1960 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1960 Nissan vehicles use four sizes across two model lines. The 211 Series uses either 135R15 radial or 500-15 bias-ply, both on 15-inch rims. The SPL uses either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, both on 13-inch rims. Rim-width guidance also varies by size and product: 135R15 commonly fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims, 500-15 appears on 3-inch and 4.00 to 5.00-inch applications depending on the tire, 155R13 reaches 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, and 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50-inch applications depending on brand.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1960 Nissan purchase decision. Start by confirming whether the car is a 211 Series or an SPL, then match the wheel diameter before comparing construction type, sidewall style, and brand. If the car has been restored or modified over the years, verify the actual wheel and the tire currently on the car before moving forward.

On a 1960 Nissan, 500-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 500 portion refers to the nominal section-width class used in period American-style sizing, and the 15 refers to a 15-inch rim diameter. For 1960 Nissan applications, this size belongs to the 211 Series and appears in bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.

Numeric sizes like 500-15 matter because they reflect an older sizing language that many restorers still prefer for authenticity. If your 211 Series is being kept visually close to period practice, this format will usually make more sense than a modern-looking metric radial sidewall. It is still important to compare the wheel against the individual tire's approved rim-width range, since not every 500-15 option is built around the same wheel width.

On a 1960 Nissan, 135R15 and 155R13 are euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the last number is the rim diameter in inches. In this year, 135R15 belongs to the 211 Series on 15-inch wheels, while 155R13 belongs to the SPL on 13-inch wheels.

Those size codes are useful because they separate the car not only by model but by wheel diameter and construction style. A 211 Series owner comparing 135R15 against 500-15 is choosing between radial and bias-ply on a 15-inch wheel, while an SPL owner makes the same kind of construction choice within the 13-inch family. That keeps the comparison inside the correct model instead of mixing sedan and roadster fitments.

For a 1960 Nissan, the decision depends on model and on how you want the car to feel and present. The 211 Series pairs 135R15 as its radial option and 500-15 as its bias-ply option, while the SPL pairs 155R13 radial with 560-13 bias-ply. Bias-ply tires better reflect the period character of a 1960 Japanese sedan or roadster, while radial choices are the more modern construction within each model's correct wheel diameter.

Owners focused on authenticity, judged presentation, or an era-correct look usually lean toward the numeric bias-ply sizes. Owners planning more regular road use often start with the radial sizes for the same model. Either way, keep the comparison inside your model family first, because the 211 Series and SPL do not share wheel diameter or tire size.

1960 Nissan tire choices span several sidewall looks depending on size. The radial sizes, 135R15 for the 211 Series and 155R13 for the SPL, are available as blackwalls. The 500-15 bias-ply size for the 211 Series comes in blackwall and wide whitewall, while the 560-13 bias-ply size for the SPL comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles.

That gives a buyer room to tailor the car's appearance without changing the underlying model-specific fitment. A blackwall tends to suit a restrained, understated look, while whitewalls push the presentation more toward a dressed-up period style. If the goal is show-oriented authenticity, sidewall treatment should be checked against photos, brochures, and club guidance for the exact market and restoration direction.

1960 Nissan fitments are covered by Michelin, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Dunlop depending on size. The 135R15 radial for the 211 Series is available from Michelin and Firestone, while the 500-15 bias-ply option is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone. For the SPL, the 155R13 radial comes from Michelin and Dunlop, and the 560-13 bias-ply comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone.

Brand choice matters most after model, size, and construction have been settled. Once those basics are in place, compare sidewall style, load and pressure markings where shown, and the approved rim-width range for the exact tire you are considering. That approach keeps the decision centered on fitment and intended use rather than choosing a brand first and forcing the rest of the combination.

Rim-width requirements for 1960 Nissan tires depend on the exact size and, in some cases, the specific product. The 135R15 radial used on the 211 Series commonly fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims. The 500-15 bias-ply spans both 3-inch applications and 4.00 to 5.00-inch applications depending on the tire. On the SPL side, 155R13 reaches 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, while 560-13 covers 3.50 to 4.50-inch applications depending on brand.

That spread is why wheel measurement matters even when the sidewall size looks correct. A tire that fits the right rim diameter can still be wrong for the wheel width. Before mounting a new set, confirm the actual wheel width and compare it to the exact tire's approved range so the car keeps proper profile, bead seating, and appearance.

Inner-tube requirements on 1960 Nissan tires vary by size and product. Both 135R15 and 155R13 include tubeless-marked examples, while some other products in those radial sizes need the exact sidewall marking checked before final selection. The bias-ply 500-15 and 560-13 products here do not carry a universal tubeless marking across the range, so tube use should be confirmed against the tire design and the wheel construction rather than assumed from the size alone.

That matters most on original-style wheels, where tire type and wheel design need to work together. If your Nissan still has factory-style steel wheels, inspect the rims carefully and confirm whether the tire is meant to run tubeless or with a tube. Matching the correct valve stem, flap needs if any, and wheel condition is just as important as choosing the right sidewall size.

Within each 1960 Nissan model line, the answer is often yes on rim diameter, but the details still need checking. The 211 Series uses two 15-inch sizes, 135R15 and 500-15, and the SPL uses two 13-inch sizes, 155R13 and 560-13. That means each model's radial and bias-ply options share the same basic wheel diameter.

Wheel diameter matching does not automatically settle wheel-width compatibility, especially where approved rim-width ranges differ by product. A 211 Series owner comparing 500-15 and 135R15, or an SPL owner comparing 560-13 and 155R13, should verify the actual wheel width before making the switch. That keeps the car within the tire maker's intended range instead of relying on size code alone.

