1964 Rover was a remarkably broad snapshot of the British motor industry, spanning the workhorse Land Rover 88 and 109 models on one side and the modern, road-focused Rover 2000 sedan on the other. That mix matters when choosing tires, because the year does not revolve around one shared fitment. Three models use five different sizes, split across 14-inch and 16-inch wheels and across both bias-ply and radial construction. In practical terms, the first thing to confirm on a 1964 Rover is the exact model, then whether you want the period feel of a bias-ply tire or the more modern road manners that come with the radial options available on certain models.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1964 Rover
Five tire sizes appear across the 1964 Rover range, and they vary by model rather than being shared across all vehicles. The real choice starts with identifying whether you have a 109, 2000, or 88, then confirming whether your Rover uses a 14-inch or 16-inch wheel and whether you want bias-ply or radial construction where both are offered for that model. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the correct vehicle and driving goals.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): 109|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
The 750-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 7.50 representing the nominal section width and 16 indicating a 16-inch rim. This size is specific to the 1964 Rover 109 and is available from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. It suits owners who want a traditional bias-ply look and feel for a long-wheelbase Land Rover, while also confirming the wheel falls within the product's approved rim-width range where that is stated.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): 2000|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
The 165R14 is a euro-metric radial size, with 165 denoting section width in millimeters, an implied 80-series profile by convention, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the 1964 Rover 2000 and comes from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in blackwall form, with H speed ratings present and tube status varying by product. It is the radial choice for buyers who want a more contemporary touring character on the Rover 2000 while still staying within a size appropriate to the car.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): 2000|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
The 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 indicating the nominal section width and 14 identifying the 14-inch rim. This size is specific to the 1964 Rover 2000 and is offered by BFGoodrich in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. It is the period-style choice for a 2000 owner aiming for a more original mid-1960s look and bias-ply driving character rather than a radial conversion.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): 88|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16-in rim
The 175R16 is a euro-metric radial size, with 175 marking the section width in millimeters, an implied 80-series profile by convention, and a 16-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the 1964 Rover 88 and gives that short-wheelbase Land Rover a radial-format option on a 16-inch wheel. It is the size to focus on if your 88 has been set up around radial fitment and you want to continue with a radial-style road and trail driving experience.
Year(s): 1964|Fit(s): 88|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
The 600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.00 indicating nominal section width and 16 denoting a 16-inch rim. This size is specific to the 1964 Rover 88 and is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in blackwall and wide whitewall styles; H-rated versions are also present, so speed ratings vary by product. It fits buyers who want a traditional bias-ply setup on an 88, whether the goal is a more factory-era appearance or a classic roadgoing presentation.
Three Rover models are covered for 1964, and they do not all use the same tire size. The Rover 2000, Rover 88, and Rover 109 each follow their own fitment path, with the 2000 using 14-inch tires and the Land Rover models centered on 16-inch applications. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and see the tire sizes and products that relate to that specific Rover.
1964 Rover 109
The 1964 Rover 109 was the long-wheelbase Land Rover, valued for utility, load space, and off-road durability more than outright comfort. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, and its fitment stays focused on the heavier-duty 750-16 size rather than sharing the smaller 88's tire choices.
The 1964 Rover 2000 marked Rover's move into a more modern executive-sedan formula, with a unibody chassis and a far more contemporary roadgoing mission than the Land Rover line. Its tires mount on 14-inch wheels, and it is the only 1964 Rover here with both a bias-ply and a radial path in the same rim diameter.
The 1964 Rover 88 was the short-wheelbase Land Rover, known for its compact proportions and go-anywhere simplicity. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, and it can be approached either with the traditional 600-16 bias-ply size or with a 175R16 radial-size setup depending on how the vehicle is equipped.
Twenty products are available across five tire sizes for 1964 Rover vehicles. The 750-16 offers 4 bias-ply choices from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich in blackwall or wide whitewall; 165R14 has 3 radial blackwall options from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; 560-14 has 3 BFGoodrich bias-ply choices in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall; 600-16 has 4 bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone in blackwall or wide whitewall. Confirm size preference and construction first, since tube requirements and speed ratings can vary within a size.
These FAQs sort out the real 1964 Rover questions: which sizes belong to the 88, 109, and 2000, when bias-ply versus radial matters, what sidewall styles exist, and how to care for collector tires on vehicles that may spend long periods parked.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1964 Rover vehicles?
