1970 Opel Tire Fitment Guide

1970 Opel vehicles use three sizes across two models: 155R13 for the 1970 Opel Kadett, and 165R13 or 560-13 for the 1970 Opel model line. All three sizes fit 13-inch wheels, but they are not universal across every 1970 Opel. Rim width guidance also changes by size: 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the tire chosen.

That makes model identification the first step before choosing a tire. A Kadett owner should stay with 155R13, while an Opel owner needs to decide whether the car is better served by the 165R13 radial or the 560-13 bias-ply approach, then confirm the actual wheel width before ordering.

On a 1970 Opel, 155R13 is a euro-metric radial size. The 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. In period European sizing, a separate aspect ratio often is not printed, and this size is commonly treated as an 80-series radial format.

For a 1970 Opel Kadett, that code tells you you are looking at a radial tire designed for a 13-inch wheel rather than a numeric American-style bias-ply size. It is a useful clue when comparing tires, because it separates the Kadett’s fitment from the Opel model line that can also use the 560-13 bias-ply size.

On a 1970 Opel, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 refers to nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in the code, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a radial metric size, this format belongs to the older bias-ply sizing system that was common on compact cars before radial tires became the default choice.

That matters because a 560-13 tire changes more than just the number on the sidewall. It points you toward a more period-correct construction and a sidewall style range that can include whitewall treatments, which can be especially important if your 1970 Opel is being restored with an emphasis on authentic late-1960s and early-1970s appearance.

For a 1970 Opel model that accepts either approach within this year-make range, the 165R13 and 560-13 answer two different priorities. The 165R13 is a radial size with blackwall options from Michelin and Dunlop, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply size available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styling from BFGoodrich and Firestone. Both mount on 13-inch wheels, but they represent different construction eras and different visual results.

Choose 560-13 when restoration authenticity and a period bias-ply look matter most. Choose 165R13 when you want a radial tire that keeps the car in a European metric format. Before making the switch either way, verify the wheel width on the car so the tire matches the rim correctly as well as the intended appearance.

1970 Opel tire sidewall style depends on the size. The 155R13 and 165R13 radial sizes are available in blackwall form, while the 560-13 bias-ply size is available as a narrow whitewall or wide whitewall. That means sidewall appearance is tied closely to the size and construction choice rather than being interchangeable across the whole 1970 Opel range.

For many 1970 European compact restorations, blackwall radials look natural and restrained. Whitewall bias-ply tires create a more overt period presentation and can suit owners who want the car to read visually like an early-1970s import sold into the American market. If appearance is a major factor, choose the model and size first, then the sidewall treatment.

1970 Opel tires are available from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. The 155R13 size comes from Michelin and Dunlop, the 165R13 size also comes from Michelin and Dunlop, and the 560-13 size comes from BFGoodrich and Firestone. That split follows the sizes closely, with the metric radials centered on European-style offerings and the bias-ply size centered on classic American-brand presentation.

Brand choice here is less about finding one universal maker for every 1970 Opel and more about choosing the size and construction that fit your car and your goals. Once that is settled, compare the available brand options within that size for sidewall appearance, load rating where given, and rim-width compatibility.

Rim width requirements for 1970 Opel tires depend on the size. The 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, and the 165R13 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims. The 560-13 bias-ply spans two wheel-width ranges depending on the specific tire: 3.50 to 4.00 inches for some versions and 4.00 to 4.50 inches for others, even though all are built for 13-inch wheels.

That is why wheel width should be confirmed before you settle on a size, especially if your 1970 Opel has replacement wheels or if you are moving between radial and bias-ply construction. Diameter alone is not enough. The tire needs to match both the wheel’s 13-inch diameter and the correct width range for the specific product.

Tube use on 1970 Opel tires depends on the size and product. The 155R13 and 165R13 radial offerings include tubeless examples, marked TL. The 560-13 bias-ply products do not carry a tubeless marking in the size description, so buyers should check the exact tire’s sidewall marking and wheel condition before deciding on tube use.

That matters most when working with original 13-inch steel wheels, because wheel design and sealing condition can influence whether a tubeless radial setup is practical. On older wheels, rust, pitting, or imperfect bead seats deserve attention before mounting any tire, and tube decisions should follow the specific tire marking rather than assumptions about the whole size category.

All three 1970 Opel tire sizes here are built for 13-inch wheels, so they share rim diameter. That means the original wheel diameter can be compatible across the year-make range, but width is still the deciding detail. A wheel that suits 155R13 or 165R13 may not fall into the same approved width range as every 560-13 version.

Owners should treat 13-inch diameter as only the starting point. Measure the wheel width or confirm it from the wheel itself before changing sizes or constructions. That is especially important on a restored 1970 Opel that may have had wheels swapped over the years, since visual similarity does not guarantee the right width for every tire option.

