1973 Mazda RX-2 Tires

A 1973 Mazda RX-2 uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, but they belong to different sizing systems and create different buying decisions for the owner.

The practical choice is not just the number on the sidewall, but also whether the car should stay with a vintage-style bias-ply tire or move toward a radial setup. Wheel width, intended appearance, and the actual wheel configuration on the car should be confirmed before settling on one path.

The 1973 Mazda RX-2 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That shared diameter applies whether the car is running the 165R13 radial fitment or the 600-13 bias-ply fitment.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to verify wheel width before choosing a tire. The available 165R13 radial products and 600-13 bias-ply products do not share the same rim-width ranges, which makes wheel measurement worthwhile before ordering.

600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. In that format, 600 refers to an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, and 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1973 Mazda RX-2, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial size.

That matters because a 600-13 purchase is usually tied to a vintage look and classic construction, especially when whitewall styling is part of the goal. It also means the owner should verify wheel width carefully, since the bias-ply products in this size are intended for a narrower rim range than the radial options.

For the 1973 Mazda RX-2, 600-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and appears in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply offerings with whitewall sidewall treatments.

That makes 600-13 the choice to evaluate when a more traditional presentation is important. A bias-ply size should not be treated the same as the RX-2’s radial option, so wheel width, intended driving feel, and whether the car is being restored or simply driven regularly should all guide the final decision.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 on a 1973 Mazda RX-2 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. No bias-look radial equivalent appears in this fitment path.

Those alternatives give the owner several radial sizing approaches rather than one automatic substitute. The equivalent path is tied to a 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range, and overall dimensions, wheel width, and body or suspension clearance should be checked before converting away from the original 600-13 bias-ply setup.

Start by confirming the actual wheel width, since the radial-equivalent path from 600-13 carries a 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range. It also helps to compare the radial size being considered, such as 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13, against the car’s current wheel and tire setup.

Construction changes can alter how the car sits and how much room remains at the fender and steering stops, even when rim diameter stays at 13 inches. A careful check of suspension condition, clearance through turns, and the presence of any aftermarket wheels or ride-height changes helps prevent choosing a size that only works on paper.

The first decision is whether the 1973 Mazda RX-2 should use its 165R13 radial fitment or its 600-13 bias-ply fitment. After that, the main considerations are wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the car is being selected for vintage presentation or routine road use.

A radial blackwall and a bias-ply whitewall can both suit the same car, but they serve different goals. Matching the tire to the actual wheel dimensions on the car matters just as much as choosing the correct size code, especially if the RX-2 has been altered from its original wheel and suspension setup.

The available sidewall styles for a 1973 Mazda RX-2 include blackwall in the 165R13 radial size and both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall in the 600-13 bias-ply size. That gives the car a clear visual split between a more modern blackwall radial look and a more traditional whitewall bias-ply look.

Sidewall style should be chosen alongside construction, not after it. A buyer considering whitewalls is also choosing the 600-13 bias-ply path, while the current radial options stay in blackwall form, so appearance and tire behavior are linked choices on this particular RX-2 fitment.

The 1973 Mazda RX-2 has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply side through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be filtered through size and construction first, because not every brand appears in both fitment paths. Once the correct size is settled, the meaningful comparison becomes tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility rather than assuming every brand serves the same purpose on the car.

A period-style 1973 Mazda RX-2 often points toward the 600-13 bias-ply fitment, especially when a whitewall presentation is part of the look. The available BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall both keep the car in a distinctly vintage tire format.

That does not automatically make one sidewall treatment historically exact for every restoration, since appearance details can vary by market, owner preference, and reference material. Buyers chasing exact originality should compare tire choice against marque references or surviving vehicle details before settling on a specific whitewall treatment.

On a restored 1973 Mazda RX-2, tire construction changes the visual character as much as the ride setup. A 600-13 bias-ply with whitewall styling creates a more traditional presentation, while a 165R13 blackwall radial gives the car a later, more road-oriented appearance.

That visual difference matters because the sidewall shape and overall presentation are part of how the car reads at a glance. Owners balancing restoration style with regular driving often compare construction first, then narrow the decision by sidewall treatment and wheel-width compatibility rather than treating appearance as a separate issue.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Mazda RX-2 even when the size code seems correct. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, suspension alterations, or ride-height changes can all influence how a 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply sits and clears the body.

That is why actual wheel dimensions and available clearance should be checked on the car rather than assumed from the model alone. Steering travel, fender space, and the condition of springs and bushings can all change the result, especially on a lightweight collector car that may no longer be in stock configuration.

Before driving a 1973 Mazda RX-2 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm the tires are seated properly, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components for looseness or wear.

A short clearance check is worthwhile before regular use, especially at full steering lock and over suspension movement. Older collector cars can hide issues such as wheel damage, alignment problems, or rubbing points that only appear once fresh tires are installed, so a careful first inspection helps protect both the tires and the car.

Tires on a collector 1973 Mazda RX-2 should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Low-use vintage cars often age their tires before they wear them out, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage plays a role too, since prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can shorten tire life on a car that spends much of its time parked. Keeping pressures stable and giving the tires a visual inspection before each outing is a sensible routine whether the RX-2 runs radial blackwalls or bias-ply whitewalls.