1976 Volkswagen Dasher Tires

A 1976 Volkswagen Dasher can use 155R13, 560-13, or 175/70R13, depending on the exact sub-model and construction type. The Base is covered with 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply fitments, while the Wagon is covered with 155R13 and 175/70R13 radial sizes.

That means the first job is confirming which Dasher you have and whether the car still has its original wheel and suspension setup. Even though all three sizes use 13-inch rims, the size format and construction are different enough that the right choice depends on the car’s current wheels, appearance goals, and whether you want to keep a bias-ply or radial setup.

The covered tire sizes for the 1976 Volkswagen Dasher all use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to 155R13, 560-13, and 175/70R13, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire formats include both bias-ply and radial designs.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still needs attention before settling on a tire. A 560-13 bias-ply tire uses a much narrower rim-width range than a 175/70R13 radial, which is why a Dasher with replacement wheels or a later wheel change should have the actual wheel dimensions checked before ordering.

No. The 1976 Volkswagen Dasher Base and Wagon do not share the same full tire-size range. Both are covered by 155R13 radial, but the Base also uses 560-13 bias-ply, while the Wagon uses 175/70R13 radial instead.

That difference matters because it changes both the construction choice and the tire profile you are comparing. A Base owner may be deciding between a traditional bias-ply look and a radial, while a Wagon owner is choosing between two radial formats, so identifying the exact sub-model helps avoid selecting the right rim diameter but the wrong tire family.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1976 Volkswagen Dasher, and it applies to the Base model. It uses the older numeric sizing system rather than the later metric radial formats seen elsewhere in the Dasher range.

That makes 560-13 the size to consider when the car’s traditional stance and period-style appearance matter as much as basic fitment. Since bias-ply and radial tires differ in construction, the decision should also include a look at wheel width, the car’s current setup, and whether preserving the original-style presentation is more important than moving to a radial alternative.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. A bias-look radial equivalent is not present for this size.

Those choices give a Dasher owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into radial sizing, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies here, and it is smart to compare the actual wheel width, the car’s clearances, and the intended look before changing from 560-13.

Start by confirming the tire size you are converting from and the wheel dimensions on the car. For a 560-13 setup, the available radial equivalents are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, and the recommended rim-width range attached to those equivalents is 4 to 5 inches.

The next step is making sure the Dasher’s current wheels, suspension condition, and tire clearances suit the radial size you are considering. Changes made by previous owners can affect fitment, and a radial conversion can also alter the car’s visual character, so both wheel compatibility and appearance goals deserve attention before making the switch.

Start with the exact covered size for the car: 560-13, 155R13, or 175/70R13. The next decision is construction and character, since the Dasher range includes both bias-ply and radial choices, and those options create very different buying priorities for appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.

After size and construction, compare the details that affect how the tire suits the car. Sidewall style, tire series, rim-width range, and load figures where stated can all matter, especially on a vintage Volkswagen that may have seen wheel changes over time. A careful match between the car’s setup and the tire’s intended look usually leads to the best result.

The available sidewall styles for 1976 Volkswagen Dasher tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Blackwall choices appear in the radial sizes, while the 560-13 bias-ply products include both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments.

That gives the Dasher owner some room to shape the car’s presentation without changing the core fitment category. A blackwall radial tends to suit a more understated European look, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more traditional appearance, so the right sidewall comes down to whether the car is being kept closer to stock style or tailored toward a specific period look.

Tires for the 1976 Volkswagen Dasher are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Avon. Those brands cover the Dasher’s mix of radial and bias-ply sizes, rather than all appearing in every single tire size across the application.

Brand matters most after the correct size and construction have already been narrowed down. A buyer comparing 155R13 radial choices will be looking at different series than someone shopping for 560-13 bias-ply whitewalls, so it helps to decide first whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation, a period-style Euro radial, or the 175/70R13 radial fitment used on the Wagon.

A period-style 1976 Volkswagen Dasher can point in two directions depending on the sub-model and the look you want to preserve. The Base can be kept in a traditional 560-13 bias-ply format or fitted with 155R13 radial, while the Wagon stays within radial territory with 155R13 or 175/70R13.

That choice is really about the presentation you want the car to carry. Bias-ply tires emphasize an earlier visual character, while the radial options keep the Dasher in a more European late-1970s direction. When exact restoration accuracy matters, it is wise to compare the tire choice with marque references and the car’s own history before settling on a sidewall and construction.

Tire construction changes the overall visual impression of a restored 1976 Volkswagen Dasher more than many owners expect. A 560-13 bias-ply gives the Base model a more traditional shape and pairs naturally with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while 155R13 and 175/70R13 radials present a more contemporary blackwall look.

That means construction is not only a handling decision but also an appearance decision. A Dasher restored with a strong factory-era theme may call for one look, while a driver-focused car may lean another way, so the tire should be chosen as part of the wheel-and-stance picture rather than as an isolated specification.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1976 Volkswagen Dasher even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork adjustments can all change the amount of room available around a 13-inch tire.

That is especially important here because the Dasher’s covered sizes include both narrow bias-ply and wider radial formats. A car that no longer has its original wheels may need extra checking for wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before moving ahead, particularly when switching between 560-13, 155R13, and 175/70R13 setups.

Before driving a 1976 Volkswagen Dasher on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm the lug hardware is right for the wheels in use, and make sure the tires clear the fenders and suspension through steering and suspension travel. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately for the tire and vehicle setup.

A broader road-use check is worthwhile on any collector-era car. Look over the steering and suspension for looseness, check for uneven tire contact, and make sure nothing is rubbing once the car is rolling. On a Dasher that has spent long periods parked, it is also smart to inspect wheel bearings, brakes, and air retention before heading out.

Tires on a collector 1976 Volkswagen Dasher should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, cuts, bulges, and sidewall cracking, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Vintage and collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage.

Good storage habits help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can slow deterioration, and moving or driving the car periodically can help prevent long-term flat spotting. Any Dasher that has been sitting should have its tires inspected closely before returning to regular road use.