1965 DKW came at the end of the marque’s passenger-car era in Germany, with compact front-wheel-drive cars that carried strong pre-Audi engineering character and a distinctly European feel. That makes tire selection a little more nuanced than it is on many American classics, because the model range was split between the larger F102 and the smaller Junior. Across these two models, six sizes appear, and the practical decision is not only about construction but also about confirming whether your car uses a 12-inch or 13-inch wheel. Before choosing a tire for 1965 DKW, identify the model first, then confirm the exact size and whether you want bias-ply authenticity or a radial driving experience where applicable.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1965 DKW
Six tire sizes are used across 1965 DKW models, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. The real choice starts with identifying whether you have an F102 or a Junior, then confirming whether your car uses a 12-inch or 13-inch rim and whether you want bias-ply construction or, in the Junior’s case, a radial option. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the car correctly.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): F102|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
590-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the first number indicating nominal section width and the final number indicating a 13-inch rim. This F102-specific size is available from BFGoodrich with a wide whitewall sidewall style and an S speed rating, which carries a 112 mph ceiling. It suits an owner who wants a distinctly period-style bias-ply tire for a larger 1965 DKW model. Rim width fitment falls in the 3.50 to 4.00 inch range for this size.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): F102|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with a nominal section-width code and a 13-inch rim diameter. This size is specific to the F102 rather than universal across 1965 DKW, and it is available from BFGoodrich in both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall styles. It is the right direction for an F102 owner who wants a bias-ply tire with a traditional visual profile and a choice of whitewall treatment. Rim width fitment for 600-13 runs from 4.00 to 4.50 inches.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): Junior|Construction: Radial|Rim: 12 in
145R12 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 145 millimeters as the section width, an implied 80-series profile by convention, and a 12-inch rim diameter. This Junior-specific size is available from Michelin as a blackwall tubeless radial with an S speed rating, which carries a 112 mph ceiling. It fits a 1965 DKW Junior owner who wants radial construction and a more modern road-going character while staying within an era-appropriate small-car size. The tire mounts on a 4.5-inch rim.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): Junior|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 12 in
520-12 is a numeric bias-ply size, using a nominal section-width code and a 12-inch rim diameter. This size belongs to the Junior only and is available from BFGoodrich in both wide whitewall and blackwall styles. It makes sense for a small 1965 DKW restoration where a compact bias-ply tire and period appearance matter more than switching to radial construction. A 4-inch rim is used with this size.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): Junior|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13-in rim
5.50-13 is a numeric bias-ply size that denotes a nominal 5.50-inch section width on a 13-inch rim. As a Junior-specific size, it represents one of the 13-inch bias-ply directions used on the smaller 1965 DKW model. It is the kind of size to confirm carefully against the actual wheel before moving ahead, especially because the Junior also appears with both 12-inch and 13-inch fitments elsewhere in the range. This size is best chosen when your Junior already points you to a 13-inch bias-ply setup.
Year(s): 1965|Fit(s): Junior|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with a nominal section-width code and a 13-inch rim diameter. This Junior-specific size is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, giving it the broadest sidewall-style choice among the 13-inch Junior tires. It is a strong fit for an owner who wants an authentically styled bias-ply tire and some flexibility in sidewall appearance. Rim width fitment ranges from 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the tire selected.
Two 1965 DKW models are covered here: the F102 and the Junior. They do not share a common tire program across the year, so identifying the model matters before you narrow the choice to a specific size. Select your model below to see the size history, fitment direction, and tire options that apply to that car.
1965 DKW F102
The F102 was DKW’s larger, more modern passenger car in the mid-1960s and is especially significant because it sits near the transition point between DKW and early Audi development. For tire fitment, the F102 stays on 13-inch sizes, making model identification straightforward even though two different bias-ply fitments appear within the range.
The Junior was DKW’s smaller economy car, known for compact dimensions and lightweight European packaging. Its tire picture is more varied than the F102’s, with both 12-inch and 13-inch applications and a mix of bias-ply and radial directions depending on the exact setup on the car.
