1962 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1962 Opel vehicles use two tire sizes across the full model range: 165R13 and 590-13. Both the 1962 Opel 1200 and 1962 Opel Olympia use those same sizes, and both sizes mount on 13-inch wheels. Rim-width support differs by size where published: 165R13 products cover 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims, while 590-13 bias-ply products cover 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims.

That means a 1962 Opel owner does not need to sort by model first to narrow the tire size, but should confirm the actual wheel width before moving from one construction type to the other. If your priority is appearance and originality, the bias-ply route may make more sense. If your priority is regular road use, the radial size is the alternative to examine more closely.

On a 1962 Opel, 165R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 165 refers to a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In period metric sizing like this, the missing aspect ratio is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile rather than a modern low-profile tire.

That decoding matters because 165R13 is not just a different label for 590-13; it represents a different tire construction and a different driving character. A buyer comparing the two should think in terms of radial versus bias-ply behavior first, then verify wheel width and sidewall preference. That approach usually resolves the choice faster than comparing brand names alone.

On a 1962 Opel, 590-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 13 is the wheel diameter in inches, while the leading 590 follows an older nominal sizing convention used before modern metric nomenclature became common. It does not decode the same way as a modern P-metric or euro-metric radial size, so it is best understood as an era-correct bias-ply fitment rather than a direct modern metric measurement.

That distinction helps avoid ordering by appearance alone. A 590-13 tire typically appeals to owners who want an authentic early-1960s presentation, especially when paired with a wide whitewall. If your Opel is being restored for period character, this format usually aligns better with that goal than switching to a radial-marked metric size.

For a 1962 Opel, the 590-13 is the bias-ply choice and the 165R13 is the radial choice, and both sizes apply to the 1200 and Olympia. The practical decision is usually not model fitment but intended use. Bias-ply construction is more in keeping with the period look of an early-1960s Opel, while radial construction generally gives the car a more modern-feeling response on present-day roads.

Choose 590-13 if restoration accuracy and vintage sidewall presentation matter most, especially on a car built around an early-1960s visual theme. Choose 165R13 if the Opel will be driven more often and you prefer the ownership experience that comes with a radial layout. Either way, confirm the wheel width before finalizing the tire, since the published rim-width ranges are not the same.

1962 Opel tires are available in two distinct sidewall directions. The 165R13 radial options come in blackwall form, while the 590-13 bias-ply option comes in a wide whitewall. That gives Opel owners a clear visual split between a more understated European-style radial appearance and a brighter period whitewall presentation.

For many restorations, sidewall style is almost as important visually as size. A blackwall often suits the cleaner, more utilitarian character many buyers associate with compact European cars, while a wide whitewall can push the car toward a stronger vintage-Americanized showroom look. The right choice depends on how original you want the car to appear and which market flavor you are trying to capture.

1962 Opel vehicles are covered by Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich across the two sizes. Michelin and Dunlop supply the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich supplies the 590-13 bias-ply fitment. That means brand choice and construction choice are closely tied together on a 1962 Opel rather than being fully interchangeable within one size category.

A buyer comparing brands should first decide whether the car needs a radial or a bias-ply tire, because that decision narrows the field immediately. After that, compare sidewall style, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility within the relevant size. Keeping the comparison inside the correct construction group usually leads to a more satisfying result than trying to compare every product across both sizes at once.

Published rim-width guidance for 1962 Opel tires varies by size. The 165R13 radial products fit 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims, while the 590-13 bias-ply product fits 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. Both sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, but the wheel-width range is not the same between the radial and bias-ply options.

That is why checking the actual wheel before ordering matters, especially if your Opel no longer has its original rims or has changed hands through multiple restorations. A 13-inch diameter alone is not enough to confirm compatibility. Measure the wheel width accurately and compare it to the tire's approved range so the tire can seat and perform as intended.

Inner-tube requirements for 1962 Opel tires depend on the specific product and wheel combination. The Michelin 165R13 radial products are marked TL, indicating tubeless construction, while tube marking is not uniform across all 165R13 product presentations. The 590-13 bias-ply product does not carry a TL marking in its size description, so buyers should confirm whether a tube is required with the exact tire and wheel they plan to use.

The safest approach is to match the tire's sidewall marking to the wheel's design and condition instead of assuming every 13-inch Opel wheel should be treated the same way. Original wheels, restored wheels, and replacement wheels can differ in how suitable they are for tubeless service. Confirming that detail before installation helps avoid leaks, mounting problems, and unnecessary rework.

Original-style 1962 Opel wheels can often be used with both available tire sizes because both 165R13 and 590-13 mount on 13-inch rims. Diameter compatibility is the easy part of the comparison. The more important question is whether the wheel width falls within the approved range for the specific tire you want to run.

That distinction is especially important when moving from a narrow bias-ply fitment to a radial. A wheel that works with a 590-13 may not automatically be the ideal width for a 165R13 radial, even though the rim diameter matches. Before changing construction type, verify the wheel width and inspect the rim condition so the new tire is being asked to do its job on the right foundation.