A 1960 Nissan should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing moisture, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can harden and crack rubber over time. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting it sit for long periods on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires such as 500-15 and 560-13 are especially prone to flat-spotting during static storage, while radials can still age from ozone and time even if tread wear is minimal.

Practical collector storage means treating the tires as aging components, not just as parts that hold air. If the car will sit for months, many owners either roll it occasionally or use stands to reduce long-term loading. Clean, dry storage and stable inflation do more for tire life than cosmetic treatment, especially on an older Nissan that may only come out for occasional drives and events.

Tires on a 1960 Nissan are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage. A collector car tire should be evaluated regularly once it reaches about five to seven years of age, and many owners begin serious replacement consideration around the ten-year mark regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, overall flexibility of the rubber, sidewall condition, and the way the tire holds air matter more than odometer use on a low-mile Nissan.

That is especially true for cars that spend much of their life garaged and driven only occasionally. A tire can look good at a glance and still be aging internally. If your 1960 Nissan has older tires of unknown age, checking the date code and scheduling a close inspection is a better starting point than assuming light use has preserved them.

Tires on a 1960 Nissan should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any loss of pressure. If the car uses tube-type or tube-requiring combinations, valve stems and slow leaks deserve extra attention because an older collector car can spend long stretches parked between drives.

Frequent inspection is cheap insurance on a vintage sedan or roadster that may not be driven often enough to reveal problems gradually. A quick walk-around before leaving the garage can catch an aging sidewall or low tire before it turns into a roadside issue. For longer trips, include the spare in the same inspection routine so it is usable if needed.

For a 1960 Nissan 211 Series, bias-ply construction is the period-correct starting point because that was the standard tire type across most passenger cars of the era. Within the fitments used on the 211 Series, 500-15 represents that traditional bias-ply approach, while 135R15 is the radial alternative available for owners who want a later-style construction. Original-market details could still vary by destination and by how a particular car was equipped over its life.

If you are restoring a 211 Series for authenticity, construction type, sidewall treatment, and overall visual stance matter at least as much as the nominal size itself. Factory literature, period photography, and Nissan marque clubs are the best places to confirm market-specific presentation. That extra step is worthwhile because an early export Nissan can have small but important differences from one market to another.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1960 Nissan because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size format, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A 211 Series wearing a period-style 500-15 bias-ply presents differently from the same car on a 135R15 radial, and an SPL on 560-13 bias-ply carries a different visual and historical character than one on 155R13 radial. Whitewall width and blackwall versus whitewall treatment can also affect whether the car looks right for its era and market.

For local shows, small deviations may not matter much, but concours-minded owners should assume they do. The closer the event is to originality judging, the more likely a modern construction or an incorrect sidewall style will stand out. Nissan clubs, event rule books, and period reference photos are the best guides when the goal is not just fitment, but authenticity.

Both the Michelin ZX and Firestone F560 Radial cover the 135R15 radial fitment used on the 1960 Nissan 211 Series, and both are blackwall radials for 15-inch wheels. The Michelin ZX carries an S speed rating, which corresponds to 112 mph, while the Firestone F560 Radial is presented without a speed letter in the same way. Both also share a 3.50 to 4.50-inch rim-width range where that measurement is specified, and their weights are close at roughly 12 to 13.2 pounds.

For a buyer, the real comparison is not about forcing one to be universally better, but about matching details to the car and use. If speed symbol, brand preference, or a slightly lighter tire matters to your plan, those points can help narrow the choice. If you are trying to keep the 211 Series within a classic radial look on original-style wheels, either option belongs in the same conversation.

1960 Nissan tires can be suitable for highway use when the size, condition, and construction match the car and the driver's expectations. The radial choices carry the clearest speed markings here: 135R15 appears in Q and S-rated forms, good for 99 and 112 mph respectively, and 155R13 appears in H-rated form, good for 130 mph. Bias-ply sizes such as 500-15 and 560-13 can still be roadworthy, but they deliver an older driving character that should be respected.

In practice, a 1960 Nissan's braking, suspension, steering condition, and overall mechanical health are often more limiting than the reproduction tire's speed capability at normal highway speeds. The important step is to choose the correct model-specific size, inspect the tires carefully, and drive within the limits of both the tire and the car. Highway use should feel deliberate, not casual, in a vintage Nissan.

Inflation pressure for a 1960 Nissan should begin with the factory vehicle recommendation, then be checked against the tire's own markings and rated load information. Among these sizes, 500-15 appears with 675 to 700 pounds at 32 psi depending on product, 560-13 appears at 850 pounds at 30 psi, and 135R15 includes a 780-pound rating at 44 psi on one radial example. Those figures describe tire capacity at stated pressure, not a universal vehicle setting for every 1960 Nissan.

Use the owner's manual or period pressure decal as your first guide for the car, then confirm you are not exceeding the tire maker's stated limit. Do not borrow a pressure number from one size and apply it to another just because the cars are from the same year. Sedan and roadster fitments differ, and radial and bias-ply constructions can call for different practical starting points.

Before a longer drive in a 1960 Nissan, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and pressure loss. Check that the tire size matches the model, that valve stems are sound, and that the spare is inflated and serviceable. If the car runs a tube-requiring setup, include the condition of valves and any signs of slow leakage in your pre-drive routine.

Tires are only one part of the trip-prep picture on a sixty-year-old Nissan, but they are the part touching the road. Pair the tire check with a basic look at brakes, steering, wheel bearings, and fluid condition before heading out. That kind of inspection is especially important when the car has been sitting, because age-related problems often show up on the first meaningful drive rather than during short neighborhood runs.