1973 Mazda Tire Fitment Guide

1973 Mazda vehicles use five sizes across three models. The 808 uses 155R13 and 6.15-13, the RX-2 uses 165R13 and 600-13, and the RX-3 uses 155R13 and 560-13. Every one of those sizes fits a 13-inch rim diameter, but the recommended wheel-width range changes by tire size and product: 155R13 fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 560-13 fits either 3.50 to 4.00-inch or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a final choice on a 1973 Mazda. Start by identifying whether you have an 808, RX-2, or RX-3, then match the tire size to the wheel width actually on the car. If the car has been restored, modified, or converted from its original tire type, checking the wheel before ordering will prevent the common mistake of choosing the right diameter but the wrong section-width range.

On a 1973 Mazda, 155R13 is a metric radial size. The 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. In period sizing conventions, a size written as 155R13 without a stated aspect ratio is commonly treated as an 80-series radial, which is why tires in this family often appear in classic European-style small-car applications.

For a 1973 Mazda 808 or RX-3, 155R13 is the radial alternative to a numeric bias-ply size. It gives you a modern-style casing format while keeping the correct 13-inch wheel diameter. Before settling on it, confirm that the wheel width falls within the tire’s acceptable range and decide whether a blackwall radial appearance matches the kind of restoration or driving use you want for the car.

No, 1973 Mazda models do not all share one tire size. The 808 shares 155R13 with the RX-3 but has its own bias-ply companion size of 6.15-13. The RX-2 stands apart with 165R13 and 600-13, while the RX-3 pairs 155R13 with 560-13. The common thread is wheel diameter, since every fitment here uses a 13-inch rim.

That split matters because a buyer comparing only by year and make could easily end up with the wrong section width or the wrong era-style construction. Mazda’s compact range in 1973 had closely related dimensions, but tire sizing still tracked the differences between model families. If you are unsure whether your car is an 808, RX-2, or RX-3, verify the model before focusing on sidewall style, brand, or restoration goals.

A 1973 Mazda was offered in both radial and bias-ply size formats depending on model, and the right choice usually comes down to how you use the car. The 808 can use either 155R13 radial or 6.15-13 bias-ply, the RX-2 can use either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply, and the RX-3 can use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply. Radials bring a later-era construction style, while bias-ply tires preserve the look and feel more closely associated with original-period fitment.

If your 1973 Mazda is aimed at show presentation, factory-style appearance, or a traditional driving character, the bias-ply route is usually the one to consider first. If the car sees more regular road use and you want a radial in the proper 13-inch format, the metric radial sizes are the natural comparison point. Keep the decision tied to your actual model, because each Mazda line uses its own pair of sizes rather than one universal year-wide option.

Sidewall style depends heavily on the size you choose for a 1973 Mazda. The radial sizes, 155R13 and 165R13, are available as blackwalls. The bias-ply sizes show more variation: 600-13 comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions, while 560-13 is available in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall form from more than one brand. That creates a clear visual split between the radial and bias-ply choices.

For a 1973 Mazda restoration, sidewall style can change the personality of the car just as much as construction type. Blackwall radials tend to suit a more understated or later-period driver presentation, while whitewall bias-ply tires lean into a vintage look that can feel more at home on a stock-appearing compact Japanese car from the early 1970s. Match the sidewall to the car’s intended appearance, not just the size stamped on the wheel.

1973 Mazda tire fitments are covered by Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, depending on size. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial sizes 155R13 and 165R13 in blackwall form. BFGoodrich covers the bias-ply 600-13 and shares the 560-13 bias-ply size with Firestone. Brand availability follows the tire size closely, so the model you own narrows the realistic choices quickly.

That means brand selection is not one broad menu for every 1973 Mazda. An RX-2 owner looking at 165R13 is choosing between classic small-car radial offerings, while an RX-3 owner considering 560-13 is comparing bias-ply whitewall styles and brand character within that vintage format. Start with the correct model and size, then compare brand identity, sidewall appearance, and any speed or load markings that matter to your intended use.

