1960 Aston Martin Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Aston Martin vehicles in the DB range use two tire sizes: 175R16 and 600-16. Both sizes apply to the DB, and both mount on 16-inch wheels. For 600-16 products, the approved rim width range shown is 4.00 to 4.50 inches, and the available products are bias-ply. The 175R16 size is the radial fitment used on the same model family.

That means a 1960 Aston Martin owner usually starts by confirming which construction they want rather than by sorting between different model-specific wheel diameters. If your priority is authenticity in look and road feel, 600-16 bias-ply is the traditional path. If your priority is a radial-format driving experience on a 16-inch wheel, 175R16 is the alternate route. Always verify the actual wheel width on the car before making the final choice.

On a 1960 Aston Martin, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The “600” refers to a nominal 6.00-inch section width, while the “16” refers to the wheel diameter in inches. In the available 600-16 products for this year and make, the construction is bias-ply and the rim diameter is 16 inches, with some products approved for 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim widths.

For an owner, that code signals an older sizing system and a traditional tire construction rather than a modern metric radial. It is the kind of size many restorers associate with the look and manners expected on an early-1960s British grand tourer. When comparing products, pay attention to sidewall style as well as the size itself, because blackwall and wide whitewall versions both exist within 600-16.

On a 1960 Aston Martin, 175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size. The “175” is the nominal section width in millimeters, the “R” identifies radial construction, and the “16” is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is stated, this format is conventionally treated as an 80-series Euro-metric radial rather than a modern low-profile design.

That code matters because it points you toward a different driving character than a 600-16 bias-ply, even though both fit the same 16-inch wheel diameter. A buyer who sees 175R16 on the car should not assume it is interchangeable with every 16-inch vintage tire without checking section format and wheel width. It is best used as the starting point for confirming whether the car is set up for a radial-style fitment or a more original bias-ply approach.

For a 1960 Aston Martin, the choice between 175R16 and 600-16 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction, since both use a 16-inch rim diameter. The 600-16 is the traditional numeric bias-ply size, while 175R16 is the radial format. That makes the decision less about whether one fits the DB and more about how you want the car to look and feel in use.

A restoration focused on period presentation usually leans toward the 600-16 bias-ply, especially when the owner wants the tire to match the visual language of the era. A driver who uses a DB more often on modern roads may prefer staying with the radial-format 175R16. The best first step is to decide whether authenticity or regular road use is the higher priority, then confirm wheel width and the exact sidewall treatment you want.

1960 Aston Martin tires in 600-16 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall options appear from Coker Classic and Avon, while wide whitewall versions are available from BFGoodrich and Firestone. That gives owners a visible styling choice within the same basic size and wheel diameter.

For most British grand touring restorations of this era, blackwall is generally the more expected visual direction, while wide whitewall creates a stronger custom or market-specific look. The right choice depends on how your particular car is being restored, shown, or interpreted. If authenticity matters for judging, compare the sidewall style on the car against period photos, club guidance, and any surviving factory or dealer literature tied to your market.

1960 Aston Martin coverage includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in the 600-16 size. Those brands span both American classic-tire names and a long-established British brand in Avon, which is especially familiar in sports car and grand touring circles. All of those current 600-16 options use bias-ply construction, but their sidewall treatments and speed markings are not identical.

Brand choice on a 1960 Aston Martin often comes down to the appearance you want and how closely you want the car to reflect a British or international period flavor. An owner concerned with a cleaner sporting look may gravitate toward blackwall options, while another may want a broader whitewall presentation. Once the brand field is narrowed, compare sidewall style, load marking, and any speed symbol before making the final selection.

For 1960 Aston Martin applications in 600-16, the approved rim width range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 16-inch rim diameter. That is the wheel-width guidance attached to the available BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Firestone 600-16 products. The radial 175R16 also mounts on a 16-inch rim, though this page’s available product details do not add a wheel-width figure for that size.

Wheel width matters because a tire can share the right rim diameter but still be a poor match for the wheel if the width is outside its intended range. On a 1960 Aston Martin DB, measure the wheel you actually have rather than assuming every 16-inch wheel is equivalent. That is especially important on cars that may have changed hands many times or received replacement wheels during earlier restorations.

A 1960 Aston Martin DB uses both 175R16 and 600-16, and both sizes are built around a 16-inch rim diameter. That means the original wheel diameter is not the obstacle when moving between those two fitments. The key remaining point is wheel width, since diameter compatibility alone does not confirm that every 16-inch wheel is equally suitable for both constructions.

In practical terms, many owners can consider both sizes on the same car, but the wheel should still be measured and matched to the tire manufacturer’s approved range. Older grand touring cars sometimes wear replacement wheels or rims from earlier restoration work, and that can change what is appropriate. Confirm the wheel width before switching from one construction type to the other, especially if you are moving between a traditional bias-ply setup and a radial one.

A 1960 Aston Martin should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber quickly. Keep the car in a dry space, maintain proper inflation, and move it occasionally so the tire does not sit in one position for long periods. Bias-ply tires such as 600-16 are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after extended static storage.

