The 1981 Nissan 510 came from an era when compact imports were expected to balance efficiency, light handling, and everyday practicality without giving up a distinctly sporting feel. For owners keeping one on the road today, tire selection has a real effect on how that character comes through. This model uses a 165R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, so the decision is less about multiple fitments and more about choosing the right interpretation of that size. Available options include Michelin and Dunlop offerings in blackwall form, with period-appropriate metric radial character. The right choice depends on whether the priority is road use, restoration-minded appearance, or preserving the car's original driving personality.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Nissan 510
The 1981 Nissan 510 uses one primary tire size: 165R13. It is a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is choosing among the available tire series and brand options rather than sorting through multiple original fitments. That also makes wheel-condition and rim-width confirmation especially important before installation.
A 165R13 size uses a 165-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this older Euro-metric format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, though it is commonly treated as an 80-series style radial. On the 1981 Nissan 510, this keeps the fitment in the correct radial family while giving a choice between Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet blackwall tires. This size is the right place to focus when the goal is maintaining correct overall fitment character for a stock-style wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1981 Nissan 510 covered here. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the key step is confirming that the car still has its correct 13-inch wheel setup before choosing among available radial tire options.
1
1981 Nissan 510 Base
The 1981 Nissan 510 Base uses the same 165R13 radial fitment as the model core, keeping tire selection simple. That means the decision shifts to brand and tire-series preference, along with checking wheel width and overall condition on an unrestored or modified car.
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 1981 Nissan 510 Tires for Sale
Available 165R13 choices include Michelin and Dunlop radial tires in blackwall form. The product grid gives buyers a useful comparison across series such as Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, along with rim-width compatibility and other specification differences.
These FAQs focus on 1981 Nissan 510 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, period-style selection, and the basic wheel and tire checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Nissan 510?
The 1981 Nissan 510 uses a 165R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and it places the car on a 13-inch rim with a classic Euro-metric radial size format rather than a modern P-metric designation.
Using the correct size matters because older metric radial sizing affects both appearance and fitment character. A buyer choosing tires for a 1981 Nissan 510 should still confirm that the car retains the proper 13-inch wheels and has not been changed to aftermarket wheel sizes, since modified wheel setups can alter what will work safely and cleanly.
What size rim does a 1981 Nissan 510 use?
The 1981 Nissan 510 tire fitment centers on a 13-inch rim diameter. The 165R13 size is built for that wheel diameter, so confirming a true 13-inch wheel is one of the first steps before selecting a tire.
Rim diameter should be checked along with wheel width, especially on a car that may have seen replacement wheels over the years. Some available 165R13 products are built for rim widths from 4.50 to 6.00 inches, so verifying the actual wheel on the car helps narrow the correct tire choice and avoids assuming that every 13-inch wheel is the same.
Does the 1981 Nissan 510 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1981 Nissan 510 Base uses the same 165R13 radial tire size as the model core. That keeps fitment simple, since there is no separate primary size to sort through for the covered sub-model.
Even with shared fitment, selection still comes down to the actual wheel setup and the kind of tire presentation wanted. A stock-style driver may simply need the correct 165R13 radial format, while a more restoration-minded owner may pay closer attention to tire series and overall period feel within that same size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R13 tire for a 1981 Nissan 510?
Start with the basics: the correct primary size is 165R13, and the fitment is radial on a 13-inch rim. From there, the meaningful choices are brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire suits a stock-style road car or a more appearance-conscious restoration.
The available options are all blackwall radials, so the differences are more about tire family and application than dramatic sidewall styling. Wheel condition matters too, especially on an older compact car, and it helps to compare the tire against the actual rim width on the car before installation rather than assuming any 13-inch wheel will suit every 165R13 product equally well.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Nissan 510?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer tires in the 165R13 fitment for the 1981 Nissan 510. Michelin appears in XAS-FF and XAS series form, while Dunlop is available in the SP Sport Aquajet series, giving the buyer more than one period-minded radial option in the correct size family.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire series itself, since that helps shape the kind of look and driving presentation the car will have. The best approach is to compare the specific 165R13 product details that matter most for the car in front of you, including rim-width suitability, construction consistency, and whether the tire complements the intended use of the vehicle.
What tire series are available for the 1981 Nissan 510?
The 1981 Nissan 510 has 165R13 options in Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet series. All are radial tires in blackwall form, so the series name becomes one of the main ways to distinguish the available choices within the correct fitment.
Series selection matters because buyers of older imports often care about more than simple size matching. Some are focused on preserving a traditional road feel and appearance, while others are primarily replacing aged tires on a driver. Comparing the series with the actual wheel dimensions, intended use, and overall look of the car will usually lead to a more satisfying choice than shopping by size alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Nissan 510?
A period-style 1981 Nissan 510 should stay with the correct 165R13 radial format. That preserves the car's original sizing character, and the available Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet choices all keep the car in an appropriate blackwall radial presentation for the era.
The right pick depends on how the car is being finished and used. A lightly restored street car may simply need a traditionally sized radial with the right visual tone, while a more exacting restoration should also be checked against marque references, period photos, or build documentation before drawing conclusions about the most authentic brand or series appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1981 Nissan 510 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters because it affects stance, wheel appearance, and the overall presentation of a restored 1981 Nissan 510. Staying with the proper 165R13 radial size keeps the restoration grounded in the right dimensional format instead of drifting into a visibly modernized tire package.
Tire choice also influences how the finished car reads at a glance. Even when the wheel diameter matches, a different sizing system or an overly modern substitute can change the car's proportions. Owners restoring one for shows or marque-focused events should confirm both size and tire style carefully before installation, especially if the car has changed hands or been modified in the past.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Nissan 510?
Yes. A 1981 Nissan 510 may use the correct 165R13 tire size in stock form, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can all affect whether the original fitment still makes sense on the actual car.
Modified cars should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering points before any tire is installed. Even when the tire size itself is correct for the model, a changed setup can create rubbing or compatibility issues that would not exist on an unmodified car, so the vehicle's current configuration always deserves a close look.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Nissan 510 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the new tires are seated correctly and inflated properly. It also helps to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition on an older 1981 Nissan 510.
A short initial drive should be followed by another visual check for clearance, rubbing, or signs of uneven seating. Older collector and survivor cars can hide worn steering or suspension parts that only become obvious once fresh tires are installed, so paying attention to vibration, pull, or irregular wear early can prevent bigger problems later.
How should 165R13 tires on a collector 1981 Nissan 510 be maintained?
Collector-car 165R13 tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful monitoring for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, or slow air loss. Even a lightly driven 1981 Nissan 510 can age its tires significantly if the car sits for long periods between drives.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and rolling the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. A brief inspection before each outing is worthwhile on a low-use classic, especially when the tires may look presentable but have spent years in storage.
