1962 Rover covered a surprisingly broad slice of the British utility and light-car market, from compact saloons to the hard-working Land Rover line that had already earned a reputation for durability around the world. That variety matters when sorting out tires, because 1962 Rover vehicles did not share one universal size across the range. Three models use five distinct tire sizes, with both bias-ply and radial construction appearing depending on model and application. Before choosing a tire for a 1962 Rover, the first step is to confirm whether you have a 109, an 80 & 100, or an 88, then match the correct size and construction approach for how the vehicle will be used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1962 Rover
Five tire sizes appear across the 1962 Rover range, and they vary by model rather than carrying across every Rover built that year. The main decision starts with identifying the correct model and rim diameter first, then choosing between bias-ply and radial construction where both types appear for the same vehicle family. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps keep the tire matched to the vehicle's intended use.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 109|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the first number indicating nominal section width and the 16 identifying a 16-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 1962 Rover 109 and is available from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich in blackwall and wide whitewall styles; load figures reach 1850 pounds at 48 psi, with rim-width guidance of 5.00 to 6.00 inches where stated. It suits owners who want the period bias-ply look and behavior appropriate to a long-wheelbase early Land Rover.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 80 & 100|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
600-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, using a nominal section-width code with a 15-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the 1962 Rover 80 & 100 and comes from BFGoodrich in blackwall and wide whitewall form, with load figures of 1150 pounds at 32 psi and rim-width coverage from 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on the product. It is the smaller of the two 15-inch bias-ply choices for these Rover models and fits a restoration-minded approach.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 80 & 100|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 15 in
640-15 is another numeric bias-ply size, with the code indicating nominal section width and fitment on a 15-inch wheel. This size is also specific to the 1962 Rover 80 & 100 and is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone with wide whitewall and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments; load figures run as high as 1190 pounds at 32 psi, with rim-width recommendations spanning 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire. It is the broader 15-inch bias-ply option for these models and appeals to owners focused on period-correct appearance and stance.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 88|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16-in rim
175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 175 denoting section width in millimeters, the R identifying radial construction, and 16 marking a 16-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 1962 Rover 88 and represents the radial alternative within that model's fitment family. It is the choice for owners of an 88 who want a radial-format tire rather than a traditional bias-ply size.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 88|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size that uses a nominal section-width code and fits a 16-inch rim. This size is specific to the 1962 Rover 88 and is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in blackwall and wide whitewall styles; one Avon example carries an H speed rating with a 130 mph ceiling, while load figures on other versions reach about 1433 pounds or 1400 pounds at 32 psi. It is the natural fit for an 88 owner who wants to stay with a traditional bias-ply construction and period-style presentation.
Three 1962 Rover model groups are covered here, and tire choice changes by model rather than staying the same across the full make. That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire decision; the buyer needs to identify whether the vehicle is a 109, an 80 & 100, or an 88 before narrowing to the right size. Select a model below to move into model-specific fitment history and product choices.
1962 Rover 109
The 109 was the long-wheelbase Land Rover, built for heavier work, added cargo space, and utility use where durability mattered more than ornament. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, and the fitment centers on a single 750-16 bias-ply size that matches the rugged character of the model.
The Rover 80 and 100 saloons represented the company's refined side, carrying the upright British styling and formal road manners that helped define Rover's mid-century identity. These models use 15-inch wheels and take either 600-15 or 640-15 bias-ply sizing depending on the exact application and appearance preference.
The 88 was the short-wheelbase Land Rover, prized for maneuverability and simplicity whether used on rural property, in export markets, or as a light utility vehicle. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, with a choice between 600-16 bias-ply and 175R16 radial sizing depending on the construction direction the owner wants to take.
Fifty products are available across five tire sizes for 1962 Rover vehicles. The 750-16 offers 10 bias-ply choices from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich; 600-15 has 2 from BFGoodrich; 640-15 has 8 from BFGoodrich and Firestone; 600-16 has 26 spanning BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone, with sidewall styles ranging from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall.
These FAQs sort out the model-by-model tire differences for 1962 Rover vehicles, including the 88's bias-ply versus radial choice, sidewall style options, rim-width considerations, and the upkeep concerns that matter on collector vehicles driven only occasionally.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1962 Rover vehicles?
