1962 Mercury sat in an interesting spot inside the Ford family, covering everything from the compact Comet to the mid-sized Meteor and the full-sized Monterey. That gave the brand a wider tire footprint than many single-mission makes of the period, because buyers could be preserving a practical compact, a Canadian-market-influenced intermediate, or a big traditional Mercury cruiser. Across three models, seven bias-ply sizes appear, with some overlap between the Meteor and Monterey but clear size differences from one model line to another. The first thing to confirm on a 1962 Mercury is the exact model, since that determines whether you need a 13-inch or 14-inch fitment and narrows the correct period-style size.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1962 Mercury
Seven tire sizes are available for 1962 Mercury vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. Every size here is a bias-ply fitment, so the real choice is confirming the correct model and rim diameter first, then choosing the sidewall look that best suits your car. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the right Mercury.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Comet|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the leading number represents nominal section width and the 13 indicates a 13-inch rim. This Comet-specific size is available from BFGoodrich with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles, with a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range and load capacity of 1010 pounds at 32 psi. It is the right direction for a Comet owner focused on staying with the smaller 13-inch bias-ply fitment used on that model.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Comet|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with a nominal section width code of 6.50 and a 13-inch rim diameter. This Comet-specific size is available from Coker Classic and US Royal in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles, with a 4.50 to 5.00 inch rim width range and load capacity of 1150 pounds at 32 psi. It suits Comet owners who need the larger of the two 13-inch bias-ply fitments used within the compact Mercury line.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Meteor|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
700-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the first number denoting nominal section width and the 14 identifying a 14-inch rim. This Meteor-specific size is available from BFGoodrich in narrow whitewall and blackwall versions, with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range and load capacity of 1360 pounds at 32 psi. It is the correct path for a Meteor that uses the smaller 14-inch bias-ply option rather than the wider sizes shared elsewhere in the Mercury range.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Meteor, Monterey|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
750-14 is a numeric bias-ply size with a nominal 7.50 width code and a 14-inch rim diameter. It fits both the Mercury Meteor and Mercury Monterey, and it is available from BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Coker Classic in narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline styles, with a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range and load capacities ranging from 1500 to 1580 pounds at 32 psi. This is the shared 14-inch fitment for buyers whose Mercury falls between the smaller Meteor-only sizes and the larger Monterey-only options.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Meteor|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14-in rim
6.50-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, using the decimal-style width code 6.50 and a 14-inch rim diameter. This Meteor-specific size appears as a model-specific fitment within the 14-inch Meteor range. It is the size to follow when your Meteor calls for the narrower decimal-marked 14-inch bias-ply option rather than the shared 750-14.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Monterey|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
800-14 is a numeric bias-ply size with an 8.00 nominal width code and a 14-inch rim diameter. This Monterey-specific size is available from BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire in narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall styles, with BFGoodrich products calling for a 5.00 to 6.00 inch rim width range and load capacity of 1620 pounds at 32 psi. It suits Monterey owners who need a fuller full-size Mercury fitment while staying with an era-correct bias-ply construction.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): Monterey|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
850-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, where the 8.50 width code pairs with a 14-inch rim. This Monterey-specific size is available from BFGoodrich in wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles, with a 5.50 to 6.00 inch rim width range and load capacity of 1740 pounds at 32 psi. It is the largest of the 1962 Mercury fitments here and belongs with Monterey applications that call for the widest full-size bias-ply option.
Three Mercury models are covered for 1962, and they do not all use the same tire sizes. The compact Comet stays in the 13-inch range, while the Meteor and Monterey use 14-inch sizes with only partial overlap between them. Select your model below to narrow the correct fitment history and see the tires that match that specific Mercury.
1962 Mercury Comet
The 1962 Mercury Comet was Mercury's compact offering, sized and positioned for buyers who wanted economy and easy maneuverability without leaving the Mercury showroom. Its tires mount on 13-inch rims, setting it apart from the larger Meteor and Monterey lines. That makes the Comet the first model to identify before comparing sizes across the 1962 Mercury range.
The 1962 Mercury Meteor occupied Mercury's mid-sized territory and carried a distinctly different tire profile from the compact Comet and the full-sized Monterey. Its fitments mount on 14-inch rims, with one shared size overlapping the Monterey and two sizes specific to the Meteor. That mix makes the Meteor especially important to identify by model name before choosing a tire size.
