The 1970 Lancia Fulvia sits in a distinctive place among front-wheel-drive European classics, known for sharp road manners, compact proportions, and the kind of engineering detail that still appeals to serious vintage enthusiasts. Tire choice on this car is more nuanced than on many contemporaries because Fulvia fitment spans 520-14 bias-ply and several radial sizes, including 145R14, 155R14, and 175R13 depending on sub-model. That opens the door to decisions about construction as well as size. Available choices also vary by brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation. For a Fulvia owner, getting the right tire starts with confirming the exact version of the car and the wheel setup now on it.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1970 Lancia Fulvia
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Some versions use 14-inch radial or bias-ply fitments, while the Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF uses a 13-inch radial. Before choosing a tire, confirm the specific Fulvia model and make sure the car still has the wheel diameter and width appropriate to that size.
Fit(s): Coupe & Coupe Rallye and HF 1.3 Coupe Sport
Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
145R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1970 Lancia Fulvia, this size serves as a primary radial fitment for certain coupe-based sub-models and gives the buyer a traditional metric radial format rather than a vintage numeric bias-ply size. Available choices include Firestone and Camac offerings in blackwall form, with series such as the F560 Radial and BN313 Radial. This size makes the most sense when the car is set up for its 14-inch radial fitment and the goal is a proper vintage European radial presentation.
Fit(s): Coupe & Coupe Rallye, HF 1.3 Coupe Sport, and Sedan 2C & GTE
Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
520-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.20 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the rim diameter. On the 1970 Lancia Fulvia, it represents the bias-ply fitment used across several sub-models, so it matters most to owners preserving an earlier tire construction and a more traditional period-style look. Product choices in this size center on Premium Sport Lowrider tires with narrow whitewall treatments in different visual formats. This is the size to evaluate when appearance and bias-ply character are part of the plan, but wheel width and overall vehicle setup should still be checked carefully.
175R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 gives the nominal width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1970 Lancia Fulvia, this size has a very specific role because it applies to the Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF rather than the full model range. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since this fitment uses a different rim diameter from the Fulvia's 14-inch sizes. A buyer considering this size should start with the exact sub-model and current wheel setup before comparing radial options for appearance and road use.
155R14 is a Euro-metric radial size, meaning the tire has a nominal 155-millimeter section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1970 Lancia Fulvia, this radial fitment is associated with the Sedan 2C & GTE and offers a slightly different sizing approach from the coupe-oriented 145R14 setup. Available blackwall choices include Michelin X Radial and Firestone F560 Radial, giving buyers a useful mix of brand and series character within the same size. This size is the right place to focus when the sedan retains its 14-inch radial wheel setup and the goal is an authentic vintage-European look with radial construction.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1970 Lancia Fulvia because tire choice is not the same across the full range. Some versions share the 520-14 bias-ply option, but radial sizing changes between coupe, sedan, and HF configurations, and one model uses a different wheel diameter altogether.
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1970 Lancia Fulvia Coupe & Coupe Rallye
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia Coupe & Coupe Rallye can be fitted with either the 145R14 radial or the 520-14 bias-ply, both on 14-inch wheels. That gives the buyer a clear choice between staying with a radial format or selecting a more traditional bias-ply presentation with narrow whitewall styling.
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF uses the 175R13 radial fitment, which sets it apart from the 14-inch tire setups found elsewhere in the Fulvia range. Tire selection here starts with confirming the 13-inch wheel arrangement before moving on to any comparison of construction style or appearance.
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia HF 1.3 Coupe Sport shares the same two-way fitment approach as other coupe variants, using either 145R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply sizing. That means the main decision is less about which size fits this sub-model and more about whether the car is being kept in radial form or given a more restoration-oriented bias-ply look.
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia Sedan 2C & GTE uses either 155R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply sizing, both based on 14-inch wheels but with different construction and dimensions. Choosing for this sub-model means matching the car's current wheel setup and deciding whether the goal is vintage radial road use or traditional bias-ply appearance.
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 Lancia Fulvia Tires for Sale
Available Fulvia tire choices span Firestone, Camac, Michelin, and Premium Sport, with options in radial and bias-ply construction. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall radial series such as F560, BN313, and Michelin X against 520-14 narrow whitewall bias-ply offerings in the Premium Sport Lowrider line.
These 1970 Lancia Fulvia tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most for this car: which size belongs on which sub-model, how radial and bias-ply fitments differ, and what to inspect before putting a vintage Fulvia back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
A 1970 Lancia Fulvia can use 145R14, 520-14, 155R14, or 175R13 depending on the exact sub-model. The Coupe & Coupe Rallye and HF 1.3 Coupe Sport use 145R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply, the Sedan 2C & GTE uses 155R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply, and the Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF uses 175R13 radial.
The important step is identifying the exact Fulvia version before choosing a tire. Because this model range includes both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel fitments, the current wheel diameter should be confirmed first, especially if the car has had wheel changes over the years or is being returned to a more original-looking setup.
What size rim does a 1970 Lancia Fulvia use?
