The 1973 Austin Marina sits squarely in the practical small-car world of the early 1970s, a period when British family cars were balancing traditional engineering with newer road manners and tire technology. For owners today, that matters because this Marina can be found with either a 560-13 bias-ply tire or a 155R13 radial, both on 13-inch rims. That opens two distinct paths: a more traditional bias-ply presentation with whitewall options, or a radial setup with blackwall touring and sport-oriented choices from Michelin and Dunlop. The right decision depends on the car's present wheel setup, the look you want, and whether originality of feel or everyday drivability comes first.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Austin Marina
The 1973 Austin Marina uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming which setup is on the car now. Both sizes fit a 13-inch rim, but 560-13 is a bias-ply fitment while 155R13 is a radial fitment, so construction is just as important as size. Once that is settled, the real choice becomes sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether to keep the Marina's current road-going character or move toward a radial equivalent.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1973 Austin Marina, it represents the radial fitment path and keeps the car on a 13-inch rim. Available choices in this size include blackwall radial offerings from Michelin and Dunlop, with series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. It is the size to evaluate when the Marina is already set up for radials or when a more modern radial format is the intended direction.
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, where 560 reflects a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches and 13 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1973 Austin Marina, this is the traditional bias-ply option and suits owners who want to retain an earlier tire construction and a more vintage visual presentation. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Firestone options in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply lines, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles available. It is the size to consider when period-style appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
The covered 1973 Austin Marina sub-model shares the same two-size fitment pattern found at the model level. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms whether the car is being kept on its existing bias-ply or radial setup before comparing tire choices.
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1973 Austin Marina GT
The 1973 Austin Marina GT can use either the 155R13 radial or the 560-13 bias-ply, both on 13-inch rims. That means tire selection starts with confirming the wheel and construction already on the car, then narrowing the choice by appearance, brand, and whether a traditional or more modern driving character is the goal.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1973 Austin Marina
For the 560-13 bias-ply size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 155R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P155/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P155/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. These choices move from a classic Euro-metric radial format to lower-profile P-metric options. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before making the change.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (560-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (560-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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.
Best 1973 Austin Marina Tires for Sale
Available 1973 Austin Marina tires cover both fitment paths, with Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials in 155R13 and BFGoodrich or Firestone bias-ply options in 560-13. The main comparison points are construction, tire series, whitewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility.
These 1973 Austin Marina tire FAQs focus on the two primary fitment paths, 13-inch rim compatibility, radial equivalents for 560-13, and the practical choices that matter when balancing appearance, construction, and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Austin Marina?
The 1973 Austin Marina 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 constructions, so the correct choice is not just about diameter.
The most important step is confirming what wheels and tires are on the car now. A Marina already set up for 155R13 radials should be evaluated differently than one retaining 560-13 bias-ply tires, especially when wheel width, appearance, and intended driving use are part of the decision.
What size rim does a 1973 Austin Marina use?
The 1973 Austin Marina uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with a 155R13 radial or a 560-13 bias-ply tire, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire construction changes.
Diameter alone is not the whole fitment story. Wheel width also matters, particularly if the car is being changed from bias-ply to radial or if replacement wheels have been installed over the years, so the actual wheel dimensions should be checked before selecting a tire.
What does 560-13 mean on a 1973 Austin Marina?
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 560 designates a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches, making it a traditional small-car bias-ply tire format used on the 1973 Austin Marina.
That older sizing style matters because it points to a bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial. Anyone replacing 560-13 tires should confirm whether the goal is to keep the Marina's traditional look and construction or to compare one of the available radial-equivalent sizes instead.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1973 Austin Marina?
560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1973 Austin Marina. It uses the older numeric sizing system and is separate from the car's 155R13 radial fitment, even though both are intended for 13-inch wheels.
That distinction affects both appearance and setup. A bias-ply Marina may be chosen for a more traditional presentation, while a radial-equipped car follows a different sizing path, so wheel width, construction choice, and the car's present configuration should all be reviewed before replacement.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-13?
Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is identified for this size.
Each option follows a different sizing convention, so the decision is not simply radial versus bias-ply. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalents, and overall fitment should still be checked against the Marina's wheel width and available clearance.
What should I check before converting my 1973 Austin Marina from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare those dimensions with the radial size under consideration. For a 560-13 Marina, the radial-equivalent path includes 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches for the equivalent group.
The next checks are practical ones: steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and how the car sits under load. A Marina that has been modified, fitted with different wheels, or lowered over time deserves a closer fitment review before making the change from bias-ply construction.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1973 Austin Marina?
The main decision is whether the car is staying with its current construction or changing paths between 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial. After that, the practical factors are correct rim compatibility, intended appearance, and whether the Marina is being used as a restoration-minded car or as a regular road car.
Product differences then become more meaningful. Some choices emphasize a traditional whitewall bias-ply look, while others stay with blackwall radial styling from Michelin or Dunlop, so the right tire usually comes from matching construction, wheel setup, and visual character rather than chasing one feature alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Austin Marina tires?
Sidewall styles for the 1973 Austin Marina vary by tire size and construction. The 155R13 radial options are offered as blackwalls, while 560-13 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, giving the car distinctly different visual presentations within the correct size range.
That makes sidewall selection part of the overall character of the car, not just a cosmetic detail. A blackwall radial keeps the look simple and functional, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a more period-style appearance, so the choice should match the Marina's intended finish and use.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Austin Marina?
The 1973 Austin Marina has tire options from Michelin and Dunlop in 155R13 radial form, along with BFGoodrich and Firestone in 560-13 bias-ply form. Those brands cover both of the Marina's primary fitment paths rather than competing within one identical specification.
Brand choice should be considered alongside construction, series, and sidewall style. A buyer comparing Marina tires will usually get further by first deciding between radial and bias-ply fitment, then narrowing the options by the appearance and wheel compatibility that best suit the specific car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Austin Marina?
For a period-style 1973 Austin Marina, the 560-13 bias-ply fitment is the more traditional starting point. It keeps the car in an older sizing system and is available in whitewall treatments that give the Marina a distinctly vintage presentation on its 13-inch wheels.
A restoration-oriented choice still depends on the way the individual car is being finished. Buyers focused on exact historical accuracy should compare tire details with marque references or period photos, while those aiming for a broadly authentic look can use construction and sidewall style to guide the selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Austin Marina?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1973 Austin Marina more than many owners expect. The 560-13 bias-ply setup carries a more traditional small-car look, especially in narrow or wide whitewall form, while the 155R13 radial choices present the car with a simpler blackwall appearance.
That difference matters because restoration goals are not always the same as driving goals. A radial can suit an owner who wants a more contemporary road-going setup, but a bias-ply tire may better support the traditional stance and visual tone of a Marina restored with period-style details in mind.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Austin Marina?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Austin Marina even when the tire size itself seems correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or lowering can all influence how a 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Marina that has been changed from its original setup should be checked for steering travel, inner-fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before new tires go on. Even with the correct 13-inch diameter, a modified car may need more careful measurement than one still wearing its original-style wheel setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Austin Marina on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Austin Marina on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that lug hardware seats properly, and make sure the tires clear suspension and bodywork through a full steering sweep. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately before the first drive.
It also makes sense to look over the rest of the car as a complete road-use check. Worn steering parts, weak shocks, tired bushings, or brake issues can mask themselves as tire problems, so a careful inspection helps the new tires work as intended and makes the first miles more predictable.
How should 1973 Austin Marina tires be maintained?
1973 Austin Marina tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic inspection for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and attention to any unexplained air loss. On a collector car that is driven infrequently, age and storage conditions matter almost as much as tread depth.
A Marina stored for long periods benefits from a clean, dry environment away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone-producing equipment. Tires should also be checked before longer drives, since a car that sits can develop issues gradually and quietly even when the tires still look usable at a glance.
