Hi everyone, I'm curious on what tires people use on their 12" Escort wheels. From my understanding the Escort range came out with either the 6.00x12 or 155x12 range with the 6.00 being crossply and the 155 range being radial. I'm aware you can substitute with a set of 155/80R12 but if you were wanting to go original are the older style tyres still able to be bought?

Further more what brand would have the Escorts had when in the show room? I believe Firestone had a close relationship with Ford with this statement I found on Wiki. "Harvey Firestone had a friendship with Henry Ford. Firestone used this relationship to become the original equipment supplier of Ford Motor Company automobiles, and was also active in the replacement market" Is is possible that all Fords originally had Firestone tires?

If anyone else has any further knowledge they would like to add, that would be great. Thanks

Not sure what brands they came with from the factory. But at the moment I run Bridgestone B80's on my 12" wheels.
They're a 155/80R12. I had other cheap brands for a while (as they were the only ones tyre shops could find) and the sidewalls were messy with all the branding and patterns on them. The B80's are nice and plain and neat looking, I reckon.

 

My '78 Mk2 came with ZR78S13 Uniroyal 180 radials, which was standard on 2 litre models and optional 1.6L cars.  Here's a picture of the tread pattern:
 
 

I have bad memories of that tred from Uniroyal .. It's not a good idea fitting to a Cordia GSR Turbo ... driving comments which often came out were..'what grip' , 'what corner' and ' understeer city' ..I'm lucky i never stacked the car into a tree or armco barrier, 13x5.5 and 195x60,13s was no match for a 210bhp front drive turbo on 18psi ..! Sorry for the minor hijack..

I kind of remember the name Dunlop Aquajets tyre which was std , i maybe wrong but !!

Hak your car is just so inspirational, makes me a little excited each time I see a picture of it. 

The Uniroyal 180 received good reviews in the late 60s and early 70s, but I wouldn't want to use one now.

Flighter
The Uniroyal 180 received good reviews in the late 60s and early 70s, but I wouldn't want to use one now.

If you're after a original feel of the car maybe they could be a good option.

"BC" RS2000 were fitted with Goodyear Super Steels 70's

Eskie92

Flighter
The Uniroyal 180 received good reviews in the late 60s and early 70s, but I wouldn't want to use one now.

If you're after a original feel of the car maybe they could be a good option.

I'd love a set of period correct tyres for my car actually, although not for every day use; just shows.

I'm wanting to get the full experience of what my Escort felt to drive when it was new. I would be interested in replacing my suspension bushes with rubber but can only find polyurethane.