1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 Tires

The 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on sub-model. The Base uses 155R15 in radial form or 560-15 in bias-ply form, while the Wagon uses 165R15 in radial form or 590-15 in bias-ply form. All of those sizes mount on 15-inch wheels.

That means the first fitment decision is not simply choosing a size from the page. Start by confirming whether the car is a Base model or a Wagon, then confirm whether the current setup is staying with radial or bias-ply construction. Cars with replacement wheels or long-ago changes should also have actual wheel width and tire clearance checked before settling on a final choice.

The 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 uses a 15-inch rim diameter across its primary tire fitments. That applies whether the car is running 155R15 or 560-15 on the Base model, or 165R15 or 590-15 on the Wagon. The key change between sub-models is tire size, not wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a vintage Volkswagen. Wheel width still matters, because different tires within these sizes call for different rim-width ranges. A car with aftermarket wheels, widened steel wheels, or a long-standing restoration setup should have the actual wheel measured before switching construction type or moving to a radial equivalent.

No. The 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 Base and Wagon use different primary tire sizes. The Base uses 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 165R15 radial or 590-15 bias-ply. Both stay on 15-inch rims, but the Wagon uses the larger of the two size groups.

That distinction matters because choosing by year and model alone can still leave two possible fitment paths. A buyer standing next to the car should confirm the exact sub-model, then confirm whether the existing wheels and appearance goals point toward radial or bias-ply construction. Matching the tire to the right body style helps avoid unnecessary compromises in look, clearance, and wheel compatibility.

560-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 Base. It uses a vintage numeric sizing format rather than a metric radial format, and it shares the Base model fitment space with 155R15 as the radial-size counterpart. The two sizes relate to the same application but represent different construction types and sizing conventions.

That matters because a buyer choosing 560-15 is usually preserving a traditional tire presentation and older-style construction. A switch away from it should not be treated as automatic just because the rim diameter matches. Wheel width, tire profile, and the way the car is meant to look and drive all deserve a careful check before moving from bias-ply sizing to a radial alternative.

Radial equivalents for 590-15 include 165R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial. Those alternatives give the 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 Wagon owner several radial-format paths while staying within the same general fitment family tied to the original bias-ply size.

Each equivalent uses a different sizing convention, so the decision is not just about picking any radial that sounds close. The recommended rim-width range attached to the 590-15 equivalency is 4-5 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the actual wheel, tire dimensions, and available clearance. That is especially important on a collector car that may no longer have its original wheel setup.

A bias-look radial is available for one of the 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 bias-ply fitments. The 560-15 size used on the Base model has a 560R15 bias-look radial equivalent, while the 590-15 Wagon fitment does not show a bias-look radial counterpart. That makes the Base model the relevant application for this type of alternative.

A bias-look radial can be useful when the goal is to keep a more traditional visual presentation while moving away from a pure bias-ply construction. Even so, it still needs the same careful checks as any other equivalent-size conversion. Compare it to the wheel width, the overall setup of the car, and the space available through steering and suspension movement before making the change.

Choosing a 155R15 tire starts with confirming that the car is a 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 Base using the radial fitment group. Within that size, the main variables are brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of road use the car will actually see. Blackwall presentation is the consistent sidewall style in this size.

The practical decision is less about whether 155R15 belongs on the car and more about which version of 155R15 suits the vehicle best. Compare the actual wheel width, note whether the car is restored or regularly driven, and look closely at product details such as load figures and construction-specific sizing. A lightly used collector car may prioritize appearance differently than a car driven more often.

Sidewall choices for the 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. The radial sizes offer mostly blackwall in 155R15 and a broader mix of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall in 165R15. The bias-ply sizes also include blackwall plus whitewall treatments.

That variety gives owners room to match the car's intended presentation without changing the primary fitment family. A blackwall usually keeps the look restrained and understated, while whitewall options push the car toward a more distinctly vintage appearance. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct sub-model and tire size are confirmed, since the available treatments vary quite a bit from one size to another.

Tires for the 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 are available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, US Royal, and Pro-Trac. The exact brand mix depends on the tire size, with some sizes focused on radial touring-style choices and others centered on classic bias-ply offerings with blackwall or whitewall sidewalls.

Brand selection is most useful after the fitment decision is already narrowed to the right size and construction. Instead of trying to compare every brand on the page at once, focus on the sub-model, then compare the series and sidewall treatments available in that exact size. That approach keeps the choice grounded in wheel compatibility, appearance goals, and how the car is actually used.

A period-style 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 usually starts with the correct sub-model fitment group and then a construction choice that supports the look you want. The Base can be kept in 560-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial sizing, while the Wagon uses 590-15 bias-ply or 165R15 radial sizing. Whitewall and blackwall options both appear within the available tire range.

For a restoration-oriented result, focus first on matching the proper size to the Base or Wagon body style rather than chasing a specific sidewall treatment too early. Bias-ply construction often delivers the most traditional presentation, while radial choices can still preserve a vintage feel depending on series and sidewall style. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque references or vehicle-specific historical documentation.

Tire construction changes more than ride behavior on a restored 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412; it also changes how the car presents visually. A bias-ply tire in 560-15 or 590-15 keeps the older numeric sizing format and a more traditional collector-car look. The radial alternatives use metric sizing and can give the car a more modern road-going presentation.

That visual difference matters most on a restoration where the tire is part of the overall stance and character of the vehicle. Sidewall choice then sharpens the effect, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options create very different impressions. Construction should be chosen with the car's intended finish in mind, while still respecting wheel compatibility and the exact Base or Wagon fitment.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 even when the tire size itself is correct for the Base or Wagon. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or bodywork differences can all affect whether a given tire setup still has proper steering and fender clearance.

That is why a vintage Volkswagen should be checked as it sits today rather than judged only by year and model. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, confirm the current tire-to-body clearance, and look at the path the tire takes during steering and suspension movement. Those checks become even more important when moving from a bias-ply fitment to a radial equivalent.

Before driving a 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and general mounting setup along with the tires themselves. The tire should match the correct Base or Wagon size group, seat properly on the wheel, and show no obvious issues such as air loss, sidewall distortion, or contact with suspension or body components.

A collector car also benefits from a broader safety check before road use. Look over brake condition, suspension wear, and steering play, then verify tire pressure and recheck clearance after the car has rolled and turned lock to lock. That extra attention helps catch problems that might not appear while the car is still stationary in the garage.

Collector-car tires on a 1973 Volkswagen 411 & 412 should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of slow air loss. That applies whether the car is on 155R15 or 165R15 radials, or on 560-15 or 590-15 bias-ply tires. Low annual mileage does not remove the need for routine checks.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used vintage Volkswagen. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible, and inspect the tires before every meaningful drive. A long-stored car should also have its wheel and tire condition reviewed carefully before returning to regular road use.