1963 Ford Tire Fitment Guide

1963 Ford vehicles use twelve distinct sizes: 145R13, 520-13, 155R13, 560-13, 6.50-14, 700-13, 700-14, 650-13, 600-13, 750-14, 800-14, 850-14, and 640-13. Anglia uses 145R13 or 520-13; Consul uses 155R13, 560-13, 145R13, or 520-13; Cortina uses 155R13 or 560-13; Fairlane uses 6.50-14, 700-13, or 700-14; Falcon uses 650-13, 700-13, or 600-13; full-size Ford and Ford Wagons use 700-14 or 750-14; Galaxie uses 750-14, 800-14, or 850-14; Mark III uses 640-13 or 650-13; Thunderbird uses 800-14.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for a safe starting point. Some 1963 Ford models stay entirely on 13-inch wheels, others on 14-inch wheels, and Fairlane spans both. Rim-width guidance also changes by size, from narrow 3.50 to 4.00 inch applications on smaller 13-inch bias-ply tires up to 5.50 to 6.00 inch ranges on larger 14-inch full-size tires. Check the exact model first, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the car before narrowing to sidewall style or construction.

On a 1963 Ford, 145R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 145 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In period-style reproduction and classic radial practice, a size written this way conventionally falls into the 80-series profile family even though the aspect ratio is not printed in the code itself.

That matters because 145R13 belongs to Ford's smaller British-market cars, not to the American full-size line. On a 1963 Ford Anglia or some Consul applications, it represents a radial path rather than a traditional bias-ply one. If your priority is road use with radial construction while staying in the same general diameter class, 145R13 is the size family to verify. If your car currently wears a numeric bias-ply size such as 520-13, compare the exact model application before changing formats.

No, 1963 Ford models do not use one shared tire size. Ford's range that year spans compact British cars, American compacts, mid-size cars, full-size sedans and wagons, and the Thunderbird, so tire sizes vary accordingly. The smallest British Fords use 13-inch radial metric or small numeric bias-ply sizes, Falcon and Fairlane use several different 13-inch and 14-inch numeric bias-ply sizes, and the largest full-size cars move into 750-14, 800-14, and 850-14 territory.

That variety has a practical effect: identifying the model is mandatory before choosing a tire. A 1963 Ford Falcon and a 1963 Ford Galaxie are both Fords from the same year, but they sit in entirely different size families and wheel diameters. Even within one model line, more than one size may apply. Start with the model name on the car, then compare the size stamped on the existing tire or check a trusted factory reference before moving on to sidewall style or brand.

For a 1963 Ford Anglia or some Consul applications, the choice between 145R13 and 520-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. 145R13 is the radial option and appears in blackwall form from Michelin and Firestone, while 520-13 stays in the traditional numeric bias-ply family with blackwall and narrow whitewall choices. Both mount on 13-inch wheels, but they represent different construction eras and driving character.

Owners focused on period appearance and restoration presentation usually lean toward 520-13 because it preserves the traditional bias-ply look and stance. Owners who plan to drive more regularly often prefer 145R13 because radial construction changes the way the car feels on modern roads. The right answer depends less on raw fitment than on how you use the car and how closely you want it to reflect an early-1960s bias-ply presentation.

1963 Ford tire choices cover a wide span of sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline depending on size. The smaller radial sizes 145R13 and 155R13 stay in blackwall form, while many numeric bias-ply sizes add whitewall treatments. 700-14 can be blackwall or narrow whitewall, 750-14 reaches into narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, and 800-14 spans blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall.

That variety matters because sidewall appearance changes the character of a restored car almost as much as wheel covers or ride height. On 1963 Ford sedans, wagons, and luxury models, whitewall width often shapes whether the car reads as understated, upscale, or more period-correct for showroom style. Redlines belong to a more specialized visual statement. Once the correct size is confirmed, choose the sidewall treatment that matches the trim level, market, and restoration goal you are aiming to present.

1963 Ford tires are available from Michelin, Firestone, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Premium Sport, Coker Classic, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire, depending on the size. The radial 13-inch British Ford sizes come from Michelin, Firestone, and Dunlop, while many American numeric bias-ply sizes are covered by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, US Royal, and Firestone. Some sizes are narrow in brand coverage, and others—especially 750-14—offer a broader spread of names and sidewall treatments.

