1967 Vauxhall sat at an interesting point in British motoring, spanning compact family cars, larger executive sedans, and upscale variants that reflected General Motors' European approach to the market. The Viva, Victor, Cresta, and Viscount each carried their own character, from economical everyday transport to more formal, higher-trim road cars. Tire choice across 1967 Vauxhall models varies by model rather than following one universal size, and several models pair an era-correct bias-ply option with a radial alternative in the same rim diameter. The first step is to identify your exact model, then decide whether originality or more modern road manners matters more for the way you use your car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1967 Vauxhall
Eleven tire sizes appear across the 1967 Vauxhall range, and they vary by model rather than being shared across every car. In most cases, the real choice is between a period-style bias-ply size and a radial size for the same model, while the Viva range centers on several 12-inch bias-ply fitments and the rest of the line splits between 13-inch and 14-inch wheels. Understanding that difference before choosing a product saves time and helps you match the tire to the correct model and intended use.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Cresta|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
165R14 is a metric radial size with a 165-millimeter section width and a 14-inch rim diameter; when no aspect ratio is stated in this format, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. This Cresta-specific size is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in blackwall form, with H speed ratings appearing on the Michelin and Vredestein offerings to 130 mph; tubeless marking varies by product. It suits Cresta owners who want a radial tire with more modern road feel while staying visually appropriate for a European executive sedan of the period.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Cresta|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14-in rim
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.90 represents the nominal section width and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. This Cresta-specific size reflects the older construction style that would have been familiar in the mid-1960s and preserves the look and driving character associated with a bias-ply fitment. It is the natural choice for an owner focused on period presentation and traditional response rather than moving to a radial layout.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Victor|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13-in rim
175R13 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter section width and a 13-inch rim diameter, conventionally understood as an 80-series radial when no aspect ratio is shown. This Victor-specific size gives that model its radial fitment path and reflects the move many European family cars made toward radial construction in the period. It fits owners who want the Victor on the radial size associated with more modern everyday road behavior.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Victor|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.50 as the nominal section width and 13 as the rim diameter in inches. It is available from Coker Classic and US Royal with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, and load ratings in this size reach 1,150 pounds at 32 psi. Victor owners restoring a car to an unmistakably period look often gravitate to this size, especially when whitewall appearance matters as much as fitment.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Victor & VX 4/90|Construction: Radial|Rim: 13 in
155R13 is a metric radial size with a 155-millimeter section width and a 13-inch rim diameter; in this convention, the missing aspect ratio is generally understood as 80-series. This size is specific to the Victor & VX 4/90 application and comes from Michelin and Dunlop in blackwall form, with H speed ratings to 130 mph and tubeless marking varying by product. It is the radial route for owners of these models who want a European-style blackwall tire with road manners in keeping with later-1960s driving expectations.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Victor & VX 4/90|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 13 in
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 denoting nominal section width and 13 identifying the rim diameter in inches. This size is specific to the Victor & VX 4/90 and is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling; load capacity in these products is 850 pounds at 30 psi. It makes sense for owners who want the bias-ply look and feel associated with a stock-style restoration of these smaller 13-inch Vauxhall applications.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Viscount|Construction: Radial|Rim: 14 in
185R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter section width on a 14-inch rim, conventionally treated as an 80-series radial when no aspect ratio is printed. This Viscount-specific size is available from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, with H speed ratings to 130 mph on the Michelin and Vredestein products and tubeless marking varying by product. It is well suited to a larger, more upscale Vauxhall where a radial tire complements regular road use without stepping outside the period character of the car.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Viscount|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 14 in
700-14 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 7.00 is the nominal section width and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is available from BFGoodrich in blackwall and narrow whitewall form, with load capacity of 1,360 pounds at 32 psi. Viscount owners pursuing a more original late-1960s look often choose this size when preserving the visual stance and steering character of a full-size bias-ply setup matters most.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Viva|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 12-in rim
5.50-12 is a numeric bias-ply size, using 5.50 as the nominal section width and 12 as the rim diameter in inches. This size is specific to the Viva and represents one of the compact 12-inch fitments used on Vauxhall's smaller car line in 1967. It is the sort of fitment a Viva owner would review when keeping a small-bore restoration true to period size and construction.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Viva|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 12-in rim
5.60-12 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 indicating nominal section width and 12 indicating wheel diameter in inches. This Viva-specific size sits in the same traditional bias-ply family as the other 12-inch Viva fitments and reflects the compact proportions of Vauxhall's smaller models. It will appeal to owners sorting out the correct stock-style fitment for a Viva rather than moving to a later radial substitute.
