First Generation Mustang Tire and Wheel Sizes

The Classic Mustang saw more tire and wheel changes than nearly any other generation, with even more aftermarket wheel and tire variations today. If you want to know what tires and wheels your Mustang came stock with as well as what modern options will fit your ride, then check out the guide below for a full breakdown of the stock tire sizes for each Classic Mustang year.

1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973

Stock Tire and Wheel Options

Listed below is the information available on the stock wheel and tire options that came with the first generation of Mustang. Because Mustang ordering was less structured for the first generation, what determined what options and packages were available for wheels and tires was the size of the engine.

In addition, we’ve converted the original tire size to what its modern radial equivalent size would be. Because most of these don’t have direct replacements, there are multiple options available for each. These are listed along with the width range of wheel options possible and the “ideal” wheel size for each tire.

We’ve also included any notes that we have regarding the sidewalls or lettering that was available at the time.

1965 Mustang Tire and Wheel Chart

The first year of Mustang is actually a year and a half, since all 1964.5 Mustangs are included. This is why there are so many engine options for this Mustang year. Though most Mustangs from this year have 14” wheels, a 15” super sport tire and wheel package was available as long as you purchased the special handling package. The 15” option was only really available for ‘64.5 Mustangs and early ‘65 Mustangs. It wasn’t available for ‘66 Mustangs.

1966 Mustang Tire and Wheel Chart

Though the wheels changed some, there weren’t any substantial changes to the tires for the 1966 Mustang. All tires were 6.95” x 14” which differed from the year before when several additional sizes were offered. Black sidewalls were standard, but white sidewalls were available as a “premium” option.

1966 Mustang tires had a 5/8" white wall as opposed to the 1965's 7/8" white wall.

1967 Mustang Tire and Wheel Chart

The standard size of tire for 1967 Mustangs remained unchanged, but substantially more options became available, including the Firestone Wide Oval tires that many associate with the Classic Mustang generation.

Radial ply tires were available for any 1967 Mustang that had a V8 engine. Any Mustang that also got the GT package came with F70-14 tires, which were a wide oval sports tire.

1968 Mustang Tire and Wheel Chart

Standard tires for 1968 were the same 6.95” x 14” bias ply black sidewall tires, with options for wide oval bias ply and wide oval radial ply tires.

The radial ply tires that were available this year came with a white sidewall and were only available with a V8 engine.

Styled steel wheels and full wheel covers were also popular options for the 1968 Mustang.

1969 Mustang Tire and Wheel Chart

For 1969, the base Mustang came with C78-14 tires, while the Mach 1 came with E70-14 white sidewall tires. Additionally, the 1969 Mustang offered E78-14 tires and two types of F70-14 tires: a wide oval with white sidewall and a white oval with black sidewalls and raised white brand lettering.

In terms of truly exciting tire options though, it was all about the Boss 302 and Boss 429. Both Boss Mustangs came with Magnum 500 steel wheels (with a chrome version available). These rims had a 7” width that was one inch wider than the tires. The tires that came with these wheels were fiberglass belted F60 x 15” tires.

1970 Mustang Wheel and Tire Chart

In 1970, the hardtop Mustang and Mustang Grande came with E78-14 fiberglass belted bias ply black sidewall tires. The convertible had the same tires but came with wheel covers. The Mach 1 came with wide-oval belted wide sidewall tires and deep dish sports wheel covers. Both Boss Mustangs had the same wheels and tires as the 1969 model.

1971 Mustang Wheel and Tire Chart

The 1971 Mustang came with E78-14 black sidewall tires. Full wheel covers were optional, but came standard on the Mustang Grande.

1971 continued to be about all of the choices, but the Boss 302 and Boss 429 were both discontinued in favor of the Boss 351. Like the previous Boss Mustangs, this one came with F60-15 tires that had raised white letters and Mag wheels.

The Mach 1 had wheels which featured sporty trim rings and came standard with E70 bias ply tires. F70 “traction” tires with raised white letters were also available for the Mach 1s.

1972 Mustang Wheel and Tire Chart

1972 was mostly a repeat of 1971 but without the Boss Mustangs. E78-14 tires were standard, and the Mach 1 came with wide oval E70-14 tires that had a white sidewall. The F70s with raised white letters were still available. Even though the Boss Mustangs didn’t return, the Magnum 500 chrome wheels and F60-15 tires with raised white letters were available as options for the other 1972 models.

