1967 Austin-Healey Tire Fitment Guide

1967 Austin-Healey vehicles use four sizes across two models. The Austin-Healey 3000 uses 165R15 in radial construction or 590-15 in bias-ply construction, both on 15-inch rims. The Austin-Healey Sprite uses 145R13 in radial construction or 520-13 in bias-ply construction, both on 13-inch rims. Rim width ranges are available for 165R15 at 4.50 to 6.00 inches, for 590-15 at 4.00 to 4.50 inches, for 145R13 at 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and for 520-13 at 3.50 inches or 3.50 to 4.00 inches depending on product.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a final tire choice on a 1967 Austin-Healey. The first check is whether the car is a 3000 or a Sprite, because the wheel diameter changes with the model. After that, the decision becomes one of construction type and presentation, with radial and bias-ply options available within each model's correct rim diameter.

On a 1967 Austin-Healey, 590-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.90 portion refers to the nominal section width in inches, while the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. For 1967 Austin-Healey applications, that size belongs to the 3000 rather than the Sprite, and it fits a 15-inch wheel with rim-width guidance of 4.00 to 4.50 inches on the BFGoodrich versions.

This is the kind of sizing many British and European sports cars used before radial tires became the normal choice for everyday motoring. If your 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 is being restored with an emphasis on original-era appearance and driving character, 590-15 is the size to compare first. If you are cross-shopping against 165R15, stay focused on construction type rather than treating them as interchangeable across every Austin-Healey model.

On a 1967 Austin-Healey, 165R15 is an older Euro-metric radial size. The 165 identifies the section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this year and make, 165R15 applies to the Austin-Healey 3000 and fits 15-inch wheels, with a rim-width range of 4.50 to 6.00 inches across the available radial products.

That code can look modern compared with a numeric size like 590-15, but it still suits a vintage application and keeps the correct 15-inch wheel diameter for the 3000. For many owners, the real point of comparison is not the code itself but what radial construction brings to the car's road feel and how that matches the intended use of the vehicle.

For a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000, 590-15 is the bias-ply option and 165R15 is the radial option, and both fit 15-inch wheels. The 590-15 keeps a more traditional period character, while 165R15 moves to radial construction and is available in a broader mix of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles from several brands. The choice is less about wheel diameter than about how original you want the car to feel and appear.

Owners aiming for a restoration-minded presentation often start with the bias-ply 590-15, especially when period stance and tire profile matter. Owners who expect more routine road use often prefer the radial 165R15 because it keeps the 15-inch fitment while shifting to radial construction. The same logic applies on the Sprite side, where 520-13 and 145R13 represent the same kind of construction decision within the 13-inch wheel family.

1967 Austin-Healey tires come in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 3000's 165R15 radial is available as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, while the 3000's 590-15 bias-ply comes in blackwall and wide whitewall. The Sprite's 145R13 radial is available as blackwall, and the Sprite's 520-13 bias-ply comes in blackwall and narrow whitewall.

For many British sports-car restorations of this period, blackwall is the most familiar visual choice, especially on smaller-displacement roadsters and performance-oriented presentations. Whitewall width becomes a styling decision as much as a fitment one, and it should be matched to the way the specific car is being restored. If the goal is event judging, it is wise to compare the sidewall style against period photos or Austin-Healey club guidance for the exact model.

Several brands cover 1967 Austin-Healey fitments. The 3000's 165R15 radial is available from Coker Classic, American Classic, Firestone, and BFGoodrich, while the 590-15 bias-ply comes from BFGoodrich and Avon. The Sprite's 145R13 radial is available from Michelin and Firestone, and the 520-13 bias-ply comes from Firestone and Premium Sport.

