1959 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Ford-Taunus vehicles use four sizes overall: 155R13, 560-13, 590-13, and 165R13. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13, while the 17M uses 165R13 and 590-13. All of them fit 13-inch rims, but the approved rim-width ranges differ by size where listed: 155R13 works on 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 on 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims depending on product, 590-13 on 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 165R13 on 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough to pick a tire for a 1959 Ford-Taunus. Start by identifying whether the car is a 12M or 17M, then match the tire to the wheel width actually on the car. The shared 590-13 size can overlap between models, but the radial sizes are model-specific, and the narrower 560-13 belongs only to the 12M.

On a 1959 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial size, it does not include an aspect ratio in the code, and the bias-ply construction is implied by the vintage numeric format and the products offered in that size.

For a Taunus owner, that code points to a traditional period-style tire rather than a later radial replacement. On the 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M, 560-13 is the smaller model-specific bias-ply option, so it matters both for appearance and for matching the car’s intended original-era setup. It is also the size on this page with the broadest whitewall styling spread, from narrow to wide whitewall.

On a 1959 Ford-Taunus, 155R13 and 165R13 are older Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the size itself, these older metric radials conventionally fall into the roughly 80-series profile range rather than the shorter sidewalls associated with many newer tires.

Those sizes matter because they are tied to different Taunus models. The 12M uses 155R13, while the 17M uses 165R13, and both are offered as blackwall radials rather than whitewall bias-ply tires. If you are comparing a radial Taunus fitment to a numeric bias-ply fitment, you are comparing both a different sizing system and a different construction philosophy.

For a 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M, the choice between 560-13 and 155R13 is mainly a choice between bias-ply and radial construction. The 560-13 is a period-style numeric bias-ply size offered in whitewall versions, while the 155R13 is a Euro-metric radial offered as a blackwall from Michelin and Dunlop. Both mount on 13-inch wheels, but they represent different replacement philosophies rather than simple cosmetic variations of the same tire.

Choose 560-13 if your priority is a more original late-1950s look and the feel associated with vintage bias-ply construction. Choose 155R13 if you want a radial in a size that still suits the Taunus’s European proportions. Before making that call, check the wheel width on your car, since the listed rim-width ranges are not identical between those two sizes.

1959 Ford-Taunus tires are available in both blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 are offered as blackwalls, while the bias-ply 560-13 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, and 590-13 is offered as a wide whitewall. That split lines up well with how many owners approach a late-1950s European car today: blackwalls for a cleaner radial look, whitewalls for a more overt period presentation.

Sidewall style matters most when the car is being restored to a specific visual character. A whitewall can change the whole stance of a 1959 Ford-Taunus, especially on a bias-ply tire, while a blackwall radial keeps the car more understated. If authenticity matters for judged events, compare the sidewall style to period photos or club guidance for your exact market and trim.

Three brands cover the listed 1959 Ford-Taunus sizes: Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich, with Firestone also appearing in 560-13. Michelin and Dunlop handle the radial 155R13 and 165R13 sizes in blackwall form, while BFGoodrich covers the bias-ply 560-13 and 590-13 sizes, and Firestone adds another 560-13 bias-ply choice. The brand split is also a rough split between radial European-style fitments and classic whitewall bias-ply offerings.

That gives Taunus owners a useful way to narrow choices. If you are focused on radial replacement sizing in a period European format, your shortlist centers on Michelin and Dunlop. If the car is headed toward a more vintage visual treatment with bias-ply construction and whitewalls, the bias-ply offerings from BFGoodrich and Firestone will be the relevant path to compare.

Rim-width requirements for 1959 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the size you choose. The listed 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 bias-ply products fit either 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the product, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 165R13 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims. Even though every size here uses a 13-inch diameter wheel, the width window is not the same across the range.

That is especially important if your car has had wheel changes at some point in its life. A 1959 Ford-Taunus owner comparing a narrow bias-ply fitment to a wider radial fitment should measure the actual bead-seat width before selecting a tire. Rim diameter gets you into the right family, but rim width is what keeps the final choice sensible and safe.

Inner-tube requirements on 1959 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the exact product and size. The radial 155R13 and 165R13 offerings include tubeless-marked examples, but not every radial listing is marked the same way, so tube status can vary by product. The bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry a TL marking in the listed size descriptions, which makes it especially important to match the tire choice to the wheel type and the specific product’s sidewall marking.

A Taunus owner should treat tube fitment as a product-level check, not as a blanket rule for the whole year and make. Original wheels, wheel condition, and the exact tire selected all matter. If you are fitting a 1959 Ford-Taunus for road use after long storage or restoration work, confirm the tire’s tube designation before mounting and replace aging tubes or valve hardware at the same time.

Original 1959 Ford-Taunus wheels can often be used across multiple listed tire sizes because every size on this page fits a 13-inch rim. That means wheel diameter itself does not force a change when moving between 560-13, 590-13, 155R13, or 165R13. What changes is the acceptable rim width, and that is where the decision becomes size-specific rather than universal.

A 12M owner comparing 560-13 to 155R13, or a 17M owner comparing 590-13 to 165R13, should verify the actual wheel width before assuming both options belong on the same wheel. Many collector cars have had wheel swaps over the decades, and a 13-inch diameter match alone is not enough. Confirm the wheel before mounting, especially when moving from a narrow bias-ply size to a wider radial.

