Daimler Majestic Tires
The Daimler Majestic was a late-1950s to early-1960s British luxury saloon built for refined touring, with the kind of formal styling and road manners that place it firmly in the classic postwar era. Across its 1959 to 1962 production span, Daimler Majestic buyers today often encounter a tire choice that reflects changing tire technology rather than a simple one-size answer. The key complication is not a wheel diameter change, but the presence of both a period-style bias-ply size and a radial size on the same 16-inch rim. Before choosing tires for a Daimler Majestic, confirm whether the car is being kept in original bias-ply character or driven on radial-compatible equipment and preferences.
Daimler Majestic Tire Size Guide
The Daimler Majestic uses 2 distinct tire sizes across the 1959 to 1962 production span. Both listed sizes fit 16-inch rims, but they represent two different sizing systems and two different construction types, which is why selection is more nuanced than simply matching the year. One is a modernized radial notation, while the other is a period numeric bias-ply size that suits owners pursuing original driving character.
185R16 is a radial size used on Daimler Majestic models from 1959 through 1962. The 185 identifies a section width of about 185 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 16 is the rim diameter in inches. Choose this size if the goal is radial road manners on the correct 16-inch wheel, and note that the listed products in this size are blackwall radials from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein.
670-16 is a numeric bias-ply size also used on Daimler Majestic models from 1959 through 1962. The 670 designates a nominal section width in the traditional numeric system, and the 16 is the required rim diameter in inches. Choose this size when preserving a more period-correct bias-ply look and feel on a 16-inch wheel, and A tube is required.
Daimler Majestic Tires by Year
Each year listing for the Daimler Majestic shows the tire sizes associated with that production year so you can narrow the choice before comparing products. Every year from 1959 through 1962 includes both 185R16 and 670-16, so the decision comes down to construction type rather than a year-by-year wheel change. Use the year entry first, then match the car's current wheel setup and restoration goal.
1959 Daimler Majestic
- 185R16
- 670-16
1960 Daimler Majestic
- 185R16
- 670-16
1961 Daimler Majestic
- 185R16
- 670-16
1962 Daimler Majestic
- 185R16
- 670-16
Best Daimler Majestic Tires for Sale
Available Daimler Majestic tires span 2 sizes across 5 products from 4 brands, covering both radial and bias-ply options on 16-inch rims. Confirm the correct size and construction type for the specific car before selecting.
185R16 Products
These are the available products for 185R16.
670-16 Products
These are the available products for 670-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Daimler Majestic FAQ below focuses on the two 16-inch size systems used from 1959 to 1962, the practical difference between bias-ply and radial choices, and how to select tires that suit either restoration accuracy or regular touring use.
Size Basics & Fitment
The Daimler Majestic uses two listed tire sizes across 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962: 185R16 and 670-16. Both sizes are built for 16-inch rims, but they are not the same type of tire. The 185R16 is a radial size, while the 670-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. That means a Daimler Majestic owner is choosing not only between two size notations, but also between two construction styles with different road feel and appearance.
The right choice depends on how the Daimler Majestic is being used and how original the owner wants it to remain. A car restored to period character often stays with the 670-16 bias-ply approach, while a road-driven Daimler Majestic may be better suited to 185R16 radials. Confirm that the wheels are correct 16-inch rims and consider whether the chassis, steering feel, and overall presentation are meant to remain period-authentic or more touring-oriented.
A 670-16 on a Daimler Majestic is a traditional numeric bias-ply size. The 670 is the old-style section-width designation, written without a decimal, and the 16 is the rim diameter in inches. For the available Daimler Majestic products in this size, the construction is bias ply and the fitment is on a 16-inch wheel. This is a period-correct format commonly seen on many luxury and touring cars of the era before radials became the dominant replacement choice.
A Daimler Majestic owner should read 670-16 as more than just a size code, because it also points toward the kind of driving character the tire will deliver. Bias-ply tires generally preserve the original visual stance and steering feel better than later radial replacements. Since the listed 670-16 products are bias ply, tube use should be planned as part of the installation, and the wheel condition should be checked carefully on any collector car that has seen infrequent service.
The Daimler Majestic uses a 16-inch rim diameter for both listed tire sizes. The radial 185R16 products are built around a 16-inch wheel, and the numeric 670-16 bias-ply products also use a 16-inch wheel. There is no year-to-year wheel diameter change across the 1959 to 1962 Daimler Majestic range in these fitments. The difference lies in tire format and construction, not in moving from one wheel diameter to another.
