1961 Metropolitan Tire Fitment Guide

1961 Metropolitan vehicles use two sizes: 520-13 and 560-13, and both apply to the Metropolitan 1500. Both are bias-ply tires for 13-inch wheels. Rim-width fitment depends on the individual tire, with examples in these sizes covering 3.5-inch wheels, 3.50 to 4.00 inch ranges, and 4.00 to 4.50 inch ranges depending on the product.

That means a 1961 Metropolitan owner does not need to sort through multiple models, but does need to confirm the exact size already on the car or the size being targeted for the restoration. Checking the wheel diameter and the tire maker's approved rim-width range before purchase is the best way to avoid choosing a tire that changes the look or fit more than intended.

On a 1961 Metropolitan, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.20 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing format that was common on compact cars of the period, and it does not use the later alphanumeric or metric conventions familiar to many modern drivers.

Understanding that code helps separate a true period-size bias-ply tire from a modern replacement approach. For a 1961 Metropolitan owner, 520-13 usually points toward an original-style, small-car appearance, and the next decision becomes sidewall treatment, such as blackwall versus narrow whitewall, rather than trying to interpret a modern aspect ratio or radial construction code.

On a 1961 Metropolitan, 560-13 is also a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure identifies a nominal section width in inches, while the 13 indicates a 13-inch wheel. Some products in this size carry an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling, but the size itself remains a traditional bias-ply format rather than a radial or metric one.

For a 1961 Metropolitan owner, that makes 560-13 easy to distinguish from the narrower 520-13. The practical question is usually whether the car should wear the smaller or larger original-type size and whether a narrow or wide whitewall better suits the car's finish, trim, and overall restoration direction.

Both sizes are correct-era bias-ply choices for the 1961 Metropolitan 1500, so the decision is not about bias versus radial construction. The main differences are the nominal section width, the exact rim-width approvals of the individual tire, and the sidewall treatments available in each size. The 520-13 range includes blackwall and narrow whitewall options, while the 560-13 range centers on narrow and wide whitewall styles.

Choose 520-13 if you are after a smaller original-type look or want blackwall availability in this year and make. Choose 560-13 if the car's appearance benefits from a fuller tire look or from the stronger whitewall emphasis available in that size. Matching the car's existing wheel width and the restoration goal matters more than trying to force one size to suit every Metropolitan.

1961 Metropolitan tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, depending on size. The 520-13 size includes blackwall and narrow whitewall choices, while the 560-13 size includes narrow whitewall and wide whitewall choices. That gives Metropolitan owners room to tune the car's appearance from understated to more visibly period-styled without leaving the correct bias-ply family.

For a compact early-1960s American-market car like the 1961 Metropolitan, whitewalls often play a big role in the finished look, but the exact width should still match the style of the restoration. A conservative driver-quality car may look right on a narrow whitewall, while a brighter, more show-oriented presentation may favor a wider band if the chosen size offers it.

Firestone, Premium Sport, and BFGoodrich all make tires for 1961 Metropolitan applications. Firestone appears in both 520-13 and 560-13, Premium Sport covers 520-13 with multiple whitewall treatments, and BFGoodrich covers 560-13 with narrow and wide whitewall choices. All of them are bias-ply offerings suited to the period character of the car.

Brand selection on a 1961 Metropolitan usually comes down to the exact size you need and the visual finish you want on the sidewall. Some owners choose by brand heritage and styling details, while others focus first on whether the tire comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall form. Narrowing the size first makes the brand decision much easier.

Rim-width requirements for 1961 Metropolitan tires vary by size and product. In 520-13, approved wheel widths include 3.5 inches and 3.50 to 4.00 inches. In 560-13, some products fit 3.50 to 4.00 inch wheels, while others fit 4.00 to 4.50 inch wheels. All of these tires mount on 13-inch rims.

That makes wheel-width verification important before settling on a specific tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels or if a previous owner changed sizes. A 1961 Metropolitan may accept more than one 13-inch tire diameter, but the exact product still needs to match the actual wheel width to preserve proper bead seating and sidewall shape.

A 1961 Metropolitan uses 13-inch wheels with both 520-13 and 560-13 tires, so wheel diameter is shared between the two sizes. That means the original wheel diameter itself does not force you into one size or the other. The limiting factor is the wheel's actual width and whether it falls within the approved range for the specific tire being considered.

In practice, many Metropolitan owners can stay with original 13-inch wheels while choosing between the two period-style sizes. The safe approach is to measure the wheel and compare it to the tire maker's approved rim-width range rather than assuming every 13-inch Metropolitan wheel works equally well with every 520-13 or 560-13 product.

