1971 Plymouth Tire Fitment Guide

1971 Plymouth vehicles used a wide spread of sizes across the lineup: E78-14, F78-14, F70-14, and F60-15 for Barracuda; 155R13 and 560-13 for Cricket; E70-14 for Duster; J78-15, L84-15, F78-15, G78-15, and H78-15 for Fury; G70-14 and G78-14 for GTX; F70-14 and F78-14 for Road Runner; F78-14, G78-14, 855-14, H78-14, and E78-14 for Satellite; H70-15 for Sport Fury; and 6.45-14, 695-14, and D78-14 for Valiant & Duster. Rim diameters span 13, 14, and 15 inches depending on model and size.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a safe starting point on a 1971 Plymouth. A Cricket owner needs to think in 13-inch compact-car terms, while Fury and Sport Fury owners move into larger 15-inch full-size fitments, and many mid-size and performance cars stay with 14-inch tires. Once the model is confirmed, compare the exact size on the car now, the wheel diameter, and the look you want before narrowing to a specific tire.

On a 1971 Plymouth Cricket, 155R13 is a metric radial size. The 155 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R means radial construction, and the 13 identifies a 13-inch wheel. In this size, H-rated examples appear, which means a 130 mph speed-rating ceiling, and blackwall sidewalls are the available style.

That code reads very differently from Plymouth's alphanumeric and numeric bias-ply sizes, so Cricket owners should not assume it crosses over directly to a domestic-style F78 or 560 code. The practical benefit is clarity: once you know the car uses 155R13, you can focus on compact radial options and confirm details such as tube marking, wheel width, and the exact visual style you want for the car.

No. 1971 Plymouth models use many different tire sizes, and several of them are tied to only one model or a small group of models. Barracuda, Road Runner, GTX, Fury, Satellite, Cricket, Duster, Sport Fury, and Valiant-based cars all have their own fitment paths, with some overlap such as F70-14 across Barracuda and Road Runner or G78-14 across GTX and Satellite.

That model-by-model variation matters because Plymouth's 1971 range ran from imported subcompacts to big full-size cars and muscle models. A buyer who skips the model step can easily end up chasing the wrong rim diameter, the wrong visual character, or the wrong load class. Confirm the model badge first, then the wheel diameter, then compare the size stamped on the existing tire before moving on to brand and sidewall preferences.

For a 1971 Plymouth Cricket, the choice between 155R13 and 560-13 is primarily a construction and character decision, since both are 13-inch fitments for that model. The 155R13 is a radial metric size offered in blackwall form, while the 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size available with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. They present the car differently and reflect two distinct tire eras.

A Cricket aimed at a more original small-car appearance typically points buyers toward the bias-ply 560-13, especially when whitewall styling matters. A Cricket driven more regularly may push interest toward the radial 155R13 because it follows a later tire format already associated with that model. The key is to decide whether visual authenticity or radial construction is more important before selecting a brand and sidewall treatment.

1971 Plymouth tires cover a broad range of sidewall styles depending on size. Across the year's fitments, blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, dual-white-stripe, redline, dual-redline, pin white stripe, and raised white letter styles all appear. The sidewall choices change with the vehicle's role: compact and full-size family cars often lean toward whitewall treatments, while performance-oriented sizes such as F70-14, E70-14, and G70-14 bring in redline, pin stripe, and RWL options.

That makes sidewall selection part of the restoration decision, not just a cosmetic extra. A formal Fury or Satellite usually looks most at home with a whitewall style, while a Barracuda, Road Runner, GTX, or sporty Duster can look more era-correct with redlines, stripes, or RWL depending on the exact build and owner preference. Matching the sidewall to the car's intended personality is often as important visually as choosing the right size.

1971 Plymouth fitments are covered by several brands, and the mix changes by size. Coker Classic appears in sizes such as E78-14, F78-14, G78-15, H78-15, G78-14, and H78-14; STA covers sizes including E78-14, G78-15, and H78-15; Firestone appears in F70-14, 560-13, E70-14, and G70-14; Goodyear appears in F70-14, F60-15, E70-14, and G70-14; BFGoodrich covers 560-13, J78-15, G78-14, 855-14, and 695-14; Michelin and Dunlop cover 155R13; and US Royal appears in 695-14.