1962 Rover vehicles use five sizes across three model groups. The Rover 109 uses 750-16 on a 16-inch rim, the Rover 80 & 100 uses 600-15 or 640-15 on 15-inch rims, and the Rover 88 uses either 175R16 radial or 600-16 bias-ply on 16-inch rims. Rim-width guidance appears on several products: 750-16 commonly fits 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, 600-15 and 640-15 generally fall in the 4.00 to 5.00-inch range depending on the tire, and 600-16 commonly fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims where stated.
Model identification matters more than year and make alone on a 1962 Rover because the tire sizes are not shared across the whole line. A 109 owner should not assume 88 fitment, and an 80 or 100 owner should not assume any 16-inch Land Rover size applies. Once the correct model is confirmed, the next step is checking the wheel diameter already on the vehicle and comparing the actual wheel width to the tire's approved range before making a final choice.
What does 750-16 mean on a 1962 Rover tire?
On a 1962 Rover, 750-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 7.50 portion is the nominal section-width designation in the older inch-based system, and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the Rover range here, 750-16 belongs to the 109 and appears only in bias-ply construction, with blackwall and wide whitewall versions available from several vintage-tire brands.
That makes 750-16 a useful size code to recognize if you are working with a long-wheelbase Land Rover and want to stay with an era-appropriate format. It is not interchangeable by name with the 600-16 or 175R16 used on the 88, even though some of those also fit 16-inch wheels. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and the model itself all need to line up before a 750-16 is the right direction.
What does 175R16 mean on a 1962 Rover tire?
On a 1962 Rover, 175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 175 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, the R confirms radial construction, and the 16 refers to a 16-inch wheel. Within the 1962 Rover range, 175R16 is tied to the Rover 88 rather than the 109 or the 80 & 100 saloons.
That code matters because it signals a different tire language from the older numeric sizes used elsewhere in the lineup. An owner of a Rover 88 may be choosing between a radial-format 175R16 and a bias-ply 600-16, while the rest of the range stays in numeric bias-ply sizing. If your wheel and usage plan support a radial approach, 175R16 is the size to investigate further for the short-wheelbase Land Rover.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 175R16 or the 600-16 for my 1962 Rover?
For a 1962 Rover 88, the real comparison is between 175R16 radial construction and 600-16 bias-ply construction. The 175R16 follows a newer radial format, while 600-16 keeps the older numeric bias-ply format that better matches the vehicle's original-era tire language. The choice is less about make-wide fitment and more about how closely you want the tire to reflect period construction versus how you want the vehicle to feel in use.
Owners aiming for a faithful restoration usually lean toward the bias-ply 600-16 because it preserves the look and type most associated with an early 1960s Land Rover. Owners building an 88 for regular road use often start by exploring the radial 175R16 path instead. Either way, confirm that the wheels on the vehicle are the correct 16-inch diameter and that the tire you choose is approved for the actual wheel width before making the final decision.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Rover tires?
1962 Rover tires span blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall sidewall treatments depending on size. The 750-16 for the 109 is available in blackwall and wide whitewall, the 600-15 for the 80 & 100 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall, the 640-15 adds narrow whitewall alongside wide whitewall, and the 600-16 for the 88 is available in blackwall and wide whitewall. Sidewall appearance changes by product and size rather than staying uniform across the entire make.
For Land Rover models such as the 88 and 109, blackwall is usually the more natural visual match for a utility-focused presentation, while whitewall styles can shift the look toward a more personalized or show-oriented finish. For Rover saloons, whitewall choices can feel more in character with period presentation. If authenticity matters for a judged car or a historically faithful restoration, compare the sidewall style to period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance before deciding.
What brands make tires for 1962 Rover vehicles?
1962 Rover tire coverage comes from Firestone, Lester, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Avon, depending on size. The 750-16 for the 109 appears from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. The 600-15 for the 80 & 100 comes from BFGoodrich, while 640-15 comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The 600-16 for the 88 expands the field with BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone.
Brand choice usually comes down to the size your Rover needs and the visual treatment you want on the sidewall, rather than one universal brand option across the whole make. A saloon owner may be comparing whitewall styles, while a Land Rover owner may focus on blackwall bias-ply presentation or the 88's construction choice. Once the correct size is settled, compare brand-to-brand details such as sidewall style, load figure, and approved rim width for the final selection.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1962 Rover tires require?
