1961 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1961 Ford-Taunus vehicles use five sizes across two model lines: 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13 for the 12M; 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13 for the 17M. The only shared size between both models is 590-13. Every one of those sizes mounts on a 13-inch rim, but the recommended rim-width range changes by tire size, from 3.50 to 4.00 inches on some bias-ply sizes up to 4.50 to 6.00 inches on 165R13 radials.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly for a 1961 Ford-Taunus. Start by identifying whether you have a 12M or 17M, then compare the size on the car, the wheel width, and the kind of driving or restoration goal you have in mind. A car wearing 13-inch wheels can still need a very different tire depending on whether it is the smaller 12M or the larger 17M.

On a 1961 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal point in the modern style, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a radial code, and it does not use the later metric format found on sizes such as 155R13 or 165R13.

That matters because a 560-13 gives a 12M the look and construction style expected of an early-1960s bias-ply setup. Buyers usually choose it when appearance, steering feel, and sidewall style are part of a period-correct restoration. Before settling on it, confirm that your wheel width falls within the range used by the 560-13 products, since narrow bias-ply sizes can be more wheel-sensitive than the shared 13-inch diameter alone suggests.

No, 1961 Ford-Taunus models do not all use the same tire size. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13, while the 17M uses 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13. Only 590-13 appears on both model lines, so most of the size range is model-specific rather than universal across the year and make.

That split is important if you are buying for a car that has changed hands, has replacement wheels, or has already been restored once. A 17M owner should not assume a 12M radial or bias-ply size will be the right match simply because both cars are 1961 Ford-Taunus models. Checking the actual model badge, wheel width, and the size already fitted will prevent an easy but costly mistake.

For a 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M, the choice between 155R13 and 560-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 155R13 is a radial blackwall size offered by Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply size available with narrow or wide whitewall styling from BFGoodrich and with a wide whitewall option from Firestone. Both fit the 12M’s 13-inch wheel diameter, but they represent different driving and restoration priorities.

Owners focused on a more factory-era look usually gravitate toward 560-13 bias-ply tires, especially when whitewall appearance is part of the car’s presentation. Owners who plan to spend more time driving than showing the car often prefer the radial route in 155R13. The key is to make that construction decision intentionally rather than treating the two sizes as interchangeable versions of the same tire.

1961 Ford-Taunus tires come in both blackwall and whitewall treatments, depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 are available as blackwalls, while the bias-ply 560-13 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. The 590-13 and 640-13 options are wide whitewall bias-ply tires. That gives the year-and-make range a clear visual split between radial blackwall products and bias-ply whitewall products.

For an early-1960s European Ford, the sidewall decision affects the car’s character almost as much as the size itself. A blackwall radial tends to suit an understated driver-style presentation, while a whitewall bias-ply leans into restoration style and showroom-era appearance. If your goal is event judging, compare the sidewall look against period photos and marque-club guidance, since market-specific presentation can matter even when the base size is correct.

Three brands cover the 1961 Ford-Taunus size range: Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich, with Firestone also appearing in 560-13. Michelin and Dunlop handle the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 in blackwall form. BFGoodrich covers the bias-ply sizes 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13, while Firestone adds another bias-ply choice in 560-13. Brand availability depends on the exact size rather than applying evenly across the whole model range.

That brand split can help narrow your decision once you know the car’s model and preferred construction. If you are staying with a radial on a 12M or 17M, your choices center on Michelin and Dunlop. If you are restoring one with a bias-ply whitewall look, BFGoodrich covers the whole bias-ply spread and Firestone adds another option in the 12M’s 560-13 size.

Rim width depends on the exact 1961 Ford-Taunus tire size. The 155R13 works on 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 appears on 3.50 to 4.00-inch and 4.00 to 4.50-inch applications depending on product, 590-13 uses 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 165R13 uses 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 640-13 uses 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. Even though every size is built for a 13-inch wheel, width requirements are not the same across the range.

That is why wheel measurement matters before moving between model-specific sizes or between bias-ply and radial construction. A 17M owner considering 165R13 should verify that the wheel width supports that radial range, while a 12M owner staying with 560-13 or 590-13 should be just as careful about narrower wheel fit. Measure the wheel or confirm its specification before relying on appearance alone.

Inner-tube requirements vary by product rather than by every 1961 Ford-Taunus size as a whole. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 include tubeless markings on Michelin products, while some other products in those same sizes do not carry an explicit tube marking in the size description. The bias-ply sizes 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13 also do not all spell out tube status in the same way through their size markings.

That makes wheel condition and the exact tire’s sidewall marking especially important on a 1961 Ford-Taunus. If you are reusing original wheels, inspect the rim carefully and confirm whether the specific product is marked for tube-type or tubeless service before mounting. When a car has older wheels, fresh paint, or uncertain wheel history, many restorers also review the plan with an installer experienced in vintage fitments.

Original 1961 Ford-Taunus wheels can often be used with more than one tire size because every size in the range fits a 13-inch rim diameter. That said, wheel diameter compatibility does not automatically make every wheel suitable for every size. Rim width ranges differ enough that a wheel appropriate for 560-13 or 590-13 may not be the right match for 165R13, and the reverse can be true as well.

The practical takeaway is to confirm the wheel’s actual width before changing from one model-specific size to another. This is especially relevant on cars that have been mixed and matched over decades of repair or restoration. If your goal is to preserve original wheels while changing construction type, diameter is the easy part; width and overall fitment relationship are what deserve the close look.