That simplifies one major part of fitment, but the wheel still deserves a close check before mounting new tires on a Daimler Majestic. Confirm the wheel is actually a 16-inch rim and inspect the width range and overall condition, especially on a car that may have had wheels swapped decades ago. Once the rim diameter is verified, the next decision is whether the car should stay with a numeric bias-ply presentation or move to a radial setup for more modern touring behavior.
The Daimler Majestic does require inner tubes when fitted with the listed 670-16 bias-ply tires. That size is offered here in bias-ply construction, and for this kind of traditional fitment a tube is required. The 185R16 radial options are a separate construction type and should be considered according to the wheel and tire specification being used on the car. Tube decisions should always follow the actual tire and wheel combination rather than the year alone.
For a Daimler Majestic owner, tube use is part of choosing the period-style 670-16 setup correctly rather than treating the tire as a simple standalone replacement. If the car is being restored in a more original manner, make sure the wheel surfaces, valve hardware, and tube compatibility are addressed during installation. A collector car that sits for long periods should also have its tubes and valve stems inspected routinely, since age and inactivity can affect serviceability even when tread wear is minimal.
Crossply vs Radial
The Daimler Majestic is listed with both bias-ply and radial tire options in the same 16-inch rim diameter. The 670-16 represents the traditional bias-ply route, while 185R16 is the radial alternative. Bias ply is usually chosen for a more period-correct look and driving character, while radial construction is typically chosen for more modern road manners. Both can be appropriate for a Daimler Majestic, but they serve different ownership goals.
A restoration-focused Daimler Majestic often benefits visually and historically from staying with the 670-16 bias-ply fitment, especially if originality matters for presentation or judging. A car driven more regularly on modern roads may feel more settled on 185R16 radials. The best choice comes from deciding whether the Daimler Majestic is being preserved as an authentic period saloon or prepared for more frequent touring where comfort and tracking behavior are higher priorities.
Yes, radial tires can change how a Daimler Majestic feels on the road because they differ fundamentally from the bias-ply tires also listed for the car. The 185R16 radial options generally reflect later tire technology than the 670-16 bias-ply choices. Owners often select radials when they want more modern road behavior from a classic saloon. By contrast, the bias-ply option tends to preserve a more period-authentic steering and ride character.
That does not make one universally right for every Daimler Majestic, because the car's condition, alignment, suspension wear, and intended use all matter. A well-restored touring car may be very satisfying on radials, while an authenticity-minded car may feel more coherent on bias ply. Before changing construction type, it is wise to evaluate the wheel condition and overall chassis setup so the Daimler Majestic remains balanced rather than simply fitted with a different tire technology.
A Daimler Majestic owner should avoid mixing bias-ply and radial tires on the same car. The listed 670-16 and 185R16 options represent different construction methods, and those constructions react differently under steering, braking, and cornering loads. Even though both sizes fit 16-inch rims, they do not behave the same way on the road. A mixed set can create inconsistent handling characteristics that work against the composed feel a Daimler Majestic should have.
The better practice is to keep the Daimler Majestic on a matched set of one construction type and one overall fitment strategy. If the car is being restored to period standards, stay with a full bias-ply set. If the goal is road touring, convert the whole car to matching radials of the proper size. Keeping all four tires consistent helps preserve predictable handling and makes it easier to evaluate ride quality, alignment, and suspension condition accurately.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1960 Daimler Majestic can use either 185R16 or 670-16, and both are built on a 16-inch rim diameter. The decision is not driven by a wheel diameter change within the model run, since 1959 through 1962 share the same two listed size paths. Instead, the key difference is that 185R16 is radial and 670-16 is bias ply. That makes configuration and intended use more important than simply matching the model year.
Start by inspecting the tires already on the Daimler Majestic, the wheel size, and any restoration records that may show whether the car was kept in original-style fitment or converted to radial-friendly use. If originality is the priority, the 670-16 bias-ply route is the natural place to look. If the car is driven regularly and already set up around radial expectations, the 185R16 options are the more practical comparison point.
