1964 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1964 Ford-Taunus vehicles use five sizes across two models: 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13 for the 12M; 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13 for the 17M. The only shared size is 590-13, which fits both the 12M and 17M. Every size mounts on a 13-inch rim, but rim-width needs change by size. 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 fits 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims depending on brand, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident choice on a 1964 Ford-Taunus. Start by identifying whether you have a 12M or 17M, then match the tire size to the wheel actually on the car. If your car has been restored, imported, or changed over the years, confirm the stamping or measure the rim before choosing between the narrower 12M sizes and the larger 17M sizes. The shared 590-13 can simplify things, but it should still be checked against the wheel and the look you want.

On a 1964 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width, expressed in the older inch-based style, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. That format does not include a separate aspect ratio because numeric bias-ply sizing predates the modern metric system used on later radials. For the 12M, 560-13 appears as a model-specific bias-ply choice rather than a universal size across the whole Taunus range.

A buyer usually encounters 560-13 when aiming for a traditional 1960s presentation, especially with whitewall styling. It is not interchangeable in meaning with 155R13 even though both fit 13-inch wheels, because the construction, dimensions, and appearance belong to different tire eras. If your goal is restoration-minded visual correctness on a 12M, 560-13 deserves attention. If your goal is a radial format with a more European period road-tire look, the metric option is the more relevant comparison.

On a 1964 Ford-Taunus, 155R13 and 165R13 are Euro-metric radial tire sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because these are older metric radial sizes without a printed aspect ratio, they conventionally fall into the 80-series family. In the Taunus range, 155R13 belongs to the 12M and 165R13 belongs to the 17M.

That difference matters because the two radial sizes are not just alternate spellings of the same tire. The 17M's 165R13 is wider and expects a broader rim-width range than the 12M's 155R13. Both sizes are available in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, which suits the European character of the Taunus well. If the car still wears its original-style wheel size, the model name is usually the quickest way to separate which of these two radial options you should be considering.

No, not all 1964 Ford-Taunus models use the same tire size. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13, while the 17M uses 165R13, 590-13, and 640-13. Only 590-13 crosses over between both models. Even though the entire range stays with 13-inch wheels, the size spread reflects the difference between the smaller 12M and the larger 17M.

That makes model identification the first practical step before choosing a tire. A 12M owner deciding between 155R13 and 560-13 is weighing a very different set of options than a 17M owner choosing between 165R13 and 640-13. If your car's trim badge, registration, or import paperwork leaves any doubt, verify the model before moving on to construction type or sidewall style. It prevents confusion, especially on cars that have changed wheels or tires during decades of service and restoration.

For a 1964 Ford-Taunus 12M, the choice between 155R13 and 560-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. 155R13 is the metric radial option and comes in blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, while 560-13 is a bias-ply size available with narrow or wide whitewall styling from BFGoodrich and wide whitewall styling from Firestone. Both fit 13-inch wheels, but they call for different rim-width ranges depending on the exact tire chosen.

A 12M restored with strong emphasis on period visual character often points buyers toward 560-13 because the whitewall bias-ply look is part of the overall presentation. A 12M used more regularly on modern roads may lead an owner toward 155R13 because it keeps the car in a period-appropriate European radial format. The right answer depends less on appearance alone than on how the car is meant to be used, and whether the existing wheel width suits the tire you prefer.

1964 Ford-Taunus tires are available in both blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on size. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 come in blackwall form, while the bias-ply sizes lean into whitewall presentation: 560-13 appears in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, and both 590-13 and 640-13 are available as wide whitewalls. That gives the Taunus range a clear visual split between European-style radials and classic American-market whitewall bias-ply offerings.

For a buyer, sidewall style can be nearly as important as size because it changes the car's stance and era impression. A blackwall radial generally feels more in tune with the restrained European character of the Taunus, while a whitewall bias-ply pushes the look toward a stronger mid-century restoration statement. Show standards and personal taste can both influence that choice. If appearance matters as much as fitment, decide on sidewall style early so you can narrow the field without second-guessing later.

Three brands cover 1964 Ford-Taunus tire sizes: Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, with brand availability depending on the size. Michelin and Dunlop supply the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 in blackwall form. BFGoodrich covers all three bias-ply sizes used in the Taunus range, and Firestone appears in 560-13. Each brand therefore supports a different part of the size map rather than every size across the whole year and make.