Year(s): 1967|Fit(s): Viva|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 12-in rim
6.15-12 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 6.15 as the nominal section width and 12 as the rim diameter in inches. This size is specific to the Viva and represents the widest of the 12-inch bias-ply options used within that model family for 1967. It is most relevant when the car's exact trim, wheel, and original fitment history point to this particular small-diameter bias-ply size.
Five 1967 Vauxhall model lines are covered here, ranging from the compact Viva to the larger Cresta and Viscount. Tire size does vary by model, so year and make alone are not enough; identifying the exact model is the key first step before narrowing down size and construction. Select your model below to move from the year-make overview into model-specific fitment history and tire options.
1967 Vauxhall Cresta
The Cresta sat in Vauxhall's larger-car family and carried the more substantial road presence expected of a mid-to-upper-range British saloon in the late 1960s. Its tires mount on 14-inch wheels, with both a bias-ply path and a metric radial path depending on whether originality or a later driving feel is the priority.
The Victor was one of Vauxhall's core family cars, known for balancing practicality with distinctly British styling and broad market appeal. Its fitments center on 13-inch wheels, with a radial choice and a bias-ply alternative that create two different directions for restoration and regular use.
The Victor & VX 4/90 grouping reflects Vauxhall's mid-size platform with a more sporting or better-trimmed interpretation in the VX 4/90. These models use 13-inch tire fitments, and the choice comes down to a smaller metric radial or a traditional numeric bias-ply size depending on the direction of the car.
The Viscount represented the more upscale end of the 1967 Vauxhall sedan range, with a bigger footprint and a more formal character than the smaller cars below it. Its tires mount on 14-inch wheels, and buyers typically choose between a wider metric radial presentation or a larger numeric bias-ply fitment.
The Viva was Vauxhall's compact offering, sized and positioned for economical motoring and everyday use in the British small-car market. Viva fitments use 12-inch wheels and stay within traditional numeric bias-ply sizing, so the main task is confirming which of the three 12-inch sizes belongs on the specific car.
18 products are available across 6 tire sizes for 1967 Vauxhall vehicles. 165R14 has 3 radial blackwall choices from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; 650-13 has 4 bias-ply options from Coker Classic and US Royal in narrow and wide whitewall; 155R13 has 2 radial blackwalls from Michelin and Dunlop; 560-13 has 3 bias-ply choices from BFGoodrich and Firestone in narrow and wide whitewall; 185R14 has 4 radial options from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein in blackwall and narrow whitewall; 700-14 has 2 bias-ply choices from BFGoodrich in blackwall and narrow whitewall. Confirm size preference and construction first, since tubeless marking and speed ratings can vary within some sizes.
These answers sort out how 1967 Vauxhall tire fitment changes from Viva to Viscount, when a bias-ply or radial choice matters, what sidewall styles are available, and how to care for collector-car tires that may spend long periods parked between drives.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1967 Vauxhall vehicles?
1967 Vauxhall vehicles do not share one universal tire size. Cresta uses 165R14 or 5.90-14, Victor uses 175R13 or 650-13, Victor & VX 4/90 uses 155R13 or 560-13, Viscount uses 185R14 or 700-14, and Viva uses 5.50-12, 5.60-12, or 6.15-12. Rim diameters therefore span 12, 13, and 14 inches across the make, with each model staying within its own diameter family.
That means the right starting point for a 1967 Vauxhall is always the exact model name, not just the year and make. Where radial and bias-ply alternatives exist for the same model, the wheel diameter remains consistent within that model, but the tire character changes. On sizes with published wheel-width guidance, 165R14 works on roughly 4.0 to 6.0-inch rims depending on brand, 155R13 on 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 650-13 on 4.50 to 5.00-inch rims, 560-13 on roughly 3.50 to 4.50-inch rims depending on brand, 185R14 on about 4.00 to 6.50-inch rims, and 700-14 on 5.00 to 5.50-inch rims.
What does 165R14 mean on a 1967 Vauxhall tire?
