The 1973 Ford Maverick sits at an interesting point in the compact-car story, bridging simple everyday transportation and the sportier image that made certain Maverick trims especially appealing to enthusiasts. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice affects both stance and character more than many compact cars of the period. The 1973 Ford Maverick uses several 14-inch tire sizes depending on sub-model, with both bias-ply and radial fitments appearing across the lineup. That means some owners will be choosing among period-style bias-ply presentations, while others may be confirming whether a radial-spec setup belongs on their exact car. The key is matching the tire to the correct sub-model, wheel setup, and intended appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Ford Maverick
The 1973 Ford Maverick uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model rather than the year and model name alone. All of them fit 14-inch rims, but the lineup includes both bias-ply and radial constructions. Before choosing a tire, identify whether the car is a Grabber, a Maverick with 200 or 250 engines, or a Maverick with the 302 engine, then confirm the wheel setup currently on the car.
D70-14 is an alphanumeric bias-ply size in which the letter identifies the tire's general size class, the 70 designates its profile family, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1973 Ford Maverick, this size is part of the period-style fitment picture and suits buyers who want to retain a traditional bias-ply construction. Available choices in this size include Firestone Wide Oval tires with raised white letters, redline, and pin white stripe sidewall treatments. It is a useful size to evaluate when appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
DR78-14 is an alphanumeric radial size, with the R indicating radial construction and the 14 identifying a 14-inch rim. For the 1973 Ford Maverick, it represents a primary radial fitment rather than a modern equivalent to a bias-ply-only size. That makes it especially relevant for owners trying to match a Maverick configured for a radial-spec tire from the start. Before selecting this size, confirm that the car is the correct sub-model and that the current wheels still match the intended 14-inch radial setup.
6.45-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.45 referring to the nominal section width in inches and 14 indicating the rim diameter. On the 1973 Ford Maverick, this is one of the more traditional-looking fitments and belongs to specific engine-based configurations rather than the full model range. Its format is familiar on many compact and intermediate vehicles of the era, especially where a simpler, narrower bias-ply presentation is appropriate. Choosing this size starts with confirming the exact Maverick configuration and checking that the wheel setup has not been changed over time.
C78-14 is a vintage alphanumeric bias-ply size, where the letter marks the general size class, 78 identifies the profile family, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. For a 1973 Ford Maverick, this size appears on specific sub-model and engine combinations, so it should be matched carefully to the car's configuration. It is also the one primary Maverick size here with clearly defined modern radial-equivalent options in multiple sizing formats. That makes it important for owners balancing period-style fitment against a possible radial alternative on a 14-inch wheel.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1973 Ford Maverick because tire fitment is not the same across the lineup. Some versions share a bias-ply size, while others introduce a different bias-ply fitment or a primary radial size, so the exact Maverick configuration should be confirmed before choosing tires.
1
1973 Ford Maverick Grabber
The 1973 Ford Maverick Grabber uses a different tire-selection path than the rest of the lineup because it appears with both a bias-ply size and a primary radial size. That makes construction choice especially important, along with verifying whether the car still carries its intended 14-inch wheel setup.
The 1973 Ford Maverick with 200 and 250 engines uses smaller traditional bias-ply fitments, making size confirmation important before selecting a replacement. Owners focused on maintaining a period-style look should pay close attention to the original-style sizing format and the current wheel dimensions.
The 1973 Ford Maverick with the 302 engine uses bias-ply sizing that overlaps partly with other Maverick configurations but is not identical across the full model range. Tire selection here starts with confirming which of the two applicable primary sizes belongs on the specific car and whether appearance or restoration goals influence the choice.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1973 Ford Maverick
C78-14 has three radial-equivalent options available. Those equivalents are 175R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P185/75R14 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P195/70R14 as a P-metric 70-series radial. Together, they give a choice between a more traditional metric radial format and two lower-profile P-metric alternatives. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 6 inches applies to these C78-14 radial equivalents, and any change should be checked against wheel size, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance.
Modern Radial Equivalents
175R14
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (C78-14)
P185/75R14
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (C78-14)
P195/70R14
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (C78-14)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-6 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 Ford Maverick Tires for Sale
Current D70-14 options center on Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply tires with three distinct sidewall presentations: raised white letters, redline, and pin white stripe. That makes the product grid especially useful for comparing period-style appearance within the same 14-inch size.
These 1973 Ford Maverick tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most for this exact car: which size belongs on which sub-model, how bias-ply and radial fitments differ, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Maverick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Ford Maverick?
A 1973 Ford Maverick can use D70-14, DR78-14, 6.45-14, or C78-14, depending on the exact sub-model. The Grabber uses D70-14 and DR78-14, the Maverick with 200 and 250 engines uses 6.45-14 and C78-14, and the Maverick with the 302 engine uses C78-14 and D70-14.
That means the model name alone is not enough to choose a tire. The safest starting point is confirming the sub-model and engine-based configuration, then checking that the car still has the correct 14-inch wheels and has not been altered with different rims or suspension changes over time.
What size rim does a 1973 Ford Maverick use?
The primary tire sizes for the 1973 Ford Maverick all use a 14-inch rim diameter. That includes D70-14, DR78-14, 6.45-14, and C78-14, so the basic wheel diameter remains consistent even though tire sizing and construction vary across the lineup.
