1958 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1958 Ford-Taunus vehicles use four sizes across three models: 155R13 radial, 560-13 bias-ply, 590-13 bias-ply, and 165R13 radial. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13; the 15M uses 155R13 and 560-13; and the 17M uses 165R13 and 590-13. Every size in the range mounts on a 13-inch rim, but the acceptable rim width varies by tire size and by specific product.

Model identification matters on a 1958 Ford-Taunus because year and make alone are not enough to narrow the choices. If you own a 12M or 15M, you may be deciding between a radial and a bias-ply option on the same wheel diameter. If you own a 17M, your radial size is unique to that model, while its bias-ply choice is shared with the 12M.

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size used on certain 1958 Ford-Taunus models. The 5.60 portion refers to the nominal section width, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1958 Ford-Taunus range, 560-13 fits the 12M and 15M and appears in traditional bias-ply construction rather than radial form.

That matters because a 560-13 is usually chosen for the way a mid-century car looks and feels on period-style tires, especially when whitewall styling is part of the restoration plan. On a 1958 Ford-Taunus, it should not be treated as interchangeable with every other size in the lineup simply because the rim diameter matches. The model, tire construction, and the wheel’s actual width still need to be checked together.

155R13 and 165R13 are metric radial sizes used on 1958 Ford-Taunus vehicles. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in this older format, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. The 155R13 size fits the 12M and 15M, while 165R13 is specific to the 17M.

These sizes are helpful for owners who want a radial tire while staying with the original 13-inch wheel diameter. A 155R13 and a 165R13 are not just different labels for the same tire, since the section width changes and the model application changes with it. Matching the exact size to the correct 1958 Ford-Taunus model is the cleanest way to avoid clearance and appearance surprises.

On a 1958 Ford-Taunus 12M or 15M, the choice between 560-13 and 155R13 is mainly a choice between bias-ply and radial construction. The 560-13 is the traditional bias-ply option and is offered with whitewall styling, while the 155R13 is a blackwall radial available from Michelin and Dunlop. Both mount on 13-inch wheels, but they deliver a different visual character and driving feel.

Owners aiming for a period-style restoration usually lean toward the bias-ply size because it better matches the look expected on a late-1950s European car. Owners who plan to drive their 1958 Ford-Taunus more regularly often prefer the radial because it keeps the car in a period-size family while using later tire construction. The right answer depends less on the wheel diameter and more on how you want the finished car to look and behave.

1958 Ford-Taunus tire choices include both blackwall and whitewall styling, depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 are available in blackwall only, while the bias-ply 560-13 is offered in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions and the 590-13 is available in wide whitewall. That gives the smaller Taunus models the broadest appearance range within the available sizes.

For a late-1950s restoration, sidewall style can change the personality of the car as much as the construction choice. A blackwall radial keeps the look restrained and European, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more overtly period presentation. If your 1958 Ford-Taunus is being judged or restored to a specific market appearance, compare the sidewall width to period photos or club guidance before making the final call.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all appear in the available 1958 Ford-Taunus tire range. Michelin and Dunlop cover the metric radial sizes, with Michelin and Dunlop both offered in 155R13 and 165R13 blackwall form. BFGoodrich covers the bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 590-13, and Firestone also appears in 560-13 bias-ply form.

Brand selection on a 1958 Ford-Taunus often follows the size and construction you need first, then the sidewall appearance you want second. Radial shoppers are choosing among blackwall European-style options, while bias-ply shoppers are deciding among whitewall presentations and brand preferences within the traditional numeric sizes. Looking at the brand lineup by size keeps the process simpler than trying to choose a brand before confirming the correct fitment.

Rim width depends on the specific tire size used on the 1958 Ford-Taunus. The 155R13 radial fits rims from 4.00 to 5.50 inches wide, 560-13 bias-ply products are listed for either 3.50 to 4.00 inches or 4.00 to 4.50 inches depending on brand, 590-13 is listed for 3.50 to 4.00 inches, and 165R13 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00 inches wide. Every size still shares a 13-inch rim diameter.

That range is why wheel width should be measured, not assumed, before choosing among the available sizes. A 1958 Ford-Taunus owner may have the correct 13-inch diameter but still need to confirm whether the wheel is narrow enough for a smaller bias-ply fitment or wide enough for a larger radial. Matching the tire’s approved rim-width range to the actual wheel is one of the most important setup checks.

Tube status is not uniform across the 1958 Ford-Taunus range. The available 155R13 and 165R13 Michelin radials are marked TL for tubeless use, while the Dunlop radial listings do not carry the same tubeless marking in the size line. The bias-ply 560-13 and 590-13 products also do not use a consistent tube marking in the size line, so tube requirements can vary by product and by the wheel itself.

Older wheels complicate the question because the tire marking is only part of the decision. If your 1958 Ford-Taunus still uses original-style rims, inspect the wheel condition and verify whether the chosen tire is meant to run tubeless on that wheel design or with a tube. When tube use is part of the setup, the valve stem, flap requirements if any, and tube size should be treated as part of the fitment rather than an afterthought.

All listed 1958 Ford-Taunus tire sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, so the original wheel diameter is not the point that separates them. What changes is the approved rim-width range for each size, especially between the narrower bias-ply offerings and the wider radial sizes. A 165R13 radial, for example, calls for a wider rim range than a 590-13 bias-ply.

That means some original 1958 Ford-Taunus wheels may accept more than one size, while others may only suit the narrower or wider choices within the lineup. Diameter compatibility is the easy part; wheel width and condition are the real checks before changing construction or moving to a different size within the year-make range. Measure the wheel and compare it to the tire’s approved range before treating sizes as interchangeable.

