1972 Ford Pinto Tires

The 1972 Ford Pinto uses two primary tire sizes: 600-13 and A78-13. Both are bias-ply fitments for 13-inch rims, and the 1972 Ford Pinto Base is associated with both sizes rather than one exclusive size for the model year.

That makes the real first step checking the size already on the car and confirming the wheel setup before ordering replacements. A Pinto that has kept its original-style wheel arrangement may still be using either fitment, while a modified car may need extra attention to wheel width, tire clearance, and overall proportions before staying with bias-ply construction or considering a radial equivalent.

The primary Pinto tire fitments here, 600-13 and A78-13, are both built for 13-inch rims. That means the wheel diameter stays consistent even though the vehicle can use two different vintage sizing conventions.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the actual wheel width before choosing a tire. The available 600-13 bias-ply products are built around narrow 13-inch wheel widths, and radial-equivalent sizes should also be reviewed carefully so the tire, wheel, and body clearance all remain compatible with the way the car is set up now.

The 1972 Ford Pinto Base is associated with the same two primary tire sizes used for this model page: 600-13 and A78-13. Both are bias-ply tires designed for 13-inch rims, so the difference is the size convention rather than a change to a larger or smaller wheel diameter.

That consistency helps narrow the search, but it does not remove the need to verify what is currently on the car. Looking at the sidewall marking on the existing tires and confirming wheel width will make it much easier to choose the right replacement, especially if the Pinto has been restored, updated, or converted away from its original-era tire setup at some point.

On a 1972 Ford Pinto, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system and belongs to the period-style construction commonly seen on compact American cars that originally ran on narrow 13-inch wheels.

Keeping that construction preserves the vintage look and the original-style size format, especially if the car is being restored or shown. A radial alternative can still be considered, but the change should be evaluated carefully by checking wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the fenders and suspension rather than assuming every 13-inch radial equivalent will behave the same way on the car.

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 keeps the 13-inch rim format while offering a different modern sizing convention.

Those options should be compared by wheel width, overall dimensions, and available clearance before making a change. A recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the equivalent sizes, so a Pinto with original-style narrow wheels may be a better candidate for some options than others depending on its current wheel and suspension setup.

Start by confirming the existing primary size, the 13-inch wheel diameter, and the actual wheel width on the car. For Pinto fitments in 600-13 or A78-13, the radial-equivalent choices include 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13, with a recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches.

After that, compare the tire’s dimensions and make sure there is enough steering, suspension, and fender clearance for the setup you want to use. It is also smart to inspect the wheels themselves, since many collector cars have been changed over the years, and a later wheel swap can affect how comfortably a radial-equivalent size works on the vehicle.

The starting points are the correct size, the proper 13-inch rim fitment, and whether the car is meant to retain its bias-ply construction. In 600-13, the available products are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the main visible difference is sidewall style rather than a change to a different construction or larger wheel format.

From there, think about how the Pinto is being used and presented. A restoration-oriented car may call for the traditional look of a whitewall bias-ply tire, while a driver-focused car may lead you to compare radial equivalents separately. Wheel width should still be confirmed so the selected tire suits the actual rim rather than only the nominal tire size.

The available 600-13 products include two whitewall treatments: a Wide Whitewall and a Narrow Whitewall. Both are bias-ply BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, so the visible difference is mainly the width of the white sidewall band rather than a change in basic tire type.

That choice matters most for appearance. A wider whitewall gives the car a more pronounced traditional look, while a narrower whitewall can feel more restrained on a compact early-1970s car. Since sidewall style changes the presentation more than the fitment, the best approach is to match the tire to the Pinto’s restoration direction and the way the car is trimmed overall.

The available products in the supported 600-13 fitment are from BFGoodrich. Those offerings appear in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and focus on traditional bias-ply construction with whitewall styling rather than a broad mix of modern touring or performance-oriented tire lines.

That means selection is centered more on appearance and correct vintage fitment than on comparing many brands against each other. If the goal is to stay with a period-style bias-ply tire, the real decision becomes which sidewall treatment suits the car. If the goal is modern radial construction, the search shifts to the radial-equivalent sizes rather than another primary Pinto fitment.

A period-style 1972 Ford Pinto is best approached by starting with one of its primary bias-ply sizes, 600-13 or A78-13, rather than jumping straight to a modern radial. That keeps the tire format in line with the car’s original-era proportions and gives the Pinto the narrower, more traditional stance associated with early-1970s compact cars.

Appearance then comes down to the exact size already on the vehicle and the sidewall look you want to present. In 600-13, whitewall bias-ply options are available, which can support a restoration-oriented finish. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking marque references or period photos so the tire style matches the way this specific Pinto is being restored.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1972 Ford Pinto; it also changes the visual attitude of the car. A bias-ply tire keeps the vintage size format and tends to look more at home on the Pinto’s narrow 13-inch wheel package than a modern radial with a different profile convention.

That is why many restoration-minded owners start with the primary bias-ply fitments first, then decide whether they want to preserve that period-style look or move toward a radial alternative. Sidewall treatment matters too, since a wide or narrow whitewall can shift the car’s presentation even when the wheel diameter and basic tire size remain correct.

Yes. Even though the 1972 Ford Pinto uses 13-inch bias-ply fitments such as 600-13 and A78-13, aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations can change what works comfortably on the car. A modified setup may have different wheel width, offset, or clearance than an original-style Pinto.

That is especially important if the car is being switched to one of the radial-equivalent sizes. The best approach is to inspect the actual wheel and tire package already on the vehicle, then check steering clearance and fender space before choosing a replacement. Small vintage cars do not leave much room for assumptions once wheels or ride height have been changed.

Inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and tire pressures first, then look over the suspension and steering for obvious looseness or wear. On a collector-age 1972 Ford Pinto, it also makes sense to verify that the installed tire size matches the wheel and that there is no rubbing at full steering lock.

A careful walkaround should also include checking for sidewall damage, uneven tread seating, and any signs of air loss after installation. Since many older cars spend long periods parked, a short local test drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible step. That helps confirm the new tires are running cleanly before the car is taken on a longer trip.

Keep 600-13 tires properly inflated, inspect them regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and irregular wear, and make sure the car is not sitting for long periods on underinflated tires. Collector vehicles such as a 1972 Ford Pinto often accumulate age before mileage, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage also plays a big part in longevity. Parking away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve sidewalls, especially on a low-use vintage car. It is smart to check pressures before every drive and give the tires a closer inspection before longer outings, since a compact collector car may spend weeks or months between road use.