suits the specific car. A Coupe aimed at a more traditional presentation may lean toward 600-13, while one already running radial-style road tires may stay with 165R13. Wheel width and present clearance should still be checked before final selection.

On a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system, with 600 representing nominal section width and 13 indicating rim diameter, and it sits alongside the separate 165R13 radial fitment rather than serving as a radial size itself.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply setup affects both appearance and wheel compatibility choices. The available 600-13 products also use narrower wheel-width ranges than the radial products shown for 165R13. Anyone moving away from 600-13 should compare wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance carefully instead of assuming every 13-inch alternative behaves the same.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are equivalent-size alternatives for the 600-13 bias-ply fitment rather than additional primary bias-ply sizes.

Each of those alternatives keeps the 13-inch wheel format but uses a different sizing convention and profile family. A 4-5 inch rim width range is associated with the radial-equivalent group for 600-13, so wheel width should be confirmed first. Overall dimensions and vehicle clearance should also be checked before choosing among those radial alternatives.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and width already on the 1968 Sunbeam Alpine, then compare the intended radial size against the current 600-13 setup. For this car, 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13 are the radial-equivalent paths tied to the original 600-13 bias-ply size.

The next step is checking practical fitment details rather than focusing on size code alone. Wheel-width compatibility, fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car's overall stance all matter before a conversion. It also helps to decide whether the Alpine is being kept in a more period-style presentation or set up around radial road use.

Choosing a 600-13 tire for a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine starts with confirming that the car is staying with the bias-ply fitment rather than using the radial 165R13 path. Within 600-13, the available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options differ mainly by sidewall treatment rather than by a completely different size family.

That makes appearance and wheel compatibility the major selection factors. The 600-13 products shown are offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form and use a 4.00-4.50 inch rim-width range. A buyer restoring the Alpine's vintage presentation may focus on sidewall style, while a driver-oriented setup may prompt a broader comparison with the radial choices instead.

The 1968 Sunbeam Alpine has blackwall radial options in 165R13 and whitewall bias-ply options in 600-13. The radial choices from Michelin and Dunlop are blackwall, while the BFGoodrich 600-13 bias-ply tires are available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

Sidewall style changes the Alpine's visual character almost as much as wheel design. Blackwalls give the car a more restrained European presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a stronger vintage look. The right choice depends on whether the goal is a clean road-going radial setup or a restoration-oriented bias-ply appearance built around period-style details.

Tires for the 1968 Sunbeam Alpine are available from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply fitment through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, and sidewall style rather than as a separate decision. Michelin and Dunlop support the Alpine's blackwall radial route, while BFGoodrich supports the traditional whitewall bias-ply route. Comparing the products by construction type, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility will usually be more useful than comparing brand names alone.

For a period-style 1968 Sunbeam Alpine, the 600-13 bias-ply fitment is the most traditional-looking starting point among the sizes available here. It preserves the older numeric tire format and is offered in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, which suits a restoration-oriented presentation better than a modern-looking radial sidewall.

That does not automatically make one whitewall treatment right for every Alpine. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions create different visual effects, and exact originality can depend on vehicle history and marque-specific references. Anyone chasing a highly exact restoration should verify period documentation before selecting a sidewall style simply because it is available in the proper size.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1968 Sunbeam Alpine in noticeable ways. A 600-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, especially with whitewall styling, while a 165R13 radial in blackwall form creates a cleaner, more modern European road-car look.

That appearance shift matters even when both options fit the same 13-inch rim diameter. Owners restoring the car for show, preservation, or a specific era impression often choose construction with appearance in mind first, then compare details like sidewall treatment. Buyers prioritizing road use may still prefer a radial, but the visual effect will differ from a classic bias-ply setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine even when the chosen size is one of the accepted 13-inch options. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body adjustments can all change how a 600-13 or 165R13 tire sits in the wheelwell.

That is why the current condition of the car matters more than the catalog size alone. An Alpine with replacement wheels should have its rim width measured, and any suspension or steering changes should be checked for clearance through full travel and turning range. Small sports cars can be sensitive to those differences, especially at the front axle.

Before driving a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic tire clearance at the fenders and steering components. It also helps to verify that the installed tire size matches the intended setup, whether that is 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial.

A short low-speed check is worthwhile before regular road use. Watch for rubbing, confirm stable air pressure, and look again for any contact marks after a brief drive. On a collector car, it is also smart to inspect suspension bushings, steering play, and brake condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical issues.

600-13 tires on a collector 1968 Sunbeam Alpine should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Bias-ply tires on low-use cars deserve close attention to sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread condition, and any signs of slow air loss that can go unnoticed between drives.

Storage conditions make a real difference on a car that spends long periods parked. Keeping the Alpine away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and moving the car occasionally can also help. Any tire showing age-related deterioration should be evaluated before road use, even if the tread still looks serviceable.