1962 Aston Martin Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Aston Martin vehicles in this year-and-make range use two tire sizes on the DB model: 175R16 and 600-16. Both sizes mount on 16-inch rims, so the main difference is not wheel diameter but construction type and the driving character that comes with it. The 600-16 bias-ply products that publish rim-width guidance fit 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, which is an important checkpoint before choosing a tire.

That means a 1962 Aston Martin owner should start by confirming whether the car is being kept close to period bias-ply specification or set up with a radial alternative for regular road use. Even when the diameter matches, wheel width, sidewall style, and product-specific details still matter. Checking the actual wheel and comparing it to the approved rim range is the best way to avoid choosing a tire that is correct in size code but wrong for the wheel itself.

On a 1962 Aston Martin, 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.00 identifies the nominal section width, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In the products available for this fitment, 600-16 comes from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, with blackwall and wide whitewall versions depending on the brand and series.

For a DB owner, 600-16 is the more traditional early-1960s style choice and usually the one that looks most at home on a period restoration. It is also the size here with the broadest product variety, which matters if you are trying to match a blackwall touring look or a more formal whitewall appearance. Before choosing among them, compare the wheel width, sidewall appearance, and any speed rating printed on the individual tire.

On a 1962 Aston Martin, 175R16 is a radial size written in Euro-metric form. The 175 is the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it a modern-style size expression compared with the older numeric 600-16 bias-ply format used on the same DB model.

A buyer usually reads 175R16 less as a cosmetic choice and more as a construction choice, because it points toward radial behavior on the road rather than period bias-ply feel. It still needs to be checked against the actual wheel and the intended use of the car. If the goal is regular touring with a 16-inch radial fitment, this is the size code to investigate further on the DB-specific page.

For a 1962 Aston Martin DB, the decision between 175R16 and 600-16 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 175R16 keeps the 16-inch rim diameter but moves to radial construction, while the 600-16 stays with the older numeric bias-ply format that suits the car’s original era. Both fitments belong to the DB, so the choice is less about model identification and more about how you want the car to feel and present.

A DB restored for period appearance generally leans toward 600-16, especially when sidewall style matters to the visual result. A DB used for more frequent road driving may lead some owners toward the radial route for a different on-road character. The best approach is to decide first whether authenticity or a more modern construction matters more to your use of the car, then confirm wheel width and the individual tire’s details before committing.

1962 Aston Martin tire choices include blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles in the 600-16 size. BFGoodrich and Firestone offer wide whitewall versions in this size, while Coker Classic and Avon are available as blackwalls. Sidewall appearance changes the overall look of a DB noticeably, especially on a car whose proportions and trim make the tire very visible.

Most owners pursuing a restrained sporting British presentation gravitate toward blackwall tires, since that look is generally more in step with a DB’s grand touring character. Whitewalls can suit a particular restoration direction or personal taste, but they create a different visual statement. If appearance matters as much as fitment, choose the sidewall style before narrowing by brand, because two tires in the same size can make the car look quite different once mounted.

1962 Aston Martin coverage includes BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in the 600-16 size. Those brands give the DB owner a mix of traditional American classic-tire offerings and a British name that feels especially at home on a period Aston Martin. Within that size, the available combinations vary by sidewall style and, in Avon’s case, by a clearly identified H speed rating.

Brand choice matters less as a badge exercise than as a way to balance appearance, period flavor, and the exact tire specification you want on the car. A blackwall Avon or Coker Classic creates a different result than a wide-white BFGoodrich or Firestone, even though all are 600-16 bias-ply fitments. Once you have decided on the size and look, compare each brand’s individual construction details and any speed or load markings that matter for your planned use.

For 1962 Aston Martin DB fitments, the 600-16 products that publish rim-width guidance call for a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width on a 16-inch wheel. That gives a firm reference point for the bias-ply option in this year and make. The DB’s two tire sizes share the same 16-inch rim diameter, so wheel width becomes one of the most important measurements to verify before fitting a tire.

Checking the actual wheel matters because a tire can match the diameter and still be wrong for the rim width. Measure the wheel or confirm it against a trusted workshop source before selecting the tire. If the car has replacement wheels, restored original wheels, or wheels of uncertain history, that verification step is even more important than the size code on the sidewall alone.

A 1962 Aston Martin DB uses two tire sizes that both mount on 16-inch wheels, so the wheel diameter itself aligns with either size. That makes it possible to consider both 175R16 and 600-16 on the same basic wheel diameter, rather than needing a separate rim size for each fitment. The point that still needs confirmation is wheel width and the specific tire’s approved application.

That distinction matters because matching diameter does not automatically make every wheel-and-tire combination appropriate. Original wheels can also vary in age, condition, and prior repair history, all of which affect whether they are still suitable for use. Before fitting either size, inspect the wheels carefully and compare them with the tire maker’s rim-width guidance so the car keeps both the right appearance and a sound setup.

Tube requirements for 1962 Aston Martin tires depend on the exact tire and wheel combination, and a universal rule should not be assumed across the year and make. The 600-16 products shown here do not carry a consistent tube notation in their size descriptions, and the 175R16 fitment is present without product-level tube detail in this view. That means the correct answer is tied to the individual tire’s sidewall marking and the wheel it is being mounted on.

For a DB owner, the practical step is to confirm tube use at the product level and to consider the wheel design at the same time, especially if the wheels are original or have been refurbished. Tube-type and tubeless decisions affect valve stems, mounting procedure, and service parts you may want to carry on the road. Verify that detail before mounting rather than assuming all 16-inch tires for the car are handled the same way.