A 1961 Ford-Taunus should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors or ozone-producing equipment, and on a clean, dry surface. Keep the tires properly inflated and move the car periodically if it will sit for long stretches. Bias-ply tires such as 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13 tend to flat-spot more readily during storage than the 155R13 and 165R13 radial options, so long static periods deserve extra attention.

For a collector car that sleeps through part of the year, storage habits directly affect ride quality and sidewall life. A cool garage, good inflation discipline, and occasional repositioning will help preserve both whitewall bias-ply and blackwall radial tires. If the car will sit for months, many owners also reduce stress on the tires by using stands or at least rolling the car enough to avoid parking in one exact spot all season.

On a 1961 Ford-Taunus, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A good rule is to inspect them closely once they reach the five-to-seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. That applies to both radial and bias-ply collector-car tires, because age-related hardening and cracking matter as much as wear.

The smartest habit is to check the date code and evaluate the tire as a component of a low-use vintage car, not as a modern daily-driver tire. A Taunus that only sees local cruises can still age out its tires before it wears them out. Whitewalls and low-mileage originals may look attractive long after their best service life has passed, so appearance alone should never make the decision.

Tires on a 1961 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure. If your car uses a tube-type setup, valve stems and any tube-related leakage concerns deserve just as much attention as the tread and sidewalls.

That quick inspection matters because collector cars often go from sitting still to running at sustained road speed with little warning time for problems to show themselves. A short walk-around can catch aging whitewall damage, curb bruises, or a slow leak before it turns into a roadside issue. Early detection is especially important on a light, older chassis where tire condition shapes steering feel and braking confidence.

For a 1961 Ford-Taunus 12M, bias-ply construction was the period-standard starting point, and the model’s size range includes 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply options along with a 155R13 radial choice. That combination reflects a moment when European cars were beginning to overlap traditional and newer construction types. If your goal is strict originality, the exact market, trim presentation, and delivery specification can influence whether a radial or bias-ply interpretation makes the most sense.

Most restorers treat the bias-ply sizes as the safer visual choice for an early-1960s presentation, especially when whitewalls are part of the car’s look. Radials can still be historically appropriate in some contexts, but they should be confirmed against marque references rather than assumed. For the strongest answer on a particular 12M, compare your car against period literature and consult a Ford Taunus club or model specialist.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1961 Ford-Taunus. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car is wearing the right size family for its model, whether the construction suits the restoration’s stated goal, and whether the sidewall appearance matches the era. On a 12M or 17M, moving to the wrong model’s tire size can stand out just as much as choosing a sidewall style that looks too modern or too Americanized for the presentation.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard. Some local shows reward cleanliness and presentation more than strict factory detail, while concours-style judging can be much more exacting about size, construction, and sidewall treatment. If authenticity is central to your project, use club guidance and period photos to decide whether your Taunus should wear a blackwall radial look or a bias-ply whitewall presentation.

For a 1961 Ford-Taunus, the Michelin XAS family and the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet both cover the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 in blackwall form, and both carry H speed ratings at 130 mph where marked. Michelin products in these sizes include tubeless markings and publish rim-width ranges of 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13 and 4.50 to 6.00 inches for 165R13. The Dunlop options also serve the same basic radial fitment role, with load figures shown at 937 pounds for 155R13 and 1,047 pounds for 165R13.

For a buyer, the meaningful difference is less about one tire being universally better and more about choosing the radial that matches your exact wheel and your preferred period flavor. Michelin leans toward a classic European performance-touring identity, while Dunlop offers another historically familiar radial path in the same era of fitment. Compare sidewall markings, wheel width, and any load information you want to prioritize before making the final selection.

1961 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly mounted, and used within their ratings. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 carry H speed ratings at 130 mph on the products marked that way, which is well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds. Bias-ply options remain appropriate for vintage use, but their behavior is different from a modern radial, and the car’s own brakes, suspension design, and age-related mechanical condition are often the more important limits in real-world driving.

For most owners, the practical question is not whether the tire can exceed highway speed but whether the whole car is ready for sustained road use. A freshly inspected radial-equipped Taunus may feel more familiar on long drives, while a bias-ply car can still be entirely serviceable when driven with period-aware expectations. Confidence comes from condition, correct inflation, and realistic speed choices, not from the construction name alone.

Inflation pressure for a 1961 Ford-Taunus should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the car and the tire maker’s limits for the exact size and product. Among the bias-ply options carrying load-and-pressure markings, 560-13 is rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi, 590-13 at 970 pounds at 32 psi, and 640-13 at 1,045 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are part of each tire’s load capacity information and should not be treated as a universal setting for every 13-inch Taunus tire.

That distinction matters because a radial 155R13 or 165R13 should not inherit a pressure recommendation from a numeric bias-ply tire simply because the rim diameter is the same. Start with the car’s factory guidance, then make sure it stays within the tire’s own approved operating range. If the car has been modified, carries unusual weight, or uses non-original wheels, a marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help fine-tune the decision.

Before a longer drive in a 1961 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable air pressure. Check the valve stems, and if your setup uses tubes, make sure there are no signs of leakage or stem damage. The spare deserves the same attention as the road tires, especially on a vintage car that may have gone years without using it.

A smart pre-trip check also reaches beyond the tires. Older cooling systems, wheel bearings, brake hydraulics, and charging systems can end a trip faster than tread wear ever will. Treat the tire inspection as one part of a full road-readiness routine, and remember that a 12M or 17M driven for distance benefits from the same careful preparation that any sixty-plus-year-old car deserves.