1956 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1956 Ford-Taunus vehicles use two tire sizes across the full model range: 155R13 radial and 560-13 bias-ply. Both the 1956 Ford-Taunus 12M and 1956 Ford-Taunus 15M use both sizes, and both sizes mount on 13-inch rims. The listed rim-width ranges are 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13, 3.50 to 4.00 inches for the BFGoodrich 560-13, and 4.00 to 4.50 inches for the Firestone 560-13.

That means year and make alone are enough to narrow the correct family of sizes, but wheel width still matters before choosing a specific tire. If your priority is period look and traditional road feel, the 560-13 bias-ply is the natural direction. If you want a more modern radial format while staying with a 13-inch wheel, 155R13 is the more likely fit. Verifying the wheel's actual width is the final step before settling on a product.

On a 1956 Ford-Taunus tire, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in modern shorthand, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. In the available 560-13 offerings for 1956 Ford-Taunus, this size appears as a bias-ply construction rather than a radial.

That code matters because it signals both the era of the tire design and the style of road behavior you can expect. A 560-13 usually appeals to owners restoring a Taunus for authentic visual character, especially where whitewall styling is part of the finished look. Before choosing among the available versions, check the wheel width and decide whether you want a narrow or wide whitewall presentation.

On a 1956 Ford-Taunus tire, 155R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is stated, this format is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile rather than a lower-profile modern performance tire.

That makes 155R13 useful for owners who want a more modern radial construction without moving away from the car's 13-inch wheel diameter. The currently available 155R13 choices are blackwall tires, and the listed products carry H speed ratings. It is still wise to compare the tire against your actual wheel width, since the approved range for the available radial products is broader than the bias-ply range.

For a 1956 Ford-Taunus, the choice between 155R13 and 560-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction, since both sizes fit 13-inch rims and both apply to the 12M and 15M. The 155R13 options are radial blackwalls, while the 560-13 options are bias-ply tires with whitewall choices. That makes the two sizes different in character as much as in code.

A 560-13 usually makes the most sense when originality, sidewall appearance, and period-correct presentation are the priority. A 155R13 is the more natural direction if the car will see regular road use and you want the feel associated with radial construction. Once you decide between those two paths, confirm the actual wheel width so the specific product matches the rim as well as the vehicle.

1956 Ford-Taunus tires are available in both blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on size. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall only. The 560-13 bias-ply options include a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and 2.25-inch wide whitewall versions. That gives the Taunus owner a clear visual split between a more understated radial look and a more overtly period-styled bias-ply appearance.

For a mid-1950s European Ford, sidewall style can change the car's personality almost as much as the wheel itself. A blackwall usually suits a restrained, driver-oriented presentation, while whitewalls lean harder into a restored mid-century look. If appearance is part of your restoration goal, choose the sidewall style before choosing the brand. If driving character matters more, start with construction type and then refine from there.

Four brands currently cover 1956 Ford-Taunus fitments across the two listed sizes. Michelin and Dunlop appear in 155R13 radial form, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in 560-13 bias-ply form. The radial choices are blackwalls, and the bias-ply choices include both narrow and wide whitewall styles. Each brand is tied to a specific size rather than offering every style in both formats.

That brand split makes the first decision easy: choose your size and construction, then compare brands within that lane. If you want a radial, you are choosing between Michelin and Dunlop. If you want a bias-ply whitewall, you are comparing BFGoodrich and Firestone. Looking at the brand list this way keeps the process focused on the type of Taunus you want to build or drive, rather than treating all products as interchangeable.

1956 Ford-Taunus tire rim width depends on the exact size and product. The available 155R13 radial products fit 4.00- to 5.50-inch rims. In 560-13 bias-ply form, BFGoodrich lists 3.50- to 4.00-inch rims, while Firestone lists 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims. All of these are 13-inch-diameter tires, but approved wheel width is not the same across every product.

That difference matters because a tire can share the right diameter but still be a poor match for the wheel if the rim is too narrow or too wide. On a 1956 Ford-Taunus, measuring the wheel before ordering is worth the trouble, especially if the car has replacement rims or a long history of prior repairs. A correct rim-width match helps preserve intended shape, sidewall behavior, and overall fit.

Inner-tube requirements on 1956 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the specific product. One 155R13 Michelin radial is clearly marked TL, meaning tubeless, while the other 155R13 radial is not labeled the same way in its size marking. The 560-13 bias-ply products also do not all carry the same tube notation in the size field. For that reason, tube status varies by product and should be confirmed on the exact tire you choose.

The wheel itself matters too, especially on a mid-1950s car that may still have original rims. Even when a tire is capable of tubeless service, wheel condition and rim design can still influence the final setup. If your Taunus is running original or restored wheels, confirm the sidewall marking on the tire and evaluate the wheel condition before deciding whether tubes are appropriate.

Because both listed 1956 Ford-Taunus tire sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, the original wheels can often be used with either 155R13 or 560-13 in principle. The shared diameter is the key point. What changes is the approved wheel-width range, with the radial and bias-ply offerings not all covering the same span. Diameter compatibility alone is not the whole answer.

A wheel that accepts one of these sizes may not automatically be ideal for every product in both groups. That is especially important if the car has mixed wheels, replacement rims, or a wheel width that sits near the edge of an approved range. Measure the wheel, compare it with the chosen tire's approved width range, and treat the original 13-inch diameter as only the starting checkpoint.

