Allard Zepher Tires

The Allard Zepher uses two listed tire sizes across 1958 and 1959: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims. The available 590-15 products include fitments for 4.00 to 4.50 inch rim widths where specified, while the available 600-15 products include examples for 4.00 to 5.00 inch rim widths depending on the tire.

That means the correct choice for an Allard Zepher is not determined by year alone, because both sizes appear in both years. The practical next step is to inspect the wheel width, read the size on the existing tire if it is known to be correct, and compare the car against period service literature or marque expertise before settling on 590-15 or 600-15.

On an Allard Zepher, 590-15 is a traditional numeric bias-ply tire size. The 590 portion represents a nominal section width of about 5.90 inches, and the 15 indicates that the tire fits a 15-inch rim. It is an older inch-based sizing system, not a modern metric code, and it appears on 1958 and 1959 Allard Zepher listings.

Understanding that code helps separate section width from wheel diameter when comparing 590-15 with 600-15. If an Allard Zepher still has its original-style wheels, confirm the wheel width as well as the 15-inch rim diameter, because a slightly different wheel setup can be the reason one car uses the narrower 590-15 while another uses the wider 600-15.

A 1958 Allard Zepher has two tire sizes listed because both 590-15 and 600-15 are associated with that model year, and both use the same 15-inch rim diameter. Since the wheel diameter stays the same, the split is not a wheel-size change. It points instead to differences in fitment choice within the model range, most likely tied to wheel width, setup, or long-standing replacement practice on individual cars.

That matters because selecting between the two is a fitment decision, not simply a matter of year. Measure the wheel width, check what size is currently fitted if the car has a known correct setup, and compare stance and clearance at the front and rear before choosing. On a specialty car such as the Allard Zepher, those small differences can affect appearance and steering feel.

The listed Allard Zepher products are bias-ply tires in traditional numeric sizes, and those products should be treated as tube-type applications. The available 590-15 and 600-15 offerings are period-style bias-ply tires rather than modern tubeless metric radials. On that basis, an Allard Zepher fitted with these listed sizes should use inner tubes.

Tube choice should match the tire size and the wheel itself should be in sound condition before mounting. On a collector car, the quality of the rim, the condition of the valve hole, and the presence of any corrosion inside the wheel are just as important as the tire itself. A proper tube-and-flap setup, where required by the wheel, helps protect reliability and preserves the intended period-style fitment.

A 1959 Allard Zepher can use either 590-15 or 600-15, and both are 15-inch bias-ply sizes. The deciding details are the wheel width, the current fitment if it is known to be correct, and whether the car is being kept to a particular restoration standard. Available 590-15 products are associated with narrower listed rim widths than some 600-15 products, which gives an important clue when checking the car.

Start by reading the wheel size stamped on the rim if visible, then compare that with the suitable rim-width range for the tire under consideration. After that, inspect fender and steering clearance and consider whether the car should wear a narrower or slightly fuller look. The right tire for an Allard Zepher is the one that matches the wheel correctly and preserves proper clearance and proportion.

Allard Zepher tires are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles within the listed 590-15 and 600-15 sizes. The product range includes blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Avon in 590-15, blackwall from BFGoodrich in 600-15, and 2.625 inch wide whitewall versions from BFGoodrich in both sizes. That gives the Allard Zepher owner a choice between a more understated sporting appearance and a brighter period presentation.

The best sidewall style depends on how the particular Allard Zepher is being presented. Blackwalls usually suit a purposeful, competition-influenced look, while wide whitewalls can better match a more formal late-1950s restoration theme. If authenticity matters, compare the sidewall style to period photos, restoration records, or marque-club guidance for the specific car rather than assuming one style was universal.

Two brands appear in the available Allard Zepher tire range: BFGoodrich and Avon. BFGoodrich covers both 590-15 and 600-15 with Silvertown Classic Bias Ply offerings in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, while Avon appears in 590H15 81H form under the Turbospeed Mk4 line. All of the listed choices are bias-ply tires aimed at period-style fitment.

Brand choice on an Allard Zepher often comes down to the desired look and the exact size being fitted. A restorer focused on whitewall presentation may lean one way, while an owner seeking a blackwall sporting appearance may choose another. It is worth comparing not just the brand name but also the available sidewall style, rim-width suitability, and overall visual character of the tire on the car.

The Allard Zepher range includes two tire series: BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Avon Turbospeed Mk4. Silvertown Classic Bias Ply appears in both 590-15 and 600-15, including blackwall and wide whitewall versions, while Turbospeed Mk4 appears in a blackwall 590H15 81H application. Both are bias-ply designs, so the difference is not radial versus bias-ply but the specific series design and presentation offered by each manufacturer.

For an Allard Zepher owner, that means the choice is about fitment, appearance, and the sort of period character desired rather than a modern construction change. Compare the sidewall treatment first, then make sure the selected series is available in the exact size the car needs. On a specialty British car, visual proportion is especially important, so the tire series should complement the car as much as it supports it.

An Allard Zepher should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum products. Bias-ply collector tires benefit from a clean concrete or sealed surface, stable inflation, and minimal exposure to moisture. If the car will sit for long periods, keeping it clean and free of contaminants on the tread and sidewalls is important.

