1968 DAF Tire Fitment Guide

1968 DAF vehicles in this range use two tire sizes: 145R13 and 520-13, and both apply to the 1968 DAF Daffodil. Both sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they differ in construction type. The 145R13 is a radial size, while the 520-13 is a bias-ply size. Rim-width guidance appears on some products within each size, including 4.00 to 5.00 inches for certain 145R13 tires and 3.5 to 4.00 inches for certain 520-13 tires.

That means a 1968 DAF owner usually starts by deciding what kind of driving experience and appearance they want rather than by sorting through multiple model-specific sizes. If the car is a Daffodil, either size may be relevant, but the wheel itself still needs to be checked against the tire's approved rim-width range before making a final choice.

On a 1968 DAF tire, 520-13 is a classic numeric bias-ply size. The 520 refers to a nominal section width in the older numeric system, and the 13 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial code, it does not spell out an aspect ratio. The size itself indicates a bias-ply construction style associated with period-correct vintage fitment.

For a 1968 DAF Daffodil, that makes 520-13 the more traditional-looking choice if you want the car to present with an era-appropriate stance and sidewall style. It is also the size that opens up narrow whitewall options as well as blackwall choices, which can matter if the car is being restored to a particular visual theme.

On a 1968 DAF tire, 145R13 is a metric radial size. The 145 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. When no aspect ratio is shown in this older European-style format, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series profile rather than a modern low-profile tire.

For a 1968 DAF Daffodil, 145R13 is the size to consider if you want a radial construction on a 13-inch wheel. That can be a practical route for owners who drive their cars more often and prefer a more modern tire format, but it is still important to confirm the actual wheel width and the exact sidewall and speed marking on the product selected.

For a 1968 DAF, the choice between 145R13 and 520-13 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 145R13 is a radial on a 13-inch wheel, while the 520-13 is a traditional numeric bias-ply on the same wheel diameter. Both fit the Daffodil, but they present the car differently in use and appearance.

Owners aiming for a period-correct restoration usually lean toward 520-13 because it preserves the construction style and visual character associated with the era. Owners who expect more routine road driving often prefer 145R13 because it brings a radial format into the same wheel diameter. The better choice depends on whether originality or day-to-day drivability matters more to your 1968 DAF.

1968 DAF tires are available in more than one sidewall style, depending on size. The 145R13 radial options are blackwall tires. The 520-13 bias-ply options include blackwall as well as narrow whitewall versions. That creates a clear visual difference between the radial and bias-ply paths for a Daffodil owner.

For most 1968 DAF restorations, blackwall remains the safer choice when the goal is an understated European small-car appearance. Narrow whitewalls in 520-13 can still suit a personalized presentation or a period accessory look, but they change the visual tone of the car. If authenticity for judged events matters, compare your car's intended market style with marque-club guidance before settling on a whitewall.

Three brands cover the 1968 DAF tire sizes here. The 145R13 radial size is available from Michelin and Firestone, while the 520-13 bias-ply size is available from Firestone and Premium Sport. That gives Firestone presence in both constructions, with Michelin focused on the radial option and Premium Sport focused on the bias-ply size.

Brand choice matters most after you have settled on size and construction. A Daffodil owner looking for a classic European-style radial will likely focus on the 145R13 offerings, while someone restoring the car with a more traditional bias-ply look may compare the blackwall and narrow whitewall choices in 520-13. Sidewall appearance can matter just as much as brand name on a compact vintage import.

Rim-width guidance for 1968 DAF tires depends on the size and the specific tire. In 145R13, one radial option fits rims from 4.00 to 5.00 inches wide. In 520-13, one bias-ply option fits a 3.5-inch rim and another fits a 3.50 to 4.00 inch range. Those ranges show that even though both sizes use 13-inch wheels, rim-width compatibility is not identical across products.

The practical step is to measure or verify the actual wheel before choosing between radial and bias-ply construction. A 1968 DAF Daffodil owner should not assume every 13-inch wheel is equally suited to every 13-inch tire. Matching the tire to the wheel width helps preserve proper shape, bead seating, and overall behavior on the road.

Tube use on 1968 DAF tires depends on the exact tire selected. The Michelin 145R13 carries a TL marking, which denotes a tubeless tire, while other products may not use the same sidewall marking. The 520-13 bias-ply group does not show one uniform tube marking across every option, so tube status can vary by product rather than staying the same for the whole size.

That makes it important to check the individual tire's sidewall designation and the wheel type before installation. If your 1968 DAF still wears original-style wheels, tube decisions should be made carefully and with attention to the wheel's condition, the valve-stem setup, and the tire manufacturer's own construction marking rather than by assuming all 13-inch vintage tires are handled the same way.

A 1968 DAF Daffodil can often use both tire sizes on original 13-inch wheels because both 145R13 and 520-13 share the same rim diameter. Diameter compatibility is the first hurdle, and in this case it is straightforward. Rim width still matters, though, because the radial and bias-ply products do not all share the same approved width range.

That means the original wheels may work with both sizes, but only after confirming the wheel width against the tire you want to run. This is especially important when switching from bias-ply to radial construction. The smart approach is to verify the wheel dimensions first, then choose the tire that best matches both the wheel and the intended use of your 1968 DAF.

