1972 Mazda RX-3 Tires

The 1972 Mazda RX-3 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they represent different sizing systems and different tire-construction approaches, so they should not be treated as the same choice with only a different label.

The practical step is to confirm what is actually on the car now, especially if the wheels have been changed over time. A radial-size RX-3 and a bias-ply RX-3 may require different wheel-width considerations, and appearance will change as well, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is restoration style, consistent road use, or maintaining the existing setup.

The 1972 Mazda RX-3 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 155R13 radial fitment and the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire constructions differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, because wheel width still matters when comparing radial and bias-ply choices. Before selecting a tire, it is smart to measure the wheel that is actually on the car and compare that width to the intended tire’s rim-width range, especially on a vehicle that may have seen wheel changes during restoration or past ownership.

A 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 560 designates a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, with the decimal omitted in the older sizing format, and the 13 identifies the rim diameter in inches.

That matters because 560-13 is not just an older way of writing a modern radial size. It points to a traditional bias-ply fitment, which brings a narrower vintage look and its own wheel-width expectations. Anyone moving away from 560-13 should compare the alternative tire’s diameter, wheel compatibility, and clearance carefully rather than assuming any 13-inch radial is automatically suitable.

For the 1972 Mazda RX-3, 560-13 is a bias-ply tire size. The radial-format size associated with this car is 155R13, so the difference between the two choices is not only appearance but also tire construction and the sizing system used to describe the tire.

That distinction affects both selection and setup. Bias-ply tires in 560-13 are offered with traditional whitewall treatments and narrower wheel-width requirements, while 155R13 radials follow a different fitment path. Anyone deciding between them should confirm the actual wheel width on the car and think through whether the priority is a vintage presentation or a radial-format driving setup.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 on a 1972 Mazda RX-3 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the 75-series P-metric radial option, and P155/70R13 as the 70-series P-metric radial option. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with this size here.

Those alternatives give the RX-3 owner a range of radial sizing formats, but they should still be evaluated against the car rather than treated as automatic substitutions. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is tied to the equivalency path, and the final choice should also account for wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and steering or fender clearance on the particular car.

Start by confirming the existing wheel diameter and width, then compare the radial size being considered against the car’s current 560-13 setup. For this RX-3, radial-equivalent paths from 560-13 include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, but each should be checked as an alternative rather than assumed to interchange automatically.

A conversion also changes the car’s overall tire character, so the condition of the suspension and steering should be part of the decision. Clearance at full lock, room under the fenders, and the vehicle’s actual ride height all deserve a quick inspection, especially on a vintage compact that may no longer sit exactly as it did when new.

The first decision is whether the car should stay with the 560-13 bias-ply fitment or use the 155R13 radial-size path. From there, the important comparisons are wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and whether the tire suits a restoration-minded presentation or a more road-oriented radial setup.

Looking beyond size alone helps avoid mismatches between the tire and the car’s current wheels. A narrow bias-ply whitewall creates a very different look from a blackwall radial, and the RX-3’s small 13-inch package makes those changes easy to notice, so the best choice is the one that matches both the car’s setup and the owner’s intended use.

Sidewall styles for the 1972 Mazda RX-3 vary by tire size and construction. The 155R13 radial choices are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions, giving the car either a cleaner sporting look or a more traditional vintage presentation.

That choice has a strong visual effect on a compact early-1970s car, so sidewall style should be selected intentionally rather than as an afterthought. A buyer leaning toward a restoration-style look may focus on the whitewall bias-ply options, while someone preserving a sportier radial appearance may prefer the blackwall 155R13 choices already associated with the RX-3.

The 1972 Mazda RX-3 has available tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 560-13 bias-ply size with different sidewall treatments and classic tire series.

Brand matters most when it lines up with the type of tire the car actually needs. Someone staying with radial construction will be comparing blackwall import-style choices, while an owner keeping a bias-ply setup will be deciding among classic whitewall presentations and wheel-width specs, so the useful comparison starts with size and construction rather than the name on the sidewall.

A period-style 1972 Mazda RX-3 can be approached in two different ways depending on the look being pursued. The 560-13 bias-ply size delivers the more traditional vintage presentation, while the 155R13 radial keeps the car in a small imported radial format that also suits the era well.

The best direction depends on whether the goal is a restoration-oriented whitewall look or a leaner blackwall presentation that fits the RX-3’s sporting side. Anyone chasing exact originality should compare the car’s current trim, wheels, and historical reference material before settling on a sidewall treatment or construction, since appearance details can change the car’s character quickly.

Tire construction changes the appearance of a restored 1972 Mazda RX-3 because the bias-ply 560-13 and the radial 155R13 present the car differently even though both use a 13-inch rim. Bias-ply options bring a more traditional vintage profile, while the radial choices deliver a cleaner small-car blackwall look.

That visual difference is especially noticeable on a compact coupe where tire sidewall and overall stance are easy to see. A restoration-minded owner should consider not just the size, but also whether a Narrow Whitewall, Wide Whitewall, or blackwall sidewall supports the intended era feel of the finished car without assuming any one treatment is universally correct.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Mazda RX-3 even when the tire size itself is associated with the car. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, altered ride height, or bodywork around the fenders can all influence how a 155R13 or 560-13 tire sits and clears.

That is why a modified RX-3 should be checked on the car rather than judged by size code alone. Wheel backspacing, steering clearance, and the space available under compression all matter on a compact vehicle, so any change from stock-style wheels or suspension should prompt a careful measurement before settling on a tire.

Before driving a 1972 Mazda RX-3 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm lug hardware is correct, and verify that the tire size matches the intended wheel setup. It is also smart to check for adequate clearance at the fenders and while turning lock to lock, especially if the car has older suspension parts or non-original wheels.

A short follow-up inspection after the first few drives is just as important on a collector-era car. Tire pressure, any signs of rubbing, and the way the car tracks and steers can reveal setup issues early, giving the owner a chance to address alignment, wheel-width mismatch, or clearance problems before putting more road miles on the tires.

Collector-car tires on a 1972 Mazda RX-3 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread wear. Both 560-13 bias-ply tires and 155R13 radials can spend long periods parked, which makes sidewall cracking, flat spotting, and slow air loss worth watching closely.

Storage conditions have a real effect on tire life, so keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both appearance and serviceability. It also pays to inspect the tires before any longer drive, since a low-use RX-3 may look fine at a glance while still showing aging, cuts, bulges, or pressure loss.