1960 Lloyd Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Lloyd vehicles use five different tire sizes across three models. The Alexander uses 4.25-15 on a 15-inch wheel. The Arabella uses either 145R13 radial or 520-13 bias-ply on a 13-inch wheel, while the LT uses either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply on a 13-inch wheel. Rim width guidance appears on some products: 145R13 commonly fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 520-13 appears on 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the tire.

The practical takeaway is that 1960 Lloyd fitment starts with model identification, not just year and make. Alexander owners need the 15-inch size family, while Arabella and LT owners need to confirm which 13-inch size matches their model and whether they want a bias-ply or radial route. When the wheel is original, checking actual rim width before ordering is especially worthwhile because the published ranges differ by size and sometimes by brand within the same size family.

On a 1960 Lloyd, 145R13 is a euro-metric radial size used on the Arabella. The 145 refers to the tire’s nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. When that older euro-metric format does not show an aspect ratio, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial rather than a modern low-profile tire.

That matters because 145R13 represents a later-style sizing language than the older numeric bias-ply sizes used elsewhere in the 1960 Lloyd range. An Arabella owner comparing 145R13 with 520-13 is not just comparing two different codes, but two different construction traditions and driving characters on the same general 13-inch wheel class. If your goal is to keep the car easy to identify and easy to fit correctly, start by matching the tire code on the sidewall or in period fitment references to your exact Arabella setup.

No, 1960 Lloyd models do not share one universal tire size. The Alexander uses 4.25-15 only, the Arabella uses either 145R13 or 520-13, and the LT uses either 155R13 or 560-13. The two passenger-oriented 13-inch Arabella sizes are not interchangeable with the LT’s 13-inch pair just because the rim diameter matches, and the Alexander’s 15-inch fitment is separate again.

That split matters because a buyer who knows only “1960 Lloyd” is still one step short of a correct tire choice. Arabella and LT owners may see both bias-ply and radial options, but the correct size family still follows the specific model. If the car has changed hands several times, it is smart to verify the model badge, compare the existing tire markings, and check the wheel diameter before assuming one Lloyd size applies across the whole make.

For a 1960 Lloyd Arabella, the choice between 145R13 and 520-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 145R13 uses a radial layout and comes in blackwall form from Michelin and Firestone, while the 520-13 stays with a traditional bias-ply build and appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions. Both belong to the Arabella’s 13-inch fitment family, but they speak to different priorities.

Arabella owners focused on a restoration with strong period character usually lean toward 520-13, especially when sidewall appearance is part of the look they want. Owners who plan to spend more time driving the car regularly often prefer the radial path in 145R13. The right answer depends less on the name on the sidewall than on how you want the car to present and behave, so choose the construction first and the brand second.

1960 Lloyd tire choices span blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles depending on size. The radial sizes 145R13 and 155R13 come in blackwall form. The Arabella’s 520-13 bias-ply size appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall, while the LT’s 560-13 bias-ply size appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

Sidewall style matters most when the car is being restored for period appearance, because a small European car can look noticeably different with a blackwall versus a whitewall treatment. A modest blackwall tends to feel more utilitarian and market-correct for many compact imports of the era, while whitewalls create a more stylized presentation. If appearance is central to the project, choose the size first, then the sidewall treatment that best matches the way your particular 1960 Lloyd is being restored.

1960 Lloyd tires are available from Michelin, Firestone, Premium Sport, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich, depending on the size. Michelin and Firestone cover the Arabella’s 145R13 radial size, Firestone and Premium Sport cover 520-13, Michelin and Dunlop cover the LT’s 155R13 radial size, and BFGoodrich plus Firestone cover 560-13. Brand choice is tied closely to size and construction, so not every brand appears across every Lloyd application.

That means the first filter should always be fitment, not brand loyalty alone. Once the correct size is established for your Alexander, Arabella, or LT, the remaining decision becomes sidewall style, construction type, and any published load or rim-width details that matter to your build. On a car this specialized, a brand’s role is often to support the style of restoration or driving use you want rather than to replace the need to verify the correct size family.

Rim width requirements for 1960 Lloyd tires vary by size. The 145R13 radial commonly fits 4.00 to 5.00-inch rims, and 155R13 commonly fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims. The 520-13 bias-ply appears on 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim recommendations, while 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.00 inches on some versions and 4.00 to 4.50 inches on another. The 4.25-15 size does not carry a published rim-width figure here, so the wheel itself should be checked carefully before final selection.

These ranges show why wheel measurement matters even when the tire code seems straightforward. Arabella and LT owners can often stay on the original 13-inch diameter while still seeing different acceptable rim widths depending on brand and construction. If the car has replacement wheels, refurbished rims, or mixed wheels from previous ownership, measure the actual width at the bead seat before settling on a specific tire version.

On the 1960 Lloyd Arabella and 1960 Lloyd LT, the paired bias-ply and radial options share the same 13-inch rim diameter within each model. That means original 13-inch wheels can often remain in service when moving between the two size families for that model. Rim width still matters, though, because the published working range is not identical across every 13-inch tire version.

The safest approach is to treat wheel diameter compatibility as only the first checkpoint. After confirming that an Arabella is choosing between 145R13 and 520-13, or an LT between 155R13 and 560-13, compare the actual wheel width against the acceptable range for the exact tire you want. That avoids assuming every 13-inch Lloyd wheel is suitable for every 13-inch Lloyd tire, especially on cars that may have seen wheel swaps over the decades.

A 1960 Lloyd should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Clean, dry tires last better than tires left with road grime or chemicals on the sidewalls. Bias-ply tires such as 4.25-15, 520-13, and 560-13 are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during long periods of sitting, while radial sizes like 145R13 and 155R13 usually recover more quickly after storage.

