1967 Sunbeam Tire Fitment Guide

1967 Sunbeam vehicles use four sizes across five models. The Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 use 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply tires on 13-inch rims, while the Imp uses 155R12 radial or 5.50-12 bias-ply tires on 12-inch rims. Rim width guidance appears for the 13-inch sizes: 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims.

That split means year and make alone are not enough for a correct choice on a 1967 Sunbeam. Owners of Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 models can compare two 13-inch constructions, but Imp owners need to stay within the model's separate 12-inch family. Checking the actual wheel diameter on the car before ordering is the quickest way to avoid crossing the Imp fitment with the rest of the Sunbeam range.

On a 1967 Sunbeam, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. For Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 models, that size represents the traditional 13-inch bias-ply option rather than a modern metric radial format.

That matters because a 600-13 and a 165R13 both fit 13-inch Sunbeam applications, but they are built on different construction conventions and deliver a different ownership experience. If your goal is a more period-authentic look, the numeric bias-ply size is usually the one to investigate first. If your priority is a radial-size replacement within the same wheel diameter, the metric option is the more natural comparison.

No, not all 1967 Sunbeam models use the same tire size. The Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 share 13-inch fitments in either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply form, but the Imp uses its own 12-inch fitments in 155R12 radial or 5.50-12 bias-ply form. The make spans two different rim diameters, not just two different constructions.

That is especially important for owners who know they have a 1967 Sunbeam but have not yet narrowed it down by model. A Tiger or Alpine owner can compare 13-inch options directly, while an Imp owner should begin with the model itself because neither 13-inch size belongs on that car. On a mixed-project or recently acquired vehicle, reading the tire sidewall and confirming the wheel diameter should come before any product selection.

For a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine, Arrow, Minx, or Tiger 260, the choice between 165R13 and 600-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction on the same 13-inch wheel diameter. The 165R13 options are radial Blackwalls from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 600-13 options are BFGoodrich bias-ply tires offered with Narrow Whitewall and Wide Whitewall styling.

Owners chasing a more traditional mid-1960s look and feel usually start with 600-13, while owners who expect more regular road use often look first at 165R13. Neither decision should be made by size code alone, because rim width also matters: the radial and bias-ply versions have different approved wheel-width ranges. Matching the tire to both your restoration goal and the wheel already on the car will narrow the choice quickly.

1967 Sunbeam tire choices include both Blackwall and whitewall treatments, depending on size. The 165R13 radial choices for Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 come in Blackwall form, while the 600-13 bias-ply choices come in either Narrow Whitewall or Wide Whitewall form. No sidewall-style range appears here for the Imp's 12-inch sizes.

Sidewall appearance can change the visual character of a 1967 Sunbeam as much as the construction choice. Sports-oriented cars such as the Alpine and Tiger are often associated with a cleaner Blackwall presentation, while some sedan applications may suit a whitewall look depending on the restoration direction. If authenticity matters for show use, compare the tire to period photos and consult a Sunbeam marque specialist before settling on a whitewall width.

1967 Sunbeam tire coverage here comes from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. The 165R13 radial size is available from Michelin in XAS-FF and XAS form and from Dunlop in the SP Sport Aquajet line, while the 600-13 bias-ply size is available from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply family. Those brands cover the 13-inch Sunbeam applications with distinct construction and appearance options.

Brand choice often follows the kind of Sunbeam you own and the way you plan to present it. Michelin and Dunlop fit naturally into a British and European driving context for a 1960s Sunbeam, especially in a radial format, while BFGoodrich supplies the bias-ply and whitewall path for owners emphasizing vintage style. Once the size is settled, the remaining decision usually comes down to sidewall look and whether you want a strictly traditional build or a radial-format tire.

For 1967 Sunbeam 13-inch applications, the 165R13 radial fits rims from 4.50 to 6.00 inches wide, while the 600-13 bias-ply fits rims from 4.00 to 4.50 inches wide. Both sizes mount on 13-inch rims for the Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260, but they do not share the same approved rim-width range. No rim-width range appears here for the Imp's 12-inch sizes.

That detail matters because two tires can share a rim diameter and still prefer different wheel widths. Before moving from a 600-13 bias-ply to a 165R13 radial on a 1967 Sunbeam, measure the wheel or confirm its width through the car's wheel markings or restoration records. A tire that matches the diameter but falls outside the wheel-width recommendation can change the way the car sits and drives.

Inner-tube requirements vary across the 1967 Sunbeam range and even within the 13-inch radial family. The Michelin 165R13 products are marked TL for tubeless use, while the Dunlop 165R13 entry does not carry the same tube marking in its size description. The 600-13 bias-ply products also do not show a tube marker in the size description, so the correct approach is to verify the individual sidewall marking and the wheel type being used.

On a collector car, tube choice is not just about the tire; it also depends on whether the wheel itself is intended for tubeless service. If your 1967 Sunbeam retains original steel wheels, inspect their condition carefully and confirm whether the wheel and valve setup support the tire you plan to use. That is especially worthwhile when mixing restoration-era wheels with modern reproduction tires.

Original 1967 Sunbeam wheels can often be used with both tire sizes within the same model family when the rim diameter matches, but the wheel width still has to be correct. Alpine, Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260 models use 13-inch fitments in both 165R13 and 600-13 form, while the Imp uses 12-inch fitments in both 155R12 and 5.50-12 form. Diameter compatibility does not automatically mean every wheel is equally suitable for every size.

For the 13-inch Sunbeam models, that distinction is especially important because the radial and bias-ply options call for different rim-width ranges. A car that has stayed on its original narrow wheels may naturally align more closely with the bias-ply fitment, while a wider wheel could better support the radial option. Measuring the wheel before changing construction is a smart step, especially on cars with an uncertain history.