Long storage is easier on an Allard Zepher if the car is moved slightly from time to time or supported in a way that reduces prolonged flat spotting. Tire covers can help shield the rubber from light, and a quick pressure check before and after storage is worthwhile. A car that is rarely driven often ages its tires by time and environment rather than mileage.

Tires on an Allard Zepher should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. On a low-use collector car, long idle periods can hide issues such as weathering, sidewall cracking, tread separation, irregular wear, and tube-related air loss. Bias-ply tires also deserve close attention to inflation because underinflation can affect both handling and casing life.

A practical routine is to inspect the sidewalls, tread surface, valve stems, and the area where the bead meets the rim every time the car comes out of storage. Check for any pull, vibration, or change in steering feel during the first miles of use. If anything looks unusual, stop and have the tire and wheel assembly examined before continuing regular road use.

An Allard Zepher tire should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, puncture damage, or casing condition makes continued use questionable, even if tread depth still looks good. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars driven only occasionally. On a bias-ply application, visible sidewall deterioration or persistent air loss is reason enough to inspect the tire closely and consider replacement.

Tread appearance alone is not a reliable guide on an Allard Zepher because limited annual mileage can leave old rubber looking deceptively serviceable. If the age of the tire is unclear, have the complete assembly evaluated as part of routine maintenance. Replacing aged tires before they fail protects the car, improves confidence on the road, and avoids risking damage to scarce body and suspension parts.

The Allard Zepher is associated here with two period-style bias-ply sizes, 590-15 and 600-15, both on 15-inch rims. The available products include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in both sizes and an Avon Turbospeed Mk4 offering in the 590-size range. That supports the conclusion that period-correct restoration should begin with one of those listed size formats rather than a modern metric radial size.

Choosing the exact original-style fitment for a particular Allard Zepher still requires checking the individual car. Restoration records, surviving old tires, period photographs, and marque-club guidance can help determine whether the car should wear the narrower or wider size and whether blackwall or wide whitewall is more appropriate. On a limited-production car, those details can vary more than owners expect.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, judging outcome, and perceived value of an Allard Zepher. Size, profile, sidewall treatment, and overall proportion all influence whether the car looks convincingly period-correct. A late-1950s specialty car on the wrong section width or the wrong visual style can look noticeably out of character even when the wheel diameter is technically correct.

For serious restoration work, judges and knowledgeable buyers tend to notice tire details quickly because they change the stance of the entire car. Matching the tire size to the proper wheel width and selecting a sidewall style that fits the car’s restoration theme usually produces a better result than simply fitting whichever 15-inch tire is easiest to source. Marque clubs remain the best final reference for judged authenticity.

A restored Allard Zepher can be fitted with either blackwall or wide whitewall tires from the available range, and both styles are period-appropriate for the late 1950s depending on the car’s presentation. Blackwall choices are offered in both 590-15 and 600-15, while 2.625 inch wide whitewalls are also available in both sizes. The correct look depends on how the individual car was equipped and the restoration direction being followed.

A more sporting Allard Zepher often looks most natural on blackwalls, especially if the goal is to emphasize the marque’s competition-bred character. A more formal or show-oriented restoration may suit a wide whitewall better. Compare the finished look to period photos and any surviving evidence from the car itself, because sidewall style can change the visual balance of the body and wheels more than many owners expect.

A properly fitted new production bias-ply tire in the correct size can be suitable for public-road use on an Allard Zepher when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. The listed options are period-style bias-ply tires, so they should be evaluated in the context of a late-1950s chassis, steering system, brakes, and wheel condition rather than by modern performance-car expectations. Correct inflation and correct wheel-width matching are essential parts of that safety picture.

Road use in an Allard Zepher should always begin with a conservative shakedown after mounting fresh tires. Check that the car tracks straight, clears properly at full steering lock, and does not show bead-seat or tube-related problems after the first drives. A collector car can be roadworthy on the right tires, but it should always be driven with the limits of vintage construction and vintage vehicle systems in mind.

Before driving an Allard Zepher, inspect tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, wheel security, and visible clearance around suspension and fenders. Because the listed Allard Zepher sizes are bias-ply tires in 15-inch fitments, it is also wise to confirm that each tire matches the wheel correctly and that the car is wearing a consistent size setup. Any sign of cracking, uneven wear, or repeated pressure loss deserves attention first.

After the visual checks, drive the Allard Zepher gently at first and pay attention to pull, vibration, brake feel, and steering response. Cars that spend much of their time stored can reveal problems only once they are back in motion. A few careful miles close to home are the right way to confirm that the tire-and-wheel assembly is behaving properly before heading onto faster roads.

An Allard Zepher on original-style bias-ply tires should be driven at speeds that respect both vintage tire construction and the condition of the individual car. Even when a newly manufactured bias-ply tire is correctly fitted, the driving experience remains different from a modern radial-equipped car, with more sensitivity to road surface, tracking, and steering inputs. The safe approach is to treat the car as a collector automobile first and a high-speed machine second.

That means building speed gradually, avoiding abrupt lane changes, and keeping a comfortable margin for braking and road irregularities. An Allard Zepher may have strong performance credentials in spirit, but tire age, suspension condition, alignment, and wheel integrity matter more than outright capability on paper. The right speed is one that the complete car handles calmly and predictably, not simply the highest speed the engine can reach.