Allard Tourist Tires

The Allard Tourist uses two listed tire sizes across the 1958 and 1959 model years: 590-15 and 600-15. Both sizes fit 15-inch wheels and both are offered in bias-ply construction. Within those sizes, the available products include blackwall and wide whitewall versions, with 590-15 and 600-15 each tied to the same two model years rather than being separated by a year change.

The practical difference is that 590-15 is the narrower numeric size and 600-15 is slightly wider, so the right choice depends on the individual car’s wheel setup and existing fitment. Check the size on the tires being replaced, inspect the wheel width, and compare against period service literature or marque references if the car has been restored or modified over the years.

On an Allard Tourist, 590-15 is an older numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 portion indicates a nominal section width of about 5.90 inches, while the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it does not decode the same way as a contemporary radial code such as 185R15 or 205/75R15.

That older format matters because many collector-car owners are more familiar with modern radial sizing than period numeric bias-ply markings. If your Allard Tourist currently wears 590-15, stay with that size unless you have clear evidence that a different size was fitted to your specific wheels or configuration. It is also wise to verify wheel width before moving between 590-15 and 600-15.

The listed Allard Tourist products are bias-ply tires in older numeric sizing, and a tube is required. That applies to both 590-15 and 600-15 in the available offerings. Tube use is part of the normal fitment approach for this type of period-style bias-ply collector tire rather than an unusual exception tied to one specific product.

When replacing tires on an Allard Tourist, plan the tire and tube as a matched installation rather than treating the tube as an afterthought. It is also smart to inspect the wheel condition, valve hole area, and rim band needs at the same time, since many collector cars sit for long periods and the wheel itself can affect reliability just as much as the tire casing.

Both 1958 and 1959 Allard Tourist entries show two possible sizes: 590-15 and 600-15, both on 15-inch wheels. Because the year alone does not separate them, the correct size has to be confirmed on the individual car. Existing tire markings, wheel width, restoration records, and period service references are the most useful places to verify which of the two sizes belongs on a specific Allard Tourist.

Start by reading the size stamped on the tires currently fitted, then compare that with the wheel dimensions if the car has non-original or replacement rims. If the car is being restored from incomplete parts, consult original literature or an Allard specialist before making a final selection. That extra step helps avoid choosing a tire that is technically 15-inch but not correct in section width or appearance.

Allard Tourist tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the listed 590-15 and 600-15 sizes. The product range includes blackwall versions in both sizes and wide whitewall versions in both sizes as well. All of them are bias-ply tires, so the sidewall choice is mostly about period appearance rather than a switch in construction type.

Blackwalls generally suit a more restrained sporting presentation, while wide whitewalls create a brighter late-1950s look. For a restoration-minded owner, the right sidewall treatment should follow the way the car is being presented rather than personal taste alone. Existing photos, club references, and the car’s broader trim style can help settle whether blackwall or whitewall is the better visual match.

The listed brands for Allard Tourist tires are BFGoodrich and Avon. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15, while Avon appears in the 590-size range with the Turbospeed Mk4 offering. That gives the Allard Tourist owner a mix of period-style bias-ply choices from more than one brand rather than a single-source fitment.

Brand selection should come after the basic fitment question is settled, since size and wheel compatibility matter more than brand preference at the start. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available sidewall style, visual character, and intended use of the car. A touring-oriented driver and a concours-focused restoration may not land on the same final product even within the same size.

Two tire series appear for the Allard Tourist: BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4. Both are bias-ply offerings in the listed fitment range, so the difference is not radial versus bias construction. Instead, the distinction is between the specific product family, brand character, and the sidewall treatments available within the size range.

For an owner choosing between series, the key question is how the tire fits the car’s intended presentation and use. A Silvertown Classic Bias Ply option may be preferred for a traditional American-style collector tire look, while the Avon Turbospeed Mk4 may appeal to buyers seeking a different period sporting flavor. Keep the decision secondary to confirming whether the car needs 590-15 or 600-15.

An Allard Tourist should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Bias-ply collector tires do best when the car is kept on a clean surface and the inflation pressure is checked regularly during storage. Long periods of inactivity can encourage flat spotting and place extra strain on an older suspension and wheel assembly.

If the Allard Tourist will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to change the tire contact patch or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one spot. Clean the tires with mild soap and water only, and avoid dressings that can degrade rubber over time. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector car that sees only occasional road use.