Nine products are available across six tire sizes for 1965 DKW vehicles. 590-13, 600-13, 520-12, and 560-13 are bias-ply offerings from BFGoodrich or Firestone with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styles, while 145R12 is a Michelin radial blackwall. Confirm your model, size, and construction choice before selecting, especially where 12-inch and 13-inch applications overlap.
These FAQs focus on the split between F102 and Junior fitments, the Junior’s bias-ply-versus-radial decision, sidewall style choices in the available sizes, and the storage and road-use concerns that matter on a lightly driven 1965 DKW.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1965 DKW vehicles?
1965 DKW vehicles use six sizes across two model lines. The F102 uses 590-13 and 600-13, both bias-ply sizes on 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 uses a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 uses a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 spans 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the tire.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct choice on 1965 DKW. Start by identifying whether the car is an F102 or a Junior, then confirm whether it carries 12-inch or 13-inch wheels before narrowing the selection to a specific size. On a Junior, it is especially important to check the actual wheel because both rim diameters appear within the same model family.
What does 590-13 mean on a 1965 DKW tire?
On a 1965 DKW, 590-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 portion is the older nominal section-width style used on mid-century bias-ply tires, and the 13 indicates the rim diameter in inches. For the F102, this size is paired with a 13-inch wheel and fits a rim-width range of 3.50 to 4.00 inches in the available BFGoodrich application.
Numeric bias-ply sizes read differently from later metric radials, so it helps to think of 590-13 as an era-correct sizing convention rather than a modern measurement formula. If your 1965 DKW F102 already carries 13-inch wheels and you are aiming for a traditional driving and visual character, 590-13 is one of the sizes to compare directly against 600-13 rather than against the Junior’s 12-inch fitments.
What does 145R12 mean on a 1965 DKW tire?
On a 1965 DKW, 145R12 is a Euro-metric radial tire size. The 145 indicates a 145-millimeter section width, the R denotes radial construction, and the 12 is the rim diameter in inches. In period metric sizing of this type, the aspect ratio is conventionally understood as an 80-series profile when no separate aspect ratio is shown. For the Junior, this size is available as a Michelin blackwall tubeless radial with an S speed rating.
That makes 145R12 fundamentally different from the Junior’s numeric bias-ply sizes even when the wheel diameter is the same. A buyer comparing 145R12 with 520-12 is deciding between radial and bias-ply behavior as much as between two size codes. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then decide whether you want the more traditional look and feel of bias-ply or the more modern road manners associated with a radial.
Do all 1965 DKW models use the same tire size?
No. The 1965 DKW F102 and 1965 DKW Junior do not share the same tire sizes. The F102 stays within two 13-inch bias-ply sizes, while the Junior spans four sizes and can appear with either 12-inch or 13-inch wheels, plus both bias-ply and radial construction depending on the setup.
That model split matters because a tire that is correct for one 1965 DKW may be completely wrong for the other even if the sidewall code looks similar at a glance. If you have an F102, your search stays within 590-13 and 600-13. If you have a Junior, verify the wheel diameter on the car first so you do not confuse a 12-inch application with one of the 13-inch alternatives.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 145R12 or the 520-12 for my 1965 DKW?
For a 1965 DKW Junior, the choice between 145R12 and 520-12 is primarily a construction decision once you have confirmed a 12-inch wheel. The 145R12 is a radial Michelin blackwall, while the 520-12 is a bias-ply BFGoodrich size offered in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those two tires reflect different eras of tire design rather than two interchangeable style labels for the same construction.
Choose 520-12 when your priority is a more traditional period presentation on a small mid-1960s European car. Choose 145R12 when you want a radial in the correct 12-inch rim diameter and are comfortable with the visual and driving-character shift that comes with radial construction. The important first step is confirming that your Junior actually uses a 12-inch wheel before comparing these two sizes at all.
What sidewall styles are available for 1965 DKW tires?
