1964 DKW Tire Fitment Guide

1964 DKW vehicles use six sizes across two models. The F102 uses 590-13 and 600-13, both bias-ply sizes for 13-inch rims. The Junior uses 145R12 radial and 520-12 bias-ply on 12-inch rims, plus 5.50-13 and 560-13 bias-ply on 13-inch rims. Where rim-width guidance is available, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, 145R12 fits a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 fits a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the product.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for 1964 DKW fitment. You need to identify whether the car is an F102 or a Junior, then confirm whether it currently wears 12-inch or 13-inch wheels. On a Junior, that wheel check matters even more because both diameters appear within the same model family. Matching the tire to the wheel first prevents chasing a correct-looking size that simply does not mount on the rim you have.

On a 1964 DKW, 590-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.90 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the F102, this size mounts on a 13-inch wheel and is paired with bias-ply construction rather than radial construction. In available form, it appears as a BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply with a wide whitewall and a 970-pound load rating at 32 psi.

That decoding matters because numeric sizing can look unfamiliar next to modern metric radials. A 590-13 is not just a generic 13-inch tire; it carries a particular width convention, construction type, and visual character that suit a period-correct F102. If your car already wears 13-inch wheels and you want to preserve the original bias-ply feel and stance, this is the kind of size code you want to understand before comparing it with the slightly wider 600-13 alternative.

On a 1964 DKW, 145R12 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the Junior. The 145 is the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 12 is the wheel diameter in inches. In current reproduction form, this size appears as a Michelin MX blackwall tubeless tire with an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. It is a fundamentally different format from the Junior’s numeric bias-ply sizes.

That difference affects both fitment and feel. A 145R12 requires a 12-inch wheel, so it is not interchangeable with the Junior’s 13-inch bias-ply sizes without changing wheels. It also represents the radial path within the 1964 DKW Junior range, which many owners consider when the car will be driven more regularly. If your Junior has 12-inch wheels and you want to stay with a metric radial format, 145R12 is the code to verify on the sidewall.

No, 1964 DKW models do not all use the same tire size. The F102 stays with two 13-inch bias-ply sizes, 590-13 and 600-13, while the Junior uses four different sizes: 145R12 radial, 520-12 bias-ply, 5.50-13 bias-ply, and 560-13 bias-ply. That means there is no single tire size that covers the full 1964 DKW range. Even within the Junior, wheel diameter can differ from one setup to another.

For a buyer, this means model identification is the first filter, not a final detail to sort out later. If you know you have a Junior, the next step is checking whether the car is on 12-inch or 13-inch wheels before comparing brands or sidewall styles. If you have an F102, the process is narrower because both fitments are 13-inch bias-ply sizes, but you still need to confirm which of the two widths belongs on your car.

For a 1964 DKW Junior, the choice between 145R12 and 520-12 starts with wheel diameter and construction type. The 145R12 is a radial for a 12-inch wheel, while the 520-12 is a bias-ply size for a 12-inch wheel. The radial option comes as a Michelin blackwall tubeless tire with an S speed rating, while the 520-12 is available from BFGoodrich as a bias-ply in either blackwall or wide whitewall form. Both fit 12-inch-wheel Juniors, but they represent different tire eras and driving character.

Choose 520-12 when preserving a more period-correct small-car look is the priority, especially if whitewall styling matters to the presentation. Choose 145R12 when you want to keep the Junior on its 12-inch wheels but move to a radial construction. Neither decision should be made by appearance alone, because the sidewall code determines both the tire’s construction and how it interacts with the car. Confirm the wheel, then decide whether originality or radial road manners better suits how you use the car.

1964 DKW tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, depending on size. The F102’s 590-13 comes as a wide whitewall, while 600-13 is offered in both narrow and wide whitewall. On the Junior, 145R12 is a blackwall radial, 520-12 comes in blackwall or wide whitewall, and 560-13 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Those choices give a meaningful difference in visual presentation even when the construction type stays the same.

For a mid-1960s European car, sidewall style affects authenticity and overall stance as much as it affects appearance from a few feet away. A blackwall usually reads more understated and practical, while whitewalls lean toward a period accessory or export-market look. If you are trying to match a restoration theme, compare the car’s existing wheel covers, trim level, and period photos before choosing a sidewall treatment. That approach keeps the tire from looking visually out of step with the rest of the car.

