1973 Mazda RX-3 Tires

The 1973 Mazda RX-3 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 approaches to how the car is equipped.

Choosing between them starts with the wheel and the type of setup the car is meant to run. A restoration-oriented RX-3 may stay with 560-13 bias-ply tires, while a driver-focused car may be better matched to 155R13 radials. The actual wheel width, suspension condition, and any aftermarket changes should be checked before selecting one path over the other.

The 1973 Mazda RX-3 uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 155R13 radial fitment and the 560-13 bias-ply fitment, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the construction and size format change.

Diameter is only the first step, because wheel width still matters when comparing actual tire choices. The available 155R13 radial products and 560-13 bias-ply products do not all share the same rim-width range. Measuring the wheels already on the car is especially important if the RX-3 has been modified or if the original wheels are no longer in place.

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1973 Mazda RX-3, this size represents the bias-ply fitment rather than a modern radial format.

That matters because a 560-13 tire affects both appearance and setup decisions. Bias-ply tires suit a more traditional presentation, and the available products include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles. Before using this size, confirm that the wheel is appropriate for a bias-ply application and that the rest of the car's setup still matches the intended tire construction.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1973 Mazda RX-3. It is the traditional numeric fitment and differs from the RX-3's 155R13 radial option, which uses a Euro-metric radial sizing format on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That distinction influences both appearance and tire selection. A 560-13 setup keeps the car in a period-style bias-ply presentation, including whitewall choices, while 155R13 points toward a radial-equipped setup. The wheel width, the car's current wheel type, and the intended use of the RX-3 should all be reviewed before changing from one construction style to the other.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 on a 1973 Mazda RX-3 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial. These are alternative radial formats tied to the original bias-ply size.

Each equivalent should be treated as a comparison point rather than an automatic substitute. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these radial alternatives, and the final choice should be checked against the actual wheel width, the car's stance, and available clearance at the fenders and steering components.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width on the car, then compare that against the radial size being considered. On a 1973 Mazda RX-3 moving away from 560-13 bias-ply, the relevant radial alternatives include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13.

The next step is verifying that the overall setup still works with the chosen radial format. Check suspension condition, steering clearance, fender clearance, and the car's current ride height, especially if it has aftermarket wheels or altered springs. A collector car that still carries older wheels can benefit from a careful inspection before any construction change is made.

The first decision is whether the car should run the 155R13 radial fitment or the 560-13 bias-ply fitment. After that, compare wheel compatibility, construction type, sidewall presentation, and the kind of use the car actually sees, whether that is show-oriented driving or more regular road use.

Details within the product range matter once the fitment path is clear. Some tires are blackwall radials, while others use narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling in classic bias-ply series. It also helps to compare rim-width specifications, load figures where available, and the overall visual effect the tire will have on the RX-3's stance and character.

The available sidewall styles for 1973 Mazda RX-3 tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall styling appears on the 155R13 radial options, while the 560-13 bias-ply choices bring the whitewall treatments into the mix.

That gives the car very different visual personalities depending on the tire selected. A blackwall radial keeps the presentation simple and more understated, while narrow or wide whitewalls push the car toward a more vintage look. Matching the sidewall style to the car's restoration theme, wheel design, and intended era impression usually leads to a more satisfying result.

Tires for the 1973 Mazda RX-3 are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 560-13 bias-ply range.

Brand choice should be considered alongside construction, sidewall style, and tire series rather than in isolation. A buyer comparing RX-3 tires may be deciding between a blackwall radial presentation and a whitewall bias-ply appearance just as much as between one brand name and another. Confirming the intended look and the wheel setup usually narrows the field quickly.

A period-style 1973 Mazda RX-3 usually starts with deciding whether the car should present as a bias-ply or radial-equipped example. The 560-13 bias-ply size gives the car the most traditional tire profile, while 155R13 keeps the correct 13-inch format in a radial sizing convention.

The right choice depends on the restoration goal. Some owners want the visual character of a classic bias-ply tire, while others want the car to retain a vintage look with a radial setup. If exact originality matters, the final brand, sidewall treatment, and construction choice should be checked against marque-specific historical references before finishing the car.

Tire construction changes the way a restored 1973 Mazda RX-3 looks even when the rim diameter stays at 13 inches. A 560-13 bias-ply setup creates a more traditional visual impression, while a 155R13 radial gives the car a more modernized presentation within the same general size range.

Sidewall treatment reinforces that difference. The available radial options are blackwall, while the bias-ply range includes narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles. That means construction choice is not only about road behavior; it also shapes how authentic, formal, sporty, or custom the finished car appears when viewed from the curb.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Mazda RX-3 even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, altered springs, or body and fender work can all change how a 155R13 or 560-13 tire sits on the car.

A modified RX-3 should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before committing to a tire choice. Tire construction can also change how the car responds to the same basic size. Measuring the wheels actually on the vehicle and inspecting clearances closely helps avoid problems that a stock setup may not have.

Before driving a 1973 Mazda RX-3 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. It also makes sense to confirm that the installed tires match the intended 13-inch wheel setup and are inflated appropriately for their application.

A careful walk-around should also include checking for any contact points once the car is back on the ground. Turn the front wheels lock to lock, look for sidewall-to-body interference, and recheck fasteners after the first short drive. On a collector car that may have sat for long periods, old wheel or suspension issues can show up quickly once fresh tires are installed.

Tires on a collector 1973 Mazda RX-3 should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Collector vehicles often age their tires through storage time as much as through mileage, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Proper storage also helps preserve the tires already on the car. Keeping the RX-3 away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can slow visible aging. Periodic pressure checks and occasional movement of the vehicle reduce the chance of discovering damage or deformation only when it is time for a longer drive.