1963 Fairthorpe Tire Fitment Guide

1963 Fairthorpe vehicles use two tire sizes: 155R13 and 560-13. Both the 1963 Fairthorpe Electron and 1963 Fairthorpe Rockette use both sizes, and both sizes mount on 13-inch rims. Rim width ranges do vary by tire, with 155R13 products covering 4.00 to 5.50 inches, while 560-13 products cover 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on brand and sidewall version.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose between the two sizes, because either model may have either fitment path. Start by checking the tire already on the car, then confirm the wheel width before moving ahead. If the car is being restored toward an earlier look, the bias-ply option is usually the visual match; if it is driven more regularly, many owners look first at the radial option.

On a 1963 Fairthorpe, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this year and make, 560-13 appears as a traditional bias-ply construction rather than a modern radial size.

That size matters because it points you toward the period-style branch of 1963 Fairthorpe fitment. Whitewall choices are available in both narrow and wide treatments, which can affect the car's visual character even when the size stays the same. Owners pursuing a more original-looking restoration often begin with 560-13, then narrow the choice by sidewall style and wheel width compatibility.

On a 1963 Fairthorpe, 155R13 is a metric radial size. The 155 indicates a nominal section width of 155 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in that older metric format, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series style radial.

That makes 155R13 the modern-format alternative within the 1963 Fairthorpe range while still keeping the correct 13-inch wheel diameter. The available examples in this size are blackwall radials, which suit owners who prioritize radial construction and a more understated appearance. It is still important to check wheel width and the exact sidewall marking on the tire you select before installation.

For a 1963 Fairthorpe, the real difference between 155R13 and 560-13 is construction as much as size format. The 155R13 is a radial, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply. Both fit 13-inch wheels, so the decision usually comes down to whether you want the traditional appearance and feel of a period-style bias-ply tire or the different road manners that come with a radial design.

Owners restoring an Electron or Rockette for era-correct presentation often lean toward 560-13, especially when a whitewall look is part of the plan. Owners building a car for more regular touring often start with 155R13 because it preserves the wheel diameter while moving to radial construction. The cleanest way to decide is to look at the car's restoration goal first, then verify the wheel width against the tire you have in mind.

1963 Fairthorpe tires are available with noticeably different sidewall treatments depending on size. The 155R13 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 560-13 bias-ply options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That gives owners a meaningful visual choice even before getting into brand preference.

For a small British specialist sports car like a 1963 Fairthorpe, blackwall tires usually deliver the most understated look, especially with radial construction. Whitewall bias-ply tires can create a stronger period statement, but the width of the white stripe changes the car's overall presentation. If authenticity matters for a specific restoration style, compare the car's existing photographs, market history, and club guidance before choosing a whitewall treatment.

1963 Fairthorpe fitments are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 155R13 radial size comes from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 bias-ply size comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone. Those brands cover both the radial and period-style bias-ply branches of the Fairthorpe tire decision.

Brand choice should follow size and construction choice rather than replace it. Once you know whether you want 155R13 or 560-13, compare the available sidewall treatment, wheel width range, and any load or speed markings that matter for your use. That approach keeps the tire aligned with the car itself instead of choosing by brand name alone.

Rim width requirements for 1963 Fairthorpe tires depend on the size and, in some cases, the brand. The 155R13 radial size fits rims from 4.00 to 5.50 inches wide on the products that carry width guidance. The 560-13 bias-ply size fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide in BFGoodrich form and 4.00 to 4.50 inches wide in the Firestone version.

That overlap is useful, but it does not make every tire ideal for every wheel. Measure the actual wheel on the car before deciding between radial and bias-ply products, especially if the wheels may have been changed during the car's life. Matching the tire to the proper rim width helps preserve the intended profile and avoids forcing a size onto a wheel that is too narrow or too wide.

Inner-tube requirements for 1963 Fairthorpe tires depend on the specific product you choose. One 155R13 radial is marked TL for tubeless use, while the other 155R13 example does not carry the same marking, so tube details vary by product in that size. The 560-13 bias-ply products do not all state tube status in the same way on the sidewall description, so the exact tire should be checked before installation.

That matters because tube choice is not only about the tire; it also depends on the wheel design and condition. Older wheels, especially on low-volume specialty cars, may not always be set up the same way after decades of ownership and repair. Confirm the tire's sidewall marking, inspect the wheel carefully, and make sure the valve stem and sealing arrangement match the final tire-and-wheel combination.

A 1963 Fairthorpe can use both 155R13 and 560-13 on the same 13-inch wheel diameter, so original wheels may be compatible with either size from a diameter standpoint. That said, the acceptable rim width range is not identical across every product. Some 560-13 bias-ply tires are intended for narrower wheels than the 155R13 radial options.

The practical step is to treat wheel diameter and wheel width as two separate checks. A 13-inch wheel satisfies only the first part of the fitment question. Before changing from one construction type to the other, measure the wheel width and compare it with the exact tire's approved range so the finished setup keeps the proper tire shape and support.