1965 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 available in both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. On the Junior, 145R12 is a blackwall radial, 520-12 comes in blackwall and wide whitewall, and 560-13 comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall.
That range gives you room to tune the car’s appearance without stepping outside the correct size family for the model. On a mid-1960s European compact like 1965 DKW, blackwall tends to feel more understated and market-correct, while whitewalls create a more stylized presentation that may suit a particular restoration theme. If show accuracy matters, compare your car to period photos and club guidance before settling on the sidewall treatment.
What brands make tires for 1965 DKW vehicles?
Three brands cover 1965 DKW tire sizes here: BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Michelin. BFGoodrich covers 590-13, 600-13, 520-12, and 560-13 in bias-ply form. Firestone also offers 560-13 in bias-ply form, while Michelin covers 145R12 as a radial. Brand choice therefore depends partly on the size and construction your specific model uses.
For an F102, the choice stays within BFGoodrich bias-ply options in the correct 13-inch sizes. For a Junior, the brand picture is broader because one size is radial and several others are bias-ply, with 560-13 also crossing between BFGoodrich and Firestone. Narrow the search by size first, then compare sidewall style and construction within that size rather than trying to choose a brand in isolation.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1965 DKW tires require?
Rim-width guidance for 1965 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. On the Junior, 145R12 uses a 4.5-inch rim, 520-12 uses a 4-inch rim, and 560-13 spans either 3.50 to 4.00 inches or 4.00 to 4.50 inches depending on the brand and tire version chosen.
That variation is a good reminder that matching the sidewall code alone is not the whole job. Before ordering for a 1965 DKW, measure or verify the actual wheel on the car and compare it to the rim-width range for the tire you want. This is especially important on 560-13, where different versions of the same nominal size accept slightly different rim-width ranges.
Do 1965 DKW tires require inner tubes?
Inner-tube requirements on 1965 DKW tires depend on the exact size and product. The 145R12 Michelin radial is marked TL, which means tubeless. The bias-ply sizes do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the same way here, so they should be treated as period-style bias-ply applications that need to be matched carefully to the wheel design and the tire’s own sidewall marking before installation.
That matters most if you are working with original steel wheels, which may or may not be appropriate for tubeless service depending on their construction and condition. On a 1965 DKW Junior with 145R12, tubeless use is straightforward. On the bias-ply 12-inch and 13-inch sizes, confirm the wheel itself and the exact tire marking before deciding on tube use instead of assuming all products in those sizes follow the same setup.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1965 DKW when the tires are fitted?
A 1965 DKW should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture, and move the car periodically if it remains on the ground. Where both constructions exist within the year and make, the bias-ply options are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than the radial 145R12.
If the car will sit for months, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one tread area. That is especially useful on a lightly driven 1965 DKW Junior running bias-ply tires. Clean, dark storage and steady inflation habits do more for tire preservation than any dressing or cosmetic treatment applied after the car is parked.
How long do tires on a 1965 DKW typically last?
On a 1965 DKW, tire age matters more than mileage because these cars are often driven sparingly. A sound rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat about ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement threshold even if the tread still looks serviceable. Collector cars can age tires out long before they wear them out.
That principle applies whether your 1965 DKW runs bias-ply or radial tires. A low-mileage F102 or Junior may seem fine on older rubber, but age-related hardening, internal deterioration, and sidewall cracking can still compromise the drive. If the date code is approaching the outer end of that age window, replacement becomes a maintenance decision rather than a tread-depth decision.
How often should tires on a 1965 DKW be inspected?
Tires on a 1965 DKW should be checked before every drive and given a more deliberate inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is in comparable condition. Any bias-ply setup also deserves a close look at the valve stems and overall wheel sealing arrangement, especially on original wheels.
Frequent inspections are important on a vintage car because age, storage, and infrequent use can change a tire’s condition faster than mileage alone would suggest. A quick walk-around before taking a 1965 DKW onto faster roads can catch a problem while it is still minor. If the car has been parked for an extended period, inspect the tires before moving it any distance, not after.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1965 DKW F102?