1964 DKW vehicles are covered by BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Michelin depending on size. BFGoodrich covers 590-13, 600-13, 520-12, and part of the 560-13 range, while Firestone also appears in 560-13. Michelin supplies the 145R12 radial used on the Junior. Brand choice is therefore tied closely to the size and construction you need rather than being uniform across the whole 1964 DKW lineup.

That matters because the right brand conversation starts after you have narrowed down the correct size code. An F102 owner will mainly be choosing within BFGoodrich bias-ply offerings, while a Junior owner may be comparing BFGoodrich and Firestone in 560-13 or moving to Michelin by choosing 145R12. If period visual character matters, compare the available whitewall treatments as closely as the brand name, since sidewall appearance can change the finished look of the car just as much as the name on the casing.

Rim-width guidance for 1964 DKW tires depends on the size. The F102’s 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. For the Junior, 145R12 fits a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 fits a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the tire you choose. Those ranges are specific to the tire size and, in some cases, to the individual product within that size.

Use rim width as a final confirmation step before settling on a tire. Two sizes may share the same wheel diameter but still expect a different wheel width, which affects how the tire sits and performs on the rim. This is especially relevant on 560-13, where one version favors a narrower wheel and another accepts a wider one. Measuring the wheel you actually have is often the quickest way to avoid a mismatch on a restored or long-owned car.

Tube requirements for 1964 DKW tires depend on the exact size and product. The 145R12 Michelin radial is a tubeless tire, identified as TL. The bias-ply sizes do not carry a tubeless marking in the size description here, so they should be treated as requiring confirmation against the tire’s sidewall and the wheel design before installation. On vintage cars, the wheel itself matters just as much as the tire when determining whether tube use is appropriate.

That means a Junior on 145R12 can be approached differently from a Junior or F102 running one of the older numeric bias-ply sizes. If your wheel is an original-style rim intended for earlier tire constructions, confirm the tire’s sidewall marking and whether the wheel is suitable for tubeless service before making assumptions. This step is especially important on cars that may have had wheel swaps over the years, because a tire and wheel can each tell a different story about what the setup really needs.

A 1964 DKW should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing water, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, compressors, or battery chargers. Keep the tires at proper inflation, and if the car will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading on one contact patch. That matters even more on bias-ply sizes like 590-13, 600-13, 520-12, 5.50-13, and 560-13, because bias-ply tires can flat-spot more readily during static storage than radial tires.

A Junior fitted with 145R12 radial tires may recover from short-term storage flat spotting differently than one on bias-ply rubber, but both still benefit from a cool, dark, dry environment. Collector cars often age their tires through time and storage conditions rather than mileage alone. If the car stays parked for an entire season, include the spare in your storage routine and inspect all tires before the first drive back on the road.

On a 1964 DKW, tire age usually matters more than miles traveled. A good collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as a serious replacement consideration, even if tread depth still looks healthy. That guidance applies to both the Junior’s radial 145R12 and the bias-ply sizes used on the Junior and F102. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish the true age of the casing.

Older collector cars often spend long stretches parked, which can hide age-related deterioration behind low mileage. A set may look acceptable at first glance but still be too old for confident road use, especially if the sidewalls show weathering or the tire has spent years in heat or sun. When evaluating a 1964 DKW, think in terms of age, storage history, and condition rather than assuming that low annual mileage automatically means the tires still have useful life remaining.

Tires on a 1964 DKW should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tire still holds air consistently after the car has been parked. On setups where tube use may be involved, valve stems deserve the same attention because a deteriorated stem can create the same kind of reliability problem as an aging tire. The spare should be part of the inspection routine too.

This habit matters more on vintage cars than it does on newer daily drivers because long parking intervals can allow a problem to develop unnoticed. A quick walkaround catches issues that may not have been visible during the last drive, especially on whitewall tires where weather checking can first show at the sidewall surface. Before a tour or highway trip, add a pressure check and a close look at the inner sidewall if the wheel design allows access.

For a 1964 DKW F102, the original-era expectation is bias-ply construction, and the two period-style fitments in this range are 590-13 and 600-13. Both are 13-inch numeric bias-ply sizes, which aligns with what a buyer would expect on a mid-1960s European sedan before radial adoption became universal. Whitewall treatment could vary by market, dealer preference, or owner taste, so the key authenticity markers are the size family, the 13-inch fitment, and the bias-ply construction rather than a single universal sidewall look.

