1959 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1959 Ford vehicles use nine distinct tire sizes across seven model groups: 145R13 and 520-13 for Anglia and Escort, Squire & Thames; 165R13 and 590-13 for Consul; 640-13 and 650-13 for Mark III; 800-14 and 850-14 for Fairlane; 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 for the full-size Ford group; and 800-14 for Thunderbird. The 13-inch sizes serve the smaller British Ford applications, while the 14-inch sizes belong to the larger American cars. Rim width guidance appears on many of the products and should be checked size by size.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough on a 1959 Ford. You need to identify the exact model first, then choose within the sizes tied to that model. On Anglia, Escort, Squire & Thames, and Consul, the choice may also involve radial versus bias-ply construction in the same wheel diameter. On Fairlane, Thunderbird, and the full-size Ford line, the decision is mostly about matching the proper 14-inch bias-ply size and sidewall style to the car's intended look.

On a 1959 Ford, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 portion represents the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. That format belongs to an earlier sizing system used widely before modern metric radial codes became common. For 1959 Ford applications, 520-13 is associated with the Anglia and Escort, Squire & Thames model group.

Seeing 520-13 usually points you toward an era-correct bias-ply approach rather than a later-style radial interpretation. That matters because the construction, sidewall shape, and overall appearance differ from a metric radial even when both mount on 13-inch wheels. If your goal is a restoration with a distinctly late-1950s small-car look, 520-13 keeps you in the traditional sizing language. If your goal is more everyday road use, compare it directly with the 145R13 radial option used on the same model group.

On a 1959 Ford, 145R13 and 165R13 are Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is written into the code, these follow the traditional Euro-metric convention commonly treated as an 80-series profile. In this model year, 145R13 fits the Anglia and Escort, Squire & Thames group, while 165R13 fits the Consul.

Those codes matter because they identify a different tire family from the numeric bias-ply sizes used on the same small Fords. A buyer comparing 145R13 to 520-13, or 165R13 to 590-13, is usually deciding between radial and bias-ply behavior rather than changing to a different wheel diameter. That can influence steering feel, tracking, and visual authenticity. Before choosing, verify the model and then decide whether you want the more traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial option in the proper 13-inch format.

No, 1959 Ford models do not share one universal tire size. The model range spans compact British cars, larger British sedans, full-size American Fords, and the Thunderbird, so fitments range from 13-inch sizes like 520-13, 145R13, 590-13, 165R13, 640-13, and 650-13 to 14-inch sizes like 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14. Some models, such as Anglia and Consul, also present a radial-versus-bias option in the same general wheel diameter.

That means a 1959 Ford owner should not order by year alone, even if the car is visibly from the same period as another Ford in the family. A Thunderbird owner, for example, is in a completely different size category from an Anglia owner. The safest route is to identify the exact model, verify the wheel diameter already on the car, and then choose the tire size tied to that application. That approach avoids mixing British Ford and American Ford fitments that look similar only by model year.

For a 1959 Ford Anglia or Escort, Squire & Thames, both 145R13 and 520-13 are relevant, but they represent different construction types. The 145R13 is a radial in a Euro-metric format, while the 520-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply. Both are 13-inch fitments for the same model group, so the decision is less about wheel diameter and more about how you want the car to present and behave on the road.

A 520-13 bias-ply tire is the closer visual and historical match for a period-style restoration, especially when whitewall treatment is part of the look you want. A 145R13 radial makes sense for an owner who plans to drive the car more regularly and prefers a later-style radial construction while staying within the proper general size family. Confirm the wheels already on the car, then choose the construction that matches your restoration goals rather than assuming one code is simply a direct substitute for the other.

1959 Ford tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size: blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline. The radial 145R13 and 165R13 choices are blackwall only. The bias-ply range is broader, with 520-13 offered in blackwall and narrow whitewall, 590-13 and 640-13 in wide whitewall, 650-13 in narrow and wide whitewall, 800-14 in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, 850-14 in narrow and wide whitewall, and 750-14 in narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline.

On a 1959 Ford, sidewall style changes the visual character almost as much as the size itself. Wide whitewalls tend to suit late-1950s presentation on mainstream passenger cars, while blackwalls can look more restrained and redlines create a distinctly sportier period flavor where offered. The right choice depends on the exact model, the way the car would have been presented in its market, and whether your goal is authenticity, custom flavor, or understated factory-style appearance. Event-specific judging standards are still worth checking before finalizing a show car.

