The 1977 Nissan PL710 belongs to the era when compact Japanese sedans and wagons were gaining a reputation for practical engineering, efficient packaging, and everyday road manners that still appeal to vintage import enthusiasts. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire choice is a meaningful part of preserving that character. This model uses either a 165R13 radial or a 6.45-13 bias-ply tire on a 13-inch rim, so construction choice matters as much as size. Available options lean toward blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, giving buyers a traditional late-1970s look with modern radial availability. The right choice depends on whether the goal is period-style presentation, familiar road use, or a closer match to the car's current wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1977 Nissan PL710
The 1977 Nissan PL710 uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit the Sedan & Wagon sub-model on a 13-inch rim. The key decision is whether to stay with the older 6.45-13 bias-ply format or use the 165R13 radial size, since construction affects both the look of the car and the type of replacement choices available.
A 165R13 tire uses a metric section width of 165 millimeters, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1977 Nissan PL710, this is the modern-looking primary fitment choice and suits buyers who want a radial tire in the proper rim size. Available options include Michelin and Dunlop products in blackwall form, with tire series such as XAS-FF, XAS, and SP Sport Aquajet. This size is the one to evaluate if road use, radial construction, and a traditional late-1970s compact-car appearance are the main priorities.
A 6.45-13 tire is a numeric bias-ply size in which the first number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1977 Nissan PL710, this size represents the vintage bias-ply fitment path rather than the radial alternative. Bias-ply construction is often considered by owners who want a more traditional period-style presentation and a tire format that looks at home on an unrestored or restoration-oriented car. It is the size to consider when preserving older construction style matters as much as basic fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1977 Nissan PL710 sub-models, because the same two primary sizes apply to the Sedan & Wagon configuration. Checking the sub-model still matters, but the real choice here is between radial and bias-ply construction on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.
1
1977 Nissan PL710 Sedan & Wagon
The 1977 Nissan PL710 Sedan & Wagon uses either 165R13 radial or 6.45-13 bias-ply tires. That gives owners a clear choice between a radial setup with current product availability and a more traditional bias-ply format aimed at period-style appearance.
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 1977 Nissan PL710 Tires for Sale
Available 165R13 choices for the 1977 Nissan PL710 focus on blackwall radial tires from Michelin and Dunlop. Buyers can compare tire series, radial construction details, and rim-width compatibility across options that keep the car in the correct 13-inch fitment range.
Owners of a 1977 Nissan PL710 usually need to sort out the right tire size first, then decide between radial and bias-ply construction. The questions below cover fitment, wheel size, available product styles, restoration-minded choices, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1977 Nissan PL710?
The 1977 Nissan PL710 uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 6.45-13 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim and apply to the Sedan & Wagon configuration, so the basic fitment decision is less about sub-model differences and more about which construction type suits the car.
Choosing between those sizes starts with confirming the wheels actually on the car today. A PL710 that still has its original-style wheel setup may support either path, but a car with replacement wheels, suspension changes, or restoration updates should have wheel width and overall clearance checked before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1977 Nissan PL710 use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1977 Nissan PL710 use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the 165R13 radial size and the 6.45-13 bias-ply size, which means the wheel diameter remains the same even though the tire sizing format and construction are different.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to confirm wheel width as well before making a final choice. Radial products in 165R13 can have their own rim-width requirements, and a car that has changed wheels over the years may need a closer check than the original size code alone suggests.
Does the 1977 Nissan PL710 Sedan & Wagon use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1977 Nissan PL710 Sedan & Wagon uses the same two primary tire sizes: 165R13 radial and 6.45-13 bias-ply. That means buyers are not sorting through separate tire sizes for sedan versus wagon fitment within this covered configuration.
The practical decision is which tire construction best matches the car's condition and intended use. Owners aiming for a more traditional presentation may look closely at the bias-ply size, while those focused on available radial choices in a 13-inch format will usually start with the 165R13 options.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 6.45-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1977 Nissan PL710?
For the 1977 Nissan PL710, 6.45-13 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format commonly found on vintage vehicles, where the nominal section width is expressed in inches and the tire is built in bias-ply construction rather than as a radial.
That matters because bias-ply and radial tires differ not just in construction, but in appearance and selection path. A buyer considering 6.45-13 should confirm the wheel setup and decide whether the goal is a more period-style presentation or a shift toward the 165R13 radial format already used on this model.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1977 Nissan PL710?
Either can be appropriate for a 1977 Nissan PL710, because both a 6.45-13 bias-ply size and a 165R13 radial size apply to this model. The choice depends on whether the car is being kept closer to an older tire presentation or whether the owner wants to stay with the radial fitment path already offered in the proper 13-inch size.