A 1962 Aston Martin should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. If the car sits for long periods, maintain inflation, move it periodically, or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires such as 600-16 can flat-spot more readily during static storage than a radial fitment.

That matters on a DB because many cars spend long intervals between drives, and storage habits often have more effect on tire condition than annual mileage. A car that comes out only for shows or fair-weather touring still benefits from regular pressure checks and occasional movement. Treat storage as part of tire care, not just vehicle preservation, so the next drive does not begin with avoidable cracking, flat-spotting, or sidewall stress.

Tires on a 1962 Aston Martin are usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate relatively few miles each year. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code and the tire’s overall condition should guide that decision.

That approach is especially important on a DB, where the car’s value and occasional-use pattern can tempt owners to keep old tires simply because they still look presentable. Sidewall age, internal degradation, and storage history matter more than tread depth on a lightly driven grand tourer. If the date code is older than expected or the rubber shows age-related change, replacement is usually wiser than stretching service life for another season.

Tires on a 1962 Aston Martin should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, pressure loss, and signs that the tire has shifted or aged during storage. If the car uses a tube-type arrangement, valve stems and any tube-related service parts deserve the same close attention as the casing itself.

Short, local drives can hide problems that only show up once the car is fully warmed up and moving at speed, so inspection should become part of the starting routine rather than something reserved for long trips. A DB that feels fine pulling out of the garage can still have an aging sidewall or a slow leak that becomes serious later in the day. Frequent checks are simple insurance on a valuable and relatively low-use car.

A 1962 Aston Martin DB would have been associated with period-correct tire practice from the early 1960s, when bias-ply construction was still a familiar original-equipment type even as radial adoption was growing in some markets. Within the fitments used on this year and make, 600-16 is the clearly period-style bias-ply size and 175R16 is the radial alternative. Original brand fitment can vary by market, delivery destination, and restoration history, so size and construction are usually the first authenticity checkpoints.

For a serious restoration, start by deciding whether the car is being judged for strict originality or prepared as a sympathetic road car. Then compare the sidewall appearance and construction type with period photos, factory literature, and Aston Martin marque specialists. Club knowledge can be especially helpful when two valid-looking options exist, because regional supply and owner preference sometimes shaped what was seen on the road when these cars were new.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1962 Aston Martin, especially on a car as design-sensitive as a DB. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance quickly, because those details affect stance and period credibility. A modern-looking radial treatment or an out-of-character sidewall can stand out even when the rest of the restoration is carefully done.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than an afterthought. If the car is headed for concours-style judging, verify what the event and the marque community expect before fitting tires. A DB intended mainly for touring can make a different compromise, but a show-focused car benefits from keeping the size, profile, and sidewall presentation aligned with the era.

For a 1962 Aston Martin DB, both BFGoodrich and Firestone offer 600-16 bias-ply tires with wide whitewall styling, 16-inch rim diameter, the same 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range, and a 1400-pound load figure at 32 psi. The BFGoodrich example weighs 21 pounds, while the Firestone equivalent weighs 24 pounds. In broad fitment terms, they occupy a very similar place in the DB’s 600-16 range.

The practical difference for most owners comes down to brand preference and the visual details of the sidewall treatment rather than a change in basic size or application. Since both live in the same traditional bias-ply category, either can support a period-style presentation on the car. If you are narrowing between them, compare the exact whitewall appearance you prefer and make sure the wheel width and intended use match the tire you choose.

1962 Aston Martin tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in sound condition, correctly fitted, and used within the limits of their construction and speed rating. Among the 600-16 choices, Avon’s 600H16 carries an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling. Even so, a 1962 DB’s real-world highway safety depends on the entire car, including brakes, suspension, steering condition, and the age of the tires themselves, not just the number on the sidewall.

For most owners, normal highway use places more emphasis on condition, inflation, and stability than on chasing the highest rated tire in the range. A fresh, properly matched tire on a well-sorted car is far more important than theoretical top-speed capability. Before any sustained road trip, inspect all four tires and the spare, and remember that a vintage grand tourer should still be driven with respect for its era and mechanical setup.

Inflation pressure for a 1962 Aston Martin should follow the original factory guidance for the car, adjusted only within the tire maker’s published limits for the specific tire you choose. In the 600-16 range, several bias-ply options carry a maximum load figure of 1400 pounds at 32 psi, while the Avon 600H16 is shown with a 1,433-pound maximum load figure. Those figures are tire ratings, not a blanket instruction to inflate every DB tire to the same pressure in service.

The safest approach is to use the owner’s manual or a trusted Aston Martin specialist for the car’s operating pressures, then make sure the selected tire’s capacity and pressure markings support that recommendation. Do not transfer one tire’s pressure figure to another size or construction simply because both fit a 16-inch wheel. Matching pressure to the exact tire and the exact vehicle use is more important than following a one-size-fits-all rule.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Aston Martin, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure any tube-type arrangement is serviced correctly if your setup requires it. On a DB, it also makes sense to look over the wheels themselves, since a beautiful older wheel can still have age-related issues that affect safe touring.

Tires are only one part of preparing an early-1960s grand tourer for distance, but they are the part touching the road the entire time. A few minutes of inspection can prevent a trip from being cut short by a failure that was visible in advance. Once the tires pass inspection, fold them into a broader mechanical check that includes brakes, fluids, steering response, and whatever emergency tools or spares you normally carry in the car.