For a collector Lloyd that is not driven often, regular movement helps more than simply letting the car sit for months at a time. Rolling it periodically changes the contact patch and reduces one area of the carcass carrying the load continuously. If the car will be stored long-term, maintaining correct inflation and considering stands or slightly reduced vehicle weight on the tires can help preserve both appearance and ride quality when the car returns to the road.

On a 1960 Lloyd, tire life is usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage, because many surviving cars are collector vehicles with limited annual use. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat the ten-year point as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread still looks serviceable. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the quickest way to identify the tire’s manufacturing age.

That timeline matters because an older tire can look acceptable at a glance while still hardening internally or developing sidewall cracking. Cars that are driven occasionally to events or on fair-weather weekends can age out their tires long before they wear them out. If your 1960 Lloyd has a mixed set of older spares, inherited tires, or long-stored whitewalls, age should weigh as heavily as appearance when deciding whether the car is ready for dependable road use.

Tires on a 1960 Lloyd deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss. On bias-ply sizes, pay extra attention to shape changes after storage, and on any tire with older valve stems or long service time, inspect the stem area closely for cracking or leakage.

A short pre-drive check is especially important on a vintage compact car because small tires can show age-related issues before they show obvious tread wear. Before an event or highway trip, inspect the spare as well, since a decades-old spare may not be roadworthy even if it has never been used. Catching a weak valve stem, a drying sidewall, or an underinflated tire in the garage is far better than discovering it after the car is already out on the road.

For a 1960 Lloyd Alexander, the period-correct fitment family is the 4.25-15 bias-ply size. That matches the construction type that was standard on small European cars of this era before radials became widespread across all segments. For the Arabella and LT, bias-ply sizes such as 520-13 and 560-13 align closely with the era as well, even though radial options exist today within their 13-inch fitment families.

Original-market details can still vary by destination, trim, and what a car received later in life, so restorers chasing strict authenticity should compare period literature and consult Lloyd marque specialists or clubs. The key point is that a bias-ply size and era-appropriate sidewall treatment generally keep a 1960 Lloyd visually and historically closer to how it would have appeared when new. That is especially relevant if the car will be judged rather than simply enjoyed on the road.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1960 Lloyd is shown in a judged setting. Size, construction, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks era-appropriate, and judges or knowledgeable enthusiasts may notice when a small German economy car wears a visibly later-style radial or a sidewall treatment that does not suit the restoration. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, the visual character of the tire can change the overall impression of the car.

For an Alexander, staying with the proper 4.25-15 bias-ply family helps preserve authenticity. For an Arabella or LT, the decision becomes more nuanced because both bias-ply and radial 13-inch choices exist; a show-oriented restoration usually benefits from choosing the style that matches the way the car would have appeared in its intended market. Event rules differ, so if judging is the priority, verify standards with the relevant club or organizer before finalizing construction and sidewall style.

For the 1960 Lloyd Arabella’s 145R13 radial size, Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 share blackwall styling and 13-inch radial fitment, but they are not identical in detail. The Michelin example carries a 145HR13 74H TL sidewall marking and weighs about 18 pounds, while the Firestone example weighs about 12.7 pounds and publishes a 4.00 to 5.00-inch rim-width range plus an 825-pound load figure at 44 psi. Both live in the same compact radial category, but their published specifications differ.

That means Arabella owners should compare more than just the brand name when choosing between them. If rim-width matching and published load information are central to your decision, the Firestone gives clear numeric guidance. If you are seeking a historically significant European radial pattern within the correct 145R13 family, the Michelin has its own appeal. Either way, the right choice comes from matching the exact tire’s published details to your wheel and intended use.

1960 Lloyd tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their published speed capability. The radial 145R13 and 155R13 options include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph ceiling. The bias-ply 560-13 includes an S-marked version, which corresponds to 112 mph, while the other bias-ply choices here do not always publish a speed symbol in the sidewall marking shown.

In real-world use, the car’s own age, braking capability, suspension condition, steering play, and engine output usually matter more than chasing the highest speed symbol on a vintage Lloyd. Highway safety on a compact 1960 economy car is mostly about condition, proper inflation, and realistic speeds rather than maximum tire rating alone. Before longer road use, make sure the tires are fresh enough, evenly worn, and free from cracking or deformation after storage.

Inflation pressure for a 1960 Lloyd should start with the factory recommendation for the exact model, then be checked against the tire manufacturer’s own rated figures for the specific tire you choose. Published figures here include 520-13 examples at 770 pounds at 32 psi and 1,100 pounds at 60 psi, 560-13 examples at 850 pounds at 30 psi, and a 145R13 example at 825 pounds at 44 psi. Those numbers describe load capacity at stated pressure; they are not automatic inflation settings for every Lloyd application.

The important point is not to transfer a pressure number from one size to another just because both fit a 1960 Lloyd badge family. An Arabella running 145R13 should not be inflated by the same logic as an LT on 560-13, and a bias-ply tire should not be treated exactly like a radial without checking the manufacturer’s guidance. Use the owner’s manual and the exact tire’s rating information together to settle on the correct operating pressure.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Lloyd, inspect every tire for sidewall cracks, cuts, bulges, weathering, irregular tread wear, and stable air pressure. Check the spare as carefully as the four road tires, because many collector cars still carry an old spare that looks unused but has aged out. If the car has been parked for an extended period, roll it out and feel for flat-spotting or vibration before committing to highway speed.

Tires are only one part of the pre-trip routine on a 1960 Lloyd, but they are among the easiest things to evaluate before trouble starts. A good longer-drive check also includes wheel fastener security, brake feel, steering response, and any signs of fluid leaks that could affect the tires or road safety. On a small vintage car, preventing a roadside problem is usually about careful inspection at home rather than reacting once the trip is underway.