The listed Daimler Majestic tire options are offered in blackwall sidewall style. That applies to both the radial 185R16 choices and the bias-ply 670-16 choices. There is no whitewall variation shown within the available Daimler Majestic products here. For a car from 1959 to 1962, blackwall is an appropriate and restrained presentation that suits the Majestic's formal luxury character.
A Daimler Majestic owner who is aiming for a clean, factory-minded look will usually find blackwalls entirely in character with the car. The more important visual decision here is not sidewall color, but whether the stance and tread style should reflect a bias-ply restoration or a radial touring setup. If the car is being judged or restored to a very exact standard, period photos and marque references are still the right place to settle final appearance details.
Daimler Majestic tires are available here from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. The radial 185R16 size includes Michelin X Radial, Avon Turbosteel, and Vredestein Sprint Classic options, while the 670-16 bias-ply size includes Firestone and Avon offerings. That gives the Daimler Majestic owner a mix of well-known vintage tire names across both construction types. Brand choice therefore sits within a broader decision about size format and intended driving character.
For a Daimler Majestic being driven regularly, many owners start by deciding whether they want radial or bias-ply behavior before narrowing the choice to a specific brand. Once that is settled, compare the available products by construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel width suitability. A marque-correct restoration may prioritize the style and look of the tire, while a touring-oriented Daimler Majestic may place more emphasis on selecting among the radial options.
The Daimler Majestic is listed with several distinct tire series: Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Turbospeed Mk4. Those series are not merely different brand names, because they also span two construction approaches. Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic are radial-type offerings in 185R16, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4 serve the 670-16 bias-ply side of the fitment range.
That means the series choice on a Daimler Majestic should begin with the car's purpose rather than with branding alone. A touring car may naturally be compared across the radial series, while a more historically faithful restoration belongs in the bias-ply group. Once the construction path is chosen, the remaining differences come down to the character each series brings to the car's appearance and how closely the owner wants the Daimler Majestic to reflect period practice.
Maintenance & Longevity
A Daimler Majestic should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Long-term collector storage is easier on tires when the car is clean, the inflation pressures are maintained, and the vehicle is moved or repositioned periodically. Both radial and bias-ply tires age from time and environment as well as from mileage. A stored Daimler Majestic may look preserved externally while the tires are still deteriorating internally.
If the Daimler Majestic will sit for extended periods, avoid leaving it on one contact patch for months at a time and check pressures before and after storage. Many owners use a regular inspection routine that includes sidewalls, valve stems, and any signs of cracking or flat-spotting. Good storage habits matter especially on a large luxury saloon like the Daimler Majestic, where vehicle weight and infrequent use can accelerate age-related tire issues even when tread wear appears modest.
Tires on a Daimler Majestic should be visually inspected before every drive and examined more thoroughly at regular intervals throughout the year. Collector cars often cover few miles, so age, inflation loss, cracking, and casing condition matter more than simple tread depth. That applies whether the Daimler Majestic is running 185R16 radials or 670-16 bias-ply tires. Bias-ply setups with tubes deserve especially careful checks for pressure retention, valve condition, and signs of sidewall distress.
A practical routine is to inspect the Daimler Majestic before each outing, then perform a more deliberate check at seasonal intervals or whenever the car returns to service after sitting. Look for irregular wear that could point to alignment, suspension, or steering issues rather than blaming the tires alone. On any seldom-driven classic, regular inspection is one of the best ways to catch age-related problems early and avoid discovering them only after the car is already on the road.
Tires on a Daimler Majestic should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, impact damage, or persistent air-loss issues appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on low-mileage cars. That is true for both the radial 185R16 options and the bias-ply 670-16 options. Any tire on a Daimler Majestic that shows structural concerns should be treated as a replacement candidate regardless of how much tread remains.
The important point for a Daimler Majestic owner is that visual tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability on a classic car. If the car has spent long periods parked, schedule a professional inspection and pay close attention to sidewall flexibility, casing condition, and the age of any tubes used with bias-ply tires. Replacing tires on condition rather than tread wear helps keep a seldom-driven Daimler Majestic safe and mechanically sympathetic to drive.
Restoration & Authenticity
The Daimler Majestic is associated here with both 670-16 and 185R16 tire sizing across 1959 through 1962, reflecting the period overlap between traditional bias-ply practice and later radial replacement standards. The available product range includes both bias-ply and radial series rather than pointing to one single universal original-equipment answer for every car. That means the Daimler Majestic may be encountered today in more than one historically credible tire approach depending on restoration choices and service history.
