1962 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Ford-Taunus vehicles use five sizes across two models: 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13 for the 12M; 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13 for the 17M. The only size shared across both models is 590-13. Every size mounts on a 13-inch rim, while rim-width ranges vary by size where published: 155R13 uses 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 560-13 uses 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on product, 590-13 uses 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 165R13 uses 4.50 to 6.00 inches, and 640-13 uses 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a final choice on a 1962 Ford-Taunus. Start by identifying whether you have a 12M or 17M, then compare the correct size against the wheel already on the car. Since both bias-ply and radial constructions appear in the range, many owners also decide whether they are restoring for period appearance or planning to drive the car regularly at modern road speeds.

On a 1962 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. That size belongs to the 12M rather than the 17M, and it appears in traditional bias-ply form with whitewall styling choices that suit early-1960s presentation.

The practical takeaway is that 560-13 should be treated as a classic-size designation, not a modern metric equivalent printed in another format. If your 12M currently wears a radial or a different numeric size, check the wheel width and the car's restoration goals before changing back. Numeric bias-ply sizes are often chosen as much for visual stance and authenticity as for pure dimensions.

On a 1962 Ford-Taunus, 155R13 and 165R13 are metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is printed in this older Euro-metric style, the profile is conventionally understood as an 80-series radial. The 155R13 applies to the 12M, while the 165R13 applies to the 17M.

These sizes matter because they reflect a more modern construction approach than the Taunus bias-ply options, even though they still fit 13-inch wheels. For many owners, the choice comes down to matching the character of the car: a radial for regular road use and a bias-ply for a more period-authentic look. Check the actual sidewall marking, rim width, and model application before making the swap.

A 1962 Ford-Taunus can point you toward either bias-ply or radial construction depending on model and the result you want. The 12M uses 560-13 and 590-13 in bias-ply form or 155R13 in radial form, while the 17M uses 590-13 and 640-13 in bias-ply form or 165R13 in radial form. Bias-ply choices keep a distinctly period look and feel, while radial choices keep the same 13-inch wheel diameter with a more modern construction style.

If your priority is restoration appearance, show presentation, or keeping the car visually faithful to the early 1960s, a bias-ply size is often the natural direction. If the car sees more routine road use, a radial may better match your expectations behind the wheel. The key is to stay within the size family that belongs to your specific 12M or 17M rather than choosing purely by appearance.

1962 Ford-Taunus tires come in both Blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 are available as Blackwalls from Michelin and Dunlop. The bias-ply 560-13 appears in Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall form, while 590-13 and 640-13 are offered as Wide Whitewalls.

Sidewall appearance can change the entire personality of a Taunus, especially on a careful restoration. Blackwalls suit a more understated European look, while whitewalls can emphasize period style in a way many early-1960s owners appreciate. If authenticity matters for a particular market or show standard, compare your choice against period photos, factory literature, or marque-club guidance for your body style and destination market.

Three brands cover the 1962 Ford-Taunus 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 all three bias-ply sizes, and Firestone joins the 560-13 segment with a Wide Whitewall option.

Brand choice on a 1962 Ford-Taunus often follows the kind of car you are building. A Michelin or Dunlop radial keeps the fit squarely in the European-touring tradition, while BFGoodrich and Firestone bias-ply products support a more traditional collector presentation. Once the correct size is settled, compare sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and whether a particular product is marked tubeless before narrowing further.

Rim width depends on the tire size used on the 1962 Ford-Taunus. For the 12M, 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on product, and 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims. For the 17M, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.

That spread is wide enough that wheel verification matters, especially if your Taunus has replacement rims or a past conversion from bias-ply to radial. A tire can share the same 13-inch diameter and still ask for a different wheel width. Before ordering, measure the wheel or confirm its specification so the tire profile, footprint, and sidewall shape stay within the intended range.

Inner-tube needs on a 1962 Ford-Taunus vary by size and sometimes by product. The 155R13 and 165R13 radial ranges include products marked TL, which indicates tubeless. The bias-ply sizes 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13 do not carry a TL marking in the size descriptions here, so tube use should be confirmed against the exact tire and the wheel type you plan to use.

The wheel matters just as much as the tire when tube decisions come up. Original wheels, wheel condition, and whether the rim is suited to tubeless service can change the answer even when a tire itself is built for tubeless use. Check the sidewall marking on the exact product and inspect the wheel before assuming that every 13-inch Taunus tire should be mounted the same way.

Every tire size used on the 1962 Ford-Taunus mounts on a 13-inch wheel, so the original wheel diameter is shared across the entire range. That means the wheel does not need to change diameter when moving between the recognized Taunus sizes. What can change is the acceptable wheel width, which runs from narrow bias-ply fitments up to wider radial ranges depending on the exact size.

That makes original-wheel reuse very possible, but not automatic, especially if the car has changed models, sizes, or construction over the years. A 13-inch wheel that suits one bias-ply size may not be ideal for a wider radial. Confirm the wheel width before switching between 560-13, 590-13, 640-13, 155R13, or 165R13 so the tire sits correctly on the rim.

