The 1970 Fiat 124 sits at an interesting point in Italian small-car design, spanning practical sedan and wagon duty as well as the sharper Sport Coupe and open Sport Spider. That range matters when choosing tires, because this exact model family uses four different 13-inch fitments across radial and bias-ply construction. Depending on sub-model, the correct size is 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, or 600-13. Available choices include blackwall metric radials from Michelin and Dunlop, along with restoration-oriented bias-ply whitewall options from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The key is matching the tire to the exact body style and deciding whether period-style appearance or radial road use is the higher priority.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1970 Fiat 124
The 1970 Fiat 124 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model rather than wheel diameter alone. All of them fit a 13-inch rim, but the fitment splits between radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 and bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13. Identifying whether the car is a Special Sedan T.C., Special Wagons T.C., Sport Coupe, or Sport Spider is the first step before comparing tire style, construction, and product choice.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1970 Fiat 124, this size serves buyers who want a radial setup with a traditional small-bore European fitment. Available choices are blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, including XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet series. It is the right size to evaluate when matching the Special Sedan T.C. to its radial specification while keeping wheel size and overall tire character in the proper range.
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 indicating nominal section width in inches and 13 identifying rim diameter. This is the period-style bias-ply fitment used on the 1970 Fiat 124 Special Sedan T.C., giving that sub-model a more traditional construction than the radial alternative. Choices in this size include BFGoodrich and Firestone offerings with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments in classic bias-ply series. It is the size to consider when appearance and vintage presentation matter as much as basic fitment, while still confirming wheel width before selection.
Fit(s): Special Wagons T.C., Sport Coupe, and Sport Spider
Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size that uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. Within the 1970 Fiat 124 range, it is the radial fitment associated with the Special Wagons T.C., Sport Coupe, and Sport Spider. Product choices are blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, including Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. This is the size to focus on when the car carries the wider radial fitment and the goal is preserving the nimble European tire profile intended for those configurations.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.00 describing nominal section width and 13 marking the rim diameter in inches. On the 1970 Fiat 124, this size applies to the Special Wagons T.C. as the bias-ply alternative to its radial fitment. The available tires are BFGoodrich bias-ply options in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, both within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. It is the size to review when restoring a wagon with a traditional whitewall look, especially if the car no longer wears its original wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1970 Fiat 124 because the covered cars do not all use the same tire size or construction. Every version uses a 13-inch rim, but sedan, wagon, coupe, and spider applications split between narrower and wider radial sizes and their corresponding bias-ply alternatives.
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1970 Fiat 124 Special Sedan T.C.
The 1970 Fiat 124 Special Sedan T.C. uses either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That gives the buyer a clear choice between a more modern radial format and a more traditional period-style bias-ply presentation, with wheel width worth confirming before changing construction.
The 1970 Fiat 124 Special Wagons T.C. uses the larger 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply fitment rather than the sedan's smaller sizes. Tire selection here centers on matching the wagon's specific fitment first, then deciding whether radial road manners or whitewall bias-ply appearance better suits the vehicle.
The 1970 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe uses 165R13 radial fitment. That makes tire selection more straightforward, with the main decision shifting from size identification to choosing among the available blackwall radial series and confirming that the wheels still match the intended specification.
The 1970 Fiat 124 Sport Spider uses 165R13 radial fitment. For this sub-model, the focus is less about multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right radial series for the car's intended use while checking wheel width, clearance, and any changes made over the years.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1970 Fiat 124
The 1970 Fiat 124 has radial-equivalent options for two bias-ply sizes. For 560-13, the available alternatives are 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. For 600-13, the equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13 in the same progression. These choices stay within a 13-inch format but vary by sizing convention and profile, and the recommended rim width range for both bias-ply sizes is 4 to 5 inches, so wheel fit and clearance should be checked before switching.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (560-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (560-13)
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 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 1970 Fiat 124 Tires for Sale
Available 1970 Fiat 124 tires span Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials plus BFGoodrich and Firestone bias-ply whitewall options. Across the four fitments, buyers can compare radial versus bias-ply construction, classic series names, and narrow or wide whitewall treatments depending on the sub-model.
Owners usually need to sort out the exact sub-model first, then decide between radial and bias-ply fitment, period-style appearance, and wheel compatibility. These FAQs focus on 1970 Fiat 124 tire sizes, equivalent options, product choice, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1970 Fiat 124?
A 1970 Fiat 124 can use 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, or 600-13, depending on the exact sub-model. The Special Sedan T.C. uses 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Special Wagons T.C. uses 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply. The Sport Coupe and Sport Spider use 165R13 radial.
The practical takeaway is that there is no single tire size for every 1970 Fiat 124. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a sedan, wagon, coupe, or spider, then check that the wheels on the car are still 13-inch wheels in the proper width range for the intended tire.
What size rim does a 1970 Fiat 124 use?
The covered tire fitments for the 1970 Fiat 124 all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That stays consistent whether the car is fitted with 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, or 600-13, even though the tread width and construction type vary by sub-model and by radial versus bias-ply selection.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on an older Fiat that may have had wheels changed over time. Wheel width also matters, particularly when moving between narrow bias-ply and radial sizes, so measuring the actual wheel before purchasing helps avoid mismatch issues and preserves proper tire shape.
Do all 1970 Fiat 124 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1970 Fiat 124 range uses different tire sizes depending on the sub-model. Special Sedan T.C. fitment centers on 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while Special Wagons T.C. uses 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply. The Sport Coupe and Sport Spider use 165R13 radial.
