Ford Cortina Tyres

Dougal Cawley's 1982 Ford Cortina Mk4

Ford Cortina 1962–1982

Ford Cortina Mk1 Tyres

• Some early 1200 Cortina MK1 base models fitted 5.20-13 crossply tyres or 145 R13 radial tyres.
• Our recommendation in this size is the 145HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• The mk1 Cortina 1500 Super and Cortina 1500GT fitted 5.60-13 crossply tyres or 155 R13 radials.
• Our top recommendation in this size is the 155 HR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• If you own a 1200 Cortina MK1 and desire wider tyres, we recommend the 155 HR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.

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Ford Cortina Mk2 Tyres

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• From 1967–1970 the Mk2 1300 continued with 5.20-13 or 145R13, where the Cortina mk2 1600 continued with 5.60-13 or 155R13.


Ford Cortina Lotus Advert

• The Cortina mk2 1600E and 200E fitted 165R13 radial tyres as OE. We would recommend the 165 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• Ford Cortina, as standard, came with tubeless wheels so unless you are fitting tube-type tyres, there is no need for innertubes.
• If for whatever reason you do need innertubes; the Michelin 13D is the correct innertube for 155R13 and 165R13 and 145R13 tyres suit Michelin 13CG innertubes.
• The base models of mk1 and mk2 Cortina that fitted 4” or 4.5” tubeless steel rims.
• If you have wider wheels on your MK1 or MK2 Cortina then a wider 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 will still handle nicely.

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Ford Cortina Mk3 Tyres

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• The MK3 Cortina from 1971 to 1975 offered 6.00-13 crossply tyres or 165R13 tyres.
• From 1976 the MK3 Cortina came with 165R13 radial tyres as standard. We have no doubt in recommending the 165VR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 for all MK3 Cortina with standard 4.5” wheels.
• 5.5” wheels were an option and low-profile tyres had been developed in 1968, the best option for a mk3 Cortina with 5.5” wheels would be 185/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

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Ford Cortina Mk4 and Mk5 Tyres

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• Predominantly MK4 and MK5 Cortina continued to fit 165R13 tyres on 4.5” wheels. As standard.
• 4.5” Rostyle wheels were standard on the Cortina GL, the sporting Cortina S and the luxury Cortina Ghia model MK4 from 1976 to 1979.
• The CN36 Cinturato was the cutting edge tyre, and the 165 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 is still the best-suited tyre for Ford Cortina mk4 and mk5 on a 4.5” rim right through until 1983.
• Wider 5.5” Alloy wheels were available at extra cost. These are best suited to the 185/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• The MK5 Cortina of 1979 to 1982 continued with the base, L and GL models on 4.5” rims and 165R13 tyres.
• The wider 5.5” Sport Road alloys were available at extra cost on L, GL and standard on the Ghia, S-pack, Calypso, Carousel and Crusader models with 185/70R13 tyres.
• All these factory Cortina wheels are tubeless as standard and best fitted with PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 tyres.

Lotus Cortina Tyres

• The first Lotus Cortina came fitted with Dunlop Crossply Tyres.
• Lotus Cortina had a crossply 6.00-13 option or 165R13 radial tyres. The 165 R 13 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet is an option that came out in 1968.
• Ford soon changed the Lotus Cortina to fitting 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67, but it is not currently produced in the CA67. However Pirelli do make a CN36 which is also a 1968 tyre.
• For now we would suggest fitting Lotus Cortina with 165 HR 13 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 as the best performance tyre.
• We also offer 13” Dunlop Racing tyres for racing a Lotus Cortina.
• See the article below for a discussion of the benefits of fitting Pirelli radial tyres to the Lotus Cortina.