Ok, I know this is a pretty common topic, and I did some searching and couldn't come up with anything. I put brand new tires on my 1973 Pinto wagon when I bought it back in '04. I have not driven it very much, but have finally worn out the tires. The tires were 185/80-13, and were a perfect fit. Now I find that that size is no longer available, but neither is anything close. I would like to keep the 13" tire size, because I have the optional Appliance aluminum slotted wheels, otherwise I would probably just go with 14" chrome smoothies from Summit Racing. What are you guys using for stock replacement tires on your Pintos? Thanks, Jerry.
I look on Ebay for 13" tires
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=13+tires+185&_sacat=6030&_sop=3&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=13+tires+185%2F70&_osacat=6030&bkBtn=&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313 (http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=13+tires+185&_sacat=6030&_sop=3&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=13+tires+185%2F70&_osacat=6030&bkBtn=&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313)
two years ago I got some 205 60 13 Cooper Cobras. They were discontinued , but the warehouse still had some. Also at the time Pep Boys had the same size white letter 13s. Check with them to see if they are still avalable.
New information. I just looked at my spare, which I believe to be original, and it is an A70-13 RWL Goodyear Polyglas. After doing some research, I found that many Pinto models came with this size stock. According to the conversion charts, this size is equal to a modern 175/70-13. I found a dealer that has plenty of these, as well as 185/70-13s, which should be just slightly larger in diameter than the 175/70. These tires are wider and not as big in diameter as the 185//80-13s I currently have, but they are the closet thing I can find that are not trailer tires. Unfortunately they are available only in blackwall, I have narrow whitewalls, and would prefer those, or RWL, but the only place I can find those is from Coker Tire, and I don't want to take out a second mortgage. This car is a daily driver. So does anyone see any problems (other than cosmetic) in using the 185/70-13 tires? Thanks a lot, Jerry.
Discount tire still stocks 13" tires as of 6 months ago.
The 185/70-13 tires I found were at a local Firestone dealer. They were Firestone's economy brand, Primewell, and were $50 apiece. I also found the same size tires at Discount Tire, but they are Falkens, at $70 apiece. My problem is that I wanted 185/80-13 tires, like I currently have, but they no longer make those except for trailers.
If you are going to switch rims, I recommend going to a 14" rim. Many places, including Summit Racing, have quite a few styles with the Pinto 4 lug bolt pattern. I would have also gone to 14" rims, but I have the rare Appliance aluminum slotted wheels on my Pinto, and want to keep them on the car. Reproductions of these rims are available in 14" size, for only $270 apiece. I was just wanting some inexpensive tires for what is used as a local transportation car. The 185/80-13s were also cheap tires, Mohave brand from Discount Tire. I would have bought 2-3 sets and stored them in black plastic bags had I known they were not going to be available anymore.