1952 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1952 Ford-Taunus vehicles covered here use two tire sizes: 155R13 and 560-13, and both apply to the 1952 Ford-Taunus 12M. Each size mounts on a 13-inch rim, but the approved wheel width range differs by tire. The 155R13 radial products fit rims from 4.00 to 5.50 inches wide, while the listed 560-13 bias-ply products fit either 3.50 to 4.00 inches or 4.00 to 4.50 inches depending on the brand and construction details.

That means the main fitment question is not wheel diameter, but whether your existing wheel width matches the size and product you want to run. Owners restoring for period appearance often stay with 560-13, while owners prioritizing a radial construction usually look at 155R13. Before choosing, measure the actual wheel or confirm it with a marque specialist so the tire and rim width range line up correctly.

A 560-13 tire on a 1952 Ford-Taunus is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 refers to the nominal section width, and the 13 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, this older numeric format does not present width, aspect ratio, and construction in the same way modern buyers are used to seeing on later tires.

That older sizing language matters because a 560-13 is not simply a stylistic version of a modern tire; it represents a traditional bias-ply construction with its own look and driving character. If you are trying to preserve the small-scale stance and period visual balance of a 1952 Ford-Taunus, this format is usually the one buyers compare first. Wheel width still needs to be checked against the specific brand you choose.

A 155R13 tire on a 1952 Ford-Taunus is a radial size using an older Euro-metric format. The 155 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the available products, the full markings include 155HR13 or 155R13 78H, which also add load index and speed rating information.

For a buyer, the key takeaway is that 155R13 brings a later-style radial construction while keeping the same 13-inch wheel diameter used by the bias-ply option. That makes it a common point of comparison for owners who want the car to stay visually close to stock wheel size while moving to a radial tire. It is still important to match the tire to the wheel width range approved for the product you intend to use.

The 155R13 and 560-13 both fit the 1952 Ford-Taunus 12M, but they represent two different construction types. The 155R13 is a radial, offered in Blackwall form by Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply size offered by BFGoodrich and Firestone with whitewall options. The difference is less about wheel diameter and more about how closely you want to follow the period construction style of the car.

Owners focused on restoration presentation often prefer the 560-13 because bias-ply construction and whitewall styling fit the era more naturally. Owners planning more regular road use often gravitate toward the 155R13 because it keeps the 13-inch format while moving to radial construction. The best choice depends on whether your priority is historical appearance, driving character, or a balance of both on your particular 12M.

1952 Ford-Taunus tires are available in both Blackwall and whitewall forms, depending on size. The 155R13 radial options are Blackwall only, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions. That gives the 12M owner a clear visual choice in addition to the construction decision.

For a European compact from the early 1950s, Blackwall tends to look more understated and is the only style offered in the radial size here. Whitewalls on the 560-13 create a more stylized period look, with the narrow and wide versions changing the visual emphasis considerably on a small-bodied car. If appearance matters as much as fitment, compare the sidewall treatment before settling on a size.

Four brands are represented for 1952 Ford-Taunus fitments here: Michelin and Dunlop in the 155R13 radial size, and BFGoodrich and Firestone in the 560-13 bias-ply size. Michelin’s offering is from the XAS-FF line, Dunlop’s is the SP Sport Aquajet, BFGoodrich’s is from the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply range, and Firestone’s is from the Classic Bias Ply range. Each brand is tied to one of the two size and construction paths rather than spanning both.

That brand split makes the shopping decision easier because it follows the broader choice between radial and bias-ply. If you are staying with a radial 155R13, you are comparing Michelin and Dunlop Blackwalls. If you are staying with a 560-13 bias-ply, you are comparing BFGoodrich and Firestone, with the added consideration of narrow versus wide whitewall treatment.

Rim width requirements for 1952 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the size and brand selected. The 155R13 radial products fit 4.00 to 5.50 inch rims. In 560-13 bias-ply form, the BFGoodrich options fit 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims, while the Firestone 560-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims. All of the listed tires use a 13-inch rim diameter, but width approval changes from one product family to another.

That is why wheel width should be verified before ordering, especially if your 12M has replacement wheels or a mixed set from an earlier restoration. A 13-inch rim alone does not answer the full fitment question. Measure bead-seat width if needed and compare it to the approved range for the exact tire you want, rather than assuming all 13-inch tires for a 1952 Ford-Taunus use the same wheel width.

Inner tube requirements on 1952 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the exact size and product. The Michelin 155HR13 is marked TL, indicating a tubeless tire, while tube status varies by product across the 155R13 size as a whole because the Dunlop marking does not establish the same blanket rule. The 560-13 bias-ply listings do not carry a TL marking in the size description, so tube decisions should be matched to the tire and wheel combination you are actually using.

On an older car like a 1952 Ford-Taunus, the wheel itself matters as much as the tire sidewall code. Original-style rims, wheel condition, and valve-stem setup all influence whether a tube is appropriate. Before finalizing your setup, confirm the sidewall marking on the specific tire and consider the condition and design of the wheel so the tire, tube choice, and rim are working together correctly.

Both listed tire sizes for the 1952 Ford-Taunus use a 13-inch rim diameter, so the original wheel diameter is compatible with either 155R13 or 560-13. The more important question is wheel width, because the radial products and the various bias-ply products do not all share the same approved rim range. Diameter compatibility is straightforward here, but width compatibility must still be confirmed.

That means a stock 13-inch wheel may be suitable for both sizes only if its actual width falls within the approved range of the tire you choose. This matters most when moving from a narrower bias-ply setup to a radial, since the radial size here accepts a broader and generally wider rim range. Checking the wheel before mounting avoids guessing and helps preserve both appearance and proper tire profile.