A 1970 Opel should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically if it sits for long stretches. Bias-ply tires like the 560-13 are especially prone to temporary flat-spotting during static storage, while any older tire can suffer from cracking if it is exposed to heat and UV for long periods.

If the car will sit for months, many collector owners either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces sustained load on one contact patch. The goal is to preserve both tire shape and sidewall condition so the 1970 Opel is ready to drive without vibration, pressure loss, or age-related surprises.

Tire life on a 1970 Opel is usually determined more by age than mileage. Collector cars often accumulate limited miles, so the safer rule is to begin inspecting closely at about five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as a tire approaches ten years, regardless of remaining tread. The date code on the sidewall is the best guide to the tire’s actual age.

That approach matters because an older 1970 Opel may look well preserved while the tire rubber has hardened internally. A tire that still appears to have usable tread can be past its prime if it shows cracking, repeated pressure loss, or age beyond what you would trust for regular road use. Age should always weigh heavily in the decision.

Tires on a 1970 Opel should be checked before every drive and again before any longer outing at sustained speed. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs that the car is no longer holding pressure consistently. If your 1970 Opel uses a tube-type setup or an older wheel arrangement, valve stems and any tube-related hardware also deserve regular attention.

A quick inspection is especially important on collector cars that may sit for weeks between drives. Long storage periods can hide developing problems, and the first miles after a layup are often when age-related issues reveal themselves. Building a pre-drive routine around the tires is one of the simplest ways to make an older Opel more predictable on the road.

A 1970 Opel Kadett from this era would commonly be associated with a 13-inch tire in a European radial-style format such as 155R13, especially as radial adoption became increasingly normal on compact European cars by 1970. The available fitment for the Kadett here stays entirely in that radial 155R13 format. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking period literature, dealer material, or a marque specialist.

For a restoration, the important point is that the Kadett’s tire character is different from the Opel model line that can also use a 560-13 bias-ply size. If you are restoring a specific market version or trying to match a judging standard, confirm construction type and sidewall appearance with Opel club resources before finalizing the tire choice.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1970 Opel because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall appearance immediately. A Kadett on the wrong size, or an Opel restored with a sidewall treatment that does not suit the intended period presentation, can look out of step even if the wheels physically accept the tire. Bias-ply versus radial can also affect the authenticity story the car tells.

That does not mean every show uses the same standard. Some events reward strict originality, while others allow tasteful touring-oriented updates. If your 1970 Opel is being prepared for judged competition, check the event rules and marque expectations early so the final choice of size and sidewall style supports the class you are entering.

For a 1970 Opel in 165R13, Michelin XAS-FF and Michelin XAS share the same basic size, H speed rating, tubeless marking, 13-inch rim diameter, and 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range. Both keep the car in an era-appropriate metric radial format. The clearest difference in the available specifications is weight, with the XAS-FF shown at 20 pounds and the XAS shown at 9 pounds.

Since the core fitment dimensions are the same, this comparison becomes more about the specific tire series and the owner’s preferences than about one solving a fitment problem the other cannot. When comparing the two for a 1970 Opel, focus on the exact series name, sidewall appearance, and how closely you want the tire to align with your restoration or driving goals.

1970 Opel tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed-rating limits. The 155R13 and 165R13 radial offerings include H-rated examples, which carry a 130 mph speed ceiling. The 560-13 bias-ply size is a different type of tire and should be approached with the expectations that come with vintage bias-ply construction rather than modern high-speed handling assumptions.

In practical use, the condition of the car often matters as much as the tire. A 1970 Opel’s brakes, steering, suspension, wheel bearings, and alignment deserve the same attention as the sidewalls and tread. For normal collector-car highway use, a properly matched tire is only one part of the safety equation, even if it is an important one.

Inflation pressure for a 1970 Opel should follow the vehicle’s factory guidance first, then the tire manufacturer’s limits and load information for the exact tire. The 560-13 bias-ply size carries an 850-pound load rating at 30 psi in the available examples. The radial sizes also include load-capacity figures in some cases, such as 937 pounds for one 155R13 and 1,047 pounds for one 165R13, but those figures should not be treated as a blanket pressure recommendation for every tire in those sizes.

The safest approach is to use the original owner’s manual or factory placard for the vehicle target, then confirm that the chosen tire supports that use properly. Avoid borrowing a pressure figure from one size and applying it to another, especially when switching between radial and bias-ply construction on a 1970 Opel.

Before a longer drive in a 1970 Opel, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and stable cold pressure. Check the valve stems, and if the car uses a setup that may involve tubes, make sure there is no slow pressure loss or stem movement that suggests an internal problem. The spare deserves the same inspection, because compact vintage cars often rely heavily on having a usable backup tire.

Tires are only part of the checklist on a car of this age. Wheel fastener torque, brake function, steering feel, fluid levels, lights, and charging-system health all matter before asking a 1970 Opel to cover real distance. A careful once-over at home is far easier than sorting out a preventable tire or wheel issue on the roadside.