That spread gives buyers a useful shortcut. If you are focused on a metric radial for a 12M or 17M, the search naturally centers on Michelin and Dunlop. If you want a traditional whitewall bias-ply presentation, BFGoodrich becomes especially important because it reaches 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13, while Firestone adds another path in 560-13. Start with the correct size first, then compare the brands available inside that size rather than trying to choose a brand before the fitment question is settled.

1964 Ford-Taunus tires span several rim-width ranges even though all of them use 13-inch wheels. The 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 bias-ply fits either 3.50 to 4.00 or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the brand, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. Those ranges show why wheel width matters just as much as wheel diameter.

A buyer comparing a 12M and 17M tire should pay close attention here because the larger 17M radial wants a broader wheel than the 12M radial. Even within 560-13, brand-to-brand rim-width range can differ, so it is worth checking the exact tire against the wheel currently on the car. Measuring the wheel before ordering is especially smart on restored or imported Taunus models, where a previous owner may have changed wheels while keeping the original 13-inch diameter.

Inner-tube requirements on 1964 Ford-Taunus tires depend on the exact size and product. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 include tubeless examples, but tube status varies by product because not every radial carries the same marking. The bias-ply sizes do not all carry an explicit tube designation in the size marking, so the safest approach is to confirm the sidewall marking and the wheel design before finalizing the setup.

That matters because tube use is not just a tire question; it is also a wheel question. Original-style wheels, wheel condition, and the way the rim was designed to seal all influence whether a tubeless tire should be run as tubeless or with a tube. On a collector car like a 1964 Ford-Taunus, it is wise to inspect the wheel closely and match the tire's actual sidewall marking to the intended installation. One product in a given size may not be configured exactly like another.

Original 1964 Ford-Taunus wheels can share the same basic 13-inch rim diameter across all five sizes, so wheel diameter itself does not separate the fitments. The limiting factor is rim width, which changes from size to size. A 590-13 wants a narrower 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim, while a 165R13 radial is intended for a much broader 4.50 to 6.00-inch range. That means not every original 13-inch wheel is automatically suitable for every Taunus size.

The practical takeaway is to measure before assuming interchangeability. If your 12M or 17M still wears its original wheels, they may suit one of the sizes associated with that model very well but fall outside the recommended range for another. This is especially important when converting between bias-ply and radial construction, since the radial options generally call for wider wheel ranges. Wheel width verification is a faster and safer step than trying to judge fitment by appearance once the tire is mounted.

A 1964 Ford-Taunus should be stored away from direct sunlight, ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors or chargers, and damp surfaces that hold moisture around the tires. Keep the car clean, maintain proper inflation, and move it occasionally so the tires are not supporting the same contact patch for months at a time. Bias-ply tires on a Taunus, such as 560-13, 590-13, or 640-13, are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than the radial sizes.

Owners who store the car for a season often do well with a cool, dry garage and either periodic rolling or properly placed stands to reduce long-term stress. Radials still age in storage, but bias-ply tires tend to show their storage habits more quickly in ride feel after the car returns to the road. If the Taunus is a low-mile collector piece, a little storage discipline matters more than chasing mileage intervals. Long inactivity is often harder on the tires than gentle use.

Tires on a 1964 Ford-Taunus should be judged more by age, condition, and storage history than by miles traveled. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to consider replacement around the ten-year mark even if the tread still looks strong. Collector cars often accumulate very little mileage, so a tire can appear healthy while the rubber compound is already aging. The DOT date code is the starting point for that timeline.

That age-based approach is especially important on a lightly driven Taunus that spends long periods parked between outings. Sidewall checking, stiffness, and loss of pressure retention can matter more than tread depth on cars that only come out for shows or weekend use. If the car has recently changed hands, verify the actual age of every tire, including the spare. A newer-looking reproduction tire is still an old tire if the manufacturing date says it has been in service for many years.

Tires on a 1964 Ford-Taunus should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the tire has lost pressure since the last time the car was used. On tube-type installations, the valve stems deserve the same attention as the casing itself because stem condition can become the weak point on an otherwise sound-looking collector tire.

A quick walkaround takes only a minute and can prevent a roadside problem that starts with a car sitting still, not a car being driven hard. It is also the best time to catch age-related issues that creep up slowly on vintage tires. If the Taunus has been stored for a while, check each tire after the first short drive as well, since flat-spot feel or pressure loss may only become obvious once the car is moving. Consistency matters more than complexity here.

