1960 Holden Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Holden vehicles use two tire sizes across the models covered here: 175R13 and 640-13. Both sizes apply to the 1960 Holden FB and 1960 Holden FC, and both mount on 13-inch wheels. The 640-13 bias-ply tire has a stated rim width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on the available product in that size.

That means most buyers are not sorting between different model-only fitments for a 1960 Holden so much as choosing the construction and look they want. Start by confirming that your car still has the correct 13-inch wheels, then decide whether you want the period presentation of a numeric bias-ply or the more contemporary road feel that usually comes with a radial.

On a 1960 Holden, 640-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 640 portion identifies the tire’s nominal section width in the older numeric system, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because there is no R in the size, it is a bias-ply format rather than a radial one.

That size will appeal most to owners who want an unmistakably period-correct visual and driving character for a 1960 Holden FB or FC. It is also the size to examine closely if sidewall appearance matters to your restoration, since the available 640-13 product carries a wide whitewall treatment that changes the car’s look more than the raw dimensions alone suggest.

On a 1960 Holden, 175R13 is a metric radial size. The 175 indicates a nominal section width of 175 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this older Euro-metric style, the aspect ratio is not written out, and the format is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial.

That makes 175R13 the modern-format option within the original 13-inch wheel diameter used by the 1960 Holden FB and FC. Buyers who drive their cars more often often compare this size against 640-13 because the fitment family is shared, but the construction and road feel are meaningfully different even though the wheel diameter remains the same.

For a 1960 Holden, the choice between 175R13 and 640-13 is primarily a construction decision because both sizes fit 13-inch wheels and both apply to the FB and FC. The 175R13 is a radial format, while the 640-13 is a traditional bias-ply size. A bias-ply tire usually aligns more closely with period presentation, while a radial is often preferred by owners who want a more modern driving feel.

The best choice depends on what role your 1960 Holden plays in your garage. A restoration aimed at authenticity or a car that wears its era proudly may benefit from the visual and dynamic character of a 640-13 bias-ply. A car that sees more regular road use may push the decision toward 175R13, provided the wheel and overall setup are confirmed before installation.

1960 Holden tires include a wide whitewall option in 640-13 from BFGoodrich. That sidewall style is closely associated with late-1950s and early-1960s family cars, and it gives an FB or FC a more formal, period-correct appearance than a plain blackwall would. The wide whitewall offering is tied specifically to the bias-ply 640-13 fitment covered here.

Sidewall style matters because it changes the visual stance of a 1960 Holden almost as much as the wheel itself. If your car is being restored to an era look, the whitewall may be the right aesthetic direction. If your priorities lean more toward understated presentation or road use, review the options within your preferred size and construction before deciding which appearance best suits the car.

BFGoodrich makes a 640-13 tire for 1960 Holden vehicles, offered in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line with a wide whitewall sidewall. That gives FB and FC owners a recognizable American heritage brand in the period-style size. The radial fitment for 175R13 remains a separate path within the same 13-inch wheel family.

Brand choice matters a little differently on a 1960 Holden than it does on a newer car, because buyers are often balancing historical appearance, casing construction, and sidewall treatment as much as the name on the tire. Once you settle on 640-13 versus 175R13, compare the visual style and construction details first, then make the brand decision within the size that best matches your restoration or driving goals.

For a 1960 Holden, the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply in 640-13 is a traditional bias-ply tire with a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, a 13-inch rim diameter, a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range, a 19-pound weight, and a maximum load rating of 1045 pounds at 32 psi. A 175R13 option represents the radial side of the fitment range instead of the period numeric bias-ply format.

The practical difference is that the BFGoodrich 640-13 is the more appearance-driven choice when a period sidewall and vintage construction matter to the overall restoration. A 175R13 radial keeps the same basic wheel diameter but shifts the experience toward a later-style tire format. If your Holden’s mission is mixed road use, compare the wheel, stance, and presentation you want before deciding between those two directions.

The available 640-13 tire for a 1960 Holden is intended for wheels that are 4.00 to 4.50 inches wide, and it mounts on a 13-inch rim. That specification applies to the BFGoodrich bias-ply product in this size. Both the 1960 Holden FB and 1960 Holden FC use 13-inch tire sizes, so rim diameter is shared across the models covered here.

Rim width matters because an otherwise correct tire size can still behave poorly or look wrong if the wheel is too narrow or too wide for the casing. Before fitting any tire to a 1960 Holden, measure the actual wheel rather than relying only on assumptions about originality. That is especially important on older cars that may have changed wheels over the decades.

A 1960 Holden FB or FC can often remain on its original wheel diameter when moving between 640-13 and 175R13 because both sizes are built for 13-inch rims. That shared diameter is the key point of compatibility across the two fitment choices. Wheel diameter, however, is only part of the picture, and the wheel’s actual width still needs to suit the specific tire selected.

For most owners, that means the same basic wheel family can support either the period-style bias-ply route or the radial route, but it should not be treated as an automatic green light without checking the wheel itself. Inspect the rim for width, condition, and any prior modifications before mounting new tires. That quick step helps avoid clearance, profile, or seating surprises on an older Holden.