The 1965 DKW F102 belongs to an era when bias-ply construction was still standard on many cars, and its available sizes here are 590-13 and 600-13, both bias-ply 13-inch fitments. That makes a bias-ply tire the most historically appropriate starting point for an F102 restoration. The exact original size can vary by market, equipment, or running changes, so the sidewall code on the car, period literature, and marque references are worth checking together.
For authenticity, start with the fact that the F102 is not pointing you toward a modern metric radial in this coverage. Then narrow the choice between 590-13 and 600-13 by verifying the wheel and any surviving factory or club references tied to your car. If a concours standard matters, a DKW or early Audi specialist can help confirm which of the two 13-inch bias-ply sizes best matches your specific F102.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1965 DKW?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1965 DKW because show judging often considers size, construction type, and sidewall presentation as part of the car’s overall authenticity. A Junior shown with a modern-looking radial when the class expects a period bias-ply look may lose accuracy points, and the wrong rim diameter or an overly stylized sidewall can stand out quickly on a compact European car.
The practical takeaway is to match the tire not only to the model but also to the restoration goal. A touring-oriented 1965 DKW Junior may justify a radial for road use, while a judged restoration may call for a bias-ply size and a more era-consistent sidewall style. Event rules vary, so it is smart to compare your planned fitment against club guidance and the standards of the specific show you intend to enter.
What tires were originally fitted to the 1965 DKW Junior?
The 1965 DKW Junior sits in a transitional period when bias-ply construction remained common, even as radial adoption was advancing in parts of Europe. Its covered fitments include both bias-ply sizes such as 520-12, 5.50-13, and 560-13, plus the radial 145R12. That means the historically correct answer depends on the exact wheel and period configuration of the individual car rather than on the model name alone.
For restoration work, verify whether your Junior is a 12-inch or 13-inch car first, then compare the surviving wheel, any original markings, and period references tied to your market version. If the goal is a show-oriented presentation, the sidewall style matters too, especially because blackwall and whitewall options both exist in some Junior sizes. A DKW club or marque specialist is the best final check for market-specific authenticity.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1965 DKW tires safe for highway driving?
1965 DKW tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within their speed rating. The available 590-13 and 145R12 products carry an S rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. The other sizes here do not all show a speed letter in the same way, so the exact marking on the tire should be checked before sustained higher-speed driving.
On a car of this age, tire rating is only part of the picture. Brakes, suspension, steering condition, alignment, and the general mechanical state of a 1965 DKW usually matter more in real-world highway confidence than the raw speed potential of the tire itself. Before any extended highway run, make sure the whole car is ready for that pace instead of judging roadworthiness by the tire sidewall alone.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1965 DKW tires?
Inflation pressure for 1965 DKW tires should be set by the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the car and size you are using, then checked against the tire’s own maximum load-and-pressure marking where that information appears. Among the available sizes here, 590-13 carries 970 pounds at 32 psi, 600-13 carries 1010 pounds at 32 psi, 520-12 carries 694 pounds at 30 psi, and 560-13 carries 850 pounds at 30 psi on the products that show load data.
Those figures are maximum load-and-pressure pairings, not a blanket instruction to run every 1965 DKW at the same pressure. Use the owner’s manual or marque guidance for the car’s baseline setting, then confirm that the tire and wheel combination is appropriate for it. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to another just because the cars are from the same year and make.
What should I check before taking a 1965 DKW on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1965 DKW, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, tread separation, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and the condition of the spare. Look closely at valve stems, and if the car is on a period-style bias-ply setup, pay extra attention to wheel condition and sealing. A tire that has held up around town can still reveal age-related problems once distance and heat build.
Tires are only one part of the readiness check on a mid-1960s DKW. Also confirm brakes, steering response, suspension tightness, wheel-bearing feel, and fluid levels before setting out. If the car has been parked for a while, take a short local drive first and recheck the tires afterward. That approach helps you catch pressure loss, vibration, or heat-related issues before committing the car to a longer trip.
