1968 Sunbeam Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Sunbeam vehicles use four sizes across three models. The Sunbeam Alpine and Sunbeam Arrow use 165R13 in radial form or 600-13 in bias-ply form, both on 13-inch wheels. The Sunbeam Imp uses 155R12 in radial form or 5.50-12 in bias-ply form, both on 12-inch wheels. For 165R13, approved rim width spans 4.50 to 6.00 inches, and for 600-13 it spans 4.00 to 4.50 inches.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident tire choice on a 1968 Sunbeam. You need to identify the model first, then match the tire to the wheel diameter already on the car, and finally decide whether you want radial or bias-ply construction. Alpine and Arrow overlap with each other, but the Imp stands apart because it uses smaller 12-inch tires.

On a 1968 Sunbeam, 165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 165 refers to a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Where no aspect ratio is printed in this style of sizing, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. Within the 1968 Sunbeam range, this size fits Alpine and Arrow models rather than the Imp.

That decoding matters because 165R13 points you toward a later-style radial fitment on a 13-inch wheel, not a bias-ply tire and not a 12-inch Imp fitment. If your car is an Alpine or Arrow and already wears 13-inch wheels, this size is often the first radial option to compare against 600-13. It is also available only as a blackwall in the current product range, which can influence the final look of the car.

No, 1968 Sunbeam models do not all use the same tire size. Alpine and Arrow share two 13-inch choices, 165R13 radial and 600-13 bias-ply, while the Imp uses two different 12-inch choices, 155R12 radial and 5.50-12 bias-ply. The separation is by model, not just by brand or tread design.

That difference has a practical effect before you ever compare product details. If you own an Alpine or Arrow, you can focus on 13-inch fitments and then decide between construction types. If you own an Imp, you should ignore the 13-inch sizes entirely and stay within the 12-inch options built around that model's wheel diameter.

For a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine or Arrow, 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 radial uses a metric radial format and comes in blackwall form, while the 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling. Both sizes belong only to Alpine and Arrow, not to the Imp.

Owners usually sort this decision by how they want the car to feel and look rather than by year alone. A radial often suits regular road use and a more modern highway character, while a bias-ply usually appeals to restorations that want an earlier visual impression and traditional construction. Once you settle the construction type, the remaining choice is brand and sidewall style.

Sidewall style depends on the size you choose for a 1968 Sunbeam. The 165R13 radial offered for Alpine and Arrow is available in blackwall form, while the 600-13 bias-ply for those same models comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. The Imp's 12-inch sizes do not have sidewall-style variation reflected here.

That makes sidewall appearance part of the buying decision, especially for Alpine and Arrow owners. Blackwall tends to suit a later European radial look, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more overtly vintage presentation. If you are restoring for a specific market style or event standard, confirm the expected sidewall treatment before committing to one version.

1968 Sunbeam coverage here comes from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. The 165R13 radial for Alpine and Arrow is available from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 600-13 bias-ply for Alpine and Arrow is available from BFGoodrich. Those brand differences also track with different sidewall treatments, since the radial option is blackwall and the BFGoodrich bias-ply option appears in whitewall forms.

Brand choice on a 1968 Sunbeam is best handled after you narrow the correct size and construction type. If you are staying with a radial on an Alpine or Arrow, Michelin and Dunlop are the relevant comparison. If you are aiming for a bias-ply presentation on those models, BFGoodrich is the path within the current range.

Rim width guidance is size-specific on a 1968 Sunbeam. For 165R13, the approved rim width range is 4.50 to 6.00 inches on a 13-inch wheel. For 600-13, the approved rim width range is 4.00 to 4.50 inches on a 13-inch wheel. Both sizes fit Alpine and Arrow models, but they are not built around the same rim width window.

That is why wheel measurement matters before changing construction type on an Alpine or Arrow. A wheel that suits a 600-13 bias-ply may not be the ideal match for a 165R13 radial, even though both mount on a 13-inch rim diameter. Measure the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming any 13-inch Sunbeam wheel automatically suits both sizes equally well.

Inner-tube requirements on 1968 Sunbeam tires depend on the exact product. The 165R13 radial range includes Michelin versions marked TL, while the Dunlop entry does not carry a TL marker in the same way, so tube status varies by product rather than being uniform across the size. The other sizes here do not add a separate tube marker that settles the question for every application.

That makes the wheel itself part of the decision. Some original wheels and restoration setups call for tube-type service even when a tire can be run tubeless in another application. Check the sidewall marking on the exact tire, inspect the wheel condition and valve-stem arrangement, and match the tube decision to both the product and the wheel you are actually using.

Original 1968 Sunbeam wheels can often stay in service when the tire sizes share the same rim diameter, but the answer depends on the model and the wheel width. Alpine and Arrow use two 13-inch sizes, so their original 13-inch wheels may work with either size if the wheel width falls within the approved range for the chosen tire. The Imp is separate because its tires use 12-inch wheels, not 13-inch wheels.

