1956 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1956 Ford vehicles use eight sizes across seven model lines: 145R13 and 520-13 for Anglia and Prefect, 590-13 and 165R13 for Consul Eotta, 175R13 and 640-13 for Zephyr, and 670-15 or 710-15 for Fairlane, Mainline, and Thunderbird. The British Ford models stay on 13-inch rims, while the American full-size Ford models in this group use 15-inch rims. Where rim width guidance appears, 145R13 fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 520-13 fits around 3.5 to 4.00-inch rims, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 670-15 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims depending on product, and 710-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims.

That means a 1956 Ford owner needs to identify the model before doing anything else, because year and make alone span completely different wheel diameters and tire families. Once the model is confirmed, the next decision is whether to stay with a numeric bias-ply presentation or move to a radial alternative where one exists. Checking the actual wheel diameter and width before purchase is the quickest way to avoid crossing British Ford 13-inch fitments with the larger American Ford 15-inch applications.

On a 1956 Ford, 520-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 520 portion refers to nominal section width in the older numeric system, and the 13 indicates a 13-inch rim diameter. For 1956 Ford applications, that size belongs to the Anglia and Prefect and appears in bias-ply construction rather than radial form.

That code matters because it tells you both the wheel diameter and the era of the tire design. A buyer looking at 520-13 is usually chasing the look and behavior associated with a mid-century small British Ford, often with a blackwall or narrow whitewall depending on the product chosen. If your car is an Anglia or Prefect and still wears its correct 13-inch wheels, 520-13 is the original-style branch of the fitment rather than the later-style radial branch.

On a 1956 Ford, 145R13 is a radial euro-metric size. The 145 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. In this year-make range, 145R13 applies to the Anglia and Prefect as the radial alternative to 520-13.

That makes 145R13 easy to distinguish from the older numeric bias-ply sizes used elsewhere in the 1956 Ford lineup. Owners who want to stay on the correct 13-inch wheel diameter while using a radial-format tire will usually start here for an Anglia or Prefect. It is still important to verify the wheel width and the specific sidewall marking of the tire you choose, because radial products can differ from one another even when the nominal size code is the same.

For a 1956 Ford Anglia or Prefect, the choice between 520-13 and 145R13 is mainly a choice between bias-ply and radial construction on the same 13-inch wheel diameter. The 520-13 stays in the original numeric bias-ply format associated with the period, while 145R13 moves to a radial euro-metric layout. Both fit the same pair of small British Ford models, but they deliver different ownership priorities.

A restoration that aims to preserve the car's original look and era-correct driving character generally points toward 520-13. A car driven more regularly often leads owners toward 145R13 because it keeps the correct rim diameter while using radial construction. The best approach is to decide whether historical presentation or later-style road behavior matters more for how your Anglia or Prefect will actually be used.

1956 Ford tires are offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles depending on size. Smaller British Ford applications vary by size: 145R13 and 165R13 are blackwall radials, 520-13 appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall, 590-13 and 640-13 are available as wide whitewalls. The American 15-inch Ford sizes broaden the range further, with 670-15 and 710-15 both available in blackwall and wide whitewall form.

Sidewall choice affects the finished look of the car as much as the size itself. A plain blackwall suits a more understated presentation, while whitewalls fit the styling language many buyers expect from a mid-1950s American Ford and some premium European-market presentations. If authenticity matters, compare the sidewall style on the tire to period photos, surviving original cars, and the standards used by the club or judging body that applies to your particular 1956 Ford model.

Several brands cover 1956 Ford fitments, but they are spread by size rather than offered across the entire range. Michelin and Firestone cover 145R13, Firestone and Premium Sport cover 520-13, BFGoodrich covers 590-13 and 640-13, Michelin and Dunlop cover 165R13, Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Universal Vintage Tire cover 670-15, and BFGoodrich with Firestone cover 710-15. Brand choice therefore depends first on the model and size your car uses.

That variety gives owners different paths depending on whether the goal is a blackwall radial, a classic bias-ply blackwall, or a whitewall presentation. It also means two owners of 1956 Ford vehicles may see completely different brand options simply because one has a British Ford saloon on 13-inch wheels and the other has a Fairlane or Thunderbird on 15-inch wheels. Narrowing down the correct size first makes brand comparison much more useful.

Rim width guidance for 1956 Ford tires depends on the exact size. 145R13 fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 520-13 appears on 3.5-inch rims and also 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims depending on product, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 670-15 ranges from 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims on some products and 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims on others, and 710-15 fits 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims.

That spread is a reminder that a size code alone does not tell the whole story. Before choosing a tire for a 1956 Ford, measure the actual wheel width or confirm the wheel specification on the car, especially if the car has replacement wheels or if you are selecting between more than one product in the same size. Staying within the published rim-width range is one of the most important setup checks you can make before mounting.

Tube requirements on 1956 Ford tires depend on the exact size and product. The listed 145R13 and 165R13 radial products include tubeless examples, while the bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry TL markings in the size descriptions and should be treated according to the specific tire and wheel combination being used. On mid-1950s vehicles, wheel condition and wheel design can matter as much as the tire itself when deciding whether a tube is appropriate.

A careful buyer should inspect the wheel and confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire before installation. If a 1956 Ford still uses original steel wheels, especially on a restoration, many owners also evaluate valve-stem condition, bead-seat condition, and whether the wheel is suitable for tubeless service before making the final setup decision. That verification is more reliable than assuming all tires in a given vintage size use the same tube arrangement.