On a 1967 Vauxhall, 165R14 is a metric radial size. The 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed, this style is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. In the 1967 Vauxhall range, that size belongs to the Cresta.
That code tells you the tire is part of the later radial sizing language rather than the older numeric bias-ply system. It also points you toward the sort of product character available in this size: blackwall radial tires from European-oriented vintage lines, with H-rated examples reaching 130 mph. Before choosing one, confirm that your Cresta is meant to run the radial size and that your wheel width falls within the range specified by the exact tire you are considering.
What does 650-13 mean on a 1967 Vauxhall tire?
On a 1967 Vauxhall, 650-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 is the nominal section width and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a metric radial code, there is no separate aspect ratio shown and no R to indicate radial construction. In the 1967 Vauxhall range, 650-13 is the bias-ply fitment associated with the Victor.
That older style of size marking matters because it usually goes hand in hand with a very different look and road feel from a radial. In this case, 650-13 also opens the door to whitewall choices that suit a mid-1960s presentation, including both narrow and wide whitewall treatments. If your goal is an authentic visual restoration, numeric bias-ply codes like 650-13 are often the first place to look, but wheel width and overall stance should still be checked before finalizing the tire choice.
Do all 1967 Vauxhall models use the same tire size?
No, 1967 Vauxhall models use several different tire sizes depending on the model. The Viva stays with 12-inch bias-ply sizes, the Victor family uses 13-inch fitments, and the larger Cresta and Viscount move into 14-inch sizes. Even within the 13-inch and 14-inch cars, the exact code changes by model, and some models pair a radial option with a separate numeric bias-ply size rather than sharing one code across the range.
That model-by-model variation is important because a Victor tire is not automatically right for a Victor & VX 4/90, and a Cresta tire is not automatically right for a Viscount just because both use 14-inch wheels. Once you have the model confirmed, the next decision is usually whether you want to stay close to the original bias-ply character or move into a radial option that suits more regular road use. That is the point where the exact size code begins to matter as much as the wheel diameter.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 165R14 or the 5.90-14 for my 1967 Vauxhall?
For a 1967 Vauxhall Cresta, the choice between 165R14 and 5.90-14 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 165R14 is the radial path, while the 5.90-14 is the traditional numeric bias-ply path on the same 14-inch wheel diameter. The same basic logic applies elsewhere in the 1967 Vauxhall range where a model offers one radial size and one bias-ply size rather than two versions of the same construction.
Owners usually lean toward the bias-ply option when originality, period stance, and traditional steering feel are the priority. The radial option generally suits a car that will see more regular road use and a more modern driving character. Neither choice should be made by wheel diameter alone, because each model has its own pairings: Victor uses 175R13 or 650-13, Victor & VX 4/90 uses 155R13 or 560-13, and Viscount uses 185R14 or 700-14.
What sidewall styles are available for 1967 Vauxhall tires?
Sidewall style depends heavily on size and construction across the 1967 Vauxhall range. The radial sizes 165R14 and 155R13 are blackwall only, while 185R14 comes in blackwall and narrow whitewall. Among the bias-ply sizes with product coverage, 650-13 offers narrow and wide whitewall, 560-13 offers narrow and wide whitewall, and 700-14 offers blackwall and narrow whitewall.
For a British Vauxhall of 1967, blackwall is usually the most conservative visual choice, especially on radial fitments. Whitewalls can be appropriate when the car is being restored to a more export-market, upscale, or personalized presentation, but the exact width changes the car's look noticeably. If appearance accuracy matters for judging or a faithful period finish, compare the sidewall treatment to period photos of your exact model and consult a marque source before settling on narrow versus wide whitewall.
What brands make tires for 1967 Vauxhall vehicles?
1967 Vauxhall tire coverage includes Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Coker Classic, US Royal, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Phoenix, depending on size. Cresta's 165R14 is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; Victor's 650-13 comes from Coker Classic and US Royal; Victor & VX 4/90 uses Michelin and Dunlop in 155R13 or BFGoodrich and Firestone in 560-13; Viscount's 185R14 comes from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein; and 700-14 comes from BFGoodrich.
Those brand differences matter because they often track with the type of tire being chosen. The metric radial Vauxhall sizes lean toward European heritage brands and blackwall presentation, while the numeric bias-ply sizes offer classic American-brand styling cues such as whitewalls. A useful way to narrow the field is to decide first whether your car needs the radial or bias-ply branch for its model, then compare the available brands within that single size instead of trying to compare unlike sizes across the whole 1967 Vauxhall range.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1967 Vauxhall tires require?