1964 Rover vehicles use five sizes across three models. The Rover 109 uses 750-16, the Rover 2000 uses either 165R14 or 560-14, and the Rover 88 uses either 175R16 or 600-16. The 2000 stays on 14-inch rims in both of its sizes, while the 88 and 109 use 16-inch rims. Rim-width guidance appears on several products, including 5.00 to 6.00 inches for many 750-16 tires, 3.50 to 4.00 inches for 560-14, 4.50 to 6.00 or 4.0 to 5.5 for 165R14 depending on brand, and 4.00 to 4.50 for many 600-16 tires.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1964 Rover. Start with the exact model, then verify the wheel diameter already on the vehicle, and finally decide whether you want the original-style bias-ply route or the radial alternative where your model supports both. That three-step approach keeps a Rover 2000 from being confused with an 88 or 109, even though all belong to the same model year and make.
What does 560-14 mean on a 1964 Rover tire?
On a 1964 Rover, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. It does not use the modern metric radial convention, and it does not indicate a radial construction. For the Rover 2000, this size is the bias-ply option on a 14-inch rim, with products in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles.
Buyers usually encounter 560-14 when they want the Rover 2000 to keep its mid-1960s visual character and driving feel. It is not interchangeable in principle with the 165R14 simply because both mount on 14-inch rims; the construction, sidewall presentation, and overall character differ. If authenticity matters, 560-14 is the size to investigate first, while still checking wheel width and the exact product details before committing.
Do all 1964 Rover models use the same tire size?
No, 1964 Rover models do not share one universal tire size. The Rover 109 uses 750-16 only, the Rover 2000 uses 165R14 or 560-14, and the Rover 88 uses 175R16 or 600-16. Even within the same make and year, the wheel diameters split between 14-inch and 16-inch applications, and the construction choices also vary by model.
That matters because a tire choice that makes sense for a roadgoing Rover 2000 will not translate directly to a Land Rover 88 or 109. The 2000's decision is mainly between radial and bias-ply on a 14-inch rim, while the 88's decision happens on a 16-inch rim and the 109 remains in a larger numeric bias-ply size. Identifying the model first is the fastest way to avoid chasing the wrong size family.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 165R14 or the 560-14 for my 1964 Rover?
For a 1964 Rover 2000, the choice between 165R14 and 560-14 is mainly a radial-versus-bias-ply decision on the same 14-inch rim diameter. The 165R14 is a radial size offered in blackwall form from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, while the 560-14 is a bias-ply size from BFGoodrich with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. The radial route leans toward a more modern touring feel, while the bias-ply route keeps a more period-style presentation and response.
If your goal is a Rover 2000 that feels closer to a 1960s showroom experience, 560-14 usually makes the stronger historical statement. If you use the car regularly on modern roads and want to stay with a radial construction already associated with this model, 165R14 is the more natural place to look. Either way, confirm wheel width and the exact sidewall marking on the product you choose before moving ahead.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Rover tires?
1964 Rover tires span several sidewall styles depending on size. The 165R14 radial choices for the Rover 2000 are blackwall only. The 560-14 bias-ply size for the Rover 2000 comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The 750-16 for the Rover 109 and the 600-16 for the Rover 88 both appear in blackwall and wide whitewall forms among the available bias-ply products.
For many British utility vehicles of the period, blackwalls are the safer historical default, especially on Land Rover applications that were built as working machines first. Whitewall options can make sense where a restorer wants a more stylized presentation or is building a vehicle for a particular visual theme, but they change the look substantially. If show authenticity matters, compare the sidewall style to period photos and marque-club guidance for your exact model.
What brands make tires for 1964 Rover vehicles?
Several respected vintage-tire brands cover the 1964 Rover range. The 750-16 is available from Firestone, Lester, and BFGoodrich. The 165R14 radial size is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The 560-14 comes from BFGoodrich, while the 600-16 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, and Firestone. That spread gives the Rover line a mix of American classic-tire offerings and European names that suit a British car especially well.