Diameter compatibility is only the first checkpoint. On Alpine and Arrow, 165R13 wants a wider approved rim range than 600-13, so an original narrow wheel that suits the bias-ply size may not be the best match for the radial. Measure the wheel before changing sizes, especially on a restored car where wheels may have been swapped at some point in its life.

A 1968 Sunbeam should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so one section of the tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage, while both bias-ply and radial tires can suffer surface cracking when exposed to heat and ozone.

Collectors who store a Sunbeam for the winter often benefit from increasing checks rather than simply parking and forgetting it. Rolling the car occasionally, using stands when appropriate, and checking pressure through the off-season can preserve both ride quality and appearance. That matters on a light British car, where a small tire can show age and storage effects quickly.

Tire life on a 1968 Sunbeam is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often cover limited miles, so a tire can look usable long after the rubber has begun to age out. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat ten years as the outer edge for continued service consideration, using the DOT date code and overall condition as your guide.

That approach is especially important on a hobby car that spends time parked between events or weekend drives. Good tread depth does not cancel out age-related hardening, cracking, or internal deterioration. If a 1968 Sunbeam still wears older tires from a previous restoration, age alone may justify replacement even when the car has seen very little road use.

Tires on a 1968 Sunbeam should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between uses. Pay close attention to valve stems, and be extra careful where tube-type service is involved because the tube and stem condition matter alongside the outer tire.

Short local drives can hide problems that become much more serious at sustained road speed. A quick pre-drive inspection takes only a few minutes and gives you a chance to catch age damage, old repairs, or pressure loss before the car is out on the road. On a vintage Sunbeam, that habit is part of routine ownership rather than an occasional precaution.

For a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine, bias-ply construction belongs to the earlier historical norm, while radial fitments were increasingly relevant in European applications by the late 1960s. Within the 1968 Sunbeam range, Alpine uses either 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial on 13-inch wheels. That gives restorers two legitimate style directions to research, depending on market, timing, and the standard they are trying to meet.

The best next step is to compare your car against factory literature, period photos, and marque-club guidance rather than assuming every Alpine left the factory with the same tire type. Construction, sidewall appearance, and country-market variation can all matter in authenticity discussions. For a judged restoration, confirm the expectation before deciding whether blackwall radial or whitewall bias-ply better suits your specific car.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1968 Sunbeam, particularly on cars judged for authenticity. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size matches the model, whether the construction type is era-appropriate, and whether the sidewall treatment suits the car's intended presentation. On Alpine and Arrow, switching from a bias-ply whitewall look to a blackwall radial can change the visual impression significantly.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire, but it does mean the choice should be intentional. A touring-oriented driver may accept a less original look, while a concours-minded owner may want the tire to reinforce the period character of the car. Event rules vary, so check with the relevant Sunbeam club or judging body before finalizing the setup.

For a 1968 Sunbeam using 165R13, Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF share the same size marking, H speed rating, blackwall appearance, and 13-inch fitment range of 4.50 to 6.00 inches. Both are radial tires marked 165HR13 82H TL. The clearest physical difference here is weight, with the XAS-FF at 20 pounds and the XAS at 9 pounds.

That makes this comparison less about basic fitment and more about which product character best aligns with your build. Since their size, construction, sidewall style, and speed category overlap, owners should look closely at the series itself and the intended use of the car before choosing. If originality or driving feel is a priority, compare the specific tread and series heritage rather than size alone.

1968 Sunbeam tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their speed rating and inflation limits. The 165R13 radial products here carry an H speed rating, which corresponds to 130 mph, far above ordinary U.S. highway speeds. Bias-ply options do not automatically become unsafe, but they deliver a different road feel and should be driven with realistic expectations for a late-1960s chassis and steering system.

Tire safety on a vintage Sunbeam is never just about the number on the sidewall. Age, storage history, wheel condition, alignment, brake performance, and suspension health all matter on an older British car. For normal road use, the larger practical question is whether the entire car is prepared for sustained driving, not whether the tire alone has an adequate top-speed ceiling.

Inflation pressure on a 1968 Sunbeam should be matched to the specific tire size and the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, not borrowed from another size. The 600-13 bias-ply carries a load figure of 1,010 pounds at 32 psi, and the 165R13 range includes an example with a maximum load capacity of 1,047 pounds. Those figures describe tire capability, not a universal running pressure for every Sunbeam application.

Start with the factory pressure guidance for your exact model, then confirm it against the tire maker's recommendations for the reproduction or radial tire you are using. Alpine, Arrow, and Imp do not share the same tire size family, so pressure assumptions can quickly go wrong if you generalize across the whole make. Always adjust pressures cold and recheck after the car has sat.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Sunbeam, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure the tires are the correct size for the model, since Alpine and Arrow use 13-inch fitments while the Imp uses 12-inch fitments. If the car uses older bias-ply tires, give extra attention to age and any flat-spotting from storage.

A long drive also calls for a broader mechanical walk-around because tires are only one part of the equation on a vintage car. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and charging-system health all deserve attention before you add distance and heat. On an older Sunbeam, a careful pre-trip check is often the difference between an enjoyable run and an avoidable roadside interruption.