A 1963 Fairthorpe should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires out of direct sunlight and off damp surfaces whenever possible. If the car sits for long periods, maintain inflation and move it periodically or place it on stands to reduce prolonged loading in one spot.

That routine matters even more if your 1963 Fairthorpe runs bias-ply tires, because bias-ply construction tends to flat-spot more readily during long static storage. Radials also benefit from proper storage, but the visual and ride effects of inactivity often show sooner on older-style bias-ply designs. A few preventative habits during the off-season can make the first drive of the year much smoother and kinder to the tires.

Tires on a 1963 Fairthorpe should be judged more by age and condition than by miles driven. For collector cars, a careful evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark is sensible, and replacement becomes a serious consideration as tires approach about ten years from their manufacturing date. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline.

A lightly used Fairthorpe can wear very little tread while still aging out of safe service. Sidewall cracking, hardening, vibration, or a tire that no longer holds pressure consistently can matter more than tread depth on a specialty sports car that sees occasional use. If the car's history is unclear, checking the age code is one of the fastest ways to understand whether the tires deserve closer attention.

Tires on a 1963 Fairthorpe should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, objects in the tread, and any sign that pressure has fallen since the last use. If the final setup uses tube-type hardware, valve stems and any tube-related seepage deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewalls.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a low-production collector car because it may spend long stretches parked and then go directly into road use. A quick walkaround catches the kinds of aging issues that are easy to miss when the car is driven only occasionally. It also helps you notice whether one corner is losing air or wearing differently, which can point to alignment or wheel problems beyond the tire itself.

A 1963 Fairthorpe Electron would have belonged to an era when bias-ply construction was still the traditional fitment on many small sports cars, even as radial adoption was growing in parts of the market. Within the 1963 Fairthorpe range, both 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial sizes are associated with the Electron. That means originality research should focus not just on year and make, but also on how a particular car was delivered and used.

For a restoration aimed at factory-style presentation, most owners begin by treating 560-13 as the period-style baseline and then checking period photos, sales literature, and marque-club knowledge for finer detail. Radial 155R13 may suit a car that was updated in service or prepared for more regular road use. If the car will be judged, verify market- and event-specific expectations before finalizing the tire choice.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1963 Fairthorpe, especially at events that judge authenticity closely. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all influence whether the car looks appropriate for its era and presentation standard. A blackwall radial and a whitewall bias-ply can create very different impressions even when both fit the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

That does not mean every show requires the same answer. Some events reward strict originality, while others are more accepting of subtle practical updates for drivability. If your 1963 Fairthorpe is being prepared for concours-style judging, confirm the event's expectations with the organizing body or a Fairthorpe specialist so the tire's construction and sidewall treatment support the rest of the restoration.

For a 1963 Fairthorpe, BFGoodrich and Firestone both offer 560-13 bias-ply tires, but they differ in sidewall treatment and approved wheel width range. BFGoodrich offers both 1.00-inch narrow whitewall and 2.25-inch wide whitewall versions with a 3.50 to 4.00 inch rim width range. Firestone offers a 2.25-inch wide whitewall with a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim width range, and all three examples carry the same 850-pound-at-30-psi load figure.

That makes the decision partly visual and partly dimensional. If your wheel is on the narrower end of the range, the BFGoodrich versions may align more naturally with it; if the wheel is slightly wider, the Firestone version may be the better fit. Whitewall width also changes the finished look of the car, so wheel measurement and restoration style should be considered together rather than separately.

1963 Fairthorpe tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in good condition, and matched to the way the car is actually driven. The 155R13 radial options carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. The 560-13 bias-ply options do not present the same kind of modern speed marking here, so road use in that construction should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a vintage bias-ply tire and an early-1960s specialty sports car.

In real driving, the car's age, brakes, suspension condition, steering precision, and general mechanical health are often more important limits than the tire alone. Highway safety starts with a balanced package rather than a speed letter by itself. For longer or faster trips, choose a tire whose construction suits your use, then inspect the whole car with the same care you give the tires.

Inflation pressure for a 1963 Fairthorpe should be confirmed from the vehicle literature and the exact tire's own specifications rather than borrowed from another size. Within the available 560-13 bias-ply options, the load marking appears as 850 pounds at 30 psi. The radial 155R13 group does not carry the same pressure statement here, so it should not automatically be assigned the bias-ply figure.

That distinction matters because pressure is part of how the tire carries load and shapes its contact patch. Using one size's pressure figure on another size or construction can lead to compromised ride, wear, and handling. Start with the car's original guidance, compare it with the reproduction tire's own rated information, and make sure front and rear pressures suit the tire actually mounted on the wheel.

Before a longer drive in a 1963 Fairthorpe, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, irregular wear, and stable air pressure. Check valve stems carefully, and if your final setup uses tube-type components, include them in the inspection plan rather than focusing only on the outer casing. The spare tire deserves the same look-over, because many collector-car spares age in place for decades.

Tire checks should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on a specialty car of this age. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and lighting all deserve attention before the trip begins. A 1963 Fairthorpe rewards preparation, and the goal is confidence rather than improvisation once you are already on the road.