Citroen AZ Tires
Citroen AZ belongs to the early postwar 2CV family, a famously light and mechanically simple French economy car built to deliver mobility with minimal complexity. By 1962, the Citroen AZ still reflected that practical design philosophy, but tire selection is not quite as straightforward as many modern buyers expect because more than one size appears for the same model year. That usually means the specific wheel and configuration matter as much as the model name itself. With a 1962 Citroen AZ, the first step is to identify which wheels are actually on the car and then match the tire size carefully before moving on to construction and style choices.
Citroen AZ Tire Size Guide
Citroen AZ uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1962 model year. Both sizes use a metric-style diameter format built around a 380 mm rim, so the key question is which of the two listed sizes matches the specific wheel and configuration on the car.
125-380 is one of the two sizes listed for the 1962 Citroen AZ. The 125 indicates nominal section width, and the 380 identifies a 380 mm rim diameter. Choose 125-380 if that is the size fitted to the car or called for by its wheels and specification, and confirm the wheel marking before selecting a replacement.
135-380 is the second size listed for the 1962 Citroen AZ. The 135 indicates nominal section width, and the 380 identifies a 380 mm rim diameter. Choose 135-380 only when the car is set up for that wider size, since the shared rim diameter does not make the two sizes interchangeable without checking the actual wheel and application.
Citroen AZ Tires by Year
The year listing shows which tire sizes are associated with each Citroen AZ model year and helps narrow the search before you compare products. In 1962, more than two sizes are not listed, but two different sizes do appear for the same year, so the specific wheel and configuration should be confirmed before selecting a tire.
1962 Citroen AZ
- 125-380
- 135-380
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below focuses on the 1962 Citroen AZ size split, what the 125-380 and 135-380 markings mean, and how to sort out fitment when the same model year appears with more than one tire size.
Size Basics & Fitment
Citroen AZ is listed here with two tire sizes, both used in 1962: 125-380 and 135-380. Both sizes are built for a 380 mm rim diameter, but they differ in nominal section width, with 125-380 being narrower and 135-380 being wider. Because both appear for the same model year, the correct choice depends on the specific wheel and configuration on the individual Citroen AZ.
Start by checking the tire currently on the car, the wheel stampings, and any factory handbook or restoration records that came with the vehicle. A 1962 Citroen AZ should not be matched by year alone when two sizes are listed for that same year. If the car has been restored or changed over time, the wheel itself is often the most reliable clue.
On a Citroen AZ, the size 125-380 uses an older numeric format in which the first number identifies the nominal section width and the second number identifies the rim diameter in millimeters. In plain terms, 125-380 means a tire with a nominal 125 mm width for a 380 mm wheel. That makes it a distinctly European sizing convention rather than a later modern metric radial format.
The practical takeaway is that the 380 figure is the wheel size you must match exactly, while the 125 figure tells you the tire is the narrower of the two listed options. If your Citroen AZ currently wears 125-380 tires, stay with that size unless you have clear evidence that the wheels or specification call for 135-380 instead.
A 1962 Citroen AZ can show two listed tire sizes because the same model year was associated with both 125-380 and 135-380. Since both sizes share the same 380 mm rim diameter, the split is not a wheel-diameter change. It is a same-year fitment variation that should be treated as a configuration difference rather than a simple year break.
That means a buyer should identify the actual setup on the car instead of assuming either size will be equally correct. Look at the existing tire size, compare the wheel dimensions, and review any period literature or marque-club guidance tied to your specific Citroen AZ. On collector cars, year and model often narrow the search, but they do not always finish it.
Buying the Right Tire
The 1962 Citroen AZ is associated with both 125-380 and 135-380, so the correct tire size should be confirmed on the individual car. The best starting points are the size marking on the tire already fitted, the wheel identification, and any original handbook, service record, or restoration paperwork that stayed with the car. Matching all three is better than relying on model year alone.
If the car has changed hands or been restored, treat old replacement tires cautiously because they may reflect a previous owner's choice rather than the intended fitment. A careful buyer compares the actual wheel and current size to period references before selecting a replacement. That extra step helps avoid ordering the right rim diameter but the wrong section width.
No products are listed here, so there are no brand names attached to the Citroen AZ sizes in this set of fitment information. The useful takeaway is the fitment itself: 125-380 and 135-380 are the two sizes tied to the 1962 Citroen AZ, both on 380 mm rims. Brand selection comes only after the correct size has been pinned down.
For a collector-car buyer, that means fitment research should come before brand preference. Once you know whether your Citroen AZ needs 125-380 or 135-380, you can compare available tire makers, sidewall styles, and construction types within that size. Getting the size right first is what preserves both drivability and the overall character of the car.
No tire series names are attached to the Citroen AZ entries here, so there is no split by named series such as different vintage construction families. The key distinction within this fitment set is size rather than series: 125-380 and 135-380 are both tied to 1962 and both fit 380 mm rims. That keeps the selection question centered on width and application rather than on multiple series technologies.
