Panhard CD Tires

The Panhard CD was a highly aerodynamic French sports coupe of the early 1960s, created in a period when light weight, efficiency, and advanced engineering mattered as much as outright power. Produced in 1963, Panhard CD stands apart from larger contemporaries because its tire choice is tied closely to its compact proportions and distinctly European wheel-and-tire sizing conventions. Tire selection is less about sorting through many year-to-year changes and more about understanding a period-correct metric radial size that can appear in slightly different size markings across modern listings. Before choosing a tire for a Panhard CD, verify that the car still carries its 15-inch wheels and the correct rim width range.

Panhard CD Tire Size Guide

145R151963

Panhard CD uses one tire size across its production span from 1963 to 1963: 145R15. This is a euro-metric radial size, with 145 indicating section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim diameter. Available products fit 15-inch wheels, with listed rim width ranges spanning 3.50 to 5.00 inches depending on the tire. Three radial choices are offered from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. Because all listed options are radial tires, the main decision is between sidewall appearance and the rim width range that best matches the wheels on the car.

Panhard CD Tires by Year

The year listing shows which tire size applies to each Panhard CD production year and is the quickest way to match a specific car to the correct fitment. Panhard CD uses a single 15-inch wheel diameter in the sizes listed here, so the key checks are the year, the wheel on the car, and the rim width.

Best Panhard CD Tires for Sale

Three products from three brands are available in 145R15 for Panhard CD applications. Options include blackwall and wide whitewall styles, so confirm the correct size and 15-inch rim diameter before selecting.

145R15 Products

These are the available products for 145R15.

80 Series Metric Radial

Firestone F560 Radial Tire | 145R15

Firestone - F560 Radial

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width4.00 - 5.00 in
Weight14.35 lb
Max Load935@44 psi
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80 Series Metric Radial

Michelin XZX | 145SR15 78S

Michelin - Michelin XZX

SidewallBlackwall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width3.50 - 5.00 in
Weight20 lb
Max Load—
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Radial Tires

BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 1.875 Inch Whitewall | 145R15

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Radial

SidewallWide Whitewall
Rim Diameter15 in
Rim Width—
Weight18 lb
Max Load—
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Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below focuses on the single 145R15 fitment used on Panhard CD, what that metric radial size means, and how to sort between the available radial brands and sidewall styles for restoration or road use.

Size Basics & Fitment

Panhard CD uses one listed tire size: 145R15 for 1963. All three available products are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, with listed rim width ranges spanning from 3.50 to 5.00 inches depending on the specific tire. That makes the fitment picture simpler than many collector cars, because there is no year-to-year size change within the range shown here.

The practical step is to confirm that your Panhard CD still has 15-inch wheels and that the wheel width falls within the range recommended for the tire you are considering. If the car has had wheel changes over the years, measure the wheel and compare it to the tire's approved rim width before making your final selection.

On a Panhard CD, 145R15 is a metric radial size. The 145 refers to the tire's nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. One of the listed options appears as 145SR15 78S TL, which is a closely related period-style marking that still centers on a 145-section radial for a 15-inch rim.

That matters because buyers often compare older European tire markings and assume they represent different fitments when they may simply reflect different labeling conventions. When matching a tire to a Panhard CD, treat the 15-inch rim diameter as the fixed point and then confirm the wheel width and sidewall style that best suits the car.

Panhard CD uses a 15-inch rim diameter in the fitments listed here. Every available product for the model is built around a 15-inch wheel, even though the acceptable rim width varies by tire. The listed rim width ranges run from 3.50 to 5.00 inches or 4.00 to 5.00 inches depending on the brand and product line.

Rim diameter and rim width are separate checks, and both matter on a compact specialty car like Panhard CD. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then verify the wheel width so the tire sits correctly on the rim. That extra check is especially worthwhile on older cars that may have had wheels swapped during restoration or past ownership.

Buying the Right Tire

For a 1963 Panhard CD, the listed fitment is 145R15. Since only one size