1972 Opel Tires

The 1972 Opel uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 560-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim, but they are not simply two labels for the same tire because they represent different sizing systems and different construction types.

The practical next step is confirming how the car is currently set up. A car already running radial-compatible wheels may point you toward 165R13, while a restoration-oriented or traditional setup may lead you toward 560-13. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the fenders and suspension should all be checked before changing from one fitment path to the other.

The primary tire fitments for the 1972 Opel both mount on a 13-inch rim. That applies to the 165R13 radial size as well as the 560-13 bias-ply size, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire constructions and sizing formats differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture. The available 165R13 radial products use wider rim ranges than the 560-13 bias-ply options, so wheel width matters before choosing between the two. Measuring the actual wheels on the car is worthwhile, especially if the vehicle has been changed from its earlier setup over time.

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 560 designation refers to the tire's nominal width class, with the decimal omitted, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1972 Opel, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern radial size designation.

That difference matters because a 560-13 tire brings a vintage construction style and is offered with appearance choices such as narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewalls. Anyone considering a move away from 560-13 should compare the wheel setup carefully, since the available radial alternatives use different size conventions and may call for a different rim-width range.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1972 Opel. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format and is offered in classic bias-ply series from BFGoodrich and Firestone, with sidewall treatments that include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

That makes 560-13 the traditional-construction path for this car, while 165R13 represents the radial path. Choosing between them affects more than appearance, because the available products use different rim-width ranges and sizing formats. Any conversion should include a check of wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming one construction can replace the other automatically.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series alternative, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series alternative. Those are the radial comparison sizes associated with the original 560-13 bias-ply fitment on the 1972 Opel.

Each of those equivalents follows a different sizing convention, so the choice is not only about radial construction but also about profile and wheel compatibility. A 4- to 5-inch recommended rim-width range is tied to this equivalent path, and the final decision should also account for actual wheel width, tire dimensions, and available clearance at the front suspension and body.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the original 560-13 bias-ply fitment. For this Opel, the radial equivalent path includes 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, and the recommended rim-width range attached to that path is 4 to 5 inches.

The rest of the inspection should focus on practical clearance and condition checks. Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension wear, and overall wheel condition are all worth reviewing before changing construction. A car that has been modified with different wheels, ride height changes, or replacement suspension parts deserves especially careful measurement before a radial conversion is finalized.

The first consideration is whether the car should use the 165R13 radial fitment or the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. After that, compare construction type, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the kind of appearance you want the car to present. The available products split clearly between European-style blackwall radials and classic whitewall bias-ply tires.

That means the best choice depends on how the car is being used and how closely you want to stay with a traditional presentation. A radial setup may suit an existing radial-equipped car, while a bias-ply setup may better match a restoration-oriented look. Checking the actual wheels on the car keeps the decision grounded in fitment rather than appearance alone.

The available sidewall styles for 1972 Opel tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The 165R13 radial choices are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions depending on the tire series and brand.

That sidewall split gives the car very different visual personalities. Blackwall radials lean toward a clean European touring or sporting presentation, while whitewall bias-ply tires bring a more traditional vintage look. Sidewall style should still be chosen after confirming the correct tire size and wheel setup, since appearance alone does not determine whether the construction and dimensions suit the car.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all offer tire options for the 1972 Opel. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply fitment with period-style whitewall choices.

Brand selection should be treated as part of the overall fitment decision, not as the first step. The important comparison points are the correct size, the intended construction, the available tire series, and the sidewall treatment that suits the car. Once those are settled, the brand options within that fitment become much easier to compare sensibly.

A period-style 1972 Opel tire choice usually starts by deciding whether the car should present as a traditional bias-ply car or as one wearing a European-style radial. The 560-13 bias-ply fitment supports that older construction look, while 165R13 keeps the car in a narrow 13-inch radial format that still suits the era.

The right answer depends on the goal of the vehicle. A restoration-oriented car may prioritize the visual character of the original sizing style, while a driver may favor the existing radial setup on the car. Anyone chasing exact originality should compare the final choice against marque-specific reference material rather than assuming any tire sold in the correct size is historically exact.

Tire construction changes the restored look of a 1972 Opel more than many buyers expect. A 560-13 bias-ply tire carries a more traditional visual character and is available with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while the 165R13 radial choices are blackwall tires with a distinctly later European radial presentation.

That means construction is part of the car's visual identity, not just its road manners. A buyer aiming for a vintage showroom feel may prefer the bias-ply look, while someone preserving a later in-period radial style may stay with 165R13. Matching the tire's sidewall and construction to the car's overall finish makes a noticeable difference in the final result.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Opel even when the car still uses a 13-inch wheel. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork adjustments can all change how well a 165R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tire works on the car.

That is why the actual setup should be checked before settling on either fitment path or using a radial equivalent for 560-13. Clearance at full steering lock, space under compression, and the condition of suspension components all matter. A modified car should always be measured directly instead of relying on a stock-style fitment assumption.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and width, verify proper tire pressure, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear that could affect the way the new tires run. It is also worth confirming that the chosen tire construction matches the car's present wheel and fitment setup.

A short visual check of the tires themselves matters just as much. Look for uneven seating on the rim, sidewall damage, cuts, or any sign of air loss after installation. Turning the steering from lock to lock and checking fender and suspension clearance before a longer drive helps catch fitment problems early, especially on a recently restored or modified car.

Tires on a collector 1972 Opel should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and signs of age-related hardening. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because low annual mileage does not prevent rubber from aging over time.

Storage conditions have a real effect on long-term tire condition. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect the contact patch area, since collector vehicles often sit long enough for flat spotting or unnoticed air loss to develop.