1973 Ford Pinto Tires

A 1973 Ford Pinto can use 600-13, A78-13, or A70-13 depending on the sub-model. The 2 & 3 Dr. uses 600-13 and A78-13, while the Wagon uses A70-13 and A78-13. All three are bias-ply tire sizes built for 13-inch rims.

The important step is identifying the exact Pinto body style before choosing a tire, because not every 1973 Pinto uses the same primary size. If the car has been modified over the years, confirm the wheel diameter and the size already mounted before replacing anything. That helps avoid choosing a correct Pinto size that may not match the car’s current wheel setup.

The tire sizes used on the 1973 Ford Pinto are all built around a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to 600-13, A78-13, and A70-13, so the core fitment question is not wheel diameter variation across the model range but which of those sizes belongs on the exact sub-model.

A 13-inch rim diameter does not automatically settle the entire fitment decision, because wheel width and any later wheel changes still matter. On a collector car, it is smart to verify the actual wheel on the vehicle rather than assuming it remains stock. That becomes even more important when considering a radial equivalent instead of staying with the original bias-ply format.

The 1973 Ford Pinto has more than one tire size because tire fitment varies by sub-model. The 2 & 3 Dr. uses 600-13 and A78-13, while the Wagon uses A70-13 and A78-13. Even though all of them are 13-inch bias-ply sizes, the exact size still changes with the body style.

That means the right tire should be chosen from the car’s specific configuration rather than from the broader Pinto name alone. A Wagon owner should not assume the same fitment as a 2 & 3 Dr., and vice versa. Checking the current wheel, the existing tire size, and any older modifications is the safest way to narrow the choice before comparing products.

For the 1973 Ford Pinto, 600-13 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and belongs to the traditional bias-ply fitment family used on 13-inch rims for this model. Buyers aiming to preserve an early-1970s look often start by staying with that construction.

A radial can still be considered, but it should be treated as an alternative rather than the same tire in a different construction. When moving away from bias-ply, check the wheel width, the tire’s overall fit in the car, and any clearance at the fender or steering stops. Those details matter even when the rim diameter remains the same.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. These give the 1973 Ford Pinto owner several ways to compare a traditional bias-ply size with more modern radial sizing formats.

The practical difference is that the sizing conventions change as the profile family changes, 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 the actual wheel on the car should be checked before converting. Clearance and overall tire dimensions still need review on the vehicle.

Start by confirming the Pinto’s exact original-size family, since 600-13 and A78-13 have radial equivalents but A70-13 does not appear here with one. For 600-13 and A78-13, the available radial alternatives are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. Each should be treated as an equivalent option, not an automatic substitute.

Wheel width is an important first check, especially because the recommended rim-width range for those equivalents is 4 to 5 inches. After that, compare the actual wheel setup, steering clearance, and fender room on the car, particularly if it has non-stock wheels or suspension changes. That review helps the tire choice support both safe operation and the appearance goals for the car.

The first consideration is whether 600-13 is the size that belongs on the specific 1973 Ford Pinto, since it applies to the 2 & 3 Dr. and not the Wagon fitment shown here. Once the size is confirmed, the available 600-13 choices are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

From there, the decision becomes more about presentation and wheel compatibility than broad specification differences. Both available 600-13 products share the same 13-inch rim diameter, 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range, and 1010@32 psi maximum load capacity, but they differ in sidewall appearance. That makes whitewall style one of the main deciding factors for a restoration-oriented or period-style Pinto.

For the 1973 Ford Pinto, the available 600-13 tire choices include both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Those options appear within BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply products, giving the car two distinct visual directions while staying in a vintage-style bias-ply format.

Sidewall treatment changes the look of the car more than many buyers expect, especially on a compact 13-inch wheel package. A narrow whitewall gives a more restrained presentation, while a wide whitewall makes the tire more visually prominent. The right choice depends less on performance and more on whether the Pinto is being finished with a cleaner driver look or a stronger restoration-oriented appearance.

The available 600-13 products for the 1973 Ford Pinto are from BFGoodrich. Both of those tires are bias-ply offerings in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the brand choice shown here is straightforward and the comparison centers more on sidewall style than on switching between multiple manufacturers.

That limited brand spread means the more useful comparison points are size confirmation, construction, and the visual character of the tire. Before choosing, make sure 600-13 is the actual fitment for the car’s sub-model and current wheel setup. Once that is settled, the BFGoodrich options mainly let the buyer tailor the finished look of the Pinto rather than change its basic fitment character.

A period-style 1973 Ford Pinto should begin with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model: 600-13 or A78-13 for the 2 & 3 Dr., and A70-13 or A78-13 for the Wagon. Starting with the proper vintage size family usually preserves the car’s overall stance and traditional tire presentation better than choosing by appearance alone.

After the size is narrowed down, the next decision is how closely the tire’s visual style should match the way the car is being restored or presented. On available 600-13 options, whitewall treatment becomes a major styling choice. If exact originality matters, period photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific documentation are worth checking before settling on a final sidewall look.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1973 Ford Pinto; it also affects the car’s visual character. The Pinto’s primary fitments are bias-ply sizes, and that construction generally supports a more traditional early-1970s presentation. Keeping the original-style format usually helps the tire look more in step with the car’s compact proportions and period details.

A radial equivalent can still be considered for some sizes, but the visual result may not read the same as a bias-ply setup. That is especially relevant on a small 13-inch tire, where profile and sidewall shape are easy to notice. Buyers balancing road use with restoration goals often choose by asking whether the car’s finished appearance or a modernized tire format matters more.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Ford Pinto even when the intended replacement size is otherwise correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all change how a 13-inch bias-ply or radial-equivalent tire sits in the car’s wheel opening.

That matters because a correct Pinto size on paper may not behave the same way on a car that no longer has its original wheel and suspension setup. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, then check steering and fender clearance before ordering replacements. A quick review of the current tire size and how it sits on the car can prevent a mismatch.

Before driving a 1973 Ford Pinto on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the selected size matches the car’s sub-model. It is also worth checking valve stems, wheel hardware, and the general condition of brakes and suspension, since old-car tire issues are sometimes tied to surrounding components.

After installation, look for proper clearance at full steering lock and through normal suspension movement. Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire and vehicle use, and the car should be driven gently at first while watching for vibration, rubbing, or unusual handling. That short inspection routine is especially important on a vintage compact that may have sat unused for long periods.

Collector-car 600-13 tires on a 1973 Ford Pinto should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Pay close attention to sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and gradual air loss. Even a lightly driven Pinto can age its tires significantly when it spends long periods parked.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a vintage car. Keeping the Pinto away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing and sidewall appearance. It also helps to move the car periodically or avoid leaving it parked on the same contact patch for extended periods, especially when it is stored seasonally.