That spread gives buyers room to prioritize brand heritage, sidewall style, and the exact visual statement they want for the car. Some sizes are tightly focused around one brand family, while others open the door to multiple period-style choices. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the brands available in that exact fitment rather than assuming the same brand or series carries across the entire 1971 Plymouth range.

Rim width requirements vary by size on 1971 Plymouth vehicles. Examples include E78-14 at 4.50 to 7.00 inches, F78-14 at 5.00 to 7.00, F70-14 at 6.00 to 7.00, F60-15 at 7, 155R13 at 4.00 to 5.50, 560-13 at 3.50 to 4.50 depending on product, E70-14 at 6.00 to 7.00, J78-15 at 5.50 to 7.00, G78-15 at 5.00 to 7.00, H78-15 at 5.50 to 7.00, G70-14 at 6.0 to 8.0 depending on product, G78-14 at 5.00 to 7.00, 855-14 at 5.50 to 6.00, H78-14 at 5.50 to 8.00, and 695-14 at 5.00 to 6.00.

Those ranges show why wheel width needs to be checked before settling on a tire, especially if the car no longer wears its original wheels. A tire may share the right rim diameter but still prefer a narrower or wider wheel than the one on the car today. Measuring the wheel and comparing it to the exact size's approved rim-width range is one of the most useful fitment checks you can make before moving forward.

Tube requirements on 1971 Plymouth tires depend on the exact product and size. In 155R13, tube status varies by product because one version is explicitly marked TL while another uses different sidewall wording. Many of the bias-ply sizes here do not carry a consistent tube designation in the available markings, so the right answer comes from the specific tire you are considering rather than from the size code alone.

That matters most when a wheel has age, surface condition, or design features that affect air retention. Before mounting a tire, check the sidewall marking on the exact product and inspect the wheel itself, especially on collector cars that may still wear original rims. If a tube is needed, valve stem condition and proper installation become part of the fitment decision instead of an afterthought.

Original 1971 Plymouth wheels cannot be treated as universal across all 1971 Plymouth tire sizes because the range includes 13-, 14-, and 15-inch fitments. A Cricket's 13-inch tires, a Barracuda or Satellite's 14-inch tires, and a Fury or Sport Fury 15-inch fitment each require the correct rim diameter first. Diameter compatibility must be exact before any other fitment question is considered.

Even within one diameter, wheel width still needs to match the tire's approved range. Some 14-inch sizes are comfortable on narrower wheels, while others such as G70-14 expect a wider wheel than compact-car sizes like 695-14. The safest approach is to verify both the wheel diameter and actual rim width on the car before assuming an original wheel from one 1971 Plymouth model can carry another model's tire size.

A stored 1971 Plymouth should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors or other ozone sources, and in a dry, stable environment. Tires last better when they are clean, properly inflated, and not carrying unnecessary weight on one contact patch for long periods. Because most 1971 Plymouth fitments are bias-ply, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than a radial such as the Cricket's 155R13.

Moving the car periodically or using stands in a way that avoids stressing suspension components can help reduce long-term shape distortion. If the car sits for months at a time, check inflation before and after storage rather than assuming the tires stayed unchanged. Collector cars often age their tires by environment and inactivity more than by mileage, so storage conditions matter just as much as road use.

On a 1971 Plymouth, tire life is usually judged by age and condition more than tread wear. A collector-driven car may cover very few miles, yet the rubber can still age out. A practical rule is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years of service and to consider replacement around the ten-year point regardless of remaining tread, using the date code on the tire as part of that decision.

That guideline is especially important on vehicles that spend long periods parked, appear at shows, or only come out in fair weather. Sidewall cracking, stiffness, recurring pressure loss, and age-related changes in ride quality matter more than odometer use. A 1971 Plymouth with older tires may still look fine at a glance, so an age check should be part of routine ownership rather than something saved for the next major restoration step.

Tires on a 1971 Plymouth should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough look before longer trips or high-speed highway use. Check inflation, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, embedded debris, uneven tread wear, and any sign that the car has been sitting on low pressure. If your product uses a tube or requires one, valve stem condition and leakage checks deserve the same attention as the tread and sidewall.

Frequent inspection matters because many collector cars spend more time parked than driven, and age-related issues can appear between outings. A quick walkaround before a local cruise may prevent a ruined tire, wheel, or fender later. On a 1971 Plymouth, especially one with bias-ply tires, a few minutes of inspection before leaving the garage is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the drive.