A 1958 Ford-Taunus should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the car periodically if possible. Because this range includes both bias-ply and radial options, a bias-ply tire is generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than a radial.

If the car will sit for months at a time, many collectors use tire cradles or properly placed stands to reduce stress on the carcass and suspension. Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on a low-use 1958 Ford-Taunus, especially when the tires are chosen for show presentation and may spend long stretches parked. A clean, cool, dry environment is one of the best ways to preserve both the tread and the sidewalls.

Tires on a 1958 Ford-Taunus are usually judged more by age than by miles, since many collector cars cover limited annual distance. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The date code on the tire is the starting point for that decision.

Collector owners sometimes see deep tread and assume the tires are still serviceable, but rubber hardening, internal aging, and sidewall cracking can advance long before the tread is worn out. That matters whether your 1958 Ford-Taunus runs radial blackwalls or bias-ply whitewalls. If the car is driven at road speeds, age should carry more weight than appearance alone when deciding whether a tire has reached the end of its useful life.

Tires on a 1958 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss, and check that the tire is wearing evenly across the tread face. If your setup uses tubes, the valve stems and any signs of slow leakage deserve the same attention as the casing itself.

A quick visual check is especially important on a collector car because it may sit between drives and then be asked to run at steady road speed. The inspection routine also helps catch suspension or alignment issues early, since uneven wear often shows up at the tire first. On a 1958 Ford-Taunus, those small pre-drive checks are one of the easiest ways to protect both originality-minded tires and more road-oriented radial choices.

A 1958 Ford-Taunus 12M would have been associated with bias-ply tire fitments in period, and the size range here reflects that history alongside later radial-compatible choices. The 12M appears with 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes as well as 155R13 radial. That means the modern buyer can choose either a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial in a size used on the model, depending on the goal for the car.

For a restoration that aims to match late-1950s showroom character, the bias-ply sizes are the first place most owners look. The radial option is still relevant for a driver-oriented 12M, but it represents a different construction choice than what was standard in the period. If your 1958 Ford-Taunus 12M is tied to a specific market specification or judging standard, a Ford Taunus club or marque specialist is the right place to confirm the final details.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1958 Ford-Taunus because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall appearance immediately. A radial blackwall and a wide-white bias-ply create very different visual and historical impressions even when both fit a 13-inch wheel. On a car judged for authenticity, a modern radial construction can be viewed differently from a period-style bias-ply, and sidewall width can also influence the result.

That does not mean every show requires the same standard, but it does mean the tire should match the story of the restoration. A touring-oriented 1958 Ford-Taunus can justify a radial on practical grounds, while a concours-focused car may need closer attention to period construction and sidewall style. Event rules and marque-club guidance are worth checking before finalizing a tire choice, especially if originality scoring is important.

Within the 560-13 size for the 1958 Ford-Taunus, BFGoodrich and Firestone differ mainly in sidewall styling and approved rim-width ranges. BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, each listed for 3.50- to 4.00-inch rims and rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi. Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall in the same size, rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi, but listed for 4.00- to 4.50-inch rims.

That makes the decision partly visual and partly mechanical. If your 1958 Ford-Taunus restoration needs a narrower whitewall look, BFGoodrich is the only choice in this size. If your wheel is on the wider end of the 560-13 range, the Firestone rim-width listing may be the more natural fit. Comparing the actual wheel width before deciding between the two brands is more useful than choosing on appearance alone.

1958 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway use when the correct size, condition, and construction are matched to the car. The available radial sizes in this range carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling, while the 560-13 bias-ply products include S-marked sizing on some versions, a category associated with a 112 mph ceiling. In normal use, the limitations of a late-1950s vehicle’s brakes, suspension, and overall mechanical condition usually matter more than those rated ceilings.

Highway safety depends less on chasing the highest rating and more on using a fresh, properly inflated tire that suits the wheel and the way the car is driven. A 1958 Ford-Taunus prepared for occasional touring should also have its steering, alignment, wheel bearings, and brake system inspected, since tire capability is only one part of the equation. Age, storage history, and setup quality are just as important as the size printed on the sidewall.

Inflation pressure on a 1958 Ford-Taunus should follow the vehicle’s original factory guidance first, then be checked against the tire manufacturer’s own rating for the exact tire selected. In the available bias-ply sizes, 560-13 products are listed at 850 pounds at 30 psi and the 590-13 product is listed at 970 pounds at 32 psi. The radial listings here do not all include a pressure figure in the same way, so pressure should not be copied across sizes or constructions.

That matters because a pressure suitable for one 1958 Ford-Taunus tire may not be appropriate for another, even when both fit a 13-inch wheel. Radial and bias-ply tires respond differently, and the vehicle’s intended ride and handling balance was set around a specific recommendation. Start with the factory guidance for your model, then confirm that the chosen tire’s own limits and load rating support the final pressure you use.

Before a longer trip in a 1958 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread separation signs, irregular wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, and if your setup uses tubes, watch for signs of slow leakage or stem movement. The spare tire deserves the same inspection, because a period car’s roadworthiness often depends on the one tire that gets ignored most.

A longer drive also calls for a broader mechanical check beyond the tires, including brakes, wheel bearings, suspension, and fluid levels. Even the best-cared-for 1958 Ford-Taunus tire cannot offset problems elsewhere in the chassis. If the car has been sitting, give it a short local run first to feel for vibration, pull, or unusual heat build-up before committing to a sustained highway outing.