A 1959 Ford-Taunus should be stored clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight, with the tires kept away from ozone-producing sources such as electric motors, battery chargers, and some shop equipment. Correct inflation matters during storage, and the car should be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long static loading. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long stationary periods, while any vintage-style tire can suffer sidewall weathering if stored in poor conditions.

That matters because many Taunus cars see infrequent use and spend more time parked than driven. If your 1959 Ford-Taunus is on bias-ply tires, expect a more noticeable temporary flat-spot feel after sitting, especially in cooler weather. A breathable indoor cover, a stable floor surface, and occasional rolling of the car do more to protect tire life than simply keeping tread depth high.

Tires on a 1959 Ford-Taunus should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, so the usual replacement conversation starts with calendar age: around five to seven years is a reasonable point for close evaluation, and around ten years is the point where replacement should be seriously considered even if the tread still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire is the best quick reference for age.

That age-based approach is especially important on a vintage car because slow-use deterioration can hide in the sidewalls, carcass, or tube-related hardware. A Taunus that comes out only for shows or fair-weather drives may still need new tires well before the tread is worn. If you recently acquired the car, checking tire date codes is one of the first smart ownership steps.

Tires on a 1959 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, lodged debris, and pressure loss, and do not forget the spare. If the tire setup involves tube-type service, valve stems, tube age, and slow leaks deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewalls.

Frequent inspection is more important on an older collector vehicle than on a daily driver because long storage intervals can change a tire’s condition without adding miles. A quick walk-around and pressure check before using a 1959 Ford-Taunus can catch age-related issues before they become roadside problems. It is a small routine that pays off especially well before club tours, rallies, or highway stretches.

A 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M would have been associated in period with bias-ply construction, and the listed 12M sizes reflect that history while also showing later radial replacement options. Within the sizes available here, 560-13 and 590-13 are the bias-ply choices tied to the 12M, while 155R13 represents a later-style radial format that many owners now consider for driving use. No original-equipment brand should be assumed from modern replacement offerings alone.

For restoration work, the practical takeaway is that construction type matters as much as size. If your 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M is being judged or restored toward factory-era presentation, a bias-ply size and era-appropriate sidewall treatment will usually align more closely with period expectations. For market-specific accuracy, especially on export versus home-market cars, compare period literature and marque-club guidance before finalizing the tire choice.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1959 Ford-Taunus, particularly in events that emphasize originality. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the era and the model. A modern-style radial where a bias-ply look is expected, or an aggressive whitewall treatment that does not match the car’s intended presentation, can stand out quickly even on an otherwise strong restoration.

That does not mean every show car must use the same solution, because standards vary by event. A lightly modified or touring-oriented 1959 Ford-Taunus may be accepted very differently from a concours restoration. Before spending time and money on the final tire choice, check the judging philosophy of the event and compare it with period photos, factory brochures, and guidance from Ford Taunus specialists.

Within the 560-13 size for the 1959 Ford-Taunus, BFGoodrich and Firestone differ mainly in sidewall styling and approved rim-width range. 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, while Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall listed for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. The listed load figure is the same at 850 pounds at 30 psi for those 560-13 examples.

For a Taunus owner, that makes the comparison more about the look you want and the wheel you already have than about a headline performance gap. If your 1959 Ford-Taunus 12M is wearing narrower rims, the BFGoodrich fitment range may line up better. If the car has slightly wider 13-inch wheels and you want a wide whitewall bias-ply appearance, the Firestone option becomes the more relevant one to confirm.

1959 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in good condition. The listed radial products in 155R13 and 165R13 include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph speed ceiling, while the bias-ply sizes are vintage-style constructions intended to preserve an older driving character. In normal real-world use, the car’s brakes, steering, suspension condition, and overall age are often more limiting than the tire’s published speed symbol.

The practical point is to match the tire choice to how the car will actually be driven. A carefully maintained 1959 Ford-Taunus on fresh tires can be a pleasant road car, but it should still be driven with respect for 1950s mechanical design. High-speed capability on paper does not replace a full check of the chassis, alignment, wheel condition, and general roadworthiness before sustained highway use.

Inflation pressure for a 1959 Ford-Taunus should start with the vehicle manufacturer’s original recommendation for the car, then be checked against the chosen tire’s own rated information. The listed load-and-pressure figures include 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi and 590-13 at 970 pounds at 32 psi, while some radial listings do not show a comparable pressure figure here. Pressure should never be transferred casually from one size to another just because the wheel diameter is the same.

That is especially important on a Taunus because the available sizes span both bias-ply and radial constructions. A 1959 Ford-Taunus owner should use the original handbook as a baseline and then confirm the tire maker’s limits and recommendations for the exact size selected. Overinflation can hurt ride and footprint, while underinflation raises heat and instability, so a careful setup matters before any serious road use.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Ford-Taunus, inspect all tires for cracks, cuts, bulges, weathering, tread separation, and uneven wear, and verify cold inflation pressure on every wheel including the spare. Pay close attention to valve stems, and if the chosen tire setup involves tube service, make sure the tubes and related hardware are in healthy condition as well. Wheel condition and lug security also belong on the pre-drive checklist.

Tires are only one part of preparing an older Ford of Germany car for distance, but they are one of the easiest places to prevent trouble. A 1959 Ford-Taunus that feels fine around town may reveal age-related weaknesses during sustained speed or heat buildup. Give the car a full mechanical once-over, then take a short local test drive before committing to a long tour or interstate run.