Several brands cover 1959 Ford fitments, depending on size. Michelin and Firestone offer 145R13, Michelin and Dunlop cover 165R13, BFGoodrich carries sizes including 590-13, 800-14, 850-14, and 640-13, Premium Sport appears in 520-13, Universal Vintage Tire appears in 800-14, and Coker Classic plus US Royal cover sizes such as 750-14 and 650-13. Brand choice is tied to the specific size first, not just the year and make.

That matters because the brand field for a small British Ford radial is completely different from what you will find in a full-size American Ford bias-ply size. Once your size is confirmed, you can compare brands by sidewall style, load rating where listed, and rim-width compatibility where provided. A 750-14 buyer, for example, has much broader brand and style selection than a 590-13 buyer. Start with the correct size for your model, then narrow by the tire's visual style and intended use.

Rim-width guidance on 1959 Ford tires varies by size. The listed ranges include 145R13 on 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 165R13 on 4.50 to 6.00, 520-13 on 3.5 or 3.50 to 4.00 depending on product, 590-13 on 3.50 to 4.00, 640-13 on 4.00 to 4.50, 650-13 on 4.50 to 5.00, 750-14 on 5.00 to 5.50, 800-14 on 5.00 to 6.00, and 850-14 on 5.50 to 6.00. Those ranges should be matched to the actual wheel on the car.

This is one of the most important checks before choosing among similar-looking sizes. Two tires may share the same rim diameter but still want different wheel widths, especially when comparing small British Ford fitments or moving among 14-inch full-size Ford options. Measure the wheel if there is any doubt, and avoid assuming that a tire with the right diameter is automatically suitable for the rim you have. Confirming width compatibility up front helps preserve appearance, load carrying, and the intended profile.

Tube requirements on 1959 Ford tires depend on the exact size and product. The 145R13 Michelin and 165R13 Michelin products are marked TL, meaning tubeless. Several bias-ply products are listed without a tube-type or tubeless marking, so tube status can vary by product and should be confirmed on the specific tire you are considering rather than assumed from size alone. That is especially important when comparing older numeric sizes across different brands and series.

The practical rule is to match the tire, wheel, and intended setup as a system. A tubeless-marked radial on a suitable wheel is a different proposition from a reproduction bias-ply tire used on an original steel wheel that may traditionally run with a tube. Before final selection, check the sidewall marking on the exact product and consider the condition and design of the wheel itself. If your car is being restored around original hardware, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help settle the tube question cleanly.

A stored 1959 Ford should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid long-term parking on damp ground. Bias-ply tires, which make up most 1959 Ford fitments, are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage than radials and generally benefit from regular movement or weight relief over longer layups.

Good storage habits protect both appearance and drivability. Whitewalls stay cleaner and sidewalls age more gracefully when they are not exposed to constant sunlight or moisture, and a car that is rolled occasionally is less likely to develop vibration from sitting in one position. If the car will be parked for months, many collectors use tire cradles or stands to reduce stress on the casing. The point is not just preserving tread life, but preserving the shape and condition of reproduction tires that may see limited annual mileage.

Tires on a 1959 Ford are usually judged more by age than by mileage, because collector cars often cover relatively few miles each year. A sensible rule is to inspect tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point, even if the tread still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key reference for age, and visible cracking, hardening, or persistent vibration can shorten the safe service window.

That age-based mindset is especially important on a hobby car that may spend more time parked than driven. A tire can look attractive on a restored 1959 Ford yet still be aging internally from time, heat cycles, and storage conditions. Bias-ply and radial constructions should both be monitored this way. If the car is used for longer tours rather than short local drives, being conservative about age is wise. Replacing aged tires before a failure is far easier than dealing with damage to a restored fender or quarter panel.

Tires on a 1959 Ford should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, objects lodged in the casing, and any sign that the tire has lost pressure since the last drive. On products that may use tubes, the valve stem and surrounding area deserve extra attention because slow leaks often show there before anywhere else.

Frequent inspection matters because collector cars can sit long enough for a problem to develop between outings. A tire that looked fine a month ago may have weather-checking, a puncture, or a pressure drop by the next event. Early detection is particularly valuable on older suspension and steering systems that may not mask a tire issue well at speed. Make tire checks part of the same pre-drive routine as fluids, lights, and brake feel, especially if the car has not been exercised recently.