Rim-width guidance for 1962 Rover tires depends on size. The 750-16 used on the Rover 109 commonly fits 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims. The 600-15 and 640-15 used on the Rover 80 & 100 generally fall between 4.00 and 5.00 inches depending on the exact product, while the 600-16 used on the Rover 88 commonly fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims where that information appears.
That means wheel width should be measured, not assumed, especially on older vehicles that may have changed wheels over the decades. Two tires with the same rim diameter can still call for different width ranges, and some products within one size vary slightly as well. The safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel width on the vehicle, then match it to the approved range for the exact tire being considered.
Do 1962 Rover tires require inner tubes?
The 1962 Rover fitments here are overwhelmingly traditional bias-ply sizes, and no tubeless marker appears in the sizes shown for those products. The 750-16, 600-15, 640-15, and 600-16 offerings therefore point buyers toward period-style fitments where tube use is often part of the setup, especially with original-type wheels. The 175R16 radial entry for the Rover 88 should be checked product by product because tube requirements can depend on both the tire and the wheel design.
A wheel's construction matters just as much as the tire itself. Original riveted, split, or otherwise non-modern wheels may still call for tubes even when a tire format seems more modern at first glance. Before mounting tires on a 1962 Rover, inspect the wheel condition, verify whether the wheel is intended for tubeless service, and match the valve-stem and tube plan to the exact tire and wheel combination being used.
Can the original 1962 Rover wheels be used with all tire sizes?
Original 1962 Rover wheels cannot be treated as universal across the whole model range because the vehicles do not all share the same rim diameter. The Rover 109 and Rover 88 use 16-inch fitments, while the Rover 80 & 100 use 15-inch fitments. Even among the 16-inch vehicles, the 109's 750-16 and the 88's 600-16 or 175R16 are model-specific choices rather than one-size-fits-all substitutions.
That means an original wheel can only be considered suitable after the model and wheel diameter are confirmed first. From there, wheel width still needs to be checked against the approved range for the tire under consideration. A Rover with replacement wheels, mixed wheels, or long service history should be inspected carefully before tire selection, because many vintage vehicles have been altered in ways that are not obvious at a glance.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1962 Rover when the tires are fitted?
A 1962 Rover should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that speed sidewall aging. Tires should be kept at proper pressure, and the vehicle should either be moved periodically or supported in a way that reduces long-term static loading. Bias-ply tires such as 750-16, 600-15, 640-15, and 600-16 can flat-spot more readily during long storage than a radial-format tire.
That is especially relevant for collector Rovers that spend long stretches parked between club events or seasonal drives. Short movements within the garage are less helpful than letting the tire roll and warm through regular use, and a vehicle that sits on damp concrete or outdoors will age its tires faster. If your Rover 88 uses radial-format 175R16 tires, the storage routine is still the same, but temporary flat-spotting is often less pronounced.
How long do tires on a 1962 Rover typically last?
On a 1962 Rover, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many surviving examples are driven occasionally rather than daily. A practical collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as a strong point for replacement consideration, regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code and the tire's overall condition should guide that decision.
A low-mileage Rover can still have old tires with hardened rubber, internal aging, or sidewall cracking that makes them poor candidates for continued road use. That applies whether the vehicle wears a saloon-oriented 600-15 or 640-15, a 109's 750-16, or an 88's 600-16 or 175R16. If the age is unclear, replacement is often wiser than trying to stretch service from a tire with an uncertain history.
How often should tires on a 1962 Rover be inspected?
Tires on a 1962 Rover should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. On tube-type-style fitments, valve stems and the behavior of the tube setup deserve equal attention because an otherwise healthy-looking tire can still be compromised by a failing stem or internal issue.
Frequent inspections matter because collector vehicles often sit for extended periods, then return to service suddenly for tours, club drives, or local errands. A quick visual check is not enough if the Rover has been parked for months. Use a pressure gauge, examine both outer and inner sidewalls when possible, and include the spare in the routine so the backup tire is not the oldest and least-prepared one on the vehicle.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1962 Rover 109?
A 1962 Rover 109 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still the normal original-equipment direction for utility vehicles, and the 109 here uses 750-16 in that older numeric format. That makes a bias-ply 750-16 the most historically consistent starting point when the goal is to reflect factory-era fitment practice. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and supply, so the key authenticity markers are size, construction type, and sidewall character rather than assuming one universal brand.
