The 1972 Nissan 1200 belongs to the era of light, efficient small cars that earned a loyal following for simple mechanicals, compact dimensions, and everyday usability. Today, that same character makes the car appealing to restorers and vintage import enthusiasts who want a tidy period presentation without overcomplicating maintenance. Tire choice on the 1972 Nissan 1200 centers on two 12-inch fitments: a 6.00-12 bias-ply and a 155R12 radial. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional construction and a more modern radial format. The right decision depends on the car’s current wheel setup, intended road use, and the look you want to preserve.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1972 Nissan 1200
The 1972 Nissan 1200 uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 12-inch rim: 6.00-12 in bias-ply construction and 155R12 in radial construction. Since the covered Fastback & Sedan applications use both sizes, the main decision is not sub-model identification but whether you want a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial alternative that still suits the car’s compact vintage proportions.
155R12 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 12 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1972 Nissan 1200, this size represents the radial fitment path for owners who want to keep the car on its proper 12-inch rim diameter. Its dimensions stay close to the vintage compact-car scale while using a more familiar radial sizing convention than older bias-ply formats. This size is worth considering when the goal is to keep the car visually balanced while selecting a radial construction.
6.00-12 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.00 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 12 identifying the rim diameter. For the 1972 Nissan 1200, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and it matches the sizing language commonly seen on small imported cars of the period. The format is straightforward once decoded, but it differs from modern metric sizing and should be read as a vintage bias-ply designation rather than a radial equivalent. This size makes the most sense when maintaining a more period-style construction and tire appearance is part of the plan.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1972 Nissan 1200 sub-models because the same 12-inch tire-size choices apply to the Fastback & Sedan. The key decision is choosing between radial and bias-ply construction rather than sorting through different sub-model-specific sizes.
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1972 Nissan 1200 Fastback & Sedan
The 1972 Nissan 1200 Fastback & Sedan uses the same two primary 12-inch tire sizes: 155R12 radial and 6.00-12 bias-ply. That means tire selection comes down to the construction and look you want, along with confirming that the car still has the wheel setup appropriate for either size.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for the 1972 Nissan 1200 usually center on its two 12-inch tire sizes, the difference between radial and bias-ply fitment, and what to inspect before putting a restored or long-stored car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1972 Nissan 1200?
The 1972 Nissan 1200 uses two primary tire sizes: 155R12 in radial construction and 6.00-12 in bias-ply construction. Both are 12-inch fitments, so the choice is not about changing wheel diameter so much as choosing the construction and sizing style that matches the car and your goals.
That makes the next step fairly clear. Confirm that the car still has the correct 12-inch wheels, then decide whether you want the traditional look and feel of a bias-ply tire or the radial format represented by 155R12. If the car has been modified over the years, wheel width and clearance should be checked before settling on either size.
What size rim does a 1972 Nissan 1200 use?
The tire fitments used on a 1972 Nissan 1200 are built around a 12-inch rim diameter. Both the 155R12 radial and the 6.00-12 bias-ply share that same rim diameter, which keeps the wheel-size question simpler than on vehicles that used multiple diameters across different configurations.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car before replacing tires. A 12-inch wheel that has been changed in width or replaced with an aftermarket design can affect how a tire sits and how much room it has at the fender, suspension, and steering components.
Do all 1972 Nissan 1200 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1972 Nissan 1200 Fastback & Sedan applications share the same tire-size choices. Both use 155R12 as the radial fitment option and 6.00-12 as the bias-ply fitment option, all on a 12-inch rim diameter.
That means sub-model identification is less critical here than on vehicles with different trim or body-specific tire sizes. The more important step is confirming which construction suits the car you have in front of you. A restoration-minded owner may lean toward the bias-ply size, while a driver-focused owner may prefer to evaluate the radial format without changing the basic 12-inch wheel diameter.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 6.00-12 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1972 Nissan 1200?
On a 1972 Nissan 1200, 6.00-12 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format, where the 6.00 figure represents nominal section width in inches and the 12 identifies the wheel diameter.
That matters because 6.00-12 should be approached as the traditional construction choice for the car rather than as a metric-style radial size. Owners comparing it with 155R12 should focus on construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility. Even though both sizes fit a 12-inch rim diameter, the car’s current wheel setup and intended use should be reviewed before changing from one construction type to the other.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1972 Nissan 1200?
A 1972 Nissan 1200 can be equipped with either 6.00-12 bias-ply tires or 155R12 radial tires, depending on the setup you want to maintain. The decision usually comes down to whether period-style construction matters most or whether you want to keep the car on a radial size that still fits its compact 12-inch wheel format.
Construction choice affects more than the number on the sidewall. It influences the car’s visual presentation, how closely it follows a vintage replacement approach, and what should be checked on the wheels before installation. Owners moving from one construction type to the other should confirm wheel condition, width, and clearance so the tire choice suits the car as it is actually configured today.
