1967 Ford-Taunus Tire Fitment Guide

1967 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. All of those tires fit 13-inch rims, but the recommended rim-width ranges that appear with available products vary by size: 155R13 suits 4.00 to 5.50 inches, 560-13 suits 3.50 to 4.50 inches depending on the tire, 590-13 suits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, and 640-13 suits 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means the key fitment question is not wheel diameter so much as model identification and wheel width. A 12M owner should stay within the 12M size family, while 17M and 20M owners should stay within theirs. Before choosing a tire, check the car’s actual wheel width and compare it with the specific tire’s approved range so the sidewall shape and fit are appropriate.

On a 1967 Ford-Taunus, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 portion is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This size belongs to the 12M and appears in traditional bias-ply construction, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions available from BFGoodrich and a wide whitewall version from Firestone.

Numeric bias-ply sizing is common on mid-century vehicles, so the code reads differently from a later metric radial. If your 12M still wears original-style wheels and you want a period look, 560-13 is one of the sizes to compare carefully against 590-13 and 155R13. The right choice depends on whether you are chasing factory-era appearance or a more modern radial-style driving feel.

On a 1967 Ford-Taunus, 155R13 is an early metric radial size. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. Because this is an older Euro-metric format without an aspect ratio written into the code, it conventionally falls into the tall-profile radial style used on many European cars of the period.

That coding matters because it signals a different era and construction philosophy than the numeric bias-ply options used elsewhere in the Taunus range. For a 12M owner, 155R13 is the radial route, while the 17M and 20M step up to 175R13 if staying with a radial size family. Confirming that distinction keeps you from mixing the smaller-model radial with the larger-model applications.

No, 1967 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 or 640-13. All of them use 13-inch wheel diameters, but the actual tire widths and construction choices are split between the smaller and larger models.

That is why identifying the model matters before anything else. A buyer who knows only that the car is a 1967 Ford-Taunus still has two different size families to sort through, and the correct path depends on whether the car is a 12M or one of the larger M-series cars. Once the model is pinned down, the remaining choice becomes much easier.

For a 1967 Ford-Taunus 12M, the choice between 155R13 and the bias-ply sizes 560-13 or 590-13 comes down mainly to the character you want from the car. 155R13 is the radial option, while 560-13 and 590-13 are traditional bias-ply sizes. The radial route is usually favored by owners who want a more contemporary road feel, while the bias-ply route stays closer to period presentation and sidewall styling.

A restored show car often benefits from choosing the bias-ply size and sidewall treatment that best matches the car’s intended look. A driver-focused 12M often leads owners toward the radial size family instead. Either way, keep the decision inside the 12M’s own fitment group rather than comparing it with the 17M and 20M sizes, which belong to a different application.

1967 Ford-Taunus tires are available in several sidewall presentations depending on size. The radial 155R13 appears in blackwall form, while the bias-ply 560-13 can be found as a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall, and both 590-13 and 640-13 appear as wide whitewalls. That gives the 12M the broadest appearance range, while the 17M and 20M bias-ply option stays more narrowly focused.

Sidewall style affects the visual tone of the car as much as the size itself. Blackwalls tend to suit a cleaner, more understated European look, while whitewalls push the car toward a stronger mid-century presentation. If authenticity matters for a restoration, compare period photos, club references, and market-specific examples before settling on narrow or wide whitewall treatment.

1967 Ford-Taunus tires come from several brands across the size range. Michelin and Dunlop cover 155R13 in radial form, BFGoodrich covers 560-13, 590-13, and 640-13 in bias-ply form, and Firestone also appears in 560-13. Brand choice therefore depends partly on the model and size family, not just on the make and year alone.

That split matters because a 12M buyer has access to both radial brands and multiple bias-ply brand options, while a 17M or 20M buyer looking at the bias-ply 640-13 stays within a narrower brand path. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing sidewall appearance, construction type, and rim-width suitability usually matters more than chasing the widest possible brand roster.

Rim-width guidance for 1967 Ford-Taunus tires varies by size. 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the tire, 590-13 fits 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims, and 640-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. All of these sizes mount on 13-inch wheels, but width compatibility is more specific than diameter compatibility.

That makes wheel measurement worthwhile before you settle on a tire, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a mix of original parts gathered over many years. A 560-13 that works on one 13-inch wheel may not be ideal on another if the rim width changes. Confirming wheel width first helps avoid an awkward sidewall profile or a tire choice that does not suit the wheel properly.

Tube use on 1967 Ford-Taunus tires depends on the specific size and product. The 155R13 Michelin example is marked TL, meaning tubeless, while the Dunlop 155R13 is not marked the same way, so tube status can vary by product within that size family. The bias-ply sizes shown here do not carry a uniform tube marking across the range, so the safest approach is to check the exact tire’s sidewall designation and match it to the wheel you are using.

Older wheels and modern reproductions do not always call for the same setup, even when the tire size is correct. If your Taunus still runs original-style wheels, tube compatibility becomes part of the fitment conversation along with the tire itself. Confirm the tire marking, the wheel type, and the valve-stem arrangement together instead of assuming that every 13-inch Taunus tire is installed the same way.

Original 1967 Ford-Taunus wheels can only be shared across all five sizes at the diameter level, because every size mounts on a 13-inch rim. Width still matters. The available fitment ranges span from 3.50-inch rims at the narrow end to 5.50-inch rims at the wide end, depending on the tire, so one original wheel specification does not automatically suit every size family equally well.