A shared 14-inch diameter simplifies the first fitment step, but it does not make every Maverick tire size interchangeable. Wheel width still matters, and any car that has been updated with aftermarket wheels should be measured carefully before selecting a tire by size code alone.
Why does the 1973 Ford Maverick have more than one tire size?
The 1973 Ford Maverick has more than one tire size because tire fitment changes by sub-model and engine combination. The lineup includes both bias-ply and radial primary fitments, which is why the Maverick does not narrow down to a single tire size for every version.
That variation matters because a Grabber, a six-cylinder Maverick, and a 302-equipped Maverick may not be following the same tire-selection logic. Before replacing tires, match the size to the exact configuration and inspect the car's current wheels so an older modification does not lead to the wrong choice.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is D70-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1973 Ford Maverick?
D70-14 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1973 Ford Maverick. It appears as a primary fitment on certain Maverick configurations and is separate from the DR78-14 radial size used on the Grabber.
That distinction matters because D70-14 keeps the traditional bias-ply construction and appearance associated with period-style replacement. Buyers choosing this size should focus on the correct sub-model first, then compare sidewall style and wheel compatibility rather than assuming a radial-spec Maverick should use the same tire.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to C78-14?
Radial equivalents for C78-14 include 175R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P185/75R14 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P195/70R14 as a P-metric 70-series radial. These are alternative radial sizing formats related to the original C78-14 bias-ply size.
Each one should be treated as an alternative to evaluate, not as an automatic swap. The recommended rim-width range for these C78-14 radial equivalents is 4 to 6 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the wheel, the car's clearance, and the overall setup before conversion.
What should I check before converting my 1973 Ford Maverick from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the original tire size on the exact 1973 Ford Maverick sub-model and then matching any radial alternative to the same 14-inch wheel diameter. If the car uses C78-14, the available radial equivalents are 175R14, P185/75R14, and P195/70R14, each with its own sizing convention.
Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the fenders and steering components should all be reviewed before changing construction. It also helps to inspect suspension condition and verify that the Maverick has not been changed with different wheels, since older modifications can affect radial fitment decisions.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a D70-14 tire for a 1973 Ford Maverick?
Choosing a D70-14 tire for a 1973 Ford Maverick starts with confirming that D70-14 is the correct primary size for the specific sub-model. From there, the main factors are bias-ply construction, 14-inch rim compatibility, and the sidewall treatment that best suits the car's intended appearance.
D70-14 products in this application are Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply tires offered in raised white letter, redline, and pin white stripe versions. Since the available tires share the same basic size, the decision becomes more about presentation and wheel match than about changing the vehicle to a different fitment category.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Ford Maverick tires?
For the available D70-14 products used on the 1973 Ford Maverick, sidewall styles include raised white letters, redline, and pin white stripe. All of those options appear within the Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply line, giving the same size more than one visual direction.
That kind of variation matters on a Maverick because sidewall style can change the personality of the car even when the tire size stays the same. A buyer choosing among them should begin with correct fitment, then decide whether a sportier or more understated period-style presentation better matches the build.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Ford Maverick?
The available products for the 1973 Ford Maverick in D70-14 come from Firestone. These are Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply tires, offered with several sidewall treatments rather than a wide spread of brands in the current product selection.
That means brand comparison is less important here than comparing tire presentation within the correct size. Once D70-14 has been confirmed as the right fitment for the car, the more useful decision is whether the Maverick looks right with raised white letters, a redline, or a pin white stripe.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Ford Maverick?
A period-style 1973 Ford Maverick usually starts with choosing the correct primary size for the exact sub-model and keeping the original fitment format in mind. Depending on the configuration, that may mean a bias-ply size such as D70-14, 6.45-14, or C78-14, or a radial DR78-14 on a Grabber.
The right choice depends on whether the goal is a traditional restoration-oriented look or a later road-use update. When appearance matters, staying with the proper size family and a suitable sidewall treatment generally preserves the Maverick's era-appropriate character more effectively than choosing a tire only by convenience.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Ford Maverick?
Tire construction can noticeably influence how a restored 1973 Ford Maverick looks, especially when comparing a bias-ply size to a radial alternative. Bias-ply tires usually support the more traditional visual character associated with early-1970s compact cars, while a radial may change the overall presentation even on the same rim diameter.
That does not mean one construction is automatically right for every restoration. A buyer aiming for a more authentic period-style result should match the tire to the specific Maverick configuration first, then use sidewall style and construction choice to support the intended look rather than override it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Ford Maverick?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Ford Maverick even when the original tire sizes all use 14-inch rims. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence whether the intended tire size still has proper clearance.
That is especially important on an older car that may have changed hands several times. Before installing replacement tires, inspect the actual wheel dimensions on the car and check steering and fender clearance so the chosen Maverick tire size still suits the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Ford Maverick on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Ford Maverick on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that lug hardware is secure, and check for adequate clearance around the fenders and steering components. It is also wise to verify tire pressure and look over suspension and steering parts for obvious wear.
A collector-era car can sit for long periods, so the rest of the chassis deserves attention along with the tires themselves. A short, careful road test after installation helps confirm that the Maverick tracks properly and that nothing rubs once the suspension settles under normal driving.
How should tires on a collector 1973 Ford Maverick be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1973 Ford Maverick should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage use does not prevent aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on a hobby vehicle.
Storage habits also make a difference. Keeping the Maverick away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, and occasional checks while the car is parked can catch problems early before the next road outing or seasonal drive.