A 1971 Plymouth Barracuda would have been associated with bias-ply construction in period, and the sizes tied to the model are E78-14, F78-14, F70-14, and F60-15 depending on application. Those size families reflect the mix of standard and performance-oriented fitments used across the Barracuda line in the early 1970s. Original-equipment branding could vary by market, assembly practice, and exact configuration, so size and construction are the more dependable starting points.

For restoration work, the first goal is matching the correct Barracuda application to the proper wheel diameter and period-style size family. After that, sidewall treatment becomes the detail that often determines whether the car looks merely correct or truly convincing. If the car is being judged, consult a Barracuda or Mopar marque specialist to verify the right combination for your body style and factory presentation.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1971 Plymouth, especially because Plymouth's 1971 lineup spans compact imports, family sedans, luxury full-size cars, and muscle models with very different tire personalities. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, construction type, and sidewall style fit the model's era and market position. A whitewall that suits a Fury may look out of place on a GTX, while a muscle-style redline may not fit a formal full-size restoration.

The closer the event leans toward originality, the more those details count. A restoration-minded owner should treat tire choice as part of the car's finished presentation, not a generic consumable. Before a serious show, compare the car's current size and sidewall to period photos, factory literature, and club guidance so the tire supports the story the rest of the restoration is telling.

On 1971 Plymouth performance-oriented sizes such as F70-14, E70-14, and G70-14, Firestone Wide Oval and Goodyear Custom Wide Tread differ mainly in available sidewall treatments and some approved rim-width spread. Firestone Wide Oval appears with redline, pin white stripe, and RWL versions, while Goodyear Custom Wide Tread appears in RWL on F70-14 and E70-14 and redline on G70-14. In G70-14, Firestone commonly fits 6.50 to 7.00-inch rims, while a Goodyear version reaches 6.0 to 8.0 inches.

That means the choice is often visual first and technical second. If you are chasing a specific early-1970s muscle look, the sidewall style may decide the issue immediately. If the car has wheels that sit at the edge of the usual width range, the exact tire's approved rim-width span can become the deciding factor. Comparing the product markings against your wheel width is the smartest way to separate appearance preference from actual fitment.

1971 Plymouth tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and used within the limits of their construction and speed rating. The clearest speed-rating information appears on the Cricket's 155R13 radial options, which carry an H rating with a 130 mph ceiling. Most of the other 1971 Plymouth fitments here are bias-ply tires, and their road behavior should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a vintage design rather than to a modern touring tire.

For most normal collector-car highway use, the vehicle's brakes, suspension age, steering condition, and overall mechanical health are often more limiting than outright tire speed capability. A well-sorted 1971 Plymouth on fresh, correctly matched tires can be enjoyable on the road, but it should still be driven like a vintage car. The safest approach is to match your driving style to the era of the vehicle and the construction of the tire.

Inflation pressure on 1971 Plymouth tires should be guided first by the vehicle's factory recommendation and then checked against the tire's own rated information. The tires themselves show different load-and-pressure combinations by size, such as 850 pounds at 30 psi for 560-13, 1,230 pounds at 32 psi for 695-14, 1,500 pounds at 32 psi for F70-14 and F60-15, 1,620 pounds at 32 psi for G70-14 and G78-14, 1,770 pounds at 32 psi for H78-14, and 1,830 pounds at 45 psi for one H78-15 application. Those figures are not interchangeable from one size to another.

The practical takeaway is simple: do not borrow pressure numbers across sizes just because the tires look similar. A compact Valiant fitment, a Fury full-size fitment, and a Cricket radial may all want different treatment. Use the owner's manual or factory placard for the car's intended starting pressure, then confirm that the tire itself is being used within its rated load-and-pressure envelope for the size you actually have.

Before a longer drive in a 1971 Plymouth, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and verify that the spare is usable and inflated. Check the valve stems carefully, especially if the tire setup uses a tube or may require one. On a car that has been sitting, confirm the tires have rounded back out and are not still carrying a storage flat spot before heading onto faster roads.

That tire check should sit inside a broader pre-trip inspection that matches the age of the vehicle. Brakes, belts, hoses, fluid levels, wheel bearings, and steering components deserve attention along with the tires. A 1971 Plymouth can cover real road miles comfortably when prepared properly, but longer drives reward prevention. Ten minutes in the garage can reveal a tire or wheel issue long before it becomes a roadside problem.