1965 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1965 Ford-Taunus vehicles use five sizes across three models. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, and 590-13, while the 17M and 20M use 175R13 and 640-13. Every one of those sizes fits a 13-inch rim, but the wheel-width ranges differ where published: 155R13 works on 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 on 3.50 to 4.50 depending on brand, 590-13 on 3.50 to 4.00, and 640-13 on 4.00 to 4.50.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1965 Ford-Taunus. You need to identify whether the car is a 12M, 17M, or 20M first, then verify the wheel width before choosing a product. Because both radial and bias-ply constructions appear within the range, the final choice also depends on whether you want a more original-looking presentation or a more modern-feeling driving tire.

On a 1965 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a period numeric bias-ply size. The 560 portion is the nominal section-width code used in the older numeric system, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial size and it does not use the later alphanumeric or modern P-metric format. On the 1965 Ford-Taunus range, 560-13 belongs to the 12M.

That matters because a buyer who is used to modern sizing can easily mistake an older numeric code for a direct modern equivalent. On a 12M, 560-13 keeps the car in a period-correct bias-ply family and also opens the door to whitewall styling choices that fit the era well. Before ordering, compare the tire size on the car now, the wheel width, and the kind of restoration standard you are aiming for.

No, 1965 Ford-Taunus models do not all use the same tire size. The 12M uses 155R13, 560-13, or 590-13, while the 17M and 20M share 175R13 and 640-13. All of them use 13-inch rims, but the size families are divided between the smaller car and the larger two models. That means fitment changes by model even though wheel diameter stays consistent.

For a buyer, that split is important because a tire that suits a 17M or 20M is not automatically correct for a 12M. The shared 13-inch diameter can make the range look more uniform than it really is, so the safer approach is to confirm the model designation from the car itself and then match the size to the wheel width and intended use. That saves time and helps avoid ordering a tire from the wrong Taunus family.

For a 1965 Ford-Taunus 12M, the choice between 155R13 and 560-13 is mainly a construction and presentation decision, because 155R13 is a radial and 560-13 is a bias-ply size. The radial option appears in Blackwall form from Michelin and Dunlop, while 560-13 appears as a bias-ply whitewall option from BFGoodrich and Firestone. The two sizes belong to the same model family, but they deliver a different visual and period feel.

A 12M built around originality, show presentation, or mid-1960s styling cues will usually lean toward the numeric bias-ply look. A 12M driven more regularly may lean toward the radial-size option for a more contemporary on-road character. Either way, start by checking the wheel width and the tire size already on the car, since 155R13 and 560-13 do not share the same approved width range across all products.

1965 Ford-Taunus tires are available in both Blackwall and whitewall styles, depending on the size. The radial 155R13 comes in Blackwall form, while the bias-ply 560-13 appears in Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall versions. The 590-13 and 640-13 options are wide-whitewall bias-ply tires. That gives the range a clear split between more understated radial styling and more visibly period-oriented bias-ply sidewalls.

On a mid-1960s European Ford, sidewall appearance can change the whole visual impression of the car, especially on a restoration. Whitewalls often suit a period presentation, while Blackwalls tend to look more restrained and more in line with later driving-oriented radial choices. If the car will be judged, compare the sidewall treatment against period photos, factory literature, and marque-club guidance before settling on a width or style.

Three brands cover 1965 Ford-Taunus fitments here: Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone products appear across the size range, with BFGoodrich spanning most of the bias-ply sizes. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial size for the 12M, while Firestone joins BFGoodrich in the 560-13 bias-ply size. The 590-13 and 640-13 options are represented by BFGoodrich bias-ply tires.

Brand choice on a 1965 Ford-Taunus often goes hand in hand with construction and appearance rather than model fitment alone. A buyer comparing brands should look beyond the name and check sidewall style, rim-width range, and whether the tire is part of a radial or bias-ply family that suits the car’s goal. That matters more than chasing one badge across the whole Taunus line, since no single brand covers every size in the same way.

Rim-width requirements for 1965 Ford-Taunus tires vary by size. The 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00 or 4.00 to 4.50 depending on the product, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50. Those ranges are part of the reason the same 13-inch wheel diameter does not make every tire interchangeable across the Taunus line.

Before mounting a new set, measure the actual wheel width or verify it from the wheel itself rather than relying on memory or on what was mounted previously. That step is especially important on older European cars that may have had wheel swaps over the years. Matching the tire to the correct rim width helps preserve proper tread shape, steering feel, and sidewall behavior without forcing a size onto a wheel it was not designed to use.

Tube requirements on 1965 Ford-Taunus tires can vary by product and size. One 155R13 radial is marked TL, which denotes tubeless construction, while the other 155R13 example does not repeat a tube designation in the sidewall code. The numeric bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry TT or TL markers in the size notation. That means tube use should be confirmed against the specific tire marking and the wheel being used.

On a mid-1960s car, the wheel itself matters just as much as the tire. Some original wheels and restoration setups are better suited to tube-type service, while others may work with tubeless tires if the wheel condition and bead area are right. Check the tire’s sidewall, inspect the wheel carefully, and make the tube decision as part of the full wheel-and-tire package rather than assuming one rule applies across every 1965 Ford-Taunus size.

Every tire size used on 1965 Ford-Taunus models mounts on a 13-inch rim, so wheel diameter itself is consistent across the range. That does not mean every original wheel is correct for every size, because published rim-width ranges differ from one size to another. A 155R13 radial can accept a wider wheel than a 590-13 bias-ply, and 640-13 sits in a different approved width range from the smaller 12M bias-ply sizes.