What should I check before converting my 1972 Nissan 1200 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car still has the proper 12-inch wheels and that 155R12 is the radial size being considered. On a 1972 Nissan 1200, the usual comparison is between 6.00-12 bias-ply and 155R12 radial, so the goal is to verify that the wheel and vehicle setup can support that change in construction.
A careful inspection should include wheel width, wheel condition, steering clearance, suspension clearance, and any signs that the car has been lowered or altered. It also helps to compare the space available around the tire at full lock and during suspension movement. Collector cars often carry older modifications, so checking the actual hardware on the car is more important than assuming every 1200 remains stock.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1972 Nissan 1200?
The main choice for a 1972 Nissan 1200 is between its two primary 12-inch sizes: 6.00-12 in bias-ply construction and 155R12 in radial construction. That makes construction type the first decision, followed by whether the car’s current wheels and overall presentation align better with a traditional bias-ply size or a metric radial format.
Beyond the size itself, look at how the car will be used and how original or modified it is today. A more restoration-oriented car may benefit from the traditional appearance of the bias-ply option, while a driver may prefer to stay with the radial format. Either way, wheel condition, wheel width, and available clearance should be checked before finalizing the tire choice.
How do I choose between 155R12 and 6.00-12 for a 1972 Nissan 1200?
Choosing between 155R12 and 6.00-12 starts with understanding that they represent two different sizing systems and two different constructions. The 155R12 is a Euro-metric radial, while the 6.00-12 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size, and both are intended for the 1972 Nissan 1200’s 12-inch rim diameter.
The practical difference is usually tied to the kind of car you are building or maintaining. A period-style approach often keeps attention on the bias-ply size, while a more road-use-oriented setup may point toward the radial. Since many older cars have had wheel swaps over the years, confirm the actual wheel dimensions and check fender and steering room before making the final call.
Why does the 1972 Nissan 1200 have both a radial and a bias-ply tire size?
The 1972 Nissan 1200 appears with both a radial size, 155R12, and a bias-ply size, 6.00-12, because the car can be approached through either construction style while staying on a 12-inch rim. The difference reflects tire construction and sizing convention rather than a change in basic wheel diameter.
For an owner, that means the decision is less about finding a hidden sub-model-only size and more about matching the tire to the car’s purpose. Some owners prioritize a more traditional vintage presentation, while others want the radial format. The right choice should be checked against the wheels currently on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or sitting for a long time.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1972 Nissan 1200?
For a period-style 1972 Nissan 1200, the 6.00-12 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point because it uses the vintage numeric sizing system associated with older compact-car fitment. It keeps the car within the proper 12-inch rim diameter while preserving the bias-ply construction style available for this model.
That does not automatically make it the only valid choice for every restored car. Some owners want a vintage overall look while still using the radial 155R12 size. If exact originality matters, the best approach is to compare the car against marque-specific references and then confirm that the wheel setup on the vehicle still supports the tire you intend to run.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1972 Nissan 1200 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1972 Nissan 1200 restoration because tire construction, sizing format, and wheel diameter all affect how the finished car looks and sits. The two appropriate fitment paths are 6.00-12 bias-ply and 155R12 radial, so the restoration decision begins with choosing which presentation best matches the car’s intended character.
Tires have a strong visual impact on a small vintage car, and the wrong size or construction can make the proportions look off even when the wheels technically mount. It also helps to verify that the restored car has the proper 12-inch wheels rather than later replacements. Attention to those basics keeps the tire choice aligned with the rest of the restoration work.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1972 Nissan 1200?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Nissan 1200 even when the tire size itself is one of the correct 12-inch options. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, or bodywork repairs can influence how either 155R12 or 6.00-12 sits in the wheel opening and clears surrounding components.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacing tires, especially on an older import that may have changed hands several times. Look at clearance during steering movement, inspect the distance to suspension parts, and confirm that the wheel diameter and width still suit the intended tire. A correct-size tire still needs a compatible wheel and enough room to operate safely.
What should I inspect before driving a 1972 Nissan 1200 on new tires?
Before driving a 1972 Nissan 1200 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, and proper diameter, then verify that the tire size matches the intended fitment. It also helps to check valve stems, confirm inflation is set appropriately for the tire and wheel setup, and make sure there is no rubbing at the fenders or suspension.
An older car deserves a broader walk-around before road use. Look for loose wheel hardware, signs of alignment issues, brake drag, and suspension wear that could affect the new tires quickly. Since the 1200 uses compact 12-inch fitments, small clearance issues are easier to overlook, so a short slow-speed test with steering turned lock to lock is a sensible final check.
How should tires on a collector 1972 Nissan 1200 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1972 Nissan 1200 should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, and gradual air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Whether the car wears 155R12 radial tires or 6.00-12 bias-ply tires, long periods of storage can age the rubber before tread wear becomes the issue.
Proper maintenance also includes keeping inflation consistent, moving the car often enough to avoid long-term stress in one contact patch, and storing it away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. A visual check before each drive is wise on any older vehicle. Tires that look acceptable at a glance can still deserve closer attention after months of inactivity.
