1972 Nissan Tire Fitment Guide

1972 Nissan vehicles use six sizes across four models: the 1200 uses 155R12 or 6.00-12, the 240 uses 175R14, the PL510 uses 165R13 or 560-13, and the PL521 uses 6.00-14. Rim diameters therefore span 12, 13, and 14 inches rather than carrying one common wheel size across the whole make. Where product coverage includes rim-width guidance, 175R14 fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims, and 560-13 fits either 3.5- to 4.0-inch or 4.0- to 4.5-inch rims depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct tire decision on a 1972 Nissan. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm whether the car or truck is set up for the radial or bias-ply size used on that model, and finally compare the actual wheel width to the tire you are considering if your size has multiple rim-width ranges.

On a 1972 Nissan, 560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 figure is the nominal section width in inches, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. For this year and make, 560-13 applies to the PL510 and appears in bias-ply form rather than radial form, with whitewall variations ranging from narrow whitewall to wide whitewall depending on the tire.

That size code matters because it points you toward a traditional construction and a much more period-looking sidewall than the PL510's 165R13 radial alternative. If your goal is restoration character, especially on a car where sidewall appearance is part of the visual statement, 560-13 is the size family to investigate first, but you should still confirm your wheel width before choosing among the available versions.

No. The 1972 Nissan lineup is split by model, with the 1200 on 12-inch sizes, the PL510 on 13-inch sizes, and the 240 and PL521 each using different 14-inch sizes. Even when two models share a rim diameter, they do not necessarily share the same tire size, and the 1200 and PL510 each have both a radial option and a bias-ply option in their own respective wheel diameters.

That has a direct effect on tire shopping. A buyer looking for 1972 Nissan tires should not treat the make as one universal fitment family; the exact model determines the size, and on some models the choice between constructions affects appearance and road feel as much as the dimensions themselves.

If your 1972 Nissan is a PL510, both 165R13 and 560-13 are relevant but they serve different goals. The 165R13 is a radial on a 13-inch rim and is offered in blackwall form, while the 560-13 is a bias-ply on the same 13-inch rim and comes in narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styles. The radial route suits an owner who wants a later-period radial feel, while the bias-ply route keeps the car closer to an earlier small-sedan presentation.

The practical decision comes down to how you use the car and how closely you want it to reflect period appearance. If you are restoring for a traditional look, especially with whitewalls, 560-13 is the natural place to focus. If your priority is a radial construction on the original wheel diameter, 165R13 is the better starting point for the PL510.

Sidewall style depends on size. The 175R14 used on the 1972 Nissan 240 and the 165R13 used on the 1972 Nissan PL510 are offered in blackwall radial form. The 560-13 used on the 1972 Nissan PL510 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall bias-ply versions, giving that model the broadest visual range among the sizes with product coverage.

For a 1972 Nissan, sidewall choice is often as much about presentation as fitment. A blackwall radial generally matches the restrained sporting or driver-oriented look many owners want on a 240 or PL510, while a whitewall bias-ply can push a PL510 toward a more formal early-1970s appearance. Event rules and personal taste should guide that final decision.

Several brands cover 1972 Nissan sizes with current product support. The 175R14 used on the 1972 Nissan 240 is available from Michelin and Vredestein. The 165R13 used on the 1972 Nissan PL510 is available from Michelin and Dunlop. The 560-13 used on the 1972 Nissan PL510 is available from BFGoodrich and Firestone.

That spread gives owners a mix of European-style radial choices for the sporting and sedan applications, plus classic American-brand bias-ply options where a whitewall or vintage sidewall presentation matters. Once you know your size, the next comparison is usually between construction type, sidewall style, and any speed or load markings that appear on the exact tire you are considering.

Rim-width guidance varies by size. On a 1972 Nissan 240, 175R14 fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims. On a 1972 Nissan PL510, 165R13 also fits 4.5- to 6.0-inch rims. The 560-13 used on the same PL510 spans two narrower ranges depending on the tire: 3.5- to 4.0-inch rims for some BFGoodrich versions and 4.0- to 4.5-inch rims for the Firestone version.

That difference is important because two tires with the same nominal size do not always want the same wheel width. Before choosing a specific tire for a 1972 Nissan, verify the actual wheel width on the car and match it to the tire's approved range instead of assuming every version of the same size will fit the same rim equally well.

Inner-tube status depends on the exact 1972 Nissan size and tire. The 175R14 and 165R13 families include examples marked TL, which indicates tubeless construction, but not every tire in those sizes carries the same marking. For the other 1972 Nissan sizes on this page, tube use is not uniform enough to make one blanket statement across the whole year and make.

The practical takeaway is simple: check the sidewall marking on the exact tire you plan to run and make sure it matches the wheel and valve-stem setup on your car or truck. If your 1972 Nissan still uses original wheels, especially on a collector vehicle, confirming tube compatibility before mounting is part of a careful setup rather than an afterthought.

A 1972 Nissan should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Maintain proper inflation, keep the tires clean, and move the car periodically if it sits for long stretches. Where a 1972 Nissan uses bias-ply tires, temporary flat-spotting and age-related cracking are more likely during static storage than with radial construction.