Rim-width requirements for 1973 Mazda tires depend on the size. The 155R13 radial fits 4.00 to 5.50-inch rims, the 165R13 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, and the 600-13 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims. The 560-13 bias-ply appears in versions suited to either 3.50 to 4.00-inch rims or 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, so the exact tire matters. All of these sizes mount on 13-inch wheels.

Wheel diameter by itself is only half the fitment picture on a 1973 Mazda. A tire can match the 13-inch rim but still be wrong for the wheel’s width range, which affects section shape and how the tire sits on the car. Measure the wheel you actually have, especially if it is aftermarket, refinished, or swapped from another Mazda or import compact, and match that measurement to the chosen size before committing.

Inner-tube requirements vary by 1973 Mazda tire size and by product. The radial sizes include products marked TL, which indicates tubeless construction, but not every radial product carries the same marking in the size description. The bias-ply products shown here do not carry TL markings in the size field, so tube choice should be confirmed against the exact tire and the wheel condition rather than assumed from the model alone.

That matters most on original steel wheels, where age, corrosion, or wheel design can influence whether a tube-type setup is appropriate even when the size itself seems straightforward. Before fitting a 1973 Mazda tire, check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you select and inspect the wheel for condition and sealing surface quality. A marque specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help if the car has older wheels or mixed restoration parts.

Original 1973 Mazda wheels can only be shared across tire sizes to the extent that the wheel matches both the 13-inch diameter and the required width range for the specific tire. Every size used across the 808, RX-2, and RX-3 fits a 13-inch rim, so diameter compatibility is consistent. Width compatibility is more selective, especially when comparing narrower bias-ply sizes such as 560-13 against broader radial fitments such as 165R13.

In practice, that means a 13-inch Mazda wheel is not automatically a universal wheel for every 1973 Mazda size. If the car still has its original wheels, use the model-specific size as your starting point and check the wheel width before moving to a different construction or section width. That is particularly important when switching from bias-ply to radial, since the acceptable wheel-width window may shift even though the rim diameter stays the same.

A 1973 Mazda should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, and if the car will sit for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading in one spot. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during static storage, while any vintage-style tire can develop surface aging if the environment is poor.

Storage habits matter because compact collector cars often spend much more time parked than driven. For a 1973 Mazda with whitewall bias-ply tires, cleanliness and indoor storage also help preserve the sidewall’s appearance. If the car is exercised only seasonally, include the spare in your storage routine and check pressures before the first drive back on the road instead of assuming the tires are ready simply because the tread still looks fresh.

On a 1973 Mazda, tire age usually matters more than mileage. Collector-car tires are commonly evaluated closely once they reach about five to seven years of service, and many owners treat ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best quick reference for age, and that guideline applies whether the car is on a radial metric size or a vintage-style bias-ply.

A lightly used Mazda can fool owners because the tread may still appear deep while the casing and sidewall have aged out. Heat cycles, storage conditions, inflation neglect, and long periods of sitting all affect service life. If your 1973 Mazda sees only occasional drives, inspect the tires for cracking, hardening, or persistent vibration and make replacement decisions based on age and condition rather than waiting for the tread to look worn.

Tires on a 1973 Mazda should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure between drives. If the car runs a tube-type or potentially tube-dependent setup, pay close attention to valve stems and any symptoms of slow leakage, because older collector cars often sit long enough for small issues to become larger ones.

Regular inspection is especially important on cars like a 1973 Mazda that may alternate between short local use and longer club events. Bias-ply tires can reveal storage-related flat spotting or age cracks differently than radials, while radial tires may hide internal age behind a cleaner outward appearance. A quick inspection routine before each drive is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tire and the car’s original bodywork from avoidable roadside trouble.