A 1952 Ford-Taunus should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so one contact patch does not stay loaded in the same position for months. Bias-ply tires such as 560-13 are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage, while radial tires can also age from prolonged exposure to heat and ozone.

If the car will sit for an extended period, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on the tires, while still following safe storage practices. A breathable indoor cover and a clean floor help, but environment matters more than cosmetic protection. Good storage habits preserve sidewalls, reduce deformation, and make the next drive in a 1952 Ford-Taunus more predictable.

Tires on a 1952 Ford-Taunus are usually judged more by age than mileage, because collector cars often accumulate limited road use. A sensible rule is to begin regular age-based evaluation around five to seven years and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point, even if tread remains. The DOT date code and the tire’s overall condition matter more than odometer use alone.

That is especially true on a light-use car that may spend more time parked than driven. A tire can look acceptable at a glance and still have age-related hardening, cracking, or internal deterioration that changes how it behaves on the road. Checking age, sidewall condition, and inflation retention as part of annual maintenance is a better approach than waiting for tread wear on a 1952 Ford-Taunus.

Tires on a 1952 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive, and given a more careful check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and pressure loss, and pay attention to any signs that the car has been sitting on underinflated tires. If your setup uses tubes, the valve stems and any slow leaks deserve extra attention as part of the inspection routine.

Short local drives can hide problems that become more serious at speed or after heat builds up on a longer run. A quick visual walk-around catches many issues early, and a hand gauge confirms whether the tire is actually holding the pressure you expect. On a 1952 Ford-Taunus, that habit is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and its passengers.

A 1952 Ford-Taunus 12M would have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, and the 560-13 size aligns with that early-1950s format. The radial 155R13 option is a later-style construction choice for the same wheel diameter rather than the most era-typical starting point for originality. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply, so size and construction are usually the first authenticity markers to get right.

For most restorers, that means starting with the bias-ply 560-13 if the goal is a car that reads correctly for the year. After that, sidewall treatment becomes part of the decision, since whitewall width can change the visual character of the finished car. If you are preparing a serious factory-style restoration, compare your car against period photos and consult Ford Taunus specialists or marque clubs for market-specific guidance.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1952 Ford-Taunus because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance very quickly. A bias-ply tire in a period-appropriate size generally aligns more closely with early-1950s expectations, while a modern radial can look out of place on a car judged for strict originality. Whitewall width can also influence whether the finished presentation feels authentic to the car’s market and restoration style.

That does not mean every displayed car must use the same tire, but it does mean your judging goals should shape the decision early. A touring-oriented car may reasonably prioritize road manners, while a concours-minded example is usually held to a tighter standard on construction and appearance. Event rules differ, so if trophies matter, compare the tire choice to the standards used by the specific club or judging body.

The BFGoodrich and Firestone 560-13 tires for the 1952 Ford-Taunus share the same basic bias-ply size and both carry a listed load figure of 850 pounds at 30 psi, but they differ in sidewall presentation and approved rim width. BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch Narrow Whitewall and a 2.25-inch Wide Whitewall on 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims, while the Firestone 2.25-inch Wide Whitewall is approved for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims. The listed tire weight is the same at 17 pounds.

For a restorer, that means the decision is not only brand preference but also wheel compatibility and visual style. If your wheel is at the narrower end of the range, the BFGoodrich options may align more naturally, and they also let you choose between a subtler or bolder whitewall. If your wheel width is slightly broader, the Firestone fitment range may be the better match while preserving a wide-whitewall period look.

1952 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within their ratings. The listed 155R13 radial products carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling, while the 560-13 bias-ply products shown here do not present the same style of modern speed-letter labeling. On a car of this era, the tire’s condition and the vehicle’s overall mechanical health are often just as important as the raw tire rating.

A well-sorted 1952 Ford-Taunus is far more likely to be limited by vintage braking, suspension, steering, and road conditions than by an H-rated radial’s theoretical ceiling. Bias-ply tires can also be entirely appropriate for road use when maintained correctly, but they should be driven with the expectations of their construction type. Highway confidence starts with inspection, inflation, and realistic speed habits rather than relying on one specification alone.

Inflation pressure on 1952 Ford-Taunus tires should follow the vehicle’s factory guidance first, with the tire manufacturer’s rated pressure used as the product limit rather than a blanket setting for every application. The 560-13 bias-ply products listed here show a load figure of 850 pounds at 30 psi. The radial 155R13 products do not all list a matching inflation figure alongside the load information, so pressure should not be borrowed from the bias-ply size.

That separation matters because different constructions and sizes can require different operating pressures to perform as intended. Use the owner’s manual or marque-reference material to establish the car’s target range, then make sure that number stays within the tire’s stated limits. Keeping each size in its own pressure conversation is the safest approach for a 1952 Ford-Taunus, especially when comparing bias-ply and radial setups.

Before a longer drive in a 1952 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and confirm that the spare is usable as well. If your car is running a tube-type setup, check the valve stems carefully and pay attention to any slow pressure loss that may point to a tube or wheel issue. A tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive review that includes brakes, steering, fluids, and lights on a vehicle of this age.

Longer trips create heat and sustained load, which can expose weaknesses that do not show up on short neighborhood runs. It is wise to drive the car briefly before a major outing, then recheck pressures and look again for anything unusual. On a 1952 Ford-Taunus, that extra attention helps you catch age-related issues early and makes the drive more enjoyable and less stressful.