The 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van comes from an era when Volkswagen’s Type 2 platform had become a familiar sight in commercial service, valued for its compact footprint, rear-engine layout, and straightforward utility. Buyers looking after one today are often balancing working-vehicle practicality with preservation of its unmistakable early-1970s character. Tire fitment is refreshingly straightforward here, with a single 185R14 radial size on a 14-inch rim. Within that size, the real choices shift to blackwall versus narrow whitewall presentation and to brands such as Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. That makes condition, wheel compatibility, and intended use more important than chasing alternate primary sizes.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van uses one primary tire size: 185R14, a Euro-metric radial fitted to a 14-inch rim. The Standard Tire Reinforced version stays with that same size, so the main decision is not choosing between multiple fitments, but selecting the right tire style, brand, and appearance within the correct size while confirming the van still has the proper wheel setup.
185R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the profile is conventionally understood as an 80-series-style radial, which suits the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van’s original sizing character. Available choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall versions from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein, with series such as Michelin MXV and Sprint Classic. For most buyers, the key is matching the van’s actual 14-inch wheels and choosing the sidewall presentation that best suits use and appearance goals.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but the decision usually centers on tire style and wheel compatibility rather than on different base fitment sizes.
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1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van Standard Tire Reinforced
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van Standard Tire Reinforced uses the same 185R14 radial fitment as the model core, so there is no separate primary size to sort out. Tire selection therefore comes down to choosing the preferred blackwall or narrow whitewall look, comparing available brands, and confirming the van still wears the proper 14-inch wheels.
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 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van Tires for Sale
Available 185R14 choices span Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein, with blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations in classic radial construction. Buyers can compare tire series, rim-width compatibility, and details such as load and weight where those specifications matter to the van’s intended use.
Tire questions for a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van usually come down to understanding 185R14 sizing, confirming 14-inch wheel fitment, comparing sidewall and brand options, and checking the van carefully before putting new tires into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
The 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van uses a 185R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the Standard Tire Reinforced sub-model uses the same size, which keeps tire selection fairly simple compared with vehicles that changed sizes by trim or package.
The practical step is confirming that the van still has the correct 14-inch wheels before ordering tires, especially if it has been in long-term service or changed hands several times. Once the wheel size is verified, the decision usually shifts to brand, sidewall appearance, and other product details rather than searching for a different primary fitment.
What size rim does a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van is built around a 14-inch rim. That matches the 185R14 tire size, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter the tire is intended to mount on.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted correctly on a different wheel diameter. Wheel width also matters when comparing actual tire choices, since product options in 185R14 can carry different approved rim-width ranges and the van may no longer have its original wheels.
What does 185R14 mean on a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
185R14 is a Euro-metric radial tire size. The 185 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. In this older metric format, the profile is commonly treated as an 80-series-style radial even though the aspect ratio is not written out.
That matters because 185R14 is not just a modern sizing label with different punctuation; it reflects the van’s intended tire profile and overall fitment character. Buyers comparing products should stay within the correct size and then look at approved wheel width, sidewall style, and vehicle clearance rather than assuming any 14-inch radial will behave the same.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R14 tire for a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
Start with the correct 185R14 size and confirm that the van still uses 14-inch wheels in an appropriate width for the tire being considered. From there, compare whether the tire is offered as a blackwall or narrow whitewall, along with brand, tire series, and any available load or weight specifications that matter for the van’s use.
A delivery van restored for period-style appearance may call for a different sidewall presentation than one used mainly for regular driving. It also helps to compare the wheel-width range on each tire, since product choices in this size do not all share the exact same compatibility window.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van tires?
185R14 tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van are available in both blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. That gives owners a straightforward appearance choice without changing the primary tire size, construction, or wheel diameter required for the vehicle.
Blackwall tires tend to suit a plainer commercial look, while narrow whitewalls can add a more finished vintage presentation. Since sidewall style does not change the need for proper fitment, the next step is still to confirm wheel compatibility and compare the actual product specifications within the preferred appearance.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
The available 185R14 tire options for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van include Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. Within those offerings, buyers will find examples such as Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic, along with both blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the specific tire’s sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and any load or weight details that matter to how the van will be used. Instead of choosing by name alone, it helps to decide whether the goal is a more understated commercial look or a more restoration-oriented appearance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 185R14 radial size, since that is the proper primary fitment for the 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van. From there, the decision is usually about presentation, with blackwall and narrow whitewall options offering different ways to match the van’s intended look.
A work-focused restoration may lean toward a simpler blackwall appearance, while a more polished vintage presentation may suit a narrow whitewall. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and vehicle history are worth checking before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
On this vehicle, construction is less of a bias-ply-versus-radial debate because the primary fitment is already a radial 185R14. The visual difference instead comes more from sidewall treatment, with blackwall and narrow whitewall options shaping whether the van looks more utilitarian or more finished.
That makes the restored van’s intended character especially important. A commercial-style presentation often benefits from a cleaner, plainer tire look, while a narrow whitewall can soften the appearance without changing the basic size or wheel diameter. Either way, keeping the tire size correct helps preserve the proportions the vehicle was designed around.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van even when the correct tire size is 185R14. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, lowered ride height, or body repairs around the wheel openings can all change how much room the tire has in actual use.
That is why a modified van should be checked as it sits, not just by model year and nameplate. Steering clearance, suspension travel, and the wheel’s actual dimensions deserve attention before mounting new tires, especially on a vehicle that may have seen decades of repairs, updates, or parts substitutions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width are appropriate for the chosen 185R14 tire, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated correctly. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, brake condition, and any signs that the tire could contact suspension or body components.
Collector and vintage vans often sit for long periods, so the rest of the vehicle deserves the same attention as the new tires. A careful pre-drive check should include steering feel, wheel-bearing condition, visible fluid leaks, and a short test drive at moderate speed to confirm that everything tracks and clears properly.
How should 185R14 tires on a collector 1973 Volkswagen Van Delivery Van be maintained?
Maintain 185R14 tires by checking air pressure regularly, inspecting for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss, and keeping the van on a consistent inspection routine even if it is driven only occasionally. Tires on lightly used collector vehicles can age out or deteriorate from storage long before tread is actually worn down.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the van away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and periodic movement can reduce flat-spotting during long storage periods. Any sign of unusual wear should prompt a check of alignment, suspension condition, and wheel integrity before more road time.