A stored 1956 Ford should be kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources such as electric motors and battery chargers, and damp floors that trap moisture around the tire and wheel. Clean, dry storage matters for both bias-ply and radial tires, but bias-ply designs are generally more prone to flat-spotting during long static periods. Keeping the tires properly inflated and moving the car periodically helps reduce that stress.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. That is especially useful on a 1956 Ford with bias-ply tires, since a collector car can develop storage-related issues long before the tread is worn out. A breathable car cover and a stable indoor environment do more for tire life than frequent cleaning products or cosmetic dressings.

Tires on a 1956 Ford usually age out before they wear out, because collector cars are often driven infrequently. A sensible rule is to inspect them closely starting around five to seven years of age and to consider replacement around the ten-year mark regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the quickest way to determine the tire's actual age.

Mileage tells only part of the story on a vintage Ford that may spend much of its life in storage or at shows. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, and visible distortion can make a low-mile tire a poor candidate for continued use even when the tread still looks acceptable. Age-based decisions are especially important on a 1956 Ford because many examples are driven occasionally and can hide tire deterioration between outings.

Tires on a 1956 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has been run underinflated. If your setup uses tube-type components, include the valve stems and any signs of slow air loss in the check.

Regular inspection matters more on a collector car than on a daily driver because long gaps between drives can let problems develop unnoticed. A quick walk-around before taking a 1956 Ford out can catch damage from storage, aging, or low pressure before it becomes a roadside issue. It is also wise to inspect the spare on the same schedule, since a decades-old spare may no longer be trustworthy even if it has never touched the road.

A 1956 Ford Anglia would have been fitted in the bias-ply era, and within this model range the original-style fitment branch is the 520-13 bias-ply size rather than the later radial-format 145R13 option. That matches the period when small British family cars were still built around narrow bias-ply tires on 13-inch wheels. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, so the key restoration markers are size, construction, and sidewall presentation rather than assuming one universal tire brand.

For a factory-style restoration, start with 520-13 and then refine the sidewall style to suit the exact look you want for your car. If the car is being prepared for judged events, compare your choice against period photos, surviving original cars, and the standards used by Ford of Britain clubs or model-specific registries. Those sources are often the best way to confirm market-specific details that go beyond the core size and construction.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1956 Ford is judged for authenticity. Size, construction type, wheel diameter, and sidewall style all affect whether the car presents as period-correct. A radial on a car judged to strict original standards, or a whitewall width that does not suit the model and market, can change the visual and historical accuracy of the finished restoration.

The importance of that choice varies by event. A local cruise-in may treat tire selection as a styling decision, while marque judging often looks much more closely at whether the tire belongs on that specific model. Before entering a 1956 Ford in a judged setting, check the event rulebook and compare your tire choice to recognized club guidance. That extra step helps you avoid having an otherwise excellent restoration marked down on a highly visible detail.

For the 1956 Ford Fairlane, Mainline, and Thunderbird, both 670-15 and 710-15 are bias-ply 15-inch sizes, but 710-15 is the larger nominal section-width size. The two also differ in wheel-range guidance: 670-15 appears on products suited to 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims and also 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims depending on brand, while 710-15 products are listed for 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims. Sidewall choices overlap, since both sizes are available in blackwall and wide whitewall form.

That means the decision is not just visual; it should also account for the actual wheel width on the car. A 1956 Ford owner restoring one of these larger American models should confirm whether the existing wheels fall into the published rim-width range for the exact product being considered. Once that is settled, the final choice often comes down to the desired original-style stance and the way the car is being finished for show or regular use.

Many 1956 Ford tires are suitable for normal highway use when they are the correct size, properly inflated, in good condition, and mounted on appropriate wheels. The radial 145R13 and 165R13 offerings include H-rated products, which carry a 130 mph ceiling, far above ordinary highway speeds. The bias-ply options can also be roadworthy for vintage driving, but their behavior and feel differ from radial tires and should be respected as part of the car's original-era design.

On a 1956 Ford, tire capability is only one part of the highway picture. Brakes, suspension condition, steering components, wheel bearings, and the overall mechanical state of the car often set the real comfort limit long before an H-rated radial is challenged. A careful pre-drive inspection and realistic speeds matter more than chasing theoretical top-end capability, especially on a collector vehicle that may not see frequent sustained highway use.

Inflation pressure on a 1956 Ford depends on the exact tire size and product. Load-and-pressure figures listed here include 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi on one product and 1100 pounds at 60 psi on another, 590-13 at 970 pounds at 32 psi, 640-13 at 1045 pounds at 32 psi, 670-15 at 1450 pounds at 32 psi or 1550 pounds at 32 psi depending on product, 710-15 at 1550 pounds at 32 psi, and 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi on one radial product. Those are product ratings, not one blanket setting for every 1956 Ford.

Use the vehicle literature as your starting point for the car's intended operating pressure, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's guidance for the exact tire on the car. Do not transfer a pressure from one size to another, especially between 13-inch British Ford fitments and 15-inch American Ford fitments, or between bias-ply and radial constructions. Matching pressure to the specific tire and vehicle is the safest and most accurate approach.

Before a longer drive in a 1956 Ford, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any signs of separation or impact damage. Confirm that the tires are holding pressure, the valve stems are sound, and the spare is present and serviceable. If your setup uses tube-type components, include a careful look at slow-leak history and valve-stem condition as part of the check.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader vintage-car review that also covers brakes, coolant, belts, lighting, and fluid levels. Long drives ask more of a 1956 Ford than short local outings, and problems that stay hidden around town can become much more serious at sustained road speed. Spending a few extra minutes on the tires before departure is one of the simplest ways to improve confidence and reduce surprises on the road.