A 1962 Opel should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically if possible. When a collector car sits for long periods, bias-ply tires such as 590-13 are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting than radial tires like 165R13.

If the Opel will be parked for months at a time, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged load on one contact patch. That is especially useful on a bias-ply setup. Indoor storage habits have a major effect on how the sidewalls and tread age, often more than yearly mileage on a low-use vintage car.

Tire life on a 1962 Opel is usually judged more by age than by miles, because many surviving cars are hobby vehicles that are driven occasionally. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code, sidewall condition, and storage history all matter when making that decision.

A lightly driven Opel can still be riding on old rubber that looks acceptable at first glance but has hardened or cracked with time. That is one reason collector-car owners should not rely on tread depth alone. If the tire's age is climbing and the car is expected to handle longer drives or highway speeds, replacement deserves consideration even if the tires still look presentable.

Tires on a 1962 Opel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check inflation, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs that the tire has been losing pressure between drives. If your setup uses tube-type construction or requires tubes because of the wheel, include the valve stems and any signs of tube-related leakage in the inspection routine.

A short walk-around takes only a few minutes and can catch age-related issues before they become roadside problems. Vintage cars often spend long periods parked, which means a tire can change condition between outings even when the car has barely been driven. Frequent inspection is one of the simplest ways to keep an older Opel dependable and pleasant to use.

A 1962 Opel 1200 would have been built in an era when bias-ply tires were still the standard original-equipment type on many compact cars, even as radial technology was becoming more influential in Europe. Within the available 1962 Opel fitments, 590-13 represents that traditional bias-ply direction, while 165R13 reflects the radial alternative that many owners consider today. Original market and trim details can still influence what is most correct for an individual car.

If your goal is factory-style authenticity, start with the car's market, wheel type, and restoration target before choosing between those two directions. A marque club, period brochure, or factory literature can help confirm whether your specific 1200 should lean toward a blackwall or a more decorative sidewall treatment. That extra step matters most when the car will be judged rather than simply enjoyed on the road.

Correct tire fitment can matter quite a bit when showing a 1962 Opel, especially in events that reward factory-correct presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style quickly because those details affect stance and period appearance. On an early-1960s car, a modern radial where a bias-ply look is expected, or an incorrect sidewall treatment for the intended market, can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every show car must avoid radials, but it does mean you should match the tire to the standard you are building toward. A touring-oriented restoration may prioritize drivability, while concours-minded owners usually focus more heavily on era-consistent construction and appearance. If judging is your goal, confirm event rules and marque expectations before committing to a tire package.

For a 1962 Opel running 165R13, both Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF are radial blackwall tires in 165HR13 form with an H speed rating and the same published 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range. The clearest measurable difference between the two is weight, with the XAS-FF shown at 20 pounds and the XAS shown at 9 pounds. Both stay within the same basic size, sidewall style, and overall fitment family for the Opel.

That makes the comparison less about broad fitment and more about the character of the specific tire series you want on the car. Owners who are choosing within the 165R13 radial category should compare the exact series details and intended visual presentation rather than expecting one to alter the wheel requirements. Keeping the choice inside the correct size and construction first will prevent confusion later in the restoration.

1962 Opel tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly installed, and in sound condition. The available 165R13 radial products carry H speed ratings with a 130 mph ceiling, while the 590-13 bias-ply product carries an S rating with a 112 mph ceiling. In real-world use, a well-maintained 1962 Opel's braking, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical condition are usually more limiting than the tire's published speed ceiling at normal American highway speeds.

The important distinction is that construction still shapes the driving experience. A radial may feel more familiar to a modern driver on longer paved-road use, while a bias-ply tire preserves more of the car's original character. Highway safety depends on the whole package, so tire condition, inflation, alignment, and the Opel's mechanical readiness all deserve attention before expecting relaxed road-trip behavior.

Inflation pressure for 1962 Opel tires should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the car and the tire maker's guidance for the exact product. One published figure within these fitments is 970 pounds at 32 psi for the 590-13 BFGoodrich bias-ply tire. That number is a load-and-pressure reference for that specific tire, not a universal pressure setting for every 1962 Opel tire or for the 165R13 radial options.

Use the owner's manual or factory placard as your starting point for the vehicle, then confirm that your chosen reproduction or radial product is being used within its rated range. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to the other simply because both fit 13-inch wheels. Matching pressure to the exact tire and the car's intended use is part of getting stable, predictable behavior from a vintage Opel.

Before a longer drive in a 1962 Opel, inspect every tire for cracking, weathering, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. If your combination uses tubes or requires them because of the wheel, inspect the valve stems carefully and pay attention to any slow pressure loss. On a vintage compact like an Opel, tire readiness is only one piece of a broader pre-drive check that should also include brakes, steering, suspension, and fluid condition.

A longer trip puts more heat and time into the tire than a short local outing, so small issues become more important. Verify that all four tires match the setup you intend to run, that the car tracks properly, and that no wheel has obvious damage or corrosion. A careful inspection before departure is one of the easiest ways to keep a classic Opel pleasant, predictable, and trouble-free on the road.