Brand choice usually comes down to matching the tire to the vehicle's mission and the look you want rather than chasing one universal answer for every 1964 Rover. A Land Rover owner may focus first on size, load support, and a straightforward blackwall presentation, while a Rover 2000 owner may care more about whether the car stays bias-ply or moves into period-style radial territory. Once the correct size is settled, comparing sidewall style and construction becomes much easier.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1964 Rover tires require?
Rim-width guidance varies by size on 1964 Rover applications. Many 750-16 tires for the Rover 109 call for 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims. The 560-14 bias-ply Rover 2000 tires use 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims. The 165R14 radial Rover 2000 options show 4.50 to 6.00 inches for Michelin and 4.0 to 5.5 inches for Vredestein. Many 600-16 tires for the Rover 88 use 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.
Those ranges are important because a tire can share the correct diameter with your wheel and still be mismatched if the wheel width is outside the approved range. That issue is especially relevant when moving between bias-ply and radial options on the Rover 2000, or when evaluating a 16-inch Land Rover wheel that may have been changed over the years. Measure the actual wheel before ordering rather than relying on assumptions about what should be on the vehicle.
Do 1964 Rover tires require inner tubes?
Inner-tube requirements on 1964 Rover tires depend on the exact size and product. The 165R14 radial group includes a Michelin XAS marked TL, so tubeless capability appears within that size, while the other 165R14 products are not marked the same way. The other sizes here do not show a universal TL marking across the range, so tube status should be treated as product-specific rather than assumed by size alone.
That makes wheel type just as important as tire choice. A tubeless-capable tire still needs a wheel suitable for tubeless service, and an older wheel may still be run with a tube if the product and application call for it. Before final selection, check the tire's sidewall marking, inspect the wheel condition, and make sure the valve-stem and tube plan matches the tire you intend to use.
Can the original 1964 Rover wheels be used with both tire sizes on the same model?
On the 1964 Rover 2000, both 165R14 and 560-14 mount on 14-inch wheels, so the original wheel diameter can remain the same when choosing between those two sizes. On the 1964 Rover 88, both 175R16 and 600-16 use 16-inch wheels, so the same diameter logic applies there as well. The Rover 109 stays with 750-16 only, so there is no same-model size split to compare.
Wheel diameter compatibility does not automatically settle wheel-width compatibility. The radial and bias-ply alternatives on a Rover 2000 may call for different approved rim-width ranges, and the same caution applies to any 16-inch Land Rover wheel that may not be original. Treat original wheels as a strong starting point, then confirm actual rim width and condition before assuming either size on a shared-diameter setup will work unchanged.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1964 Rover when the tires are fitted?
A 1964 Rover should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires properly inflated and move the vehicle occasionally so one section of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires, which appear on the 750-16, 560-14, and 600-16 Rover sizes, are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage.
Collectors who store a Rover for a full season often gain extra tire life by placing the vehicle on stands or at least rolling it a short distance every few weeks. That is particularly worthwhile for Land Rover models running bias-ply tires, since the tire's shape and ride quality can take longer to settle back in after sitting. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures also help preserve both tires and wheels over time.
How long do tires on a 1964 Rover typically last?
On a 1964 Rover, tire age matters more than tread wear because many collector vehicles accumulate limited mileage. A sensible rule is to inspect tires carefully once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat the ten-year mark as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code, when present, is the key reference for tire age, not the date the tire was installed on the vehicle.
That age-based approach is important for both the Rover 2000 and the Land Rover models because infrequent use can hide rubber hardening, internal aging, and sidewall deterioration. A tire that still looks visually presentable may no longer be the one you want for regular road use or longer trips. If the age is approaching the upper end of the range, combine a close inspection with your actual driving plans before deciding to keep the tire in service.
How often should tires on a 1964 Rover be inspected?
Tires on a 1964 Rover deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, and any sign that pressure is dropping between uses. On vehicles using tube-type arrangements, valve stems and tube-related leakage points deserve the same attention as the visible outer tire.
Frequent checks matter because an older Rover may spend long periods parked, then go straight onto back roads or highway stretches with little recent use. A minute spent on tire pressure and a walk-around inspection can catch problems early, especially on bias-ply tires that may show age differently than modern radials. That habit is one of the simplest ways to make occasional collector use safer and more predictable.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1964 Rover 2000?