A 1970 Lancia Fulvia uses either a 14-inch or 13-inch rim depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 145R14, 520-14, and 155R14 fitments use 14-inch rims, while the 175R13 radial fitment uses a 13-inch rim on the Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF.
That distinction matters because rim diameter is not interchangeable between these tire sizes. Before choosing a new tire, check the wheels actually on the car and compare their width as well, since some Fulvias may have been updated with aftermarket wheels or replacement rims that no longer match the original sub-model fitment pattern.
Why does the 1970 Lancia Fulvia have more than one tire size?
The 1970 Lancia Fulvia spans several sub-models, and they do not all use the same tire size or even the same construction. Some versions use 14-inch radial sizing, some can use 520-14 bias-ply, and the Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF uses a separate 175R13 radial fitment.
For a buyer, that means tire selection starts with the exact body and performance variant rather than the Fulvia name alone. Once the sub-model is confirmed, the next step is checking whether the car still wears the correct wheel diameter and whether the goal is a restoration-oriented bias-ply look or a vintage radial setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 520-14 tire for a 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
A 520-14 tire for a 1970 Lancia Fulvia should be chosen with the car's intended look and construction style in mind first. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and available examples focus on Premium Sport Lowrider offerings with narrow whitewall styling rather than blackwall radial presentation.
Wheel compatibility is especially important in this size, since 520-14 products are associated with narrower rim widths than the Fulvia's radial sizes. A buyer should also think about whether the car is being restored for period-style appearance, displayed, or driven regularly, because that decision often shapes whether a bias-ply tire remains the right direction.
What sidewall styles are available for 1970 Lancia Fulvia tires?
1970 Lancia Fulvia tire choices include both blackwall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments, depending on the size and construction. The radial sizes offered for this car appear in blackwall form, while the 520-14 bias-ply options are available with narrow whitewall styling.
That gives the Fulvia owner two very different visual directions. Blackwall radials suit a restrained European appearance, while narrow whitewall bias-ply tires create a more stylized vintage presentation. The right choice depends on the specific sub-model, the wheel setup on the car, and whether the goal is road-oriented radial use or a more traditional period-style look.
What brands offer tires for the 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
Tire options for the 1970 Lancia Fulvia include Firestone, Camac, Michelin, and Premium Sport. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with Firestone and Camac appearing in 145R14, Michelin and Firestone in 155R14, and Premium Sport covering the 520-14 bias-ply fitment.
The practical decision is less about brand alone and more about how each product matches the car's required size, construction, and visual style. Some Fulvia owners will be comparing blackwall radial series, while others may be focused on a narrow whitewall bias-ply presentation, so the correct size and intended look should guide the shortlist.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
A period-style 1970 Lancia Fulvia tire starts with the correct size for the specific sub-model, then moves to the right construction and visual treatment. For some versions that may mean keeping a radial format such as 145R14 or 155R14, while others may suit a 520-14 bias-ply approach when a more traditional vintage presentation is desired.
Restoration goals make a big difference here. A driver-oriented Fulvia may favor one of the available blackwall radial choices, while a more appearance-focused project may lean toward the narrow whitewall bias-ply offerings. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and vehicle history should guide the final decision on construction and sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1970 Lancia Fulvia more than many buyers expect. The Fulvia's available radial sizes present a classic European blackwall look, while the 520-14 bias-ply options introduce a more traditional sidewall shape and a narrow whitewall treatment that creates a distinctly different period impression.
That visual difference should be weighed alongside the specific sub-model and the wheels on the car. A Coupe Rallye 1.6 HF using 175R13 radial sizing calls for a different presentation than a sedan or coupe using 14-inch fitments, so construction choice should support both the intended look and the actual wheel and tire setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1970 Lancia Fulvia?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1970 Lancia Fulvia, especially because this model range already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, brake updates, or body alterations can change the wheel diameter, width, and clearance available for the tire size that originally belonged on the car.
A Fulvia with changed wheels should be measured rather than assumed to match original fitment. The tire size on the car, the actual rim width, and clearance around fenders and steering components all deserve a close look before selecting replacements, particularly when moving between radial and bias-ply styles or returning a modified car to stock-type wheels.
What should I inspect before driving a 1970 Lancia Fulvia on new tires?
Before driving a 1970 Lancia Fulvia on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the selected size matches the sub-model. It also helps to check valve stems, verify tire pressure, and look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being mounted onto a car with underlying issues.
A short, careful first drive is a smart follow-up. Listen for rubbing, feel for steering pull or vibration, and recheck pressure once the car has been driven and settled. On a vintage Fulvia that has spent time parked, it is also wise to inspect wheel bearings, brake condition, and any signs of age-related deterioration before regular road use.
How should tires on a collector 1970 Lancia Fulvia be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1970 Lancia Fulvia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and close attention to age-related condition. Even if tread looks good, low-use vintage cars can develop cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or sidewall damage simply from time, storage conditions, and infrequent movement.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a car like this. Keeping the Fulvia away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally can reduce flat-spotting. Any sign of bulges, cuts, unusual wear, or persistent pressure loss deserves prompt inspection before the car goes back on the road.
