1966 Auto-Union Tire Fitment Guide

1966 Auto-Union vehicles in this fitment group use two sizes: 165R13 and 590-13, and both apply to the 1966 Auto-Union Audi. Each mounts on a 13-inch rim, but they are not interchangeable in construction style. The 165R13 is a radial fitment with published rim widths of 4.50 to 6.00 inches on the available products, while the 590-13 is a bias-ply fitment with a published rim width range of 3.50 to 4.00 inches.

That means the first step is not just matching the year and make, but also deciding whether your car is staying close to original bias-ply character or moving to a radial setup. Wheel diameter stays the same at 13 inches, but wheel width matters before you order. A car wearing narrow original-style wheels may suit the 590-13 more naturally, while a wider 13-inch wheel can support the 165R13 radial range.

On a 1966 Auto-Union, 590-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 5.90 figure refers to the tire’s nominal section width in the older bias-ply sizing system, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial size, and it should be understood as part of an earlier sizing language common on compact cars before metric radials became widespread.

For an owner, that code usually signals a more original visual profile and a tire built to deliver the look and road feel associated with mid-1960s fitment. It also means you should avoid comparing it too literally to modern metric labels without checking wheel width and intended use. If the goal is authenticity in stance and sidewall appearance, 590-13 is often the more natural place to start.

On a 1966 Auto-Union, 165R13 is a metric radial size. The 165 is the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this older Euro-metric style, no aspect ratio is printed, and it is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile rather than a low-profile modern tire.

That makes 165R13 a distinctly different choice from 590-13 even though both fit 13-inch wheels. It represents the move toward radial tire design that became increasingly common on European cars for better road manners and a more modern driving experience. If your Audi already wears wider 13-inch wheels or you want a more settled feel in regular use, this code is the one to understand first.

For a 1966 Auto-Union, the choice between 165R13 and 590-13 is mainly a construction and character decision. The 165R13 is a radial fitment offered in blackwall form, while the 590-13 is a bias-ply fitment offered here as a wide whitewall. Both fit 13-inch rims, but they suit different wheel-width ranges and deliver a different period impression on the car.

Choose 590-13 if the priority is a traditional mid-1960s presentation and the steering and ride character associated with bias-ply tires. Choose 165R13 if you want a radial option with a European look and the more settled on-road behavior most drivers expect today. The best answer usually comes from the way the car will be used: judged restoration, weekend show use, or regular fair-weather driving.

1966 Auto-Union tire choices in these sizes come in two sidewall styles. The 165R13 radial options are blackwalls from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 590-13 bias-ply option is a wide whitewall from BFGoodrich. That gives the Audi owner a clear visual split between a more understated European radial presentation and a more decorative period bias-ply look.

For many restorations, sidewall style matters almost as much as size because it changes the car’s stance and era impression immediately. A blackwall radial tends to look more restrained and road-oriented, while a wide whitewall creates a distinctly vintage appearance. Before making a final choice, consider how your particular car is being restored and whether your reference photos show a plain black sidewall or a more formal whitewall treatment.

Three brands cover these 1966 Auto-Union fitments. Michelin and Dunlop both offer 165R13 radial options, and BFGoodrich offers the 590-13 bias-ply option. Within the radial size, Michelin appears in XAS and XAS-FF form, while Dunlop covers the size with the SP Sport Aquajet, giving the Audi owner several recognizable period-style European names in the radial category.

Brand choice matters most after you have settled on size and construction. A shopper comparing radial 165R13 choices may weigh period-European character and product details within that size, while anyone committed to the 590-13 bias-ply path is really choosing the traditional whitewall presentation first. Narrow the search by deciding whether the car should look more factory-era or drive more like a later radial-equipped classic.

Rim width requirements for 1966 Auto-Union tires differ by size. The available 165R13 radial products call for rims from 4.50 to 6.00 inches wide, while the 590-13 bias-ply product calls for rims from 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide. Even though both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, they are meant for noticeably different wheel-width ranges.

That difference is one of the most important checks before moving from one construction type to the other. A car still wearing narrow original-style wheels may not be the right home for a 165R13 radial without confirming wheel width first. Measure the actual wheel on the car, not just the tire currently mounted, because many older cars have been changed over the years.

Inner-tube needs on 1966 Auto-Union tires depend on the specific tire chosen. The 165R13 radial products here are tubeless, marked TL in the Michelin applications, while the 590-13 bias-ply product does not carry a tubeless designation in the size marking. Tube decisions on older wheels can also depend on wheel condition and wheel design, not only the tire itself.

That means a buyer should check the sidewall marking of the exact tire and consider the wheel it will be mounted on before final installation. Original 1960s wheels with age, corrosion, or bead-seat issues may call for a more careful setup conversation than a newer wheel. If your Audi still has its original rims, it is wise to have a vintage-tire installer inspect them before mounting.

Original 1966 Auto-Union wheels can potentially be used with both 13-inch tire sizes because both the 165R13 and 590-13 mount on 13-inch rims. The key limitation is width, not diameter. The 590-13 bias-ply suits a 3.50 to 4.00 inch wheel range, while the 165R13 radial calls for a wider 4.50 to 6.00 inch wheel range on the available products.

