Ford Cortina Tyres

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Dougal Cawley's 1982 Ford Cortina Mk4

Dougal Cawley's 1982 Ford Cortina Mk4


Ford Cortina 1962–1982


Longstone Tyres can happily provide excellent tyres for the whole Cortina range, including the Ford Cortina MK I, Cortina MK II, Cortina MK III, Cortina MK IV, Cortina MK V, Cortina Estate, Cortina Crusader, Cortina Ghia, Cortina GLS 2000GT & 2.3 and of course the fantastic Lotus Cortina.



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.

  • Ford Cortina Mk2 Tyres


  • 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 Tyres

    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.

  • Ford Cortina Mk3 Tyres


  • 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.

  • Ford Cortina Mk4 and Mk5 Tyres


  • 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.

32 Items

    Ford Cortina Recommended Tyres



  1. Other Options for Ford Cortina Tyres


32 Items


Ford Escort Pirelli Tyres


The article below highlights the benefits of Pirelli radial tyres as an upgrade for a wide range of classics (Click to Enlarge).

Original Ford Pirelli Tyres
Ford Cinturato Tyres OE

Ford Escort PIRELLI CINTURATO Tyres Magazine Article


Independent Tyre Test - The Results

In the world of modern tyres it is commonplace to come across a tyre test. Sadly in the world of classic tyres the investment never seems to be there to do a proper modern tyre test. However, a German magazine in July 2016 conducted this modern tyre test using classic tyres. This classic tyre test has been translated from German to English. What is remarkable in this tyre test is quite how well the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 classic tyre performed in the table at the end. The scores in this table are not scored in relation to the other tyres in the test, so when a score of 1 is recorded, then that is a perfect score for a classic tyre or a modern tyre. It is wonderful to see that these classic PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 tyres can give such exemplary results.


History of the Ford Cortina


From 1962 to 1982, the Cortina was built in five iterations (Mark I through Mark V, but the final one was officially named the Cortina 80) and was the best-selling car in the UK throughout the 1970s. It was created as a rival to the Morris Oxford and Vauxhall Victor under the name "Archbishop." The automobile was originally planned to be called the Ford Consul 225, but it was actually introduced under the name Consul Cortina until it was dropped after a redesign in 1964.

Britain had a special love affair with the Cortina, despite the fact that it was essentially a rebadged Ford Taunus at times, and from the MK I to the MK V it kept itself relevant as a reasonably priced practical car on the market and was the best-selling car every year from 1972 to 1982 when it was surpassed by the Ford Escort.


Ford Cortina Tire Pressure Table

Model Tire Size Recommended Tire Pressure (F/R) PSI
Cortina 1200 145-13 22/28
Cortina 1300 145-13 / 155-13 / 165-13 24/28
Cortina 1500 155-13 / 165-13 22/28
Cortina 1500/1600 155-13 / 165-13 24/28
Cortina Mk III - All Saloons 165-13
175-13
23/23 - 26/28 (Load)
20/20 - 23/26 (Load)
Cortina Mk III Family Estates 165-13
175-13
23/23 - 26/36 (Load)
20/20 - 23/31 (Load)
Cortina 1600 E 165-13 24/28

Innertube Guides


Please note - A black triangle next to the innertube size indicates that the wheel; if made by the manufacturer, is a tubeless wheel, suitable to be run without innertubes. If no black triangle is present, that means the wheels are tube-type and require innertubes to function.

1972 Michelin Ford Fitment Guide Pg.1

1972 Michelin Ford Fitment Guide Pg.1

1972 Michelin Ford Fitment Guide Pg.2

1972 Michelin Ford Fitment Guide Pg.2

1974 Michelin Ford Pg.1

1974 Michelin Ford Pg.1

1974 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1974 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1977 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1977 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1977 Michelin Ford Pg.3

1977 Michelin Ford Pg.3

1978 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1978 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1980 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1980 Michelin Ford Pg.2

1984-85 Michelin Ford Pg.4

1984-85 Michelin Ford Pg.4


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