A 1968 DAF should be stored away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the car in a cool, dry space and maintain proper inflation while it sits. Bias-ply tires such as 520-13 tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than radial tires, so tire position and load matter a bit more when the car is parked for extended periods.

If the car will sit for months, moving it occasionally or supporting it in a way that reduces sustained load on one contact patch can help. A Daffodil used only seasonally benefits from a simple routine: clean storage conditions, stable pressure, and periodic movement. Those steps do more for tire life than many owners realize, especially on small, lightly driven vintage cars.

On a 1968 DAF, tire age matters more than mileage because many collector cars see limited annual use. A good rule is to start evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the key reference for age, even if the tire still looks presentable.

That guideline applies whether your Daffodil wears a 145R13 radial or a 520-13 bias-ply. Collector cars can hide age-related hardening, cracking, and internal deterioration because they are not driven enough to wear tires out in the usual way. If the car is new to you, checking the date code is one of the first maintenance steps worth taking before any longer outing.

Tires on a 1968 DAF should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tread remains sound across the full width. If your chosen tire setup involves tube-type service, valve stems and any signs of slow leakage deserve extra attention because age in those parts can create problems even when the casing looks acceptable.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a lightly used Daffodil because time and storage conditions can affect the tires more than mileage. A short visual check before each outing and a more careful hands-on inspection several times a season can catch issues early. Vintage cars reward consistency, and tires are one of the easiest places to stay ahead of trouble.

For a 1968 DAF Daffodil, bias-ply construction aligns with what buyers would generally expect from many small cars of the era, making 520-13 the most era-consistent starting point. The presence of 145R13 as a radial alternative reflects a later-style construction choice within the same wheel diameter rather than the most traditional period baseline. No original equipment brand should be assumed without factory literature or market-specific references.

If your goal is strict restoration accuracy, start with the size and construction style first, then verify sidewall appearance against period photos, manuals, or marque-club guidance. European-market details can vary more than owners expect, especially on niche imported cars. For show preparation, treating 520-13 bias-ply as the authenticity benchmark is usually the soundest first step for a 1968 DAF Daffodil.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1968 DAF, especially in classes where originality is judged closely. Size, construction type, and sidewall appearance all affect how authentic the car looks. A radial 145R13 may be perfectly sensible for road use, but a bias-ply 520-13 is usually more in line with the period image that judges and marque enthusiasts expect from a late-1960s Daffodil.

The practical question is what kind of event you are preparing for. A touring or driver-focused event may accept a radial without much concern, while a concours-style setting may notice the difference immediately. If the car is being restored for formal judging, check event standards and marque-club recommendations before choosing between blackwall and narrow whitewall bias-ply presentations.

For a 1968 DAF running 145R13, the Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial are both blackwall radial options, but they differ in sidewall marking and specification details. The Michelin carries a 145HR13 74H TL designation, which identifies a tubeless H-rated tire with a 130 mph ceiling. The Firestone F560 Radial is also a 145R13 radial and includes a rim-width range of 4.00 to 5.00 inches plus a load figure of 825 pounds at 44 psi.

That makes the comparison less about basic fitment and more about the exact specification that matters to your Daffodil. One owner may prioritize the Michelin's traditional European-style sidewall marking, while another may focus on the Firestone's published rim-width and load information. Either way, the wheel width and the intended use of the car should decide the final choice more than brand loyalty alone.

1968 DAF tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire is in good condition, correctly matched to the wheel, and used within its construction and speed limits. The 145R13 radial group includes an H-rated example with a 130 mph ceiling, while the 520-13 bias-ply options do not carry the same kind of modern speed marking in the information available here. In real use, the car's age, light weight, suspension design, and overall mechanical condition matter at least as much as the tire's theoretical speed capability.

For a Daffodil driven on modern roads, the safer mindset is to think in terms of condition, setup, and realistic cruising rather than maximum rating alone. A fresh radial may feel more reassuring to many drivers, while a bias-ply setup can still be entirely appropriate when the car is driven with period-correct expectations. Highway use starts with honest assessment of the whole car, not just the sidewall.

Inflation pressure on a 1968 DAF should not be guessed from size alone. Some tire options include published load and pressure figures, such as 770 pounds at 32 psi for one 520-13 bias-ply, 1100 pounds at 60 psi for another 520-13, and 825 pounds at 44 psi for one 145R13 radial. Those figures describe the tire's load-carrying capacity at a given pressure, not necessarily the vehicle's ideal running pressure.

The best approach is to use the factory vehicle guidance as the starting point for a Daffodil and then confirm the tire manufacturer's limits for the exact tire you install. Never transfer a pressure from one size or construction to another just because both fit a 13-inch wheel. Radial and bias-ply tires can respond differently, and the right pressure depends on the actual tire chosen.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 DAF, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and correct inflation, then check the spare as carefully as the four road tires. Pay close attention to valve stems and any signs of slow leakage, especially if your setup uses tube-type service. A long drive also calls for a quick look at wheel hardware, brakes, steering response, and whether the car has been sitting long enough to develop temporary flat-spotting.

That routine matters because a Daffodil is a vintage car first and a highway machine second. Tire condition is only one part of readiness, but it is the easiest place to catch problems before they become roadside issues. If the car has been in storage, give it a short local drive first, then recheck pressures and general behavior before committing to a longer trip.