That means a tire chosen for one 124 variant should not be assumed correct for another simply because the cars share the same model family. The safest approach is to confirm the exact sub-model and compare the wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or stored for many years.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1970 Fiat 124?
560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1970 Fiat 124. It applies to the Special Sedan T.C. as the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, while 155R13 serves as the radial fitment for that same sub-model. The two sizes share the same 13-inch rim diameter but represent different sizing systems and tire construction.
That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire changes both the look of the car and the way the size is expressed on the sidewall. Buyers comparing 560-13 to a radial alternative should also review wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming every 13-inch wheel setup will behave the same.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-13 and 600-13 on a 1970 Fiat 124?
For 560-13, the radial equivalents are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For 600-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. In each case, the sequence moves from an 80-series metric radial to a 75-series P-metric radial and then to a lower-profile 70-series P-metric radial.
These equivalents are useful alternatives for a 1970 Fiat 124, but they should still be checked against the actual wheel and vehicle setup. Recommended rim width for both bias-ply equivalency groups is 4 to 5 inches, and steering clearance or suspension condition can also influence whether a given alternative is appropriate.
What should I check before converting my 1970 Fiat 124 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by matching the bias-ply size to the correct radial equivalent for the sub-model. A 560-13 setup can be compared with 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13, while a 600-13 setup can be compared with 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13. All of these remain 13-inch fitments.
The next step is verifying the wheel width and the space available around the tire. The equivalency guidance for both bias-ply sizes points to a 4 to 5 inch rim-width range, and it also makes sense to inspect steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car's actual wheel setup before making the construction change.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1970 Fiat 124 tire?
Begin with the exact sub-model, because a 1970 Fiat 124 does not share one universal tire size across sedan, wagon, coupe, and spider versions. The next decision is construction: some applications have both bias-ply and radial paths, while others are strictly radial in the available fitment. After that, compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
A buyer focused on road use may lean toward the correct radial fitment for the specific car, while a restoration-minded owner may prefer a bias-ply whitewall option where available. Either way, selection should reflect the intended appearance, the actual wheels on the vehicle, and whether the car has remained stock or been altered over time.
What sidewall styles are available for 1970 Fiat 124 tires?
The available 1970 Fiat 124 tire lineup includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. Blackwall choices appear on the radial sizes, including 155R13 and 165R13, while the bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 are offered with whitewall treatments in both narrower and wider presentations.
Sidewall style can dramatically change the car's finished look even when the tire size remains correct. Blackwalls tend to suit a more understated European appearance, while narrow or wide whitewalls create a stronger vintage presentation, so the right choice depends on whether the car is being preserved for road use, restoration style, or show-field character.
What brands offer tires for the 1970 Fiat 124?
Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all appear among the available 1970 Fiat 124 tire options. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial sizes in blackwall form, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the bias-ply fitments with classic whitewall treatments. The available series also vary by brand and by tire size.
Brand choice should follow correct fitment first, since not every brand appears in every size or construction. Once the proper size is confirmed, compare the available series, sidewall appearance, rim-width specification, and any load information shown for that tire rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1970 Fiat 124?
A period-style 1970 Fiat 124 usually starts with the correct size and the construction that suits the specific sub-model. For the Special Sedan T.C., that can mean 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial, while the Special Wagons T.C. can use 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial. The Sport Coupe and Sport Spider center on 165R13 radial fitment.
For a stronger vintage presentation, the bias-ply whitewall choices bring a distinctly traditional look to the sedan and wagon applications. Buyers pursuing exact originality should still compare the car against marque references, restoration photos, or historical documentation, since period-style appearance and exact factory delivery are not always the same thing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1970 Fiat 124?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1970 Fiat 124 as much as the size itself. Bias-ply options such as 560-13 and 600-13 bring a more traditional sidewall profile and are available with narrow or wide whitewalls, while the radial 155R13 and 165R13 choices appear as blackwall European-style fitments.
That difference matters most on a car being restored for a specific look rather than daily use alone. A radial can preserve the correct general scale while giving the car a later visual feel, whereas a whitewall bias-ply makes a stronger vintage statement, especially on sedan and wagon applications where that presentation is available.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1970 Fiat 124?
Yes. A 1970 Fiat 124 may no longer have its original wheel or suspension setup, and that can affect which of the correct tire sizes will work properly on the car. Even though the covered fitments all use a 13-inch rim, wheel width, offset changes, ride height, and fender clearance can alter the real-world fitment picture.
A car with aftermarket wheels or suspension changes should be measured rather than assumed stock. Verifying actual wheel dimensions, checking steering clearance lock to lock, and inspecting space around the fenders and suspension helps prevent choosing a tire that is correct in size name but mismatched to the vehicle's present configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1970 Fiat 124 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting condition, and inflation pressure, then look over the rest of the car for suspension or steering issues that could affect tire wear. On a 1970 Fiat 124, it also makes sense to confirm that the new tires match the correct sub-model size and construction.
A short test drive should be followed by another visual check for rubbing, uneven seating, or any signs of interference. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so wheel hardware, brake condition, and alignment are worth checking at the same time rather than treating the new tires as the only road-readiness item.
How should tires on a collector 1970 Fiat 124 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1970 Fiat 124 benefit from regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread looks good, age-related problems such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting from long parking periods, cuts, bulges, or slow air loss deserve attention before the car returns to regular road use.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older Fiat. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and moving or driving the car occasionally helps avoid long-term deformation. Any doubtful tire condition should be evaluated before a highway trip or seasonal restart.