If the car will be parked for a long season, many collectors either roll it periodically or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the tires. That helps preserve shape and ride quality when the car returns to service. A fitted tire also benefits from a clean floor surface free of petroleum residue, since oils and solvents can accelerate aging in the sidewall and tread base.

On a 1960 Aston Martin, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, so a careful inspection around five to seven years is wise, and replacement becomes a serious consideration as tires approach roughly ten years from the DOT date code. Cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, or deformation can move that timeline up.

That approach suits low-use grand touring cars because a tire can look presentable while still becoming less trustworthy with time. A DB that only sees weekend driving may cover very few miles, yet the rubber still experiences aging from heat cycles, ozone, and storage conditions. If the age of the tire is unclear, check the date code and evaluate the full set before planning regular road use or a long-distance event.

Tires on a 1960 Aston Martin should be checked before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and any sign that pressure is not holding consistently. If the car runs tube-type equipment, include the valve stems and tube-related hardware in that inspection routine as well.

That habit is especially important on a lightly used collector car because problems often develop while the car is parked rather than while it is accumulating miles. A quick walk-around catches issues early and can prevent a roadside interruption or damage to a valuable wheel and fender. The spare deserves the same attention, since an aged or flat spare is far less useful when you actually need it.

A 1960 Aston Martin DB would have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, since radial adoption was still far from universal across the collector-car world at that time. Within the tire choices used on 1960 Aston Martin DB models, 600-16 is the bias-ply size and best reflects that earlier construction type. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking the car’s market, delivery history, and surviving period references.

For a restoration, that means 600-16 is usually the first size to consider when the goal is visual and historical alignment with the era. The exact sidewall treatment can matter nearly as much as the size itself, particularly on a high-level British car where details stand out. If the car is being judged, compare your choice against factory literature, period photography, and Aston Martin marque specialists before committing.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1960 Aston Martin because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice construction type, size format, and sidewall style immediately. A 600-16 bias-ply aligns more naturally with an originality-minded presentation from 1960, while a radial-format 175R16 can look like a later functional update even if the wheel diameter remains correct. Sidewall treatment also influences how authentic the overall stance appears.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, but serious concours environments often reward a tire that matches the car’s period appearance and intended market character. A radial or a non-period sidewall may be acceptable for touring, local events, or personal enjoyment, yet still draw scrutiny in top-tier judging. Review the standards for your specific event and lean on Aston Martin clubs or marque historians when originality is a priority.

For a 1960 Aston Martin in 600-16, Avon Turbospeed and Coker Classic differ in both presentation and technical marking. Avon’s offering appears as 600H16 93H, uses bias-ply construction, carries an H speed rating that corresponds to 130 mph, and comes as a blackwall. Coker Classic’s 600-16 is also bias-ply and blackwall, with a 1400-pound maximum load at 32 psi and an approved 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range.

That comparison makes the choice less about basic size and more about the details that matter to the owner’s priorities. An Aston Martin owner focused on a sporting British character may pay close attention to the Avon speed symbol and overall presentation, while another may prefer the straightforward classic format of the Coker Classic product. Compare those differences alongside your wheel width, intended road use, and restoration goals.

1960 Aston Martin tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly fitted, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. In the 600-16 group, Avon offers an H-rated bias-ply version with a 130 mph ceiling. Even so, the tire is only one part of the equation on a 1960 grand touring car, where braking condition, suspension health, alignment, and steering integrity all influence real-world road safety.

For most normal U.S. highway use, the larger concern is usually the total condition of the car rather than whether a vintage tire carries an extreme top-speed number. A well-sorted DB on fresh, correctly chosen tires is very different from one running aged rubber and neglected chassis components. Before sustained highway travel, inspect the tires carefully and treat their speed symbol as a limit, not as a target.

Inflation pressure on a 1960 Aston Martin should follow the tire maker’s rated pressure information and the factory vehicle guidance for the car’s intended loading and use. Within the available 600-16 options, several products carry a maximum load of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while the Avon 600H16 is marked at 1,433 pounds. Those figures describe the tire’s load-and-pressure relationship, not a blanket instruction to use the same pressure in every situation.

The safest approach is to begin with the original Aston Martin recommendation for normal service, then make sure the tire you choose supports that use case within its own rating. Do not transfer one pressure figure from 600-16 to 175R16 or from one product family to another without checking the actual sidewall and manufacturer guidance. Vintage cars are sensitive to pressure changes, and small differences can alter ride, steering feel, and wear pattern noticeably.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Aston Martin, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, and stable air pressure. Confirm that the valve stems are sound, and if the car uses tube-type equipment, give those components extra attention because slow leaks can hide until the car is asked to cover distance. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires.

That tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on a sixty-year-old grand tourer. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering response, fluid levels, and the cooling system deserve equal attention before any extended outing. A DB that feels fine on a short local run can reveal weaknesses only after heat builds and speeds stabilize, so a thorough check beforehand is one of the best ways to protect both the car and the drive.