1971 Mazda RX-2 Tires

The 1971 Mazda RX-2 uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to the same 13-inch rim diameter, so the main distinction is not wheel diameter but the tire type and the style of fitment you want to keep on the car.

That means the real choice is whether the car should stay with a period-style bias-ply presentation or use a radial format within the same general wheel size. Wheel width, current wheel setup, and clearance around the fenders and suspension should be checked before changing from one construction style to the other.

The supported tire sizes for a 1971 Mazda RX-2 both use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment and the 600-13 bias-ply fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire construction can differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage compact car. Before choosing a tire, it helps to confirm the actual wheel width on the car as well, since the available radial and bias-ply products are intended for different rim-width ranges and may suit different restoration or driving goals.

600-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.00 inches, while the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1971 Mazda RX-2, this is the bias-ply fitment option and reflects a more traditional vintage sizing system than a modern metric radial.

For an owner, that usually means the tire choice leans more heavily toward appearance and period-style presentation. It is also a reminder to confirm wheel width before ordering, because the 600-13 bias-ply options and the 165R13 radial options are built around different fitment expectations even though both mount on 13-inch wheels.

On a 1971 Mazda RX-2, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional fitment style of the two primary sizes used on this car, while 165R13 is the radial alternative that stays on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire changes both the visual character and the driving feel of the car compared with a radial. Owners choosing between them should look closely at wheel width, the car’s present setup, and whether the goal is a restoration-oriented appearance or a more modern-style road tire format.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. Each serves as an alternative way to approach the original 600-13 bias-ply fitment without changing away from a 13-inch rim diameter.

Those sizes should be viewed as comparison options rather than automatic replacements for one another. The recommended rim-width range associated with the equivalent fitment is 4 to 5 inches, and the actual car should also be checked for wheel compatibility, overall tire dimensions, and clearance before making a conversion.

A 1971 Mazda RX-2 can be approached either way, since both 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial fitments are part of the supported size picture for this car. Bias-ply tires favor a more traditional period-style presentation, while radials in 165R13 bring the car into a more modern tire format without changing the 13-inch rim diameter.

The better choice depends on how the car is being used and how closely the owner wants to preserve a vintage look. A careful decision should include checking wheel width, looking at the current suspension and steering clearance, and deciding whether appearance or a radial-style road setup is the higher priority.

Start with the two supported fitment paths: 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply. Both use a 13-inch rim diameter, but they lead to different tire styles, different product ranges, and different visual character on the car. The first decision is whether the RX-2 is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or moved into a radial format.

After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall treatment, tire series, and the intended use of the car. A lightly driven restoration may call for different priorities than a car that sees regular road use, and any existing wheel or suspension changes should be confirmed before settling on a final size and construction.

The available sidewall styles for the 1971 Mazda RX-2 include blackwall in the 165R13 radial choices and both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall in the 600-13 bias-ply choices. That creates a clear visual split between a more understated radial look and a more traditional vintage whitewall presentation.

Sidewall style can influence the whole personality of the car even when the wheel diameter stays the same. An owner choosing among these options should think about the car’s restoration theme, wheel design, and how much emphasis should go toward period-style appearance versus a simpler blackwall radial look.

Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich all offer applicable tires for the 1971 Mazda RX-2. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial side of the fitment picture, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply side with Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in different whitewall treatments.

Brand choice should still come after confirming the correct size and construction for the car. Once that is settled, the useful comparisons become tire series, sidewall appearance, rim-width compatibility, and whether the goal is a radial blackwall road setup or a bias-ply tire that supports a more vintage presentation.

For a period-style 1971 Mazda RX-2, the 600-13 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in a vintage tire construction and sizing format. Within that size, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options are available, giving the car a more traditional visual character than a blackwall radial.

The final appearance choice depends on how the restoration is being interpreted, since period-style does not always mean one exact sidewall treatment. Buyers who want to get especially close to a specific historical presentation should compare the tire choice against original sales literature, marque references, or restoration documentation for their particular car.

Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1971 Mazda RX-2 more than many owners expect. A 600-13 bias-ply tire keeps the car in a vintage numeric sizing format and is available with whitewall styling, while a 165R13 radial presents a more modern blackwall look even though it still uses a 13-inch wheel.

That difference can influence how the car reads at a glance, especially on a compact early-1970s Japanese design. Owners restoring for shows, marque events, or a specific era impression usually benefit from deciding on construction and sidewall style early, before other cosmetic choices lock the car into a certain look.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1971 Mazda RX-2 even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all change how a 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply tire sits in the wheel opening and clears nearby components.

Any RX-2 that has been modified should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement before a final tire choice is made. Wheel width matters especially here, because the radial and bias-ply options supported for this car do not share the same intended rim-width specifications.

Before driving a 1971 Mazda RX-2 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and usable condition, then confirm proper mounting, inflation, and clearances. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to work around worn parts, misalignment, or rubbing points.

A short initial road test is worthwhile on any vintage car, especially one that may have spent long periods parked. Watch for vibration, pull, unusual contact marks, or signs of interference near the fenders or steering components, then recheck tire pressure and the general installation once the car has been driven briefly.

Tires on a collector 1971 Mazda RX-2 should be inspected regularly for air loss, cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread condition, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage vintage cars can still age their tires significantly through time, storage conditions, and long periods of sitting in one place.

Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition. Pressure checks before use are especially important, and an RX-2 that has sat for a season should have both the tires and surrounding wheel and brake areas looked over carefully before returning to regular road use.