1973 Mustang Wheel and Tire Chart

The last year of the Mustang saw few changes for the wheel and tire options. E78-14s remained the standard option, but there were also GR78-14 radial ply tires available as an option. These radial ply tires came with both black and white sidewall styles.

Period Correct vs Modern Style Classic Mustang Tires

When you’re looking for new wheels and tires for your classic Mustang, the first of many decisions you’ll need to make is whether or not you want to make your Mustang “period-correct.”

If you’ve already spent the time carefully repainting your engine the exact right shade and finding interior parts that are accurate to the stock setup, then you’ll likely want to keep your build accurate.

On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who plans to daily drive your Mustang and cares less about period accuracy, then there are even more options for wheels and tires.

Two major considerations that may inform your choice of wheels and tires are whether to go with radial or bias ply tires and what wheel size you prefer.

Radial vs Bias Ply Classic Mustang Tires

When the Mustang debuted, most automotive companies, Ford included, were using bias ply tires. Shortly after, the industry moved to radial tires for safety and durability reasons. This means that even though bias ply is the period-correct choice for most first-generation Mustangs, many enthusiasts have chosen to transition over to radials. There are a number of differences between radial and bias ply tires, and each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

Bias ply tires are the choice of drag racers and many vintage car enthusiasts because of their unique driving properties. Radial tires are steel-belted with belts running perpendicular to the midpoint of the tread, which is why they are able to last so much longer than the softer bias ply tires.

Some manufacturers have chosen to make bias-look radial tires, which combine the vintage look of bias ply with the durability and safety of radial tires. Because many of these manufacturers are familiar with vintage tires, these aftermarket options are accurate right down to the color and width of the sidewall.

If you plan to compete, you’ll want to check the rules of the organization to find out their rules on bias-look radials, but for many, they’re the perfect compromise between modern feel and vintage look.

On the other hand, if you grew up driving a vintage Mustang and are trying to recapture that feeling, then you’ll almost certainly want to try out bias ply tires.

Classic Mustang Tire and Wheel Size

By modern standards, vintage Mustangs had small wheel and tire sizes. This is great for providing a quiet and comfortable ride, as well as improving acceleration, but many classic Mustang enthusiasts prefer larger tires for better cornering. Small tires and wheels are part of the overall look since it contributes to the low and wide posture that most associate with classic Mustangs.

If you’re interested in larger wheels and tires for comfort or appearance reasons, then it’s definitely possible to upsize the stock options. However, you’ll need to consider the amount of wheel well space that’s available, and that is certainly limited. You’ll also want to consider what is going to give your overall build a balanced look.

For the earliest Mustangs, it’s inadvisable to go for much larger than a 16” wheel. Though some classic Mustang owners have managed to go up to an 18” on a 1965, it involves difficult tasks like finding the right backspace, downsizing the tires, and rolling out the fender. Later vintage Mustangs, namely those made after 1967, can go up to a 17” wheel without much difficulty.

Classic Mustang Tire Pressure

All Mustangs came with a sticker on either the door jamb or inside the glove box that gave the recommended tire pressure for the original tires. But, of course, if you’re going to radials you shouldn’t refer to the original tire pressure.

In order to find your new tire pressure, you’ll want to first locate the original equipment card and look at the maximum load value at the recommended tire pressure. For example: On this 1966 glove box tire pressure decal, we’re able to see that at 24 psi, the Mustang had a load capacity of 775 pounds. On the radial replacement for this tire, 28 psi would be more appropriate in order to match the load.

If your classic Mustang is missing its original tire pressure decal, check out our replacement options below, to make sure you have the most accurate tire pressure information.

Sources: How to Apply Load Inflation Tables, Toyo Tires | Tire Size Comparison, Car and Driver | Bias Ply or Radial-What's Right for Your Ride?, Coker Tire | 1965 Mustang Brochure, Ford | 1966 Mustang Brochure, MustangSpecs | 1967 Mustang Brochure, Stangbangers | 1969 Mustang Brochure, Ford | 1970 Mustang Brochure, MustangTek | 1971 Mustang Brochure, PaintRef | 1972 Mustang Brochure, Stangbangers | 1973 Mustang Brochure, PaintRef

Image Credit: Mustangspecs, Autotrends, Ford