The 1962 Mercury Monterey was a full-sized Mercury, aimed at buyers who wanted the broad-shouldered ride and styling expected of an early-'60s domestic cruiser. Its tires also mount on 14-inch rims, but the Monterey reaches into larger sizes than the Meteor, reflecting its place higher up the size ladder. For restoration and stance, the Monterey benefits from confirming the exact size before narrowing sidewall style.
Twenty-eight products are available across seven tire sizes for 1962 Mercury vehicles. 600-13 uses BFGoodrich bias-ply wide and narrow whitewalls; 650-13 uses Coker Classic and US Royal bias-ply wide and narrow whitewalls; 700-14 uses BFGoodrich bias-ply blackwall and narrow whitewall; 750-14 uses BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Coker Classic bias-ply narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline; 800-14 uses BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire bias-ply blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall; 850-14 uses BFGoodrich bias-ply narrow and wide whitewalls.
These FAQs sort out which 1962 Mercury models use which sizes, how the 13-inch and 14-inch fitments differ across Comet, Meteor, and Monterey, and what to check about sidewall style, rim width, and long-term care on a collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1962 Mercury vehicles?
1962 Mercury vehicles use seven bias-ply sizes across three model lines. The Comet uses 600-13 and 650-13 on 13-inch rims. The Meteor uses 700-14, 750-14, and 6.50-14 on 14-inch rims, while the Monterey uses 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 on 14-inch rims. Rim width ranges where available run from 4.00 to 4.50 inches for 600-13, 4.50 to 5.00 for 650-13, 5.00 to 5.50 for 700-14 and 750-14, 5.00 to 6.00 for 800-14, and 5.50 to 6.00 for 850-14.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1962 Mercury. A Comet owner is immediately in a different fitment family than a Meteor or Monterey owner, and even within the 14-inch cars there is only partial overlap. Start by identifying the model, then compare the tire size already on the car with the wheel diameter and the recommended rim width range before narrowing sidewall style.
What does 600-13 mean on a 1962 Mercury tire?
On a 1962 Mercury, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 portion is the nominal section width code, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1962 Mercury Comet, this size fits a 13-inch rim and BFGoodrich versions are built for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths, with a load capacity of 1010 pounds at 32 psi.
Modern buyers sometimes expect a metric size with an aspect ratio, but that is not how early-'60s domestic bias-ply tires were labeled. On a Comet, 600-13 should be read as a period-correct American bias-ply size rather than translated loosely into a modern radial equivalent. If your car is a Comet and still uses its original wheel diameter, this code gives you the right starting point for a proper-size reproduction tire.
Do all 1962 Mercury models use the same tire size?
No, 1962 Mercury models do not all use the same tire size. The Comet stays with 13-inch fitments, the Meteor uses several 14-inch sizes, and the Monterey uses larger 14-inch sizes with only 750-14 shared between Meteor and Monterey. Every size here is a bias-ply type, but the fitment spread across the model range is still broad because Mercury sold compact, mid-sized, and full-sized cars in the same year.
That difference matters because a buyer with only a title year and brand can easily land in the wrong diameter family. A Comet tire search should never begin in the same place as a Monterey search, and a Meteor owner should verify whether the car uses a model-specific size or the shared 750-14. Identifying the model first is the fastest way to avoid a mismatch.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Mercury tires?
1962 Mercury tires are available in several period-style sidewall treatments, depending on size. Across the range you can find blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline options. The 600-13 and 650-13 Comet sizes focus on whitewall choices, 700-14 adds blackwall for the Meteor, 750-14 offers the broadest variety with narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, and 800-14 includes blackwall plus both whitewall widths for the Monterey.
Sidewall style is often the visual decision that finishes a restoration once the correct size is settled. A wide whitewall typically suits early-'60s full-size American presentation, while narrow whitewalls and blackwalls can better match more restrained builds or driver-oriented appearances. Redlines on 750-14 create a different look altogether, so choosing by era feel and the personality of the specific Mercury is just as important as choosing by size.
What brands make tires for 1962 Mercury vehicles?
Four brands cover the 1962 Mercury range here: BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire. BFGoodrich appears across nearly the whole spread from 600-13 through 850-14. Coker Classic and US Royal are especially active in 650-13 and 750-14, while Universal Vintage Tire appears in 800-14. All of these offerings stay within bias-ply construction for the sizes used on 1962 Mercury models.