Brand choice should follow size and construction, not the other way around. If your 1963 Ford uses a small metric radial, your options stay focused on classic radial specialists. If it uses a larger domestic bias-ply size, you may have more freedom to compare brand heritage, whitewall width, and overall visual character. Once the size is settled, compare the available brands within that size family to see which one best matches the look and purpose of your restoration or driver.

Rim-width requirements for 1963 Ford tires depend on the exact size. Smaller 13-inch bias-ply sizes run from 3.50-inch applications on 520-13 and 560-13 up to 4.50 to 5.00 inches on 650-13, while 600-13 and 640-13 sit in the 4.00 to 4.50 inch range. The radial 145R13 works on 4.00 to 5.00 inch rims, and 155R13 reaches 4.00 to 5.50 inches. Larger 14-inch domestic sizes move wider, with 700-14 and 750-14 at 5.00 to 5.50 inches, 800-14 at 5.00 to 6.00 inches, and 850-14 at 5.50 to 6.00 inches.

Those ranges are important because matching the tire to the wheel affects sidewall shape, tread profile, and the way the tire sits on the car. A 13-inch compact Ford wheel and a 14-inch full-size Ford wheel are not interchangeable just because both came from the same make and year family. Check the wheel diameter first, then compare the actual rim width against the approved range for the size you plan to run before mounting anything.

Tube requirements on 1963 Ford tires depend on the exact size and the specific product. The 145R13 radial range includes a version marked TL for tubeless use, while other products in that same size family do not use the same marking. Many bias-ply options do not spell out tube status in the sidewall code shown here, so tube use should be treated as product-specific rather than assumed across the whole 1963 Ford range.

That means the wheel matters almost as much as the tire. Original early-1960s wheels, especially on smaller cars or older-style bias-ply applications, may still be run with tubes depending on the tire design and wheel condition. Before finalizing a setup, confirm the sidewall marking on the exact tire you choose and inspect the wheel itself for suitability. If you are restoring an original wheel, tube decisions are best made with both the tire specification and the wheel's design in mind.

Original 1963 Ford wheels can only be used with tire sizes that match their diameter and fall within an appropriate rim-width range. Many smaller models use 13-inch wheels and many larger models use 14-inch wheels, so a 145R13 or 650-13 cannot go onto a 14-inch full-size Ford wheel, and an 800-14 cannot go onto a 13-inch compact wheel. Even within one diameter, approved rim width changes from size to size.

The practical takeaway is to treat the wheel already on the car as part of the fitment, not just a mounting surface. A Fairlane is a good example because it can fall into both 13-inch and 14-inch size families depending on application. Confirm the wheel diameter stamped or measured on the car, then compare that wheel's width with the range for the tire you want. That keeps an original wheel in service without forcing an incompatible size onto it.

A 1963 Ford stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall cracking. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid parking on contaminated concrete or oily surfaces, and move the car periodically if it will sit for long stretches. Bias-ply tires are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting after storage, while any collector tire can age faster if exposed to heat and ultraviolet light.

If the car will sit for months, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. That is especially helpful on larger bias-ply sizes used on Galaxie, Thunderbird, and full-size Ford models. A good storage routine protects the sidewalls, preserves the ride quality you expect when the car comes back out, and prevents small age-related issues from becoming visible damage.

Tires on a 1963 Ford should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. Collector vehicles often accumulate very few miles, so tread depth alone can give a false sense of security. A sensible rule is to begin careful evaluation around the five- to seven-year mark and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, along with sidewall condition and pressure retention, tells the more useful story.

That approach matters because a lightly used show car can still carry old rubber that looks respectable at a glance. Sidewall checking, hardening of the compound, and age-related internal deterioration matter just as much on a 1963 Ford as visible wear. Keep records of when the tires were installed, inspect them seasonally, and do not assume a low-mileage classic tire is automatically a long-life tire simply because it has seen limited road use.

Tires on a 1963 Ford should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire has been losing air. On tube-type or tube-possible applications, include the valve stem and the wheel's sealing surfaces in that inspection routine because air loss may not always originate in the tread or sidewall itself.

A quick pre-drive walkaround is often enough to catch the problems that strand collector cars or damage hard-to-replace bodywork. Early signs of trouble show up visually long before a catastrophic failure, especially on older bias-ply tires used on 1963 Ford full-size and compact models. Add pressure checks at regular intervals, and inspect the spare with the same care. A sound spare is part of the tire system, not an afterthought.