For a 1964 Ford-Taunus 12M, both bias-ply and radial-era thinking are relevant, but bias-ply construction remained the default original-equipment pattern for many cars of the period while radials were increasingly important in Europe. Within the 12M size family, 560-13 and 590-13 are the bias-ply choices, while 155R13 is the metric radial option. That mix reflects a moment when European manufacturers and buyers were moving toward radial technology without leaving older fitment conventions behind overnight.

If your goal is strict originality, the safest path is to confirm market-specific fitment through Ford Taunus club resources, factory literature, or marque specialists, since country, trim, and delivery market could influence what a particular car wore when new. For many restorations, the broad decision starts with construction type before narrowing to sidewall style. A blackwall radial may look right on one 12M restoration, while a whitewall bias-ply may better suit another depending on the car's history and presentation.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1964 Ford-Taunus because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A car restored for authenticity can lose credibility if it wears a visibly modern-looking tire format that does not match the period or if the sidewall treatment clashes with the way the car would have been presented in its market. On a Taunus, that can mean the difference between a blackwall radial look and a whitewall bias-ply statement.

That does not mean every show expects the same standard. Some events reward overall condition and presentation more than exact construction, while marque-focused judging can be much stricter about what looks right for the year and model. The smart move is to decide early whether the car is being restored for touring, local shows, or formal judging. Then choose the tire size, construction, and sidewall style that fit that goal instead of changing direction late in the project.

For a 1964 Ford-Taunus 17M, the original-fitment conversation centers on the larger model's own size family: 165R13 as the metric radial option and 590-13 or 640-13 as bias-ply choices. In the mid-1960s European market, radials were becoming increasingly established, but bias-ply fitments were still part of the landscape, especially when viewed through restoration and replacement history. The 17M's broader sizing reflects its position above the 12M in the Taunus line.

A restoration-minded owner should treat those sizes as a fitment map, then confirm what is most appropriate for the exact car. Market delivery, prior restoration choices, and the style target for the finished car all matter. If the goal is authenticity at a high level, consult factory literature or marque specialists before settling on the final tire. If the goal is a balanced road car with a period European flavor, the 17M's radial option becomes especially relevant without forcing the appearance of a whitewall bias-ply.

1964 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway use when the tires are in good condition, correctly installed, and matched to the wheel and vehicle. The radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 appear in H-rated form, which carries a 130 mph ceiling. The bias-ply sizes do not carry the same modern-style speed notation here, so they should be approached with the normal expectations that come with vintage bias-ply construction. In real use, the car's own brakes, suspension, and overall mechanical condition are often the more immediate limit.

The practical question is not whether a reproduction collector tire can theoretically exceed everyday highway speed, but whether the entire 1964 Ford-Taunus is prepared for steady modern traffic. Tire age, inflation, wheel condition, and alignment all matter. A fresh radial on a sound 17M or 12M may suit regular touring differently than a bias-ply show-oriented setup, but no tire compensates for deferred maintenance elsewhere on the car. Safety starts with the whole package, not the speed letter alone.

Inflation pressure for 1964 Ford-Taunus tires should be tied to the exact size and tire chosen, not copied across the entire range. Among the bias-ply sizes, 560-13 carries a maximum load of 850 pounds at 30 psi, 590-13 carries 970 pounds at 32 psi, and 640-13 carries 1,045 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated load-and-pressure relationship, not automatically the factory operating pressure for every Taunus application.

Use the owner's manual or factory tire placard for the car's intended operating pressure, then confirm that the tire itself is appropriate for that use. Reproduction and specialty tires can differ from the original 1964 specification even when the nominal size matches. That is why pressure should always be chosen by combining vehicle guidance with the tire maker's rating for that exact product. Avoid assuming that one pressure works for both a 12M and 17M, or for both radial and bias-ply tires.

Before a longer drive in a 1964 Ford-Taunus, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, and if the car uses a tube-type setup, pay extra attention to stem condition and any signs of slow leakage. The spare should also be aired up and inspected, since many collector cars carry an old spare that has not been looked at in years.

That tire inspection should be part of a larger pre-trip routine that matches the age of the car. Brake feel, wheel bearing condition, steering play, fluid levels, lights, and charging-system behavior all deserve a look before committing to distance. On a vintage Ford-Taunus, the goal is dependable touring rather than reacting to problems on the road. A careful check at home is especially worthwhile when the car has not been driven much since its last event, season, or service interval.