The 1973 Mazda 808 used both a period-style bias-ply size and a radial alternative within its fitment range: 6.15-13 and 155R13. For early-1970s compact imports, bias-ply construction remained closely tied to original-style presentation, while radial fitments were becoming increasingly common in the market. That means the correct answer for an individual 808 can depend on market, timing, and how strictly you are defining originality, but both sizes belong to the 1973 Mazda 808 fitment picture.

If you are restoring a 1973 Mazda 808 for historical accuracy, treat construction type, sidewall appearance, and wheel width as part of the same decision. A marque club, factory literature, or period road test can help narrow what was typical for your exact car, especially if it was sold in a particular market or trim. Use that research to decide whether your 808 should present as a traditional bias-ply car or as an early-1970s compact on metric radials.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1973 Mazda. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car carries the right size family, the right construction type for the restoration approach, and a sidewall treatment that suits the era. On a car presented as factory-authentic, a mismatch such as a clearly modern-looking radial when a bias-ply presentation is expected, or an overly stylized sidewall, can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

The standard is not always identical from one event to another, especially with imported cars from the early 1970s, so it is smart to match the tire choice to the level of authenticity the event expects. For a local enthusiast show, overall era-correct appearance may be enough. For marque judging, consult Mazda clubs or event guidelines and confirm whether size, construction, and sidewall style are being judged against factory delivery, dealer practice, or period-correct alternatives.

For the 1973 Mazda RX-3, both BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply size, but they differ in sidewall offerings and wheel-width range. BFGoodrich offers both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions with a 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim-width range, while Firestone offers a wide whitewall version with a 4.00 to 4.50-inch rim-width range. Load capacity is the same at 850 pounds at 30 psi in the products carrying that specification.

That makes the choice less about raw capacity and more about appearance and wheel match. If your RX-3 has a narrower wheel, the BFGoodrich versions align with that fitment range, while a slightly wider wheel may point toward the Firestone option. The visual effect also changes, since a narrow whitewall and a wide whitewall give the car noticeably different character even though both remain within the same vintage 560-13 bias-ply format.

1973 Mazda tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their construction and speed limits. The radial sizes here carry H speed ratings, which correspond to a 130 mph ceiling, while one 560-13 bias-ply product carries an S rating with a 112 mph ceiling. Those numbers are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but tire age, inflation, balance, and the condition of the car itself matter just as much as the rating stamped on the sidewall.

A 1973 Mazda’s real-world highway confidence also depends on suspension condition, steering health, wheel true, and braking quality, especially on a small vintage car that may have sat for long periods. Treat the tire as one part of the system. If the car is freshly returned to service, do a short local shakedown before any sustained highway run and make sure the chosen tire’s construction matches the way you expect the car to behave at road speed.

Inflation pressure for a 1973 Mazda should begin with the factory recommendation for the model and then be checked against the specific tire’s own pressure and load information. The 600-13 bias-ply products here carry a 1,010-pound maximum load at 32 psi, and the 560-13 bias-ply products carry an 850-pound maximum load at 30 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not a universal instruction to run every 1973 Mazda tire at the same pressure, and the radial sizes should be treated according to their own manufacturer guidance.

The safest approach is to use the original owner’s manual or factory placard as your baseline, then confirm that your chosen reproduction or radial tire is being used appropriately on the car and wheel combination. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to another just because all of them fit 13-inch wheels. A small change in section width, construction type, or wheel width can change what pressure works best in service.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 Mazda, inspect each tire for cracks, bulges, punctures, cuts, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check the spare as carefully as the four tires on the ground. Look at valve stems and, where relevant, be alert to any signs that a tube-type setup is leaking down during storage. If the car has bias-ply tires, pay attention to flat spotting after sitting; if it has radials, watch for vibration or pull that suggests pressure or alignment issues.

A longer-trip check on a vintage Mazda should also include wheel fasteners, jack and tool readiness, and a broader once-over of brakes, fluids, belts, and hoses. Tires are only one part of getting an older compact safely down the road, but they are the part that actually carries every load and road impact. Taking ten extra minutes before departure is often enough to catch an aging-tire issue before it becomes a roadside interruption.