A 1963 Ford Anglia would have been associated with period-correct tire construction of its era, which means bias-ply fitment remains the most authenticity-minded starting point for restoration work. In the size family covered here, that points to 520-13 as the traditional bias-ply route, while 145R13 represents a radial alternative for owners who prefer that construction. No original-equipment brand should be assumed unless you have factory literature or a verified market-specific reference for your car.

That distinction matters because an Anglia restored for originality is judged on more than diameter alone. Construction type, sidewall look, and even whitewall treatment can alter whether the car presents as truly period-correct or as a sympathetic driver restoration. If your car is tied to a specific export market, trim level, or surviving factory paperwork, use those clues along with marque-club knowledge to confirm the most authentic final choice.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1963 Ford, especially in judged classes that emphasize authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size family, construction type, and sidewall treatment match the era and the model's market position. A radial on a car restored for strict originality, or an oversized whitewall style on a model that would have worn a more restrained presentation, can stand out quickly even if the wheel diameter is correct.

The practical goal is to match the tire to the story your restoration is telling. A driver-quality car may reasonably prioritize function, while a concours-minded car usually benefits from staying as close as possible to original bias-ply appearance and appropriate sidewall styling. Event rules vary, so if trophies matter, check the judging standards used by the hosting club or Ford marque organization before finalizing the tire choice.

For a 1963 Ford using 560-13, the BFGoodrich and Firestone options are both bias-ply tires with the same published load figure of 850 pounds at 30 psi, but they differ in sidewall presentation and rim-width coverage. BFGoodrich offers both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions with a 3.50 to 4.00 inch rim-width range. Firestone offers a wide whitewall version with a 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim-width range.

That makes the choice less about raw capacity and more about wheel compatibility and appearance. If your car needs the narrower approved rim range or you want the option of a slimmer whitewall, the BFGoodrich family gives you more flexibility. If your wheel sits in the slightly wider range and you prefer a broader whitewall presentation, the Firestone may be the cleaner fit. Confirm the wheel width before choosing strictly by style.

1963 Ford tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of their construction and speed rating. The radial 145R13 and 155R13 offerings include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph ceiling, while many of the domestic numeric bias-ply sizes here do not show a modern speed letter in the same way. In normal collector-car highway use, the car's brakes, suspension, steering, and overall mechanical state are usually at least as important as the tire's theoretical top-speed capability.

The key is using the tire as part of a complete, realistic road-use plan. A well-sorted Cortina on fresh radials and a carefully maintained Galaxie on correct bias-ply tires are both different driving experiences, but either can be enjoyed responsibly at ordinary highway speeds. Keep inflation correct, inspect for age and damage, and remember that a 1963 Ford should always be driven with the limits of its era in mind, not the assumptions of a modern car.

Inflation pressure on a 1963 Ford depends on the exact tire size and the tire's own rated load relationship, not on one blanket number for the whole make. Published load-and-pressure figures include 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi on one version and up to 1100 pounds at 60 psi on another, 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi, 700-13 at 1270 pounds at 32 psi, 700-14 at 1360 pounds at 32 psi, 750-14 up to 1580 pounds at 32 psi, 800-14 up to 1620 pounds at 32 psi, and 850-14 at 1740 pounds at 32 psi.

Those figures should not be treated as universal running pressures for every 1963 Ford. Use the original owner's manual or factory specification as your baseline for the vehicle, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's guidance for the exact reproduction or classic tire you choose. Do not transfer a pressure figure from a 13-inch compact size to a 14-inch full-size size. Matching pressure to both the car and the tire is what matters.

Before a longer drive in a 1963 Ford, inspect every tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, and on applications where tube use is part of the setup, pay close attention to air retention and stem condition. The spare should also be inflated and inspected, because a spare that has aged out is not real backup on a road trip.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive checklist on a car of this age, but they are the one part in constant contact with the road. After the tires are confirmed, give equal attention to wheel fasteners, brakes, steering, suspension, and fluid levels. A longer drive is much more enjoyable when the car starts the trip with fresh inspections rather than assumptions, especially on larger, heavier 1963 Ford models that place greater demands on the tire system.