1972 Fiat 850 Tires

The 1972 Fiat 850 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for 13-inch rims, so the car’s fitment can center on either a classic radial format or a traditional numeric bias-ply format depending on the setup and the look being pursued.

That makes the first decision less about finding a missing size and more about confirming which construction belongs on the car today. A Fiat 850 that still has narrow wheels and a restoration-oriented presentation may point toward 560-13, while a car already set up around radial use may favor 155R13. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body clearance are worth confirming before making a change.

The 1972 Fiat 850 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. The 155R13 radial and the 560-13 bias-ply both share that same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the question is not wheel diameter alone but whether the wheel width matches the tire being considered.

That distinction matters because the radial and bias-ply offerings do not use the same rim-width range. Some 560-13 bias-ply choices are intended for narrower wheels, while 155R13 radial options can accommodate a broader wheel-width spread. Before selecting a tire, check the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the Fiat has replacement wheels or has been changed from its earlier tire setup.

The covered 1972 Fiat 850 Coupe, Sport, and Spider applications share the same two primary tire sizes: 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply. In practical terms, that means the sub-model does not force a different tire size within this group, and the same overall fitment path applies across those versions.

Even with shared fitment, the right tire still depends on the car’s present wheel and restoration direction. One owner may want a classic blackwall radial presentation, while another may be after a whitewall bias-ply look. It is still smart to confirm the actual wheels on the car, because many small European classics have been changed over the years and may no longer match an earlier setup exactly.

On the 1972 Fiat 850, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to vintage applications, and the available tires in this size are classic bias-ply products rather than radial tires.

That matters because a bias-ply tire influences both appearance and wheel compatibility. The available 560-13 options use narrower rim-width ranges than the radial offerings, and they also bring a more traditional sidewall profile with whitewall choices. Owners considering a move away from 560-13 should compare wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance carefully instead of assuming every radial alternative will behave the same on the car.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent appears for this size, so the available alternatives are all conventional radial formats rather than a radial styled to mimic a bias-ply sidewall shape.

Each of those radial sizes should be treated as an alternative, not as an automatic swap. The equivalency guidance also points to a 4-5 inch rim-width range, which is a useful checkpoint before moving away from 560-13. Wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s intended appearance all deserve attention, especially on a compact vintage Fiat where small dimensional changes can be noticeable.

The 1972 Fiat 850 can be approached either way because both a 560-13 bias-ply fitment and a 155R13 radial fitment are available. Bias-ply keeps the car in a more traditional vintage tire format, while radial fitment moves it into a classic metric construction more in line with later tire practice.

The better choice depends on what matters most for the car. A restoration-oriented Fiat may call for the look and character of 560-13, especially with whitewall options, while a driver-focused setup may lean toward the blackwall radial choices in 155R13. The decision should also take the actual wheel width into account, because the two constructions do not share the same intended wheel range.

Start with the correct primary size and construction for the way the car is set up now. A 560-13 tire puts the 1972 Fiat 850 in a bias-ply format with vintage-style whitewall options, while 155R13 places it in a radial format with classic blackwall European-style choices.

After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and any load or weight details that matter to your use. A Fiat kept for shows may need a different presentation than one driven regularly on local roads. Looking at the actual wheel dimensions on the car is especially important, since the bias-ply and radial offerings are built around different rim-width ranges.

The 1972 Fiat 850 has a clear split in sidewall style by tire type. The available 155R13 radial choices are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.

That sidewall choice has a strong effect on the finished appearance of the car. A blackwall radial gives the Fiat a more understated European look, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a more overt vintage presentation. The practical step is to match the sidewall style to the car’s restoration direction and then confirm that the wheel width suits the specific tire being considered.

The available brands for the 1972 Fiat 850 include Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, along with BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. That gives the car a mix of classic European-style radial options and traditional American-brand bias-ply offerings.

Brand choice should be considered alongside construction, tire series, and sidewall treatment rather than by name alone. Michelin XAS-FF and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet serve a different purpose than BFGoodrich or Firestone whitewall bias-ply tires. The best way to narrow the field is to decide whether the Fiat should present as a radial-equipped driver or a more traditional bias-ply small classic.

A period-style 1972 Fiat 850 can move in two different directions depending on the presentation you want. The 560-13 bias-ply size gives the car a more traditional vintage tire look, especially with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall options, while 155R13 blackwall radials suit a classic European appearance with later-style construction.

The right choice depends on whether the car is being restored toward an earlier visual character or maintained as a roadgoing vintage Fiat with a radial setup. Exact originality should be checked against marque-specific references, period photography, or other vehicle-history sources. Tire construction and sidewall treatment can change the stance of a small car noticeably, so appearance deserves as much attention as fitment.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1972 Fiat 850 as much as it changes the tire format. A 560-13 bias-ply usually supports a more traditional small-car presentation, particularly with whitewall sidewall treatments, while a 155R13 radial gives the car a blackwall look associated with classic European radial fitment.

That difference can influence how the car sits visually and how authentic the finished restoration feels to the owner. On a compact Fiat, sidewall styling is easy to notice, so the tire should complement the wheel design and the overall restoration theme. It helps to settle on the intended look first and then choose the tire series and construction that support that appearance.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1972 Fiat 850 even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or bodywork differences can all affect whether a 560-13 or 155R13 tire has the clearance and wheel support it needs.

That is especially important on a compact vintage car where space around the tire can be limited. A Fiat 850 with replacement wheels may still use a 13-inch rim but not the same width intended for the original-style tire choice. Before mounting new tires, check steering clearance, fender room, and the actual wheel dimensions so the tire matches the car’s present configuration.

Before driving a 1972 Fiat 850 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire seating, then confirm pressure and look for adequate clearance at the fenders and steering components. It is also wise to make sure lug hardware is properly secured and that the tires are mounted on wheels within the intended width range.

A short, careful road check is a smart next step on a collector car. Listen for rubbing, watch for pulling or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first miles. Since the Fiat 850 can use either bias-ply or radial construction, the car may feel different depending on the setup, so any change in tracking or steering should be evaluated before regular use.

Collector-car tires on a 1972 Fiat 850 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to aging even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, and keep the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible.

Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for inspection, especially on an older car that may spend long periods parked. Tires that appear to have plenty of tread can still develop age-related issues. It also helps to inspect the wheels and suspension at the same time, because alignment or component wear can shorten tire life whether the Fiat is running bias-ply 560-13 tires or 155R13 radials.