Rim width depends on the exact tire size chosen for a 1967 Vauxhall. Published ranges include about 4.0 to 6.0 inches for 165R14 depending on brand, 4.50 to 5.00 inches for 650-13, 4.00 to 5.50 inches for 155R13, roughly 3.50 to 4.50 inches for 560-13 depending on brand, about 4.00 to 6.50 inches for 185R14 depending on brand, and 5.00 to 5.50 inches for 700-14. Some products within the same size have slightly different approved wheel-width windows.
That last point is important because a tire size alone does not guarantee the same wheel-width approval across every brand. If your 1967 Vauxhall still wears original wheels, measure the wheel width and compare it with the exact product you are considering rather than assuming every example of that size behaves the same way. This matters most where one size spans several inch widths, such as 165R14 and 185R14, or where brands differ slightly within a smaller numeric bias-ply size like 560-13.
Do 1967 Vauxhall tires require inner tubes?
Inner-tube requirements are not identical across every 1967 Vauxhall tire choice. The Michelin radial products in 165R14, 155R13, and 185R14 carry tubeless markings, while other products in those same radial sizes do not always state tubeless status the same way, so tube use can vary by product. The bias-ply products shown here do not carry a universal tubeless pattern that should be assumed across the board.
The practical step is to match the tire, wheel, and intended setup as one package. Original wheels on many 1960s cars were designed around tube-type practices even when modern reproductions of similar sizes may be tubeless, so the wheel condition and bead-seat design matter as much as the tire itself. Before mounting tires on a 1967 Vauxhall, confirm the exact tire's sidewall marking and ask whether your original wheels should be run with tubes, especially on older steel wheels or fully restored cars that prioritize authenticity.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1967 Vauxhall when the tires are fitted?
A 1967 Vauxhall should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall cracking. Maintain normal inflation, keep the car off damp ground, and move it periodically so the tires are not carrying the same load in one spot for months at a time. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during storage than radials and usually take longer to smooth out after the car is driven again.
If the car will sit for an extended season, many owners use tire cradles or stands to reduce concentrated load, but the suspension should not be left hanging in a way that creates other problems. Clean tires with mild soap and water rather than dressings that leave oily residue, and avoid long-term storage under airtight plastic. Collector cars such as a 1967 Vauxhall often age tires more by time and environment than by mileage, so thoughtful storage can preserve both appearance and service life.
How long do tires on a 1967 Vauxhall typically last?
Tires on a 1967 Vauxhall are usually judged by age and condition more than by tread depth alone. A sound rule for collector vehicles is to begin careful age-based evaluation around five to seven years and to treat about ten years as a point where replacement should be strongly considered, even if the car has seen light use. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, and storage history matters almost as much as miles driven.
That timeline is especially relevant on hobby cars that spend much of their life indoors and may still look visually fresh. Bias-ply tires can harden and show age in ways that change ride and response before the tread looks exhausted, while radials may hide internal aging behind decent outward appearance. For a 1967 Vauxhall that is actually driven on the road, age, cracking, and sustained air retention are more meaningful replacement signals than mileage alone.
How often should tires on a 1967 Vauxhall be inspected?
Tires on a 1967 Vauxhall should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer road outing. Check air pressure, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, tread separation signs, and anything that suggests the tire has been run underinflated or overloaded. If your setup uses tube-type construction, valve stems and slow pressure loss deserve extra attention because a tire can look sound externally while the tube or stem is creating the problem.
A short local drive may hide issues that become obvious only after heat builds at highway speed, so a more thorough check before touring is wise. Also inspect the spare, because a long-stored spare on a 1967 Vauxhall may be older than the four road tires and no safer just because it is unused. Consistent inspections help you catch age-related issues early and avoid discovering them only after the car is loaded for an event or weekend trip.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1967 Vauxhall Cresta?
A 1967 Vauxhall Cresta would have belonged to a period when bias-ply tires were still common while radial adoption was becoming increasingly established in European cars. Within the fitments associated with the 1967 Cresta, the period-size choices are 5.90-14 in bias-ply form and 165R14 in radial form, both on 14-inch wheels. Which one is most correct for a particular car can depend on market, trim, and how the car was supplied when new.