Tires on an Allard Tourist should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car is used sparingly. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, impact damage, irregular wear, valve stem issues, and any signs of tube-related air loss. Because the Allard Tourist uses bias-ply collector tires, condition checks should focus on age and structural health, not just remaining tread depth.

A careful inspection routine is especially important on a low-mileage hobby car because deterioration can progress while the car appears outwardly fresh. Include the spare in the same inspection schedule, and check wheel condition at the same time. If anything seems questionable, have the tires and wheels examined by a shop familiar with vintage tire construction rather than a modern-only retail installer.

Tires on an Allard Tourist should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, repeated air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out long before they wear out, especially on cars that spend much of their lives parked. A bias-ply tire that looks visually acceptable can still be unsuitable for continued driving if the casing or rubber has deteriorated.

Treat time and condition as the real service limits, not tread depth alone. If the car has been off the road for years, assume the tires deserve a close professional inspection before any regular driving resumes. Replacement should also be considered after any period of uncertain storage history, since heat cycling, sunlight, and underinflation can shorten tire life without leaving dramatic external clues.

The Allard Tourist fitment range here includes 590-15 and 600-15, both in bias-ply construction on 15-inch wheels. The available series include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles offered within the range. That means more than one period-style tire approach is represented rather than a single universal answer for every surviving Allard Tourist.

For a historically accurate restoration, the most reliable path is to match the tire size and sidewall style to the specific car’s original configuration and period presentation. Surviving photos, owner history, factory literature, and Allard club expertise can help narrow the choice. That is especially useful when a car has passed through multiple restorations and may no longer wear the wheel-and-tire combination it left with.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the appearance and the judged authenticity of an Allard Tourist. Size, stance, sidewall treatment, and construction style all influence whether the car reads as properly restored for its era. On a limited-production specialist car like the Allard Tourist, judges and informed buyers often notice when the tire profile or sidewall look is out of step with the period.

That does not mean every owner must pursue concours-level exactness, but it does mean tire choice should be intentional. A touring car may prioritize drivability and a tasteful period look, while a judged restoration may need closer alignment with original size and presentation. Marque clubs and event rule books are useful references when authenticity matters to future value or competition results.

The listed Allard Tourist tire options include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Either can suit a late-1950s car depending on how the individual automobile was delivered, restored, or presented, and both are offered within the correct size range. Since the Allard Tourist was a distinctive specialty car, sidewall choice should be tied to the car’s intended historical appearance rather than a one-style-fits-all rule.

A blackwall typically gives the Allard Tourist a leaner, more sporting visual character, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal period look. For restoration work, compare the available sidewall styles to original photos, old registrations, or previous ownership records. That approach helps preserve both the stance and personality of the car instead of choosing solely on modern preference.

Properly fitted new collector tires in the listed Allard Tourist sizes can be suitable for public-road use when the car itself is mechanically sound and the tires are in fresh, serviceable condition. The available Allard Tourist fitments are bias-ply tires, which means they deliver a period-correct driving feel rather than modern radial behavior. Safety depends on the entire package: tire condition, wheel condition, suspension, steering, brakes, and inflation all matter.

Road use should match the nature of the car and the limits of older tire construction. An Allard Tourist that has just come out of storage deserves a careful recommissioning inspection before any meaningful mileage. Even with new tires, a collector car from this era should be driven with more anticipation, more following distance, and more attention to road surfaces than a modern car.

Before driving an Allard Tourist, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of air loss or casing damage. Because the listed tires are bias-ply and tube-type, it is also wise to watch for slow leaks or changes in feel that could point to a tube or wheel issue. A quick visual inspection is useful, but a hands-on pressure check is the more important first step.

Beyond the tires, the Allard Tourist should have its brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel bearings evaluated if the car has been sitting or recently recommissioned. The tires are only one part of safe road behavior, and an older sports car rewards methodical preparation. A short, low-speed shakedown drive after any tire change is a good habit before moving into regular use.

An Allard Tourist on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect both the tire construction and the age of the car. Even when the tires are new, bias-ply behavior is different from modern radial performance in tracking, braking feel, and response to road crown or grooves. The appropriate speed is therefore governed as much by stability, mechanical condition, and road environment as by the nominal tire size.

For real-world use, the best practice is to drive the Allard Tourist within a comfort range that keeps steering feel calm and leaves margin for braking and evasive action. High-speed operation is not the purpose of a period-style collector tire setup. If the car feels unsettled, wanders, or reacts strongly to ruts and pavement seams, slow down and inspect the full tire-and-chassis setup.