A 1956 Ford-Taunus should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean concrete is better than damp ground, and correct inflation should be maintained during storage. Because this year and make can use both bias-ply and radial tires, remember that bias-ply designs tend to develop flat-spotting more readily during long static periods.

Moving the car periodically helps, and long-term storage is easier on the tires if the load is reduced with properly placed stands when appropriate. If the car remains on its tires, roll it enough to change the contact patch from time to time. These habits preserve sidewalls and tread shape and are especially worthwhile on a lightly used Taunus that spends more time parked than driven.

On a 1956 Ford-Taunus, tire life is usually judged more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, so the safer habit is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, where applicable, is the practical starting point for establishing age.

That approach matters because a Taunus can look lightly used and still be riding on old rubber that has hardened or begun to crack internally. Bias-ply and radial constructions both age, even when the car is garaged. If the car is driven infrequently, age-based inspection is far more useful than mileage-based assumptions, and it helps prevent keeping tires in service simply because they still look cosmetically acceptable from a distance.

Tires on a 1956 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss. On cars using tube-type setups, the condition of the valve stem deserves extra attention because a failing stem can end a drive as quickly as tire damage can.

A brief inspection is usually enough for routine local use, but a longer trip justifies a more deliberate check that includes the spare. Mid-century cars often sit for stretches and then return to service suddenly, which is exactly when small issues get missed. Making tire inspection part of your regular pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to keep a 1956 Ford-Taunus dependable on the road.

A 1956 Ford-Taunus 12M would have been associated with bias-ply construction when new, because that was still the standard passenger-car tire type in the mid-1950s. Within the currently available fitments for 1956 Ford-Taunus, the period-style option is 560-13 bias-ply. The 155R13 radial is a later-style construction approach, even though it remains a sensible service size for the car.

For a restoration aiming at factory-era character, bias-ply construction is usually the first place to start, followed by the right sidewall treatment for your market and judging standard. If the car will be shown, confirm market-specific expectations with a Ford Taunus club or marque specialist. That matters because period correctness can turn on construction type and sidewall appearance, not just overall tire dimensions.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1956 Ford-Taunus because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice more than diameter alone. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all affect whether the car presents as era-appropriate. A radial blackwall may look tidy and usable, but a bias-ply whitewall can be closer to the visual language many people expect on a properly restored mid-1950s car.

The right answer depends on the standard you are building to. A touring-oriented restoration may accept a radial without concern, while a stricter originality class may view modern construction or an incorrect sidewall style as a deduction. Before finalizing the tires, compare your plans with the rules of the event or with the expectations of Ford Taunus marque experts so the finished car matches its intended purpose.

For the 1956 Ford-Taunus in 560-13 bias-ply form, BFGoodrich and Firestone overlap in overall size and load rating but differ in styling choices and approved wheel widths. BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, each with a 3.50- to 4.00-inch rim-width range. Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall with a 4.00- to 4.50-inch rim-width range. All of these are 13-inch bias-ply tires rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi.

That means the decision is partly visual and partly mechanical. If you want a narrower whitewall, BFGoodrich is the route. If your wheel width falls toward the wider end of the listed bias-ply range, the Firestone specification may line up more naturally. Choosing between them is less about one being universally better and more about matching the look you want to the wheel the car actually wears.

1956 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in sound condition, correctly fitted, and used within their ratings. The available 155R13 radial products carry H speed ratings, which correspond to 130 mph, while the 560-13 bias-ply products carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to 112 mph. Those figures are far above ordinary highway speeds, but the tire is only one part of the equation on a mid-1950s car.

A 1956 Ford-Taunus will usually be limited more by age-related mechanical condition, braking capability, suspension condition, and general roadworthiness than by the tire's published speed ceiling during normal touring. The practical takeaway is simple: choose the construction that suits how you use the car, keep the tires fresh and correctly mounted, and inspect the whole vehicle before expecting modern highway confidence from a 1950s platform.

Inflation pressure on a 1956 Ford-Taunus should follow the vehicle maker's original guidance first and the individual tire's rated specification second. Among the listed products, the 560-13 bias-ply tires show a load figure of 850 pounds at 30 psi. The available 155R13 radial products do not share that same listed pressure detail here, so their operating pressure should be matched to the tire maker's recommendation and the car's original specification for that size.

What matters most is avoiding the temptation to transfer one pressure number from one size or construction type to another. Bias-ply and radial tires do not always behave the same way, even when they fit the same car and wheel diameter. Start with the owner's manual or period service literature for your Taunus, then confirm that figure against the actual tire you are using rather than relying on habit or visual sidewall bulge.

Before a longer drive in a 1956 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of tread or sidewall separation. Confirm inflation pressure when the tires are cold, and do not ignore the spare. If the car uses a tube-type setup, check the valve stems closely as well. A longer run asks more from the tires than a short local outing, especially on a lightly used collector car.

The tire check should sit inside a broader pre-trip routine that also covers brakes, steering, wheel bearings, fluids, and lights. A vintage Taunus is most enjoyable when it is treated as a complete mechanical system rather than just a car with fresh tires. Spending a few extra minutes before departure usually does more for confidence and reliability than any last-minute adjustment once you are already on the road.