Brand choice on a collector Mercury usually comes down to the exact size you need and the sidewall appearance you want to preserve. Some sizes offer one brand and two whitewall widths, while others open up multiple brand names and a wider visual palette. Once the size is confirmed, compare the available brands within that size instead of assuming the same brand selection carries across the entire 1962 Mercury lineup.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and US Royal 750-14 tires for the 1962 Mercury?
For a 1962 Mercury in 750-14, BFGoodrich and US Royal share the same 14-inch rim diameter and the same 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range, but they are not identical in load rating or sidewall offerings. BFGoodrich 750-14 versions carry a 1580-pound load capacity at 32 psi and appear in narrow whitewall form, while US Royal 750-14 versions carry a 1500-pound load capacity at 32 psi and are available as narrow whitewall and redline. Product weights also differ slightly, with BFGoodrich at 23 pounds and US Royal at 22 pounds in the examples here.
That makes the decision less about basic fitment and more about presentation and specification within the same size family. A buyer choosing between them should look at the sidewall look the car needs first, then compare the brand-specific load figure and visual style. On a shared size like 750-14, those small differences can matter more than the raw size code.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1962 Mercury tires require?
Rim width depends on the exact 1962 Mercury tire size. 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50 inch rims, 650-13 fits 4.50 to 5.00 inch rims, 700-14 and 750-14 fit 5.00 to 5.50 inch rims, 800-14 fits 5.00 to 6.00 inch rims, and 850-14 fits 5.50 to 6.00 inch rims. Those ranges are important because early-'60s wheels can vary by model and by what has been swapped onto the car over time.
A size code alone should not be the only checkpoint when mounting reproduction bias-ply tires. Measure the wheel or verify the wheel's original specification for your exact model before making a final choice, especially if the car has changed hands or gone through restoration work. Staying within the tire's approved rim width range helps preserve the intended profile and keeps the fitment consistent with the wheel.
Can the original 1962 Mercury wheels be used with both or all tire sizes?
Original 1962 Mercury wheels can only be shared across all sizes when the wheel diameter matches the tire family for that model. The Comet uses 13-inch sizes, so its original wheels can work with 600-13 and 650-13 if rim width is correct. The Meteor and Monterey use 14-inch sizes, and a 14-inch original wheel may be compatible with more than one size only if its width falls inside the approved range for the specific tire being considered.
That means diameter is only the first gate. A 14-inch Mercury wheel does not automatically suit every 14-inch tire across Meteor and Monterey applications, because width ranges step upward as the tire sizes get larger. Before reusing original wheels across different sizes, confirm both the wheel diameter and the wheel width against the tire you plan to fit.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1962 Mercury when the tires are fitted?
A 1962 Mercury should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture, and move the car periodically so one section of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Because every 1962 Mercury tire size here is bias-ply, temporary flat-spotting after long static storage is more likely than with a modern radial.
For a collector car, storage habits matter as much as miles driven. If the Mercury will sit for a season, occasional repositioning or using stands appropriately can reduce stress on the casing, while a simple tire cover can limit UV exposure in bright garages. Good storage preserves sidewall appearance and helps the car feel smoother when it returns to the road.
How long do tires on a 1962 Mercury typically last?
Tires on a 1962 Mercury should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. On a collector car, many owners evaluate tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and give serious replacement consideration by around ten years, even if tread depth still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and sidewall cracking, hardness, or persistent air loss can shorten that timeline.
That age-based approach is especially important on older Mercurys that may spend much of their life parked, trailered, or driven only on fair-weather weekends. Low mileage can make a tire seem newer than it really is, but time, heat cycles, and storage conditions continue to affect the casing. If the car is headed for touring or sustained road use, tire age deserves the same attention as brakes and cooling.
How often should tires on a 1962 Mercury be inspected?
Tires on a 1962 Mercury deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure normally. Valve stems also deserve attention, since age can affect them even when the rest of the tire still looks presentable.
Regular inspection is one of the easiest ways to avoid trouble on a vintage Mercury because these cars are often driven less often and for longer intervals between checks. A car that sits can develop issues that are not obvious until the first drive of the season. Making tire inspection part of your pre-drive ritual helps catch problems early and keeps small cosmetic aging from becoming a road-use issue.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1962 Mercury Comet?