That spread gives Austin-Healey owners a mix of traditional collector-tire names and historically familiar performance-oriented brands. The most useful way to compare them is by size first, then by sidewall style and construction, because the brand choices differ between the 3000 and the Sprite. Once the correct model and size are settled, brand selection becomes a matter of period appearance, sidewall treatment, and how closely you want the tire to align with the car's intended use.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on a 1967 Austin-Healey. The 3000's 165R15 radial fits rims from 4.50 to 6.00 inches wide, while the 3000's 590-15 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The Sprite's 145R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and the 520-13 bias-ply appears in products suited to 3.50-inch rims or 3.50 to 4.00 inches, depending on the specific tire.

That is why wheel width matters even when two tires share the same rim diameter. A 15-inch Austin-Healey wheel is not automatically ideal for every 15-inch tire, and the same is true on the Sprite's 13-inch wheels. Before settling on a radial or bias-ply option, verify the actual wheel width on the car so the tire's approved rim-width range matches the wheel you plan to use.

Tube requirements on 1967 Austin-Healey tires depend on the exact product rather than the model alone. The Michelin 145HR13 for the Sprite is marked TL, meaning tubeless. The other sizes here do not show a consistent tube marking across every product, so the correct approach is to check the sidewall marking and the wheel type for the exact tire you choose rather than assume every radial or every bias-ply is handled the same way.

This matters most on original-style wheels, where wheel condition and design can affect whether tubeless use is appropriate. If your Austin-Healey still wears older rims, inspect them carefully for sealing condition, bead-seat health, and valve-stem suitability. When there is any doubt, match the tire's own marking and the wheel's design before installation instead of treating tube use as a one-size-fits-all rule.

Within each 1967 Austin-Healey model, the two tire choices share the same wheel diameter. The 3000's 590-15 and 165R15 both fit 15-inch wheels, and the Sprite's 520-13 and 145R13 both fit 13-inch wheels. That means the original wheel diameter does not change when you move from bias-ply to radial within the same model family.

Wheel diameter compatibility is only the first part of the check, because rim width still has to suit the tire you select. The 3000's radial option accepts a broader wheel-width range than its bias-ply counterpart, and the Sprite's radial and bias-ply tires also differ in wheel-width guidance. Confirm the actual wheel width on the car before treating both sizes as equally suitable for the same wheel.

A 1967 Austin-Healey should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so it does not rest on one contact patch for months at a time. Bias-ply tires such as 590-15 and 520-13 are especially prone to flat-spotting during long static storage compared with radial options like 165R15 and 145R13.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors place it on tire cradles or relieve some weight with stands while still supporting the suspension properly. That reduces long-term deformation and helps preserve ride quality when the car returns to the road. A fitted car also benefits from regular pressure checks during storage, since a slow loss of air can damage both tire shape and wheel finish over time.

On a 1967 Austin-Healey, tire life is usually determined by age more than mileage. Collector cars often wear very little tread, yet the rubber still hardens and ages, so a five-to-seven-year evaluation cycle is wise and replacement around the ten-year point deserves serious consideration even if the tires still look usable. The date code on the tire remains the key reference for age, whether the car runs bias-ply or radial tires.

That age-based approach matters because an Austin-Healey may spend long periods parked, used only for fair-weather drives or events. A tire that appears cosmetically fine can still lose resilience and safety margin as the years add up. If you have just acquired the car, checking the date code is one of the smartest first steps, since appearance alone does not tell the full story of the tire's condition.

Tires on a 1967 Austin-Healey should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, irregular tread wear, and any sign that the tire has been driven underinflated. If your chosen product uses a tube or your wheel setup requires one, include the valve stem and any signs of slow leakage in the inspection routine as well.

A short pre-drive walk-around takes only a minute and is especially important on collector cars that may sit between uses. Pressure loss, sidewall age cracks, or a damaged spare can go unnoticed when the car is not driven every day. On a vintage sports car like an Austin-Healey, small tire issues can quickly affect steering feel and driver confidence, so frequent checks are part of responsible ownership.