A 1960 Holden should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and furnaces. Keep the tires properly inflated, and if the car will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or use stands to reduce flat-spotting. Bias-ply tires such as 640-13 are especially prone to taking a temporary set during static storage compared with a radial.

Good storage habits protect both appearance and drivability on an older Holden that may only see occasional use. If the car is stored indoors, a cool and dry environment is more important than constant cleaning or tire dressing. Avoid petroleum-based products on the sidewalls, and give the tires time to round back out gently after a long layup before heading out for a longer drive.

Tires on a 1960 Holden should be judged more by age and condition than by miles driven. On collector cars, a sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely at around five to seven years of age and to consider replacement at roughly ten years, even if tread depth still looks respectable. The DOT date code on the tire is the most useful starting point for that assessment.

That age-based approach matters because a lightly used Holden can spend much of its life parked, and time hardens rubber whether the tread wears out or not. Sidewall cracking, loss of flexibility, repeated pressure loss, or visible casing distortion all move the replacement discussion forward. A tire that still looks vintage-correct is only part of the equation if the underlying rubber has aged beyond prudent use.

Tires on a 1960 Holden deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more deliberate check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, embedded objects, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. Older collector cars can hide problems simply because they are driven less often, not because the tires are in better shape.

A routine inspection is one of the easiest habits to build into vintage-car ownership. Check the spare as well, since a decades-old spare is often forgotten until it is needed. If your Holden is running a period-style bias-ply, pay close attention after long storage intervals, because flat-spotting, visible aging, and changes in ride behavior can show up before the tire looks seriously worn.

A 1960 Holden FB would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the standard original-equipment type for mainstream family cars. Within the sizes used on 1960 Holden vehicles here, 640-13 represents that traditional bias-ply format, while 175R13 is the radial-format alternative. That makes 640-13 the size most closely aligned with the period construction style of the car.

Original-equipment details can still vary by market, wheel package, and long-ago owner changes, so serious restorers should compare the tire choice against surviving factory literature, unrestored cars, and Holden marque specialists. For most authenticity-focused projects, the first question is not just wheel diameter but whether the tire construction and sidewall style look right for a 1960 Australian family car.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1960 Holden because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice construction type, size format, and sidewall appearance immediately. A radial can look visibly different from a period-style bias-ply, and a whitewall treatment can either enhance authenticity or look out of place depending on the restoration goal. On a show car, those details contribute to the overall credibility of the presentation.

That does not mean every shown 1960 Holden must wear the same tire, but it does mean the tire should match the story the car is telling. A preserved driver, a period-custom build, and a concours-style restoration can each justify different choices. If the car will be judged, compare your tire plan against the standards used by Holden clubs or the specific event rather than relying on general assumptions.

For a 1960 Holden, period-correct usually means the older bias-ply construction and an era-appropriate sidewall presentation, while driver-oriented usually points toward the radial-format 175R13. The bias-ply 640-13 preserves the look and operating character associated with the period. The radial path stays within the 13-inch wheel diameter but reflects a later style of tire design.

That distinction matters because authenticity is not only about dimensions. The way the sidewall stands, the visual shape of the tread and shoulder, and the expected road manners all influence whether a Holden feels like a true time-capsule car or a vintage car adapted for easier regular use. Decide first whether the car’s mission is judging, touring, or casual enjoyment, then choose the tire that supports that mission.

A 1960 Holden tire can be suitable for highway driving when it is the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and used within the limits of its construction and the vehicle itself. The key distinction here is that 175R13 is a radial format and 640-13 is a bias-ply format, so the driving character differs even though both fit 13-inch wheels. On a car of this age, overall mechanical condition often matters at least as much as the tire choice.

Highway confidence in a 1960 Holden depends on more than tread depth. Before sustained road use, make sure the suspension, steering, brakes, and wheel condition are all up to the task, especially on a collector car that may have long periods of inactivity between drives. A fresh tire on a neglected chassis does not create modern-car capability, so evaluate the whole car as a system.

Inflation pressure for a 1960 Holden should be tied to the exact tire size and product you are using, not transferred casually from one tire type to another. The available 640-13 BFGoodrich bias-ply tire carries a maximum load capacity of 1045 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is the tire’s rated reference point, while the car’s factory pressure recommendation should still come from period Holden literature or a trusted marque source.

Use that information carefully: a maximum pressure stamped into or associated with a tire is not always the same as the ideal operating pressure on the car. Start with the factory guidance for the vehicle where available, then make sure the tire itself is appropriate for that use. If the car has been modified or carries different weight than stock, revisit the pressure choice with a specialist familiar with vintage tire behavior.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Holden, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any signs of impact damage. Confirm cold inflation pressures, look over the valve stems, and make sure the spare is usable rather than simply present. Because these cars are often driven intermittently, check for age-related issues that may not be obvious on a quick walkaround.

The tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-trip routine that also includes brakes, wheel bearings, fluids, lights, and steering components. A well-prepared Holden is far more enjoyable and much less stressful on secondary roads or extended club drives. Even if the car ran well the last time out, age and storage can change conditions quickly enough that a fresh inspection is always worthwhile.