The 1962 Mercury Comet used bias-ply tires, which was the standard construction for an American compact of that period. Within the Comet range here, the fitments are 600-13 and 650-13, both mounted on 13-inch rims. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and sourcing, so the safest authenticity baseline is to confirm the correct size, bias-ply construction, and sidewall style for the specific version of the car rather than assume a single universal brand.
For restoration work, that means starting with the exact model and the original wheel diameter already on the car. A narrow or wide whitewall can materially change the visual character of a compact early-'60s Mercury, even when the size is correct. If the car is being judged at a high level, marque clubs and factory literature are the best next step for trim- or market-specific confirmation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1962 Mercury?
Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1962 Mercury, especially in events that reward authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the tire size matches the model, whether the construction type suits the era, and whether the sidewall treatment fits the car's intended presentation. On a 1962 Mercury, using a Comet 13-inch size on a full-sized Monterey or choosing a sidewall style that clashes with the restoration theme would stand out quickly.
Even outside strict concours settings, tires shape the stance and period impression of the car more than many owners expect. A properly chosen whitewall width or blackwall treatment can make the difference between a convincing early-'60s look and a restoration that feels slightly off. Event-specific standards vary, so serious show preparation should always include a check with the relevant marque community or judging guide.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and Coker Classic 650-13 tires for the 1962 Mercury?
For a 1962 Mercury Comet using 650-13, Coker Classic and the whitewall-focused alternatives in the same size share the same basic fitment envelope of a 13-inch rim and a 4.50 to 5.00 inch wheel width range, with a load capacity of 1150 pounds at 32 psi in the examples here. Coker Classic appears in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall versions, and each version weighs 18 pounds. The practical distinction is largely visual within the same size family rather than a difference in wheel fitment.
That matters for restoration because two tires with the same numeric size can still create a different finished look on the car. If the Comet is being restored to a clean factory-style appearance, the whitewall width often becomes the deciding factor once size and construction are settled. Comparing the sidewall treatment against period photos of similarly equipped cars is often more useful than comparing the size code alone.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1962 Mercury tires safe for highway driving?
Bias-ply tires for a 1962 Mercury can be used for highway driving when they are in sound condition, properly mounted, and inflated for the application, but they should be approached with period-appropriate expectations. No speed ratings appear on these size offerings, so the focus should be on tire condition, correct sizing, and the broader limits of an early-'60s car. On a Mercury of this era, braking, steering feel, suspension condition, and overall vehicle setup are often just as important to highway confidence as the tire itself.
That means a healthy tire is only one part of safe road use. A collector Mercury headed onto faster roads should have its tires inspected carefully, pressures checked cold, and the rest of the chassis brought up to the same standard. If the car is mostly used for local cruising and occasional tours, keeping speeds and trip lengths in line with the car's age and condition is the sensible approach.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1962 Mercury tires?
Several 1962 Mercury tire sizes here carry load figures at 32 psi. 600-13 is rated at 1010 pounds at 32 psi, 650-13 at 1150 pounds at 32 psi, 700-14 at 1360 pounds at 32 psi, 750-14 from 1500 to 1580 pounds at 32 psi depending on brand, 800-14 at 1620 pounds at 32 psi, and 850-14 at 1740 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated load at that pressure, not necessarily the exact factory inflation recommendation for every Mercury model.
For day-to-day use, start with the original owner's manual or factory tire placard for the vehicle's intended pressure, then make sure the tire itself is suitable for that application. Do not transfer a pressure number casually from one size to another just because both fit 14-inch rims. Matching pressure guidance to the exact size, the exact model, and the actual use of the car is the right approach.
What should I check before taking a 1962 Mercury on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1962 Mercury, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and any sign of age-related deterioration. Check cold inflation pressure, confirm the spare is serviceable, and inspect valve stems for cracking or looseness. It is also wise to verify that the tire size on the car matches the wheel diameter and model application, especially if the car has a mixed restoration history.
Tire preparation should be part of a broader vintage-car pre-trip routine that also includes brakes, cooling, charging, and fluid checks. Early-'60s cars ask more of the owner than a modern daily driver, and long periods of storage can hide issues until the first sustained run. A careful pre-drive inspection reduces surprises and gives the Mercury a much better chance of a trouble-free outing.
