1962 Holden Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Holden vehicles use two tire sizes: 175R13 and 640-13. Both sizes apply to the 1962 Holden EJ and 1962 Holden EK, and both mount on 13-inch wheels. The 640-13 bias-ply size carries an approved rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches in the available BFGoodrich offering.

That means a 1962 Holden buyer does not need to separate EJ from EK before choosing between these two sizes, but still needs to decide which tire concept fits the car’s purpose. A radial-style 175R13 points toward a more modern-driving interpretation, while a 640-13 keeps the car in a more period-correct visual and handling range. Checking the actual wheel width before final selection is still a smart step.

On a 1962 Holden tire, 640-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 640 refers to the nominal section-width class in the traditional inch-based naming system, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is a bias-ply format rather than a radial one, which places it squarely in the style of tire construction common to the early 1960s.

That matters because a 640-13 does more than fill the wheel opening correctly. It also affects the way the car looks at a show and the way it feels on the road, especially in steering response and tracking compared with a radial-size alternative. If your 1962 Holden is being restored with originality in mind, this is the size format many owners consider first.

Yes, the 1962 Holden EJ and 1962 Holden EK share the same two tire sizes: 175R13 and 640-13. There is no model-specific split between those two core models at the year-and-make level, and both sizes use 13-inch wheels. The choice is about tire type rather than one model needing a different diameter.

That simplifies shopping because you can focus on the role of the car instead of chasing different fitment paths for EJ versus EK. Owners restoring a car to an early-1960s presentation often stay with the bias-ply option, while owners building a driver may gravitate toward the radial-size format. Even with shared sizing, it is still wise to inspect the actual wheels on the car before committing.

For a 1962 Holden, the 175R13 and 640-13 fit the same 13-inch wheel diameter, but they represent different tire constructions and ownership goals. The 640-13 is a traditional bias-ply size that aligns closely with the period character of an EJ or EK. The 175R13 is a radial-size format that suits owners who want to stay within the correct wheel diameter while moving toward a more modern tire design.

A show-oriented restoration usually points buyers toward the bias-ply route, especially when sidewall appearance matters as much as fitment. A Holden that will spend more time on regular roads may lead its owner toward the radial-size choice instead. The best answer is usually tied to how authentic you want the car to look and how you expect it to behave in everyday use.

For 1962 Holden vehicles, the 640-13 bias-ply option is available with a 2.25-inch wide whitewall from BFGoodrich. A wide whitewall is very much in keeping with the early-1960s styling language that suits an EJ or EK, especially on a restoration where visual period character matters. No alternate sidewall style appears within the current 640-13 offering.

Sidewall style can change the personality of a restored Holden almost as much as wheel finish or ride height. A wide whitewall gives the car a more formal, showroom-era appearance, while a different sidewall treatment would shift the look away from that original context. If authenticity for events or judging matters, sidewall appearance deserves the same attention as size and construction.

BFGoodrich currently covers the 640-13 size for 1962 Holden EJ and EK models with its Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. That gives 1962 Holden owners a recognizable period-style brand option in the bias-ply category. Brand choice can matter to restorers because the visual identity on the sidewall often contributes to the overall era impression of the car.

For many buyers, the more important decision comes first: choose the correct size family and construction, then compare the brand options available within that path. A Holden intended for display or a faithful restoration often benefits from a brand and sidewall treatment that looks at home on a 1962 car. A driver-focused project may put more emphasis on construction type than on historical branding cues.

The available 640-13 tire for 1962 Holden vehicles fits a rim-width range of 4.00 to 4.50 inches and mounts on a 13-inch wheel. That gives a clear setup target for buyers considering the numeric bias-ply option. Both the EJ and EK use 13-inch tire sizing at this year-and-make level, so wheel diameter is consistent across the two models.

Rim width matters because it affects how the tire sits on the wheel and how closely the final look matches the intended profile. Before mounting a new set, measure the actual wheel rather than relying on assumption, especially if the car has changed hands or has been modified over time. A Holden with replacement wheels may still have the right diameter but not the ideal width for every tire choice.

The available 640-13 for 1962 Holden vehicles appears as a tube-type-style bias-ply product rather than a modern tubeless-format radial. Tube use is often part of the traditional setup for older bias-ply applications, especially when original-style wheels are involved. The 175R13 radial-size route should be checked against the specific tire and wheel combination before assuming tube or tubeless use.

Inner-tube decisions are important because they affect the tire, valve stem, and wheel as a system rather than as separate parts. If your Holden still runs original wheels, confirm the wheel condition, valve-hole style, and the tire’s own sidewall marking before final installation. That extra check is especially worthwhile on collector cars that have seen decades of wheel swaps, refinishing, or long-term storage.

A 1962 Holden wheel with the correct 13-inch diameter can generally serve as the starting point for either 175R13 or 640-13, because both sizes mount on 13-inch rims. That means the original wheel diameter does not force an EJ or EK owner into only one of the two tire choices. The main compatibility question becomes wheel width and the condition of the wheel itself.