If the car still wears its original wheels, the best approach is to confirm the exact wheel width before assuming another 13-inch Taunus size will work. That is especially relevant when moving between 12M and 17M or 20M fitments, since those model groups do not share the same tire family. Diameter compatibility is only the first checkpoint; width compatibility is what keeps the setup properly matched.

A 1965 Ford-Taunus stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so it does not rest in one position for months at a time. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage, while radials are generally a little more forgiving in that respect.

For a car that sits through the off-season, many owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term loading on one patch of tread. That is a useful habit on a Taunus whether it wears a radial 155R13 or one of the numeric bias-ply sizes. Good storage protects appearance as well as function, which matters on whitewalls just as much as it does on the tire structure itself.

On a 1965 Ford-Taunus, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many surviving cars are driven only occasionally. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires carefully once they reach about five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire is the simplest way to confirm age.

Collector cars can fool owners because a tire with plenty of tread may still be aged out by time, heat cycling, or storage conditions. Whitewalls may also show cosmetic aging that appears before the structure gives obvious warning signs. If the age is uncertain, the sidewalls show cracking, or the car has been stored for long periods, replacement becomes a preservation decision as much as a safety decision.

Tires on a 1965 Ford-Taunus should be checked before every drive and inspected more thoroughly before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, weathering, bulges, irregular wear, embedded debris, and pressure loss, and do not forget the spare. If the setup uses tubes or older valve hardware, check valve stems and air retention closely because a collector car can sit for long periods between drives.

A brief walk-around catches more problems than many owners expect, especially on a car that is not used daily. The inspection should become part of the normal pre-drive routine along with fluid, brake, and lighting checks. On a Taunus with whitewall tires, keep an eye on the sidewall area carefully, since cosmetic condition and structural condition are both easier to evaluate when the tire is clean and fully inflated.

For a 1965 Ford-Taunus 12M, the period-correct construction type would generally be bias-ply, with 560-13 and 590-13 representing the era-style numeric fitments seen in this model family. A 155R13 radial also appears in the 12M size range, reflecting the European market’s growing shift toward radial technology during the 1960s. The exact factory fit can vary by market, equipment level, and the car’s history, so original literature and marque-club references remain valuable for final confirmation.

That means a restoration goal should guide the decision. If the car is being returned to an early-to-mid-1960s presentation, the numeric bias-ply sizes are usually the first place to look. If the goal is to keep the car within a European radial-size tradition that emerged in the period, 155R13 can also be relevant. Matching the tire to the actual model and wheel width is still essential, even when the choice is historically sensible.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1965 Ford-Taunus because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. A 12M wearing a radial Blackwall can present very differently from one on bias-ply whitewalls, and a larger 17M or 20M should stay within its own size family rather than borrowing 12M fitments. Construction style and visual character are part of the car’s historical impression.

For concours or marque-focused events, the safest route is to match the car’s model, era, and market presentation as closely as possible. Sidewall width, blackwall versus whitewall appearance, and radial versus bias-ply construction can all influence authenticity points or peer perception. Event standards are not always identical, so a serious show car owner should compare period photos and consult a Ford of Germany club or model specialist before making the final call.

For a 1965 Ford-Taunus 12M, BFGoodrich and Firestone both cover the 560-13 bias-ply size, but they differ in sidewall presentation and wheel-width range. BFGoodrich offers both a Narrow Whitewall and a Wide Whitewall version with a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim range, while Firestone offers a Wide Whitewall version with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim range. The load figure shown for both stays at 850 pounds at 30 psi.

That makes the comparison less about broad fitment and more about visual preference and wheel compatibility. If your 12M is on a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich options line up with that range, and they also give you two whitewall looks. If the car is on a slightly wider 13-inch wheel, the Firestone version may be the better match. Measuring the wheel first is the step that turns this from a style decision into the right decision.

1965 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The 155R13 radial options shown here carry an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, while the numeric bias-ply sizes shown do not display a modern letter rating in the same way. In normal collector-car highway use, the car’s brakes, suspension condition, steering, and overall mechanical state are often more important practical limits than outright tire speed capability.

The key is to treat the tire as one part of the whole system. A well-sorted Taunus on the correct tire is very different from one on aged rubber, incorrect wheel widths, or neglected running gear. Before sustained highway use, verify age, inflation, wheel condition, and balance, then drive within the comfort zone of both the tire construction and the chassis. That approach matters as much on a modest 12M as it does on a larger 17M or 20M.

Inflation pressure on a 1965 Ford-Taunus should start with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the specific model and size, then be checked against the tire maker’s maximum load-and-pressure marking where available. The 560-13 examples shown here carry 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 are maximum load references, not blanket instructions to run every Taunus tire at the same pressure.

That distinction is important because pressure should be matched to the car, the axle load, and the exact tire size rather than copied from another Taunus model or another construction type. A 12M on 560-13 is not automatically set up the same way as a 20M on 640-13. Use the owner’s literature as the baseline, confirm the tire’s sidewall marking, and make adjustments carefully with handling, wear, and ride quality in mind.

Before a longer drive in a 1965 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and signs of impact damage, then set pressures with the tires cold. Check that the spare is usable and inflated, and pay close attention to valve stems and air retention if the car uses older wheel hardware or tube-style service. Whitewall tires should also be cleaned so the sidewall can be inspected clearly rather than hidden under old dressing or grime.

A longer outing is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Wheel fastener torque, brake condition, steering play, fluid levels, and lighting all deserve attention on a car of this age. The tire inspection is simply the part that puts the car in contact with the road, so it should never be rushed. Spending a few minutes there can prevent a roadside problem and makes the whole drive more enjoyable.