1971 Nissan PL510 Tires

The 1971 Nissan PL510 uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but the tire type and the style of presentation each one gives the car.

Choosing between them starts with the wheel setup and the kind of car being built. A PL510 kept closer to a restoration-oriented look may lean toward the 560-13 bias-ply size, while a driver-focused car may be better suited to the 165R13 radial path. It is still worth confirming the actual wheel width and any prior changes before selecting a tire.

The supported tire sizes for the 1971 Nissan PL510 both use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 165R13 radial size and the 560-13 bias-ply size, so wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions and sizing systems are different.

Rim diameter is only the first checkpoint. Wheel width matters too, especially because the available 165R13 and 560-13 products do not share the same rim-width ranges. A car with replacement wheels should be measured rather than assumed, since a 13-inch wheel can still be unsuitable for a given tire if the width falls outside the tire’s intended range.

On a 1971 Nissan PL510, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 refers to the nominal tire-width class in inches, while 13 identifies the wheel diameter. It is an older sizing convention that looks different from modern metric radial sizes but remains familiar in vintage and restoration tire fitments.

Understanding that format helps separate size from construction. A 560-13 is not just another way of writing 165R13; it also indicates a bias-ply tire type with its own visual character and wheel-width requirements. If the goal is to move away from bias-ply while staying close in overall intent, the radial-equivalent choices should be reviewed carefully before making the switch.

For the 1971 Nissan PL510, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system and is offered in classic bias-ply lines with whitewall treatments, which gives it a distinctly vintage appearance compared with the radial 165R13 fitment.

That distinction matters because the decision is about more than sidewall markings. Bias-ply and radial tires can differ in look, feel, and wheel-width needs, so the best choice depends on how the car is being used and presented. A PL510 aimed at period-style appearance may stay with 560-13, while a regularly driven car may prompt a closer look at radial alternatives.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the 75-series P-metric option, and P155/70R13 as the 70-series P-metric option. These are all radial alternatives tied to the 560-13 size, but they represent different sizing conventions and profile families.

A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is associated with those equivalents, which makes wheel measurement especially important before conversion. The right comparison is not only size code to size code, but also wheel width, tire dimensions, and available clearance at the fender and suspension. An equivalent is a useful alternative, not an automatic interchange.

The 1971 Nissan PL510 can be approached either way because it has a 560-13 bias-ply fitment path and a 165R13 radial fitment path. Bias-ply usually appeals to owners pursuing a more traditional presentation, while the radial size often suits owners who want a more modern tire format on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

The better choice depends on the car’s mission rather than a universal rule. A restoration-oriented Sedan may call for the visual style of a bias-ply whitewall, while a driver may benefit from staying within the radial offerings from Michelin or Dunlop. Before changing construction, compare wheel width, check for prior modifications, and make sure the tire choice matches how the PL510 will actually be used.

Start with the correct size path for the car: 165R13 if the PL510 is set up for a radial fitment, or 560-13 if the goal is a bias-ply fitment. From there, the real comparison points are construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and whether the car is being built as a driver or with stronger restoration emphasis.

A useful choice is one that matches both the vehicle and the owner’s intent. Michelin and Dunlop cover the blackwall radial side, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover classic bias-ply options with whitewall variation. Looking at the wheel on the car is important, since the available products do not all share the same approved rim-width range.

The available sidewall styles for the 1971 Nissan PL510 include blackwall in the 165R13 radial fitment and narrow whitewall or wide whitewall in the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. That gives the car a meaningful appearance choice even before getting into specific brands or tire series.

Sidewall style can change the personality of the car just as much as the construction choice. Blackwall radials tend to suit a cleaner driver-oriented look, while whitewall bias-ply tires deliver a more traditional vintage presentation. Appearance should still be balanced against the wheel setup and intended use, since the visual preference only works well when the tire itself matches the car’s fitment requirements.

Michelin and Dunlop offer 165R13 radial options for the 1971 Nissan PL510, while BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 560-13 bias-ply choices. Those brands span two different fitment approaches, so the first decision is not brand alone but whether the car will stay with bias-ply styling or move into the radial size family.

After that, brand comparison becomes more meaningful because it sits within the correct construction and size. Michelin appears in XAS-FF and XAS series, Dunlop offers the SP Sport Aquajet, and the bias-ply side includes classic BFGoodrich and Firestone whitewall options. The smart comparison is made within the right size path, not across unrelated constructions.

For a period-style 1971 Nissan PL510, the 560-13 bias-ply fitment is the most natural place to begin because it preserves an older sizing format and supports traditional whitewall presentations. BFGoodrich and Firestone options in that size keep the car within a vintage visual language that suits many restoration-oriented builds.

The exact tire still depends on how authentic the final look needs to be. A narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall create noticeably different impressions, and neither should be treated as universally correct for every restoration without checking period photos, marque references, or other vehicle-specific historical sources. The right choice is the one that matches both the car’s finish and its intended level of originality.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1971 Nissan PL510; it also changes the car’s overall visual impression. A 560-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, especially in whitewall form, while a 165R13 radial in blackwall form tends to look more modern and understated.

That visual difference matters on a compact sedan where tire profile and sidewall treatment are easy to notice. A restoration focused on period flavor may favor the bias-ply route, while a car restored as a regular road car may look right on a radial. Either way, appearance should be judged alongside wheel width and stance so the finished setup looks intentional.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1971 Nissan PL510 even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence whether a 165R13 or 560-13 tire has the right space and relationship to the car.

That matters most when the PL510 has been updated over the years, which is common with enthusiast-owned cars. Measuring the actual wheel diameter and width, then checking steering clearance and fender space, is more useful than assuming the car still matches stock conditions. Any move from bias-ply to a radial equivalent deserves the same close review before the tires go into service.

Before driving a 1971 Nissan PL510 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure each tire seats properly, and look for clearances at the fenders, suspension, and steering components. It is also wise to confirm valve condition, inflation, and whether the car tracks cleanly once the tires are installed.

A collector-era car benefits from a wider once-over before road use. Check for worn suspension parts, old alignment issues, brake drag, and any signs that a tire could contact the body during turns or compression. Even a correctly sized tire can behave poorly on a car with neglected chassis components, so the road test should begin gently and with close attention.

Tires on a collector 1971 Nissan PL510 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread looks good, a low-use car can develop age-related problems such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, cuts, or bulges that deserve attention before the car returns to the road.

A good routine includes inspecting the tires several times during the year and before any longer drive, especially if the car spends long periods parked. Keeping the PL510 away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve tire condition. Periodic checks also make it easier to catch wheel or suspension issues that can create uneven wear over time.