A 1962 Ford-Taunus should be stored clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight, with the tires kept away from ozone sources such as electric motors, compressors, and battery chargers. Maintain inflation, avoid prolonged contact with damp floors, and move the car periodically or support it appropriately if it will sit for long stretches. Bias-ply tires tend to develop temporary flat-spotting more readily during storage, while both bias-ply and radial sidewalls can suffer from age and environment if neglected.

Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector Taunus because age and environment are what usually shorten tire life. If the car is displayed for long periods, a little movement every few weeks helps reduce stress in one contact patch. Before the car returns to regular road use, inspect the sidewalls and bring pressures back to the intended operating level.

Tires on a 1962 Ford-Taunus should be judged more by age than by tread wear, especially on collector cars that see limited annual mileage. A sound rule is to begin close inspection once a tire reaches roughly five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as it approaches ten years, even if the tread still looks healthy. The manufacturing date on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline.

Collector cars often fool owners because the tread remains deep while the rubber ages internally and externally. A Taunus that is driven only to shows or weekend events can still end up on tires that are older than they appear. If the date code is hard to read or the car has an older spare, include those tires in the same age check rather than focusing only on the four on the ground.

Tires on a 1962 Ford-Taunus deserve a visual inspection before every drive and a more deliberate inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any loss of pressure since the last use. On cars using tube-type-compatible vintage constructions or older wheels, valve-stem condition and air retention deserve extra attention as well.

A short check in the garage can prevent most tire-related surprises on a vintage car. Pay special attention after long storage, after the first few miles on recently mounted tires, or when the steering suddenly feels different. Regular inspection is also the easiest way to catch a mismatch between the tire and wheel before it turns into accelerated wear or poor road manners.

The 1962 Ford-Taunus 12M sits in an era when bias-ply tires were still the standard fitment on many production cars, even as radial technology was becoming more familiar in Europe. The 12M is associated here with 560-13 and 590-13 bias-ply sizes as well as 155R13 radial fitment. That combination reflects a transition period rather than a one-answer rule for every market and specification.

For a restoration, the safest approach is to begin with the size family tied to the 12M and then verify market-specific originality through factory literature, period photos, or a Ford of Germany marque specialist. Avoid assuming that any one modern reproduction brand was the original equipment supplier unless you have hard confirmation for your exact car. Size, construction, and sidewall style all influence how authentic the finished car looks.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when a 1962 Ford-Taunus is judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice the size, the construction type, and the sidewall treatment before they notice smaller mechanical details. A radial on a car restored for strict originality, or a whitewall style that does not suit the car's market presentation, can stand out quickly.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire, but it does mean your choice should match the standard you are restoring toward. A local driver-quality event may be more forgiving than a marque-focused concours. If points judging is the goal, verify the expected construction and sidewall look with club resources or event guidelines before committing to a final set.

For a 1962 Ford-Taunus, Michelin XAS-family products and the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet cover the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13, but they are not identical in detail. Michelin appears in both 155R13 and 165R13 with TL-marked Blackwall radials, while Dunlop also offers Blackwall radials in both sizes and publishes load figures of 937 pounds for 155R13 and 1,047 pounds for 165R13. Where shown, H-rated versions carry a 130 mph ceiling.

The choice between them is less about one being universally better and more about matching the exact size, sidewall look, and specification style you want on your Taunus. On a close inspection car, even the sidewall wording and the character of the product line can matter. On a regular driver, the deciding factors are often the correct size, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the tire is explicitly marked tubeless.

1962 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is matched to the car, the tires are in sound condition, and the car itself is mechanically ready. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 include H-rated versions, and H corresponds to a 130 mph speed ceiling. The bias-ply sizes are part of a much more traditional driving experience, and on a car of this era the limits of brakes, suspension, and overall mechanical condition usually matter more than a headline tire rating at ordinary U.S. highway speeds.

Safety on a vintage Taunus comes from the complete setup rather than from the tire alone. Fresh rubber cannot compensate for worn steering components, poor alignment, or neglected wheel bearings. Before longer highway use, confirm the tires are age-appropriate, correctly inflated, and mounted on suitable rims, then give equal attention to the rest of the chassis.

Inflation pressure on a 1962 Ford-Taunus should be matched to the exact tire size and product, not transferred loosely from one size to another. Published load-and-pressure figures include 560-13 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 describe the tire's rated capability and are not automatically the same as the carmaker's recommended running pressure for every Taunus application.

Use the original owner's literature or a trusted marque reference for factory operating pressure, then compare that with the reproduction tire maker's guidance for the specific product you are using. This matters even more if the car has changed from bias-ply to radial construction. Small pressure differences can affect wear, steering feel, and ride quality on a light early-1960s European sedan.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, uneven wear, and stable inflation. Check valve stems, confirm the spare is usable, and make sure each tire matches the wheel diameter and width range it was designed for. If the car uses an older bias-ply setup or wheels that may require tubes, inspect the air-holding system just as carefully as the tread and sidewalls.

A longer trip is also the right time to look beyond the tires. Verify wheel fasteners, steering response, brake operation, and basic fluid condition before setting out. Vintage cars reward careful preparation, and a Taunus that feels fine on a short local drive can reveal age-related issues only after heat builds up over distance.