For restoration work, that means getting the 109 into the correct size family first and then narrowing the sidewall presentation to suit the truck's intended finish. A working-spec Land Rover often looks most natural on blackwalls, while some restored vehicles use whitewalls for a different presentation. If your project is being judged or restored to a specific export-market standard, confirm details with Rover and Land Rover marque specialists before settling on a final tire.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1962 Rover?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1962 Rover because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A Rover 88 fitted with a radial-format tire may look and read differently from one restored around a numeric bias-ply size, and a saloon or Land Rover wearing an out-of-character sidewall treatment can change the entire period impression. Tire choice affects stance and authenticity even before anyone studies smaller details.
The standard for what counts as correct can vary by event, class, and whether the vehicle is being judged for originality, preservation, or tasteful restoration. A local show may be relaxed, while marque-focused events can be much stricter about construction and appearance. If showing is part of the plan, compare your tire choice to period photos and factory literature, then check event rules or club guidance so the tires support rather than undermine the rest of the restoration.
What is the difference between Firestone and BFGoodrich choices for 1962 Rover tires?
For 1962 Rover fitments where both appear, Firestone and BFGoodrich often overlap in size but differ in sidewall treatment and some supporting specifications. In 750-16, both brands offer bias-ply choices, and BFGoodrich reaches 1850 pounds at 48 psi while Firestone examples show 1660 pounds at 40 psi, with both commonly fitting 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims. In 640-15, both brands are present as well, with wide whitewall versions from each and a narrow whitewall Firestone option for owners who want a different period look.
That means the decision is usually visual and application-based rather than simply brand-based. A buyer may prefer one whitewall width, load figure, or brand heritage, while another may care most about matching the vehicle's restored appearance. Once the correct size has been chosen for the Rover model, compare the exact tire's sidewall style, pressure-and-load figure, and approved rim width rather than assuming all Firestone and BFGoodrich versions in that size are identical.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1962 Rover tires safe for highway driving?
1962 Rover tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of their construction and any stated speed rating. The 600-16 family includes an Avon 600H16 93H with an H rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling, while the other sizes here are traditional bias-ply formats without modern speed-letter markings shown. On a 1962 Rover, the vehicle's own braking, steering, suspension, and overall age usually matter more to real-world highway safety than theoretical top-speed capability.
For normal touring, the practical question is not whether a vintage Rover can reach a tire's maximum rating, but whether the whole vehicle is mechanically prepared for sustained road use. Fresh tires do not cancel out worn steering joints, tired shocks, or old brake components. Before using a 1962 Rover regularly on faster roads, inspect the tire condition closely, set pressures appropriately, and make sure the rest of the chassis is maintained to the same standard.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1962 Rover tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1962 Rover depends on the tire size and the exact product. Examples include 750-16 tires rated at 1660 pounds at 40 psi and 1850 pounds at 48 psi, 600-15 tires at 1150 pounds at 32 psi, 640-15 tires up to 1190 pounds at 32 psi, and 600-16 tires around 1400 pounds at 32 psi or about 1433 pounds on one Avon version. Those figures describe the tire's rated load at a given pressure and should not be transferred casually from one size to another.
Factory operating pressure for the vehicle itself may be lower or otherwise different from the tire's maximum load-rating pressure, so the owner's manual or factory service literature remains important. Start with the vehicle recommendation when available, then make sure the tire you choose is being used within its own published limits. If your Rover carries unusual loads or sees off-pavement use, pressure strategy may need to be adjusted carefully to suit the application.
What should I check before taking a 1962 Rover on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1962 Rover, inspect all five tires if a spare is carried, including tread, sidewalls, valve stems, and pressure retention. Look for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any signs of age-related hardening or separation. On tube-type-style fitments, a sound tube and valve-stem setup matters just as much as tread depth, and an old spare deserves the same scrutiny as the four tires on the ground.
The tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip routine that also covers brakes, steering, fluids, lights, and wheel-fastener security. Vintage Rovers often spend more time parked than driven, so problems can develop quietly between outings. If the vehicle has recently changed wheels, been restored, or sat unused for an extended period, it is wise to recheck wheel width, torque, and inflation after the first short test drive before heading farther from home.