That is why restorers usually treat year, model, and market history as equally important. If your goal is strict factory-authentic presentation, use period literature, surviving original examples, and Vauxhall marque specialists to confirm whether your specific Cresta should wear the numeric bias-ply size or the metric radial size. The wrong construction or the wrong sidewall treatment can change the car's stance and visual tone even when the wheel diameter itself is correct.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1967 Vauxhall?
Correct tire fitment does matter when a 1967 Vauxhall is judged seriously for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size code, construction type, and sidewall style look appropriate to the year and model, especially on visible, character-defining cars such as a Cresta, Viscount, or well-restored Viva. A radial where a bias-ply look is expected, or an American-style wide whitewall where a blackwall would be more authentic, can stand out quickly.
That does not mean every shown car must avoid radials, but it does mean the tire should match the standard of the event and the goal of the restoration. Touring-oriented restorations often make one choice, while concours restorations make another. For a 1967 Vauxhall, the best approach is to check event rules, compare period photography for your exact model, and use marque-club guidance to determine whether construction, sidewall width, and overall stance are aligned with the way the car would have appeared in its original context.
What is the difference between Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic for the 1967 Vauxhall?
For a 1967 Vauxhall Viscount in 185R14, Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both radial choices, but their details are not identical. Michelin MXV appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall forms with a 90H rating and tubeless marking, and its approved wheel-width range reaches about 4.0 to 6.5 inches depending on version. Vredestein Sprint Classic appears as a blackwall 185HR14 90H with a published load figure of 1,323 pounds at 51 psi and a wheel-width range of about 4.5 to 6.0 inches.
That means the decision is less about one being universally better and more about the exact look and wheel pairing you need. A Viscount owner who wants a narrow whitewall radial has a Michelin path, while someone aiming for a blackwall touring look may compare Michelin and Vredestein more closely. The wheel-width range should be checked against the actual wheel on the car, because even within the same 185R14 size, the approved fit window is not perfectly identical from one product line to the next.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1967 Vauxhall tires safe for highway driving?
1967 Vauxhall tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size, condition, inflation, and construction match the car and the way it is used. The radial sizes with published H ratings, including 165R14, 155R13, and some 185R14 products, carry a 130 mph speed ceiling that is well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds. Bias-ply fitments can also be used on the road, but they deliver a different steering and tracking character that should be respected, especially on crowned pavement or in crosswinds.
In real-world collector use, the car's age, braking system, suspension condition, and maintenance quality often become the limiting factors before the tire's speed symbol does. A 1967 Vauxhall prepared for touring should have fresh, age-appropriate tires, stable pressures, and a chassis in equally good order. Highway confidence comes from the whole package working together, not just from choosing a tire with a modern-looking code or a higher speed letter.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1967 Vauxhall tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1967 Vauxhall should be set by the car's factory recommendation and then checked against the tire maker's own rated pressure for that exact size and product. Several sizes carry published load-and-pressure figures, including 650-13 at 1,150 pounds at 32 psi, 560-13 at 850 pounds at 30 psi, 700-14 at 1,360 pounds at 32 psi, 185R14 at 1,323 pounds at 35 psi on one product and 1,323 pounds at 51 psi on another, and 165R14 at 1,102 pounds at 51 psi on one product.
Those figures are not blanket running-pressure recommendations and should never be transferred from one size to another just because the cars seem similar. The correct working pressure on a 1967 Vauxhall depends on the model, axle loading, tire construction, and the specific tire line mounted on the wheel. Start with the owner's manual or factory placard for the car, then confirm that the tire's own published limits and load capacity are being respected.
What should I check before taking a 1967 Vauxhall on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1967 Vauxhall, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cord, uneven wear, and any sign that the tread or casing has been damaged by age or impact. Verify cold inflation pressures, check that valve stems are sound, and examine the spare with the same seriousness as the four road tires. If the car uses tube-type components, make sure any slow leaks have been corrected rather than simply topped off.
A sensible touring check also goes beyond the tires because a vintage Vauxhall depends on all of its systems being in similar condition. Wheel fasteners, brake function, steering play, shock behavior, and suspension bushings all affect how safely the tire can do its job. Longer drives expose weaknesses that never show up on short trips around town, so a careful pre-run inspection is one of the best ways to keep an older Vauxhall enjoyable and predictable on the road.
