The 1972 Audi Super comes from a period when compact European sedans and wagons were increasingly defined by road manners, efficiency, and tidy packaging rather than sheer size. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice plays a big role in preserving that character. This Audi Super uses either a 165R13 radial or a 600-13 bias-ply tire, both on 13-inch rims, so the first decision is whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or moved toward a radial setup. Available choices include blackwall radial options as well as narrow and wide whitewall bias-ply styles. Matching the tire to the car’s wheels, intended look, and road use matters more here than simply picking any 13-inch tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1972 Audi Super
The 1972 Audi Super uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 13-inch rim. The key difference is construction: 165R13 is a radial fitment, while 600-13 is a bias-ply fitment. Because both covered sub-models use the same two sizes, the real decision is whether to keep a more traditional bias-ply setup or choose a radial configuration with a more modern sizing format.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1972 Audi Super, this size suits owners who want a radial-format fitment on the original 13-inch rim diameter. Available choices include Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, all in blackwall form. This size is worth considering when the goal is to stay with a European radial presentation while still checking wheel width and overall vehicle setup carefully.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size where the leading number represents nominal section width, about 6.00 inches, and 13 indicates the wheel diameter. For the 1972 Audi Super, it offers the traditional bias-ply construction choice on the same 13-inch rim diameter used by the radial option. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. This size makes sense for owners focused on a more period-style appearance and willing to confirm wheel width before staying with the bias-ply format.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1972 Audi Super sub-models because both use the same two primary tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm whether the goal is a radial setup, a bias-ply presentation, or a restoration-oriented appearance choice.
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1972 Audi Super 90
The 1972 Audi Super 90 uses the same 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply tire sizes found across the covered Audi Super range. That gives owners a clear choice between a Euro-style radial fitment and a more traditional bias-ply look, with wheel-width confirmation remaining important before selecting either construction.
The 1972 Audi Super 90 Wagon shares the same 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply tire sizes as the sedan. Tire selection therefore comes down more to construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility than to a unique wagon-only size difference.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1972 Audi Super
For the original 600-13 bias-ply size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 165R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent, and P175/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial equivalent. These choices give the Audi Super a range from traditional Euro-metric radial sizing to later P-metric profiles. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies, and any change should still be checked against the wheel, overall dimensions, and clearance at the car.
Modern Radial Equivalents
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 1972 Audi Super Tires for Sale
Available 1972 Audi Super tire choices include Michelin and Dunlop radial offerings in 165R13 blackwall form, along with BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in 600-13 with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling. That gives buyers a clear mix of construction, series, and appearance choices within the correct 13-inch fitments.
Common 1972 Audi Super tire questions usually come down to choosing between 165R13 and 600-13, understanding radial versus bias-ply construction, and checking wheel compatibility, appearance, and road-use condition before putting the car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1972 Audi Super?
A 1972 Audi Super uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are tied to 13-inch wheels, so the size choice is really a construction and presentation decision rather than a change in wheel diameter.
That distinction matters because a radial 165R13 and a bias-ply 600-13 do not deliver the same look or setup requirements. Before choosing between them, confirm the actual wheel width on the car and decide whether the goal is a traditional restoration-oriented appearance or a radial-format tire for regular road use.
What size rim does a 1972 Audi Super use?
The 1972 Audi Super uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is running the 165R13 radial size or the 600-13 bias-ply size, so the rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire construction changes.
Rim diameter alone is not the whole fitment picture. Wheel width still needs to match the tire being considered, especially when comparing the narrower bias-ply wheel range to radial options. It is also smart to verify that the car has not been changed to aftermarket wheels before ordering replacement tires.
Do all 1972 Audi Super sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1972 Audi Super sub-models share the same two tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. The Audi Super 90 and Audi Super 90 Wagon both use those same 13-inch fitment choices.
That makes sub-model identification less about finding a unique size and more about confirming how the individual car is equipped today. An owner can focus on construction, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility, while also checking whether previous wheel or suspension changes have altered the car from its original-style setup.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1972 Audi Super?
On the 1972 Audi Super, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional numeric bias-ply fitment, while 165R13 is the radial-format size used on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.
Choosing 600-13 keeps the car in a more traditional construction style and also opens up whitewall appearance options in this fitment. Moving away from it toward a radial equivalent can change the tire’s visual character and wheel-width requirements, so the decision should be based on the car’s wheels, intended use, and restoration goals.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 600-13?