For restoration work, that means the safest starting point is staying within the F102’s two correct numeric bias-ply sizes and then matching the sidewall style to the look you are recreating. A marque club, period brochure, or unrestored reference car can help settle whether a narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, or plainer appearance best suits your specific market version. That extra step is worthwhile if the car will be judged or if you want the wheel-and-tire package to feel visually right.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1964 DKW because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style before they read any details about the restoration. A Junior wearing a radial 145R12 may be practical for road use, but it presents differently from a period-style numeric bias-ply fitment. On an F102, moving outside the proper 13-inch numeric bias-ply family would also stand out quickly. The tire is part of the car’s stance, proportion, and visual era-correctness.

For show-oriented ownership, aim to match the tire format to the kind of restoration you are presenting. A preservation or concours-minded car generally benefits from period-correct sizing language and sidewall treatment, while a driver-quality car has more room for personal preference. Event rules and judging standards can vary, so if the car is heading to a marque-specific show, check with the organizing club or judging manual before finalizing the tire choice.

For the 1964 DKW Junior in 560-13, BFGoodrich and Firestone differ mainly in sidewall treatment and rim-width pairing. BFGoodrich offers 560-13S in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form, each with a load rating of 850 pounds at 30 psi and a recommended rim width of 3.50 to 4.00 inches. Firestone offers a wide whitewall 560-13 with the same 850-pound load rating at 30 psi, but with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range. Construction stays bias-ply in both cases.

That means the choice is not just cosmetic. If your Junior has a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich versions align with that wheel width, while a slightly wider rim may point you toward the Firestone. Sidewall appearance also changes the finished look, especially if you are matching period accessories or trying to echo a certain restoration style. Measuring the wheel before choosing between the two brands is the smart move, because it resolves both the visual and fitment question at once.

1964 DKW tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire size, condition, inflation, and construction all match the intended use. The clearest published speed figure in this range is the Junior’s 145R12 Michelin radial, which carries an S rating with a 112 mph ceiling. The numeric bias-ply sizes do not show a separate modern speed letter here, so they should be approached as traditional vintage-style tires whose safe real-world use depends on condition and sensible operation. On a compact 1960s DKW, the car’s own braking, suspension, and overall mechanical condition matter at least as much as raw tire speed capability.

For normal collector-car road use, that means highway driving is less about chasing a high speed number and more about making sure the whole setup is healthy. Fresh, properly inflated tires on straight wheels with sound steering and brakes inspire much more confidence than simply choosing a more modern-looking sidewall. If a 1964 DKW will be driven regularly at sustained road speeds, the radial Junior fitment may appeal to some owners, but every setup still needs a full mechanical once-over before longer trips.

Inflation pressure on 1964 DKW tires should be matched to the size and the tire’s own rating, then checked against the vehicle’s factory guidance. Among the available sizes, 590-13 carries a 970-pound maximum load at 32 psi, 600-13 carries 1,010 pounds at 32 psi, 520-12 carries 694 pounds at 30 psi, and 560-13 carries 850 pounds at 30 psi. Those are tire load-and-pressure ratings, not a blanket recommendation to inflate every 1964 DKW tire to the same pressure. The 145R12 radial should be set according to the tire maker’s specification and the vehicle’s operating needs.

The best approach is to use the owner’s manual or factory placard as the starting point for the car, then compare that with the reproduction tire’s rated pressure information. A 12-inch Junior setup should not automatically borrow pressure from a 13-inch F102 size, and one bias-ply size should not inherit another’s number just because both are vintage-looking tires. Pressure tuning on a light front-wheel-drive car affects ride and wear noticeably, so verify the exact size before adjusting anything.

Before taking a 1964 DKW on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and any sign that the casing has aged out of service. Confirm cold inflation pressure, check that the spare is usable, and examine valve stems closely, especially on any setup where tube use may be involved. On whitewall tires, look carefully for age checking in the sidewall surface as well as around the bead area. A short collector-car inspection should always start at the ground and work upward.

Once the tires are covered, widen the inspection to the rest of the car in keeping with its age. A 1964 DKW benefits from a quick review of brakes, steering feel, wheel-bearing play, fluid levels, and lighting before a tour or highway run. Vintage compact cars are usually happiest when small issues are caught in the garage instead of becoming roadside problems. A careful pre-drive routine protects the tires and helps the whole car feel calmer and more predictable once you are out on the road.