A 12M wheel may be appropriate for one of its sizes without being the best match for a 17M or 20M tire, even though both are 13-inch applications. If the car is still on factory wheels, verify the wheel width before moving between radial and bias-ply choices or between smaller and larger size groups. Diameter gets you close; width confirmation finishes the job.

A 1967 Ford-Taunus stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage, and if the car will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant loading on one contact patch. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage than radials.

Those steps matter whether your Taunus wears 12M or 17M/20M sizes, because collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out. A little storage discipline helps preserve sidewall appearance and reduces the chance of discovering vibration or cracking when the car comes back out for the season. Clean, dry floors and stable temperatures also help protect the tires over time.

Tires on a 1967 Ford-Taunus should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. For a collector vehicle, it is smart to begin regular age-based evaluation around the five- to seven-year point and to treat ten years as a serious replacement consideration even if the tread still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish its age, while cracking, hardening, vibration, or visible deterioration can shorten that timetable.

Low annual mileage often creates a false sense of security with classic tires, especially on a car that spends much of its life indoors. A Taunus used mainly for events, club drives, or occasional weekend outings can still be riding on rubber that has aged past its prime. Age, storage history, and condition should drive the decision more than odometer miles.

Tires on a 1967 Ford-Taunus deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before longer outings. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, pressure loss, and uneven wear, and make sure the valve stems are in good condition. If your setup uses tubes, the valve area and any signs of slow leakage deserve extra attention because those details matter just as much as the outer casing.

A short pre-drive check is especially valuable on a car that may sit between outings. Vintage and reproduction tires often live easy lives from a mileage standpoint, but time, storage, and age-related deterioration can still create issues. Catching a pressure problem or sidewall defect in the garage is far better than discovering it once the car is already out on the road.

A 1967 Ford-Taunus 12M would have been associated with both period-style bias-ply sizing and contemporary radial sizing in the European market, depending on specification and buyer preference. Within the 12M family, 560-13 and 590-13 represent traditional numeric bias-ply formats, while 155R13 represents an early metric radial format. Bias-ply construction was still a familiar standard in the era, while radial adoption was already part of the broader European shift toward more modern tire design.

For a restoration, the right answer depends on how original you want the car to appear and which market or specification you are trying to reflect. Size format, construction type, and sidewall style can all influence how authentic the finished car looks. If you are building for a serious marque event, compare period literature and ask Taunus specialists which combination best suits your exact model and presentation goals.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1967 Ford-Taunus. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size format, construction type, and sidewall styling suit the era and the particular model. A radial on a car judged for strict originality, or an overly American-looking whitewall treatment on a European-market presentation, can change the car’s visual authenticity even if the tire physically fits.

That does not mean every show follows the same standard. Some events reward presentation and usability, while concours-level judging may be stricter about construction and appearance details. If authenticity is important, decide first whether your Taunus is being restored as a factory-correct car, a tasteful period driver, or a road-focused classic, then choose the tire style that supports that goal.

For a 1967 Ford-Taunus using 560-13, BFGoodrich and Firestone cover slightly different presentation and fitment details. BFGoodrich offers both a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall, each rated at 850 pounds at 30 psi and suited to 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims. Firestone offers a wide whitewall version at the same 850 pounds at 30 psi, but on a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim range.

That comparison matters because the decision is not just about brand name. Wheel width and sidewall appearance can steer the choice just as much as restoration preference. If your 12M has narrower wheels, the BFGoodrich fitment window may line up better; if the wheel is slightly wider, the Firestone range becomes more relevant. Matching the tire to both the wheel and the look you want is the right way to compare them.

1967 Ford-Taunus tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. The 155R13 radial choices here carry H ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling. Bias-ply sizes do not show comparable speed-letter detail here, so they should be treated with the more conservative expectations that normally go with period-style construction and classic-car use.

In real-world driving, the condition of the car often matters more than the tire’s theoretical top-speed ceiling. A Taunus is a vintage vehicle with era-specific braking, suspension, and chassis behavior, so safe highway use comes from the whole package working correctly. Good alignment, proper inflation, fresh rubber, and honest speed expectations are more important than chasing maximum rating numbers.

Inflation pressure on a 1967 Ford-Taunus should start with the factory recommendation for the specific model, then be checked against the reproduction tire’s own rated information. Among the bias-ply sizes here, 560-13 carries 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 tire load-rating references, not a universal instruction to run every Taunus at the same pressure.

That distinction is important because pressure should never be copied blindly from one size to another. The 12M and the 17M or 20M use different size families, and radial-versus-bias construction can also change what feels and performs correctly on the road. Use the owner’s manual as your baseline, then confirm that your chosen tire’s pressure range supports the setup you intend to run.

Before a longer drive in a 1967 Ford-Taunus, inspect each tire for cracking, bulges, cuts, punctures, uneven wear, and signs of separation, then verify cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is usable. Pay attention to valve stems and, where applicable, tube-related sealing points. A quick look at wheel hardware and a road-test check for vibration or pulling can also reveal a problem before the trip begins.

Tires are only one part of preparing a vintage Taunus for distance, but they are the part touching the road. A longer outing also warrants a look at brakes, steering, fluids, and the charging system, especially on a car that is driven seasonally. Doing that check calmly at home is far easier than dealing with a preventable tire or mechanical issue miles from the garage.