For a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000, bias-ply construction is the period-correct starting point, and 590-15 is the year-and-model-specific bias-ply size in this fitment range. Radial 165R15 tires are also available for the same 15-inch wheel diameter, but a buyer seeking a factory-era presentation would usually begin by evaluating the bias-ply option first. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and delivery history, so construction, size, and sidewall style deserve more attention than chasing one assumed brand name.

That matters most when the car is being restored for authenticity rather than simply prepared for weekend driving. If you are trying to match original showroom character, compare the tire's size, casing type, and sidewall treatment against period photos and Austin-Healey club references for your market. Those marque sources are the best way to confirm details that may have differed between export markets and owner history.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1967 Austin-Healey, especially in concours or authenticity-focused judging. Judges often notice whether the car wears the right size family for the model, whether the construction matches the period, and whether the sidewall style suits the way the car would have appeared in its original market. A Sprite wearing the wrong 13-inch style or a 3000 wearing an obviously modern-looking alternative can change the visual impression quickly.

For show use, the tire should support the restoration story of the car rather than work against it. A radial may be perfectly appropriate for road use, but some events place more weight on original-type bias-ply construction and era-correct sidewall presentation. Before a judged event, compare your tire choice with the standards used by the hosting club or Austin-Healey marque specialists, since judging expectations can vary by organization.

For a 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite, the period-correct construction type is bias-ply, and 520-13 is the Sprite-specific bias-ply size used in this year and make. Radial 145R13 options exist for owners who want the same 13-inch wheel diameter with a later-style construction, but they represent a different ownership goal than an originality-centered restoration. As with the 3000, the important original-fitment cues are size, construction, and sidewall presentation rather than assuming one universal brand history.

A Sprite's smaller scale makes tire choice especially visible, so the difference between a proper narrow tire and a less era-appropriate look stands out right away. If your restoration is being judged, a 520-13 bias-ply will usually be the natural place to begin your research. If the car is a driver first, the 145R13 radial may be appealing, but it serves a different purpose from strict authenticity.

1967 Austin-Healey tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and used within their construction and speed limits. Among the fitments here, the Avon 590H15 for the 3000 and the Michelin 145HR13 for the Sprite both carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. Other products in these sizes do not all show the same speed marking, so the exact tire matters more than the broad size category.

In real-world use, an Austin-Healey's overall mechanical condition is at least as important as the tire's rating. Brakes, suspension condition, steering play, and the car's age all shape how comfortable and appropriate sustained highway driving will feel. The best approach is to match the tire to how the car will actually be driven, then confirm that the specific product's speed rating supports that use rather than assuming all vintage-style tires behave the same way.

Inflation pressure for 1967 Austin-Healey tires should follow the vehicle's factory guidance for the car and the tire maker's rating for the exact product. The available tires here show different load-and-pressure pairings by size, including 165R15 at 1168 pounds at 35 psi or 1170 pounds at 36 psi depending on brand, 590-15 at 1050 pounds at 32 psi, 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi on one product, and 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on product.

Those figures are not a universal setting to transfer from one tire to another. They are the tire's rated load relationship at a stated pressure, not a blanket recommendation for every Austin-Healey application. Start with the owner's manual or marque reference for the car, then compare that with the specific tire's own sidewall and manufacturer guidance so the final pressure matches both the vehicle and the tire you actually run.

Before taking a 1967 Austin-Healey on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, tread wear, and correct inflation, and make sure the spare is usable and properly inflated as well. Check the valve stems, and if your setup uses tubes, pay special attention to any sign of pressure loss or stem damage. On a car that may sit between outings, a careful look at the sidewalls matters just as much as tread depth.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection on a vintage sports car. Wheel fasteners, brake operation, fluid levels, cooling condition, and basic lighting all deserve attention before a longer run. A 1967 Austin-Healey can be very enjoyable on the road, but old-car reliability comes from preparation, and the tires are one of the first places where age-related problems tend to show themselves.