For an exact restoration, the best next step is to compare the specific Daimler Majestic against original handbooks, period road tests, and marque-club references rather than assuming every surviving car left the factory the same way. Owners seeking a period-authentic presentation often begin with the 670-16 bias-ply path. Owners prioritizing later-era touring usability may prefer the radial route, but authenticity standards should be settled against model-specific historical references.
Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and judged credibility of a Daimler Majestic. Tires strongly influence stance, sidewall appearance, and the overall period impression of a restored luxury saloon. On a Daimler Majestic, the difference between a 670-16 bias-ply setup and a 185R16 radial setup is visible as well as functional. Judges, knowledgeable buyers, and marque enthusiasts often notice whether the tire choice supports the era and character of the car.
That does not mean every Daimler Majestic must wear the same tire to be respected, because the standard depends on the car's purpose. A concours-minded restoration may favor period-style bias-ply fitment, while a touring car can still be well-regarded if the radial choice is honest, consistent, and well executed. If value and judging matter, confirm expectations with Daimler club standards and choose a tire setup that aligns with the level of authenticity the restoration is meant to achieve.
The Michelin X Radial and Firestone Classic Bias Ply series represent two different tire philosophies for the Daimler Majestic. Michelin X Radial appears in the 185R16 radial fitment, while Firestone Classic Bias Ply appears in the 670-16 bias-ply fitment. The distinction is not just branding, because each series belongs to a different construction type and size system. One points toward later radial road behavior, while the other preserves the traditional bias-ply format associated with period motoring.
For a Daimler Majestic restoration, the Firestone Classic Bias Ply series is the more natural fit when historical presentation and original-style feel are the priorities. The Michelin X Radial series makes more sense when the owner wants a tire that reflects radial technology while staying within the correct 16-inch wheel diameter. Choosing between them is really choosing what kind of Daimler Majestic experience the owner wants the finished car to deliver on the road and on display.
Safety & Road Use
A Daimler Majestic can be driven on public roads when it is fitted with sound, age-appropriate tires in the correct size and the rest of the car is mechanically ready for use. The listed fitments include both 185R16 radials and 670-16 bias-ply tires, and either can be suitable when properly installed and maintained. Tire safety on a Daimler Majestic depends on condition, age, inflation, and matching the tire type to the vehicle's setup. A fresh tire on an unsorted chassis is not a complete safety solution by itself.
Before road use, treat the Daimler Majestic as a complete system rather than focusing on tires alone. Check steering, brakes, suspension, wheel condition, and alignment so the car can make proper use of whichever tire type it carries. A collector saloon that is mechanically healthy and fitted with a matched set of appropriate tires is far better prepared for public-road driving than one with mixed constructions or long-aged rubber, even if the tread still appears serviceable.
Before driving a Daimler Majestic, inspect tire pressures, sidewalls, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of cracking, bulging, or flat-spotting from storage. Confirm that all four tires are a matched construction type, since the Daimler Majestic is listed with both radial and bias-ply options. If the car is running 670-16 bias-ply tires, tube-related service condition also matters. The 16-inch wheels themselves should be clean, sound, and free from damage that could compromise mounting or air retention.
A short pre-drive routine can prevent most avoidable tire-related surprises on a Daimler Majestic. Beyond the tires, check wheel fasteners, brake response, and steering feel before committing the car to a longer run. Classics that sit for long periods can develop issues between outings, so even a Daimler Majestic that was fine on its last drive deserves a fresh inspection before returning to road speed.
A sensible speed for a Daimler Majestic depends on the exact tire fitted, its age, its condition, and whether the car is on radial or bias-ply construction. Even when the tire size is correct, a collector car should be driven within the limits of its overall mechanical condition and with respect for how older designs behave. A Daimler Majestic on fresh, properly fitted tires is still a classic luxury saloon, not a modern high-speed car. Smooth inputs and moderate sustained cruising are part of responsible use.
The practical approach is to build speed gradually after the Daimler Majestic has been fully inspected and driven enough to confirm stable steering, braking, and tire behavior. If the car is on bias-ply tires, leave extra margin for the more traditional feel and responses they can bring. If it is on radials, the car may feel more settled, but age, chassis condition, and road conditions still set the real limit more than the size code alone.