A 1967 Sunbeam should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and avoid letting the car sit for long periods on a damp surface. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during storage, while any collector tire can suffer cosmetic cracking if exposed to heat and ozone.

Periodic movement helps reduce stress concentration in one footprint, especially on a light British car that may spend much of its life parked between events. If the car will sit for an extended season, some owners use tire cradles or support the vehicle to reduce load on the tires, but the suspension should not be left hanging carelessly. The goal is steady support, clean air, and minimal environmental aging.

Tires on a 1967 Sunbeam should be judged more by age, storage history, and condition than by mileage alone. Collector cars often wear very little tread but still age out, so a practical rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the starting point for that age check.

That matters because an older Sunbeam may feel fine on short local drives while the rubber has already hardened beyond its best years. Even a low-mile car with nice-looking tread can develop age-related cracking, reduced wet grip, or internal fatigue. If the car's tire age is unclear, replacing by age rather than waiting for visible failure is usually the wiser decision on a vintage vehicle.

Tires on a 1967 Sunbeam should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or event trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, embedded debris, and slow pressure loss. On cars using tube-type-compatible setups, include the valve stems and any signs of stem cracking or leakage in the routine check.

Frequent inspection is especially worthwhile on a collector Sunbeam because many of these cars see irregular use, long storage intervals, and roads that differ from their original environment. A quick walkaround takes only a few minutes and can catch a problem before it becomes a roadside issue. If the steering feel changes, the car begins to pull, or one tire loses pressure faster than the rest, investigate before the next drive.

A 1967 Sunbeam Alpine would have been associated in period with 13-inch fitment, and bias-ply construction was still entirely appropriate for many cars of that era even as radial adoption was growing. Within this year-and-make range, the Alpine shares 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial sizing with the Arrow, Minx, and Tiger 260. That means both the wheel diameter and the construction choice need to be considered when researching an original-style restoration.

For a factory-authentic restoration, the safest approach is to begin with period sales literature, surviving original-car evidence, and Sunbeam marque-club guidance for your market. U.S.-delivered cars, export cars, and later owner changes can all affect what is currently on the vehicle. If the goal is visual correctness first, many restorers start by confirming whether a bias-ply presentation better matches the car's original showroom era.

Correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1967 Sunbeam, especially in judged classes that emphasize authenticity. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect whether the car presents as period-correct. A radial Blackwall on a car judged for strict originality may be viewed differently from a bias-ply tire, and a whitewall treatment that suits one restoration theme may look out of place on another.

The practical standard depends on the event. Some shows reward tasteful road-use upgrades, while others look closely at whether the tire's overall style matches the year, market, and model character. Before a concours-level restoration is finalized, compare your intended tire to period photography and check event-specific judging guidance through Sunbeam clubs or the organization running the show.

For a 1967 Sunbeam using 165R13, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet all fall within the radial side of the fitment, but they are not identical in presentation details. The Michelin and Dunlop options are all Blackwalls, and the available examples carry H speed ratings with a 130 mph ceiling. Michelin shows a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range on its 165R13 entries, while the Dunlop entry here emphasizes load and size marking rather than a matching wheel-width range.

That means the choice is less about changing the basic category and more about selecting a radial tire family that suits your wheel and the character you want the car to project. On a sports-oriented Sunbeam such as an Alpine or Tiger, many owners will compare the brand look, the period feel of the tread and sidewall, and the wheel-width suitability before deciding. Confirming wheel width first narrows that decision substantially.

1967 Sunbeam tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. The 165R13 radial choices include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph speed ceiling, while the 600-13 bias-ply options shown here focus on traditional construction rather than a modern speed-symbol format. On a 1960s Sunbeam, the car's own age, braking system, suspension condition, and alignment usually matter as much as the tire itself in normal highway use.

Safety on the road comes from the complete package rather than from chasing the highest speed symbol. A well-sorted Alpine, Minx, Arrow, Tiger, or Imp on fresh, properly inflated tires is a very different proposition from one on aged rubber with uncertain wheel condition. For any longer or faster driving, think in terms of conservative speeds, proper tire age, and an honest mechanical inspection before departure.

Inflation pressure on a 1967 Sunbeam should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation first, then be checked against the tire maker's rated pressure information for the exact size and product. Within the 13-inch bias-ply range, the 600-13 examples carry a maximum load of 1,010 pounds at 32 psi. The 165R13 radial range includes a 1,047-pound load figure on the Dunlop example, but that should not be treated as a universal inflation setting for every 165R13 tire or every Sunbeam model.

The key is not to transfer one pressure figure from one size or construction to another. Bias-ply and radial tires often respond differently, and the Imp's 12-inch fitments should be treated separately from the 13-inch Sunbeam models. If the car still has its handbook or tire-pressure decal, use that as your baseline, then confirm the exact tire's service information before setting final pressures.

Before taking a 1967 Sunbeam on a longer drive, inspect each tire for visible cracking, tread separation, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and the condition of the spare. Pay close attention to valve stems, and if your wheel-and-tire setup uses tubes, make sure there are no signs of leakage or stem fatigue. A tire that has held air in storage is not automatically ready for an extended road trip.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on any 1960s British car. Wheel fastener torque, brake feel, cooling-system behavior, and fluid levels deserve the same attention before an event or back-road run. When the tires, wheels, and basic mechanical systems are all sorted together, a 1967 Sunbeam becomes much more enjoyable and much less stressful to drive any real distance.