Construction choice should be made with the whole vehicle in mind rather than by size code alone. Wheel width, suspension condition, and current ride-height setup are worth checking, especially on a car that may have been modified or restored over time and no longer matches its earlier wheel and tire arrangement.
What should I check before converting my 1977 Nissan PL710 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car is using the correct 13-inch wheels and that the wheel width falls within the requirements of the radial tire being considered. On the 1977 Nissan PL710, the radial fitment path is 165R13, so the conversion question is really about whether the car's current wheel and chassis setup suits that radial size.
Clearance should be checked at the fenders, suspension, and steering range before making the change. It also helps to inspect the car's alignment, bushings, and general front-end condition, since an older vehicle that has sat for long periods can reveal setup issues only after new radial tires are installed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 tire for a 1977 Nissan PL710?
The first priorities are correct 13-inch fitment, radial construction, and compatibility with the wheel width on the car. A 165R13 tire is the radial primary size for the 1977 Nissan PL710, so the real comparison usually comes down to brand, tire series, and how closely the product matches the car's intended appearance and use.
Available 165R13 choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials, which gives buyers more than one way to stay within the proper size family. It is worth comparing tire series and rim-width requirements before deciding, especially if the PL710 has replacement wheels or if the goal is a more restoration-oriented presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1977 Nissan PL710 tires?
The available 165R13 products for the 1977 Nissan PL710 are offered in blackwall form. That gives the car a clean, understated sidewall presentation that suits many late-1970s import restorations and driver-quality vintage cars without introducing whitewall or raised-letter styling that can change the car's visual character.
Sidewall appearance is a useful selection factor once the correct size and construction have been settled. Since the radial product range here centers on blackwall tires, buyers can focus more closely on brand, series, and wheel compatibility rather than trying to sort through multiple decorative sidewall treatments.
What brands offer tires for the 1977 Nissan PL710?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer applicable 165R13 radial tires for the 1977 Nissan PL710. Michelin appears in XAS-FF and XAS series form, while Dunlop is represented by the SP Sport Aquajet, giving buyers several recognized vintage-style radial choices within the same primary size family.
Brand alone should not be the only factor in the decision. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width suitability of each option so the final choice reflects how the PL710 will be used, how closely the owner wants to preserve period character, and what wheels are actually installed.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1977 Nissan PL710?
A period-style 1977 Nissan PL710 can be approached in two ways. The 6.45-13 bias-ply size keeps the older numeric format and traditional construction, while the 165R13 radial size stays within a proper 13-inch fitment and is available in blackwall form that still looks appropriate on many late-1970s cars.
The better choice depends on whether appearance or driving setup is the higher priority. Buyers pursuing a more exact restoration theme should compare the car against marque-specific references and period photos, while drivers seeking a vintage look with currently available radial options may prefer to begin with 165R13.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1977 Nissan PL710?
Tire construction can noticeably influence how a restored 1977 Nissan PL710 looks, even when the rim diameter remains the same. A 6.45-13 bias-ply presents the car in a more traditional vintage format, while a 165R13 radial gives a later-style radial appearance that still fits the car's 13-inch wheel package.
That visual difference matters on a compact import where tire profile and stance are easy to notice. Owners trying to balance authenticity, road use, and overall presentation should evaluate construction choice alongside wheel style, ride height, and the kind of restoration standard the car is meant to reflect.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1977 Nissan PL710?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1977 Nissan PL710 even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, lowering, suspension repairs, or body changes can all influence how a 165R13 or 6.45-13 tire sits within the available space.
A modified car should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before any tire is chosen. Clearance at the fender edge, inner wheelhouse, and suspension components matters just as much as the size code, especially on an older vehicle that may no longer match its original wheel and ride-height setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1977 Nissan PL710 on new tires?
Before driving a 1977 Nissan PL710 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the car's setup. It is also smart to check tread seating, valve stems, and inflation pressure before the first real road use.
An older PL710 benefits from a broader chassis check at the same time. Steering components, shocks, bushings, and alignment condition can all affect how the car behaves on fresh tires, and catching those issues early helps protect the new tires from uneven wear or avoidable clearance problems.
How should 165R13 tires on a collector 1977 Nissan PL710 be maintained?
Collector-car 165R13 tires on a 1977 Nissan PL710 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is low, an older vehicle that sees limited mileage can still develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss.
Consistent inspection is more useful than waiting for a mileage interval on a car like this. Keep the PL710 away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when stored, and look over the tires before each drive for cuts, bulges, embedded debris, or any change in how the car sits or steers.