For a 1964 Rover 2000, both 560-14 bias-ply and 165R14 radial sizes appear in period-correct discussion because this was an era when European manufacturers were moving into radial adoption while bias-ply had not disappeared overnight. The available 560-14 products keep the car in a traditional bias-ply format, while 165R14 places it in a period-style radial family that also suits the model's more modern engineering character. Exact market and trim nuances can vary from car to car.
That means originality research on a Rover 2000 should go beyond year and model alone if the car is being judged or restored to a very exact standard. Chassis records, original handbooks, period road tests, and Rover marque specialists are the best way to settle whether your specific car should be on bias-ply or radial tires. Once that question is answered, sidewall style and brand become much easier to narrow down.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1964 Rover?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1964 Rover, especially in classes that emphasize originality. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size is correct for the model, whether the construction matches period expectations, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate for the car's market role. A Rover 88 or 109 on an obviously stylized whitewall, or a Rover 2000 on the wrong size family, can alter the car's visual authenticity even when the wheel diameter is correct.
For local shows, a tasteful tire that suits the vehicle may be all you need. For marque judging or concours events, the standard is usually stricter, and a mismatch in construction or sidewall presentation can matter as much as the size itself. If your Rover is being built for serious judging, compare the tire against period photography and consult a Rover club or event rulebook before finalizing the setup.
What is the difference between Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic for the 1964 Rover 2000?
For a 1964 Rover 2000 in 165R14, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both radial blackwall choices, but they differ in a few practical details. The Michelin XAS is marked 165HR14 84H TL and fits a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim range, while the Vredestein Sprint Classic is marked 165HR14 84H, carries a maximum load of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi, and fits a 4.0 to 5.5-inch rim range. Both carry an H speed rating, which corresponds to a 130 mph ceiling.
The main buying implication is wheel compatibility and product preference rather than one being categorically right for every Rover 2000. If your wheels are on the narrower side, the Vredestein range may line up differently than the Michelin range. If tubeless marking matters to your wheel setup, the Michelin's TL marking is worth noting. Confirm the actual wheel width and your intended tube strategy before choosing between them.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1964 Rover tires safe for highway driving?
1964 Rover tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in good condition, and used within their construction and speed-rating limits. Among the sizes here, 165R14 and one 600-16 product carry H ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling, while many of the bias-ply products are not shown with a speed letter in the same way. On an older Rover, normal highway use is usually more constrained by the vehicle's brakes, steering, suspension, and overall condition than by an H-rated tire's theoretical ceiling.
The practical takeaway is to match the tire to how the vehicle is actually driven, not to an abstract top-speed figure. A well-sorted Rover 2000 on the correct radial can be a very comfortable road car, while a Land Rover 88 or 109 on bias-ply tires should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a 1960s utility vehicle. Tire age, inflation, balance, and the condition of the rest of the chassis matter every bit as much as the size on the sidewall.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1964 Rover tires?
Inflation pressure on 1964 Rover tires should begin with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the model, then be checked against the tire's own maximum-load information where that information is present. Examples include 750-16 products at 1,660 pounds at 40 psi and 1,850 pounds at 48 psi, 560-14 at 906 pounds at 30 psi, 600-16 at 1,400 pounds at 32 psi, and one 165R14 radial at 1,102 pounds at 51 psi. Those figures are load-and-pressure capacities, not universal operating pressures for every Rover.
That distinction matters because you should not transfer one tire's pressure figure to another size or use the maximum sidewall figure as an automatic day-to-day setting. A Rover 2000, Rover 88, and Rover 109 place different demands on their tires, and front-to-rear recommendations may differ as well. Use the handbook or trusted factory guidance as the baseline, then confirm that the tire you chose is being run within its rated limits.
What should I check before taking a 1964 Rover on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1964 Rover, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and correct inflation. Check valve stems carefully, and if the setup uses tubes, pay close attention to slow leaks and any signs of stem movement or wheel-related air loss. Make sure the spare is actually usable and that the jack and wheel tools are present, since a roadside tire issue on a vintage Rover is easier to solve when the basics are already in order.
Tires are only one part of the pre-trip picture on a 1960s Rover, but they are the part in constant contact with the road. A quick review of wheel fasteners, steering feel, brake response, and fluid levels should accompany the tire inspection before any meaningful distance. That kind of routine is especially valuable on vehicles that may have seen little recent use, where age-related issues can surface before mileage-related wear ever does.