For a buyer, that means the first decision is not between named series but between the two listed sizes. After that, the next comparison is whether the available products in your chosen size suit a driver-grade car, a preservation car, or a judged restoration. On a Citroen AZ, preserving the correct proportions usually matters as much as simply mounting a tire that fits the rim.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Citroen AZ should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large swings in temperature. Clean the tires first, keep petroleum-based dressings off the rubber, and avoid leaving the car on damp concrete for long periods. If the car will sit for months, reducing static load by moving it periodically or supporting it properly helps protect the tire casing.
Collector-car tires age from time and environment as much as from mileage, so storage conditions matter even when the Citroen AZ is driven very little. Check inflation before putting the car away and again before driving it. Good storage habits help preserve ride quality, reduce flat spotting, and keep the tires looking appropriate on a lightly used vintage car.
Tires on a Citroen AZ should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the year, even if the car covers very few miles. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, uneven wear, and signs that the tire has shifted or aged unevenly on the wheel. Inflation should also be checked routinely because low-use collector cars often lose pressure slowly while parked.
A short pre-drive inspection is especially important on vintage cars because they may spend long periods standing still between outings. If the Citroen AZ has recently returned to the road after storage, give the tires a more careful once-over and watch for vibration or pull on the first miles. Small issues are easier to catch in the garage than on the road.
A Citroen AZ may need tire replacement even when the tread still looks usable, because age, storage history, and structural condition matter more than mileage on many collector cars. Replace tires that show cracking, hardening, bulges, separation, persistent air loss, or impact damage. A tire that looks cosmetically acceptable can still be too old or too compromised for dependable service.
The right moment to replace is before a visible problem turns into a roadside failure. If the age of the tires on your Citroen AZ is uncertain, have them evaluated during regular service and compare their condition to how the car is actually used. Show-only use, touring use, and occasional local driving all place different demands on an aging tire.
Restoration & Authenticity
Citroen AZ is associated here with two sizes for 1962: 125-380 and 135-380. Both are period-appropriate fitment paths within this model-year range, and both use the same 380 mm rim diameter. That means original-equipment determination for a specific Citroen AZ comes down to the individual car's configuration rather than a single universal size for every 1962 example.
For an accurate restoration, compare the car against factory literature, surviving original wheels, and marque-club guidance specific to the exact build. Many collectors focus on engine, trim, and paint details but overlook tire proportion, which has a major effect on stance and authenticity. Correct tire width can make a restored Citroen AZ look properly finished rather than merely operational.
Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging on a Citroen AZ because tire size changes the car's stance, sidewall profile, and overall period character. A car wearing the proper 380 mm fitment and the correct width for its configuration will usually look more convincing than one wearing a substitute chosen only for convenience. Judges and experienced collectors often notice tire proportions immediately.
For value and authenticity, the goal is to match the tire to the car's actual configuration, not just to the broad model-year listing. Owners pursuing concours-level accuracy should verify the tire size against period references and marque-club standards before final assembly. Even on a modest economy car like the Citroen AZ, the right tire completes the restoration visually.
No sidewall-style split is attached to the Citroen AZ entries here, so there is no specific listing that separates blackwall from whitewall or other period looks for this application. The fitment information centers on the two sizes, 125-380 and 135-380, both for 1962 and both on 380 mm rims. Sidewall correctness therefore needs to be judged alongside the intended restoration standard and the character of the finished car.
A preservation-minded owner should compare period photos, sales literature, and marque-club references for the specific Citroen AZ being restored. Sidewall style can influence how authentic the car looks even when the size itself is correct. Once the correct 380 mm size is established, appearance details should support the era and purpose of the restoration rather than distract from it.
Safety & Road Use
A Citroen AZ can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, properly inflated, and matched to the wheels they are intended to fit. For this application, the first safety step is choosing correctly between 125-380 and 135-380 and making sure the tire matches the 380 mm rim. Safe road use depends as much on age and condition as on the size printed on the sidewall.
Before regular driving, inspect the full car as a system rather than treating the tires in isolation. Brakes, steering, suspension, wheel condition, and alignment all influence how secure a vintage Citroen AZ feels on the road. A correctly sized tire on a worn or damaged wheel is still a safety problem, so the wheel and tire should be evaluated together.
Before driving a Citroen AZ, check tire inflation, visible condition, and whether all four tires match the intended size for the car. For a 1962 Citroen AZ, that also means confirming whether the car is supposed to be on 125-380 or 135-380 rather than assuming either size will do. Look closely for sidewall cracking, uneven wear, or signs of long storage before setting off.
A sensible pre-drive routine also includes checking wheel security, brakes, steering response, and basic fluid levels. Vintage cars often spend long periods parked, so problems can appear even when mileage stays low. Taking a few minutes in the garage before each outing is one of the best ways to keep a Citroen AZ enjoyable and dependable on short road use.
A Citroen AZ should be driven at moderate speeds that suit the age of the car, the condition of the tires, and the overall mechanical state of the vehicle. Even when the correct 125-380 or 135-380 size is fitted, a vintage tire setup is not an invitation to drive a restored economy car like a modern one. Conservatism matters more than extracting maximum pace.
The practical rule is to build speed gradually, pay attention to vibration or wander, and keep road use consistent with the car's period design and current condition. If the Citroen AZ is newly restored or has unknown tire age, start with short local trips before attempting longer drives. Mechanical sympathy is part of safe vintage motoring, especially with specialized tire sizes.