Collectors who store a 1200, PL510, or PL521 for winter or between events often benefit from rolling the car a short distance every few weeks or supporting it in a way that reduces prolonged loading. Good storage habits protect both appearance and drivability, and they matter just as much on a lightly used collector Nissan as they do on a frequently driven one.

On a 1972 Nissan, tire age usually matters more than mileage because many surviving examples are hobby cars rather than daily transportation. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best starting point for that timeline.

Older collector tires can look usable while the rubber compound, casing, or tube-related components have already aged past their best years. If your 1972 Nissan sees occasional use, that age-based approach is more reliable than judging by tread depth alone, especially before longer drives or higher-speed road use.

Tires on a 1972 Nissan should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and uneven wear, and confirm that all four tires are holding pressure consistently. If your 1972 Nissan uses a tube-type setup, inspect valve stems and the overall condition of the mounted assembly with the same care as the tread and sidewall.

That routine is especially important on collector cars that spend time parked between uses. A quick walk-around before driving can catch the kinds of age-related tire issues that do not show up during normal maintenance intervals, and it gives you a chance to evaluate the spare as well before heading far from home.

For a 1972 Nissan 1200, the relevant factory-era fitments were a 12-inch radial size, 155R12, and a 12-inch bias-ply size, 6.00-12. In the early 1970s, many compact imports were sold during the transition from universal bias-ply practice to broader radial adoption, so seeing both construction paths associated with the 1200 fits the period. A specific original-equipment brand should be confirmed through factory literature, survivor cars, or Nissan marque specialists rather than assumed from modern reproduction offerings.

That matters because an owner restoring a 1200 to strict period character may prioritize which construction the car carried in its original market and trim, while a driver-focused owner may simply want the correct wheel diameter and overall stance. If authenticity is the goal, confirm the original market and equipment history of your exact car before choosing between the two 12-inch size families.

Yes. On a 1972 Nissan, judged presentation can be influenced by the tire's size, construction type, and sidewall style as much as by the wheel itself. A radial where a bias-ply appearance is expected, or a whitewall where a blackwall is more appropriate to the model and market, can change how authentic the car appears even if the tire physically fits the wheel.

The standard is not identical at every event, so the right answer depends on whether the car is being prepared for marque judging, a period-style preservation class, or a more relaxed local show. For a serious restoration, compare your choice against factory photos, literature, and club knowledge so the tire supports the car's overall story rather than distracting from it.

The 1972 Nissan PL510 is associated with two 13-inch factory-era size families: 165R13 in radial form and 560-13 in bias-ply form. That split reflects the period, when compact imports could appear with either traditional bias-ply tires or increasingly common radial alternatives depending on market, equipment, and timing. No single original-equipment brand should be treated as universal without checking the car's original sales literature or marque references.

For restoration work, the key is deciding whether your PL510 should present as a more conservative early-1970s sedan with bias-ply visual character or as a car delivered with a period radial setup. Because the PL510 has strong enthusiast following, marque clubs and surviving unrestored cars are especially useful when you want to confirm how your particular version would have appeared when new.

A 1972 Nissan can be highway-capable when the tires are the correct size, in good condition, and used within their construction and speed-rating limits. Among the sizes with speed markings, 175R14 and 165R13 include H-rated examples with a 130 mph ceiling, while 560-13 includes S-rated examples with a 112 mph ceiling. Those ratings are well above ordinary U.S. highway speeds, but the car or truck's own braking, suspension, steering, and overall condition are often the more meaningful limits on a 1972 vehicle.

Safety comes from the complete setup, not the speed letter alone. Age, inflation, alignment, wheel condition, and the mechanical health of the vehicle all matter, especially on a collector Nissan that may spend long periods parked. For any longer highway use, inspect the tires carefully and treat old rubber or neglected chassis components as reasons to slow down your plans.

Inflation pressure for a 1972 Nissan should start with the factory recommendation for the exact model and size, then be checked against the tire manufacturer's own rating on the tire you choose. The pressure figures visible here are size-specific rather than universal: the 560-13 examples carry a load figure of 850 pounds at 30 psi, and one 175HR14 example carries 1,235 pounds at 51 psi. Those numbers describe tire capacity at a stated pressure, not a blanket inflation target for every 1972 Nissan.

That distinction matters because over-transferring pressure numbers from one size to another can affect ride, wear, and handling. Use the original manual or factory placard as your baseline for the vehicle, then confirm that your chosen reproduction or modern-classic tire is being run within the manufacturer's approved range for that exact size and construction.

Before a longer trip in a 1972 Nissan, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation, and make sure the spare is usable and inflated as well. Pay attention to valve stems and, where a tube-type arrangement is in use, the overall condition of the mounted assembly. On a vintage Nissan, tire readiness should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection that also covers brakes, fluids, belts, hoses, lights, and wheel fasteners.

That broader check is especially important because even a well-preserved 1972 Nissan is still a fifty-plus-year-old machine. A sound set of tires helps only when the rest of the vehicle is equally ready for the trip. Taking ten extra minutes to inspect the car before departure can prevent both roadside trouble and damage to hard-to-replace original components.