A 1961 Metropolitan should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, standing water, and electric motors or chargers that produce ozone. Keeping the tires properly inflated helps the sidewalls hold their shape, and moving the car periodically reduces the tendency of bias-ply tires to develop temporary flat spotting during long periods of sitting.

If the car will remain parked for an extended season, many collector owners either roll it occasionally or place it on stands to reduce concentrated load on the tires. Clean floors, tire covers, and protection from fuel, solvents, and harsh cleaners also help preserve the rubber and keep a lightly used 1961 Metropolitan ready for the next drive.

On a 1961 Metropolitan, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, since many collector cars are driven sparingly. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely at around five to seven years of service and to give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if tread depth still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age.

That matters because an older bias-ply tire can harden, crack, or lose flexibility long before it appears worn out by mileage. A Metropolitan that looks fine in the garage may still be riding on aged rubber, so date codes, storage history, and visible sidewall condition should carry more weight than odometer use alone.

Tires on a 1961 Metropolitan should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing at sustained road speed. Look for sidewall cracking, weather checking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss. Valve stems should also be checked closely, since age-related stem failure can strand a collector car just as easily as a damaged tire.

A quick walkaround is usually enough before a short local drive, but a tour, event trip, or highway run deserves a more careful inspection. Small collector cars can feel dramatically different when one tire is low or beginning to fail, so frequent checks are one of the simplest ways to keep a 1961 Metropolitan safe, stable, and enjoyable.

The 1961 Metropolitan 1500 would have been a bias-ply car when new, which matches the tire construction used across its current year-make offerings. Both 520-13 and 560-13 are period-style numeric bias-ply sizes for the model, and the exact original fit can depend on market, equipment, and how the specific car was delivered. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without car-specific evidence.

For a highly accurate restoration, the best approach is to confirm the size against surviving factory literature, original photos, and marque-club knowledge for the exact car. Once size is verified, sidewall style becomes the next authenticity decision, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wider whitewall treatments can all change how a restored 1961 Metropolitan presents.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1961 Metropolitan because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction type, and sidewall presentation quickly. A bias-ply tire in the proper numeric format is generally more in step with original-era expectations than a visibly modern alternative. Whitewall width can also influence whether the car looks authentically finished for its period and market personality.

That does not mean every show applies the same standard, so event rules and marque-club guidance still matter. Owners preparing a Metropolitan for judged competition should verify not only the tire size but also whether the sidewall treatment is appropriate for the level of originality being pursued, since even a correct-size tire can look out of place if the sidewall style is wrong.

For the 1961 Metropolitan in 560-13, BFGoodrich offers both a 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and a 2.25-inch wide whitewall, each carrying an S speed rating and fitting 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall in the same size with fitment for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims. All are bias-ply tires with the same 850-pound maximum load at 30 psi where load data is shown.

The practical difference is less about overall capability and more about wheel-width compatibility and sidewall appearance. A Metropolitan owner with a narrower wheel may lean toward the BFGoodrich fitment range, while a car using a wider wheel may align better with the Firestone range. If the visual goal is a wide whitewall, both brands offer that look in 560-13.

1961 Metropolitan tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to the wheel. The 560-13 products that carry an S rating are rated to 112 mph, which is well beyond the realistic cruising speed of a small early-1960s Metropolitan. The larger concern on a vintage compact is often the overall condition of the car's brakes, steering, suspension, and alignment rather than the tire's published speed ceiling.

Bias-ply tires still have a different feel from modern radials, especially in tracking and response, so drivers should expect period behavior rather than modern-car manners. A carefully maintained Metropolitan on fresh tires can be enjoyable on secondary roads and moderate highway use, but age, inflation, and mechanical condition should always be evaluated as a complete package.

Inflation pressure on 1961 Metropolitan tires depends on the exact size and tire. Firestone 520-13 carries a maximum load of 770 pounds at 32 psi, while one Premium Sport 520-13 carries 1,100 pounds at 60 psi. The 560-13 tires shown here carry 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to inflate every Metropolitan tire to the maximum marked pressure.

For actual running pressure, start with the vehicle's factory recommendation and then confirm the tire maker's guidance for the specific reproduction tire being used. A 1961 Metropolitan owner should never transfer a pressure number from one size or product to another just because both happen to fit 13-inch wheels, since load construction and intended use can differ.

Before a longer drive in a 1961 Metropolitan, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the valve stems, inspect the spare, and make sure the tires have not aged out even if tread still appears usable. On a light collector car, small tire issues can become very noticeable once speed and trip length increase.

The tire check should be part of a broader vintage-car inspection that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, fluid levels, and cooling condition. A Metropolitan is a simple and charming car, but its age means reliability comes from preparation. Verifying tire condition before departure is one of the easiest ways to prevent problems on the road.