That flexibility is useful for owners deciding between a more original-style bias-ply setup and a radial-size alternative without changing the whole visual character of the car. Still, original wheels should be inspected for trueness, corrosion at the bead area, and previous repairs before reuse. Matching diameter alone is not enough if the wheel no longer supports the tire safely and evenly.

A 1962 Holden stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that accelerates rubber aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so one section of the tread does not carry the load continuously. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to taking a temporary set during long static periods.

Owners who store a Holden for a season often use tire cradles or jack stands, especially when preserving an older bias-ply set for show use. If the car remains on the ground, rolling it a short distance every few weeks helps reduce flat-spotting. Good storage habits protect appearance as well as function, which matters on a collector car where sidewall condition is part of the presentation.

On a 1962 Holden, tire life is usually judged more by age and condition than by miles traveled, because many EJ and EK cars see limited collector use. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are in the five-to-seven-year range and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration. The DOT date code, along with visible cracking or hardening, helps guide that decision.

A tire that still has strong tread depth can still be too old for dependable use if the rubber has aged out. Collector cars often mislead owners because low mileage makes the tires appear healthier than they really are. Looking at age, storage history, sidewall condition, and how well the tire still holds pressure gives a much more accurate picture than tread wear alone.

Tires on a 1962 Holden should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss, and pay attention to valve stems and any tube-related hardware if the car runs a traditional bias-ply setup. A brief inspection matters even more on a car that sits for long periods between drives.

Short local drives can hide problems that become obvious only after speed and heat build on the road. A Holden headed to a show or a weekend tour deserves a careful once-over that includes the spare, because old spares are often ignored for decades. Making tire inspection part of your regular pre-drive routine is one of the simplest ways to avoid age-related surprises.

A 1962 Holden EJ would have been associated with bias-ply tire construction in period, and the 640-13 size fits naturally within that early-1960s context. Radial-size alternatives such as 175R13 reflect a later, more modern approach to the same wheel diameter rather than the default showroom-era expectation. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without model-history verification for the specific market and build.

For a restoration, that means the safest starting point is usually the bias-ply path first, then narrowing the final sidewall treatment and brand choice to suit the car’s intended presentation. Market differences, dealer practices, and owner changes over decades can complicate the story on any surviving Holden. If absolute factory accuracy matters, a Holden club or marque specialist is the right place to confirm market-specific details.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1962 Holden, especially if the event values factory-style presentation or period authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size family, construction type, and sidewall treatment before they ever look at smaller details. A radial-size tire on a car presented as highly original can stand out just as much as an incorrect wheel finish or trim piece.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire setup, but it does mean your tire choice should match the story the car is telling. A preserved driver can justify a different approach than a strict concours-style restoration. Before finalizing the tires, it is worth checking the expectations of the event or club that will judge the car, since standards can vary from one venue to another.

On a 1962 Holden, a wide whitewall bias-ply tire such as the available 640-13 emphasizes the formal early-1960s appearance that suits the era of the EJ and EK. A radial-style 175R13 keeps the same 13-inch wheel diameter but shifts the car toward a more modern interpretation in both visual character and driving feel. The two choices communicate different restoration priorities even before the car moves.

That visual difference is often decisive for owners building a car to reflect a showroom-era look. A wide whitewall can make the whole car appear more authentic to its period, especially when paired with stock ride height and wheel covers. A radial-style fitment may be the better match for a Holden that will spend more of its life on the road than on the show field.

1962 Holden tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within their intended speed capability. The available 640-13 bias-ply tire carries an S speed rating, which corresponds to a maximum of 112 mph. In real-world collector use, the condition of the car’s brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel integrity often matters just as much as the tire itself.

For most EJ and EK owners, normal highway cruising falls well below that rating, but age and maintenance remain the deciding factors. A fresh, properly inflated tire on a well-sorted Holden is very different from an old tire on a car that has spent years sitting still. Treat speed ratings as an upper ceiling, not a target, and make sure the rest of the car is prepared for sustained road use.

Inflation pressure for a 1962 Holden should be matched to the specific tire size and product, not guessed across the whole year and make. The available 640-13 BFGoodrich bias-ply tire carries a maximum load of 1045 pounds at 32 psi, which is the tire’s rated-capacity reference point rather than an automatic universal running pressure. Radial-size options such as 175R13 should be set according to the tire maker’s guidance and the car’s original recommendations.

The best practice is to start with the original Holden owner guidance for the car, then compare that with the tire manufacturer’s information for the exact product you are using. Reproduction and specialty tires do not always behave like modern everyday passenger tires. Keeping each size matched to its own pressure guidance helps preserve handling balance, ride quality, and tread life.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Holden, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and stable inflation. Pay close attention to valve stems and, if the car runs a traditional bias-ply setup, any tube-related service parts that could affect air retention. A tire that looks fine in the garage can still reveal problems once heat and speed build over distance.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive review of the Holden’s mechanical condition, including brakes, steering, cooling, and fluids. Older family cars like the EJ and EK are durable, but long periods of inactivity can affect every rubber and hydraulic component on the vehicle. Starting with the tires is one of the fastest ways to catch age-related issues before they interrupt a trip.