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. These are all alternatives associated with the original 600-13 bias-ply size rather than additional primary fitments.
The practical difference is the sizing convention and profile family, not just the letter printed on the sidewall. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is part of this comparison, and any equivalent should still be checked against the car’s actual wheel width, tire clearance, and overall setup before making the change.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1972 Audi Super?
That depends on what matters most for the car. A 600-13 bias-ply tire keeps the Audi Super in a more traditional period-style format, while 165R13 gives it a radial fitment on the same 13-inch rim diameter. Both are recognized fitment paths for this vehicle.
The better choice comes down to priorities rather than a universal rule. Owners focused on restoration appearance may lean toward the bias-ply size and whitewall options, while owners who want a radial-format setup may prefer the 165R13 path. Either way, confirm wheel width, condition, and clearance before settling on one construction.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 or 600-13 tire for a 1972 Audi Super?
Start with the correct primary size and construction for the setup you want. The 1972 Audi Super uses 165R13 in radial form and 600-13 in bias-ply form, both on 13-inch rims, so the main factors are construction type, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car is being kept in a traditional or more modern road-use format.
After that, compare product details that affect how the tire suits the car. Sidewall treatment, tire series, brand, and load-related specifications can all shape the final choice. It also helps to inspect the car for wheel changes or suspension modifications that may affect how either size behaves in real-world use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1972 Audi Super tires?
The sidewall choices depend on the tire size and construction you select. In 165R13 radial form, the available options are blackwall tires. In 600-13 bias-ply form, the available options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles.
That means sidewall appearance becomes part of the construction choice, not just a cosmetic extra. A blackwall radial gives the car a different visual presentation than a whitewall bias-ply tire, so buyers should think about the overall look they want before narrowing down the final product within the correct size.
What brands offer tires for the 1972 Audi Super?
The 1972 Audi Super has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply side with whitewall variations in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside construction and appearance, not by itself. A Michelin or Dunlop radial serves a different purpose than a BFGoodrich bias-ply whitewall, so the right comparison is between the style of tire that suits the car’s wheels, use, and visual direction rather than between brand names alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1972 Audi Super?
For a period-style presentation, the 600-13 bias-ply size is the most traditional-looking choice offered for the 1972 Audi Super. It keeps the vintage numeric sizing format and is available in whitewall styles that can give the car a distinctly restoration-oriented look on its 13-inch wheels.
That does not make every whitewall version historically exact for every individual car, so owners pursuing strict originality should compare their choice against marque references or period photos. For many restorations, though, the more important decision is simply staying with the proper size and a construction that matches the intended presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1972 Audi Super?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1972 Audi Super as much as it changes the sidewall labeling. A 600-13 bias-ply tire preserves the older numeric format and can be selected with narrow or wide whitewalls, while a 165R13 radial gives the car a later-style blackwall radial appearance.
That difference is especially noticeable on a compact European car where wheel and tire proportions are easy to see. Owners restoring for shows, period flavor, or a specific era of presentation should decide early whether the tire should blend into a traditional look or reflect a radial conversion made for regular driving.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1972 Audi Super?
Yes. Even though the 1972 Audi Super uses 13-inch fitments, modifications can still affect whether a chosen tire works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowering, or body repairs can all influence how a 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply tire sits and clears.
A car that no longer has its original-style wheel setup should be measured before replacement tires are chosen. Tire size, wheel width, and available clearance at full steering lock all matter, and those checks become even more important when moving between bias-ply and radial constructions on an older vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1972 Audi Super on new tires?
Before putting a 1972 Audi Super back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and general suspension condition. It is also wise to confirm that the wheel diameter and width match the tire being installed, and to check that there is no rubbing at the fenders or steering components.
The rest of the car deserves attention too, especially on a collector vehicle that may sit for long periods. Make sure the alignment is reasonable, the tires are inflated properly for service, and there are no signs of looseness or damage that could affect how the car tracks once the new tires are mounted.
How should 165R13 or 600-13 tires on a collector 1972 Audi Super be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even when the 1972 Audi Super is driven only occasionally. Look for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, and keep the tires clean and properly inflated so they are not carrying extra stress while the car sits.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older vehicle. Keeping the Audi away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. A visual inspection before every drive and a closer check at regular intervals can catch age-related issues before they become road-use problems.