A 1959 Ford Fairlane would have been associated with bias-ply construction when new, and the sizes tied to the Fairlane here are 800-14 and 850-14. Both are numeric bias-ply sizes mounted on 14-inch wheels, which fits the broader late-1950s American practice before radial adoption became common in the U.S. market. Whitewall presentation was also a familiar part of the period look on many mainstream American passenger cars, although exact delivery details could vary by trim, market, and owner preference.

For restoration work, that means the key authenticity markers are the correct size family, the correct bias-ply construction, and an appropriate sidewall style for the way your Fairlane is being represented. If the car is going into judged competition, verify market- and trim-specific expectations through Ford marque clubs, factory literature, or period photographs. The right tire does more than fill the wheel opening; it affects stance, sidewall profile, and the visual balance that makes a 1959 Fairlane look convincingly of its era.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1959 Ford, especially in stock or concours-oriented classes. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car carries the right overall size family for the model, whether the construction type matches the era, and whether the sidewall treatment suits the market and presentation. A radial on a car being judged for strict originality, or an incorrect whitewall style on a late-1950s restoration, can stand out even to a casual observer.

The closer your event gets to factory-authentic standards, the more tire details matter. A Thunderbird, Fairlane, or Mark III can all lose period credibility if the tire profile, width impression, or sidewall style feels obviously modern. That does not mean every owner must chase maximum originality, but it does mean you should decide early whether the car is being restored, toured, or mildly personalized. For event-specific standards, local marque clubs and judging manuals remain the best final authority.

For the 1959 Ford Mark III, both 640-13 and 650-13 are 13-inch numeric bias-ply sizes, but they are separate fitments rather than interchangeable labels. The available 640-13 option appears as a wide whitewall with a listed rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches and a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 32 psi. The 650-13 offerings expand to narrow and wide whitewall choices, fit 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, and carry a listed maximum load of 1150 pounds at 32 psi.

That means the difference is not just cosmetic. Wheel width and load rating change between the two sizes, so the tire should match the specific Mark III application rather than be chosen by appearance alone. If your car already has wheels fitted, measure or verify the wheel width before deciding between these two sizes. Once the proper fitment is confirmed, then you can choose the whitewall treatment that best matches the car's restoration style and period presentation.

1959 Ford tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is chosen, the tires are in sound condition, and the vehicle itself is mechanically ready for sustained road use. The radial 145R13 and 165R13 products listed here include H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. The bias-ply sizes are reproduction-style collector tires and should be driven with the normal expectations that go with vintage construction, especially on older cars whose brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment standards differ from modern vehicles.

In real use, the car's own design often becomes the limiting factor before the tire's published speed ceiling does. A small British Ford or a full-size 1959 American Ford was built for a different highway environment than today's traffic, so condition and setup matter more than theoretical top speed. Check age, inflation, balance, and visible condition before extended highway use, and keep expectations appropriate to the construction type. A well-sorted collector car on fresh, properly matched tires is a much safer proposition than a rarely driven car on aged rubber.

Inflation pressure for a 1959 Ford should start with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the specific model, then be cross-checked against the tire's own construction and maximum-rated pressure. Several listed tires show load-and-pressure figures such as 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on product, 590-13 at 970 pounds at 32 psi, 750-14 at 1500 to 1580 pounds at 32 psi, 800-14 at 1620 pounds at 32 psi, 850-14 at 1740 pounds at 32 psi, 640-13 at 1045 pounds at 32 psi, and 650-13 at 1150 pounds at 32 psi.

Those figures are maximum load relationships, not a one-size-fits-all inflation instruction for every car in the 1959 Ford range. A Consul, Thunderbird, and Mark III do not automatically want the same operating pressure just because they share a model year. Use the original handbook or marque guidance for the vehicle baseline, then verify that your chosen tire's rated pressure envelope is appropriate. Never transfer a pressure from one size to another by guesswork, especially when moving between different constructions and wheel diameters.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 Ford, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct inflation, and confirm that the spare is usable and inflated as well. Pay attention to valve stems and, where applicable, tube-related leakage concerns. A tire that has sat through storage may also need a short local test drive to reveal flat-spotting, vibration, or pull before you commit to highway distance.

Tire condition is only one part of the pre-trip routine on a car of this age, but it is one of the easiest to evaluate and one of the most likely to spoil a tour if ignored. After the tires, check wheel fasteners, brakes, steering feel, fluid levels, and lighting. If the car has recently changed from long storage to active use, take the first outing as a shakedown rather than a major trip. That approach gives the tires and the rest of the chassis a chance to prove themselves under modest conditions first.