In practical terms, that means some original wheels may be compatible with one of these sizes but not the other. Do not assume that a shared 13-inch diameter makes the two options equally suitable on the same rim. Before converting from bias-ply to radial, verify the actual wheel width stamped on the rim or measured bead-to-bead so the tire is supported correctly.

A 1966 Auto-Union should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically if it will sit for long stretches. Bias-ply tires such as 590-13 are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static storage, while radials can also age from inactivity even if they feel more familiar on the road.

If the car will be parked for months, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Avoid parking on damp ground or bare concrete for extended periods if moisture is a concern. Good storage habits preserve not only tread life, but also sidewall condition and ride quality when the car comes back into service.

On a 1966 Auto-Union, tire life should be judged primarily by age and condition rather than mileage. Collector cars often accumulate very few miles, yet the rubber still hardens and the casing still ages over time. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread.

The date code on the tire helps establish age, but storage conditions and use history matter too. A lightly driven Audi kept indoors may look better than a car left outside, yet both still need age-based inspection. If the car sees occasional highway use, it is smart to be more conservative because heat, time, and long periods of inactivity all matter more than odometer readings on vintage tires.

Tires on a 1966 Auto-Union should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation signs, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any change in how the tire holds pressure. Cars using older bias-ply construction deserve especially careful visual checks after storage, and any tube-type setup also calls for attention to valve stems and slow-pressure loss.

A quick pre-drive walkaround catches many problems before they become roadside problems. Monthly pressure checks are a good baseline even when the car is not being driven, because collector cars often sit long enough for a small leak to go unnoticed. If the steering suddenly feels different or the car develops a pull, inspect the tires first before assuming the issue is elsewhere.

A 1966 Auto-Union Audi would have been associated first with period-correct bias-ply practice, as bias-ply construction still defined original fitment on many cars of the era even while radial technology was becoming more influential in Europe. In the tire choices here, that historical look is represented by the 590-13 bias-ply. The 165R13 reflects the radial sizing language that became increasingly familiar on European cars and is an appropriate period-style radial alternative.

For a strict restoration, confirm the exact market and trim expectations with a marque specialist or Audi club resource before making the final call. Sidewall treatment can also matter as much as construction for judged presentation. If the goal is simply to keep the car visually convincing while improving road usability, many owners compare the original-style bias-ply route with a radial that still preserves a correct 13-inch European profile.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1966 Auto-Union because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall style immediately. A car restored for originality can lose credibility if it wears a modern-looking radial profile that does not suit the period, or if the sidewall treatment is out of character for the way the car would have appeared when new. Even when the wheel diameter is correct, the wrong overall look can stand out.

For most show situations, the closer the tire is to the expected era presentation, the stronger the result. That does not always mean every owner must use bias-ply tires, but it does mean the tire choice should match the restoration goal honestly. Event-specific standards vary, so it is smart to review marque-club judging guidance and period photos before settling on blackwall versus whitewall and radial versus bias-ply.

For the 1966 Auto-Union in 165R13, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share the same basic size marking, 165HR13 82H, the same tubeless blackwall presentation, and the same 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range. Both are radial tires and both carry an H speed rating. The main published difference here is product series and weight, with the XAS-FF shown at 20 pounds and the XAS shown at 9 pounds.

Because their visible format and fitment envelope are so close, the choice between them usually comes down to series preference and the details of the exact product you want on the car. That is a good reminder that even within one size, not every radial is identical in construction feel or product character. If originality of look matters, compare the sidewall presentation first, then confirm the wheel width and intended road use.

1966 Auto-Union tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, correctly inflated, and in sound condition. The 165R13 radial products here carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling, while the 590-13 bias-ply product uses an S marking, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. In real use, the car’s age, brakes, suspension condition, and overall mechanical state usually matter more than the tire’s theoretical maximum rating at normal highway speeds.

The more important question is whether the tire matches the way the car will actually be driven. A well-kept Audi used for fair-weather touring places very different demands on its tires than a car that only goes to local shows. Before any highway trip, confirm age, pressure, visible condition, and wheel suitability so the tire’s capability is being used within a sensible vintage-car context.

Inflation pressure on a 1966 Auto-Union should be set by the tire size and the manufacturer’s guidance for that exact tire, then checked against the factory recommendations for the car. The 590-13 bias-ply option carries a published figure of 970 pounds at 32 psi. The available 165R13 radial products do not all include a pressure figure here, so pressure should not be borrowed from the 590-13 or assumed to be the same simply because both use 13-inch rims.

The safest approach is to start with the vehicle’s original handbook guidance for the intended tire type and compare it with the reproduction tire maker’s published recommendations. Pressure affects ride, wear, and steering feel, especially on a light European car from this era. When changing from bias-ply to radial construction, revisit your pressure settings rather than carrying over whatever was previously in the tires.

Before a longer drive in a 1966 Auto-Union, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, puncture repairs, uneven wear, and proper inflation. Check the spare as well, because a long-stored collector spare is often older and weaker than the four on the ground. If the car uses a setup that involves tubes, inspect valve stems carefully and pay attention to any slow pressure loss before departure.

Tires are only one part of a longer-drive check on a vintage Audi, but they are the part in constant contact with the road. After the tires pass inspection, make sure the wheels are secure and the broader mechanical basics are ready for distance use. A short local test drive before the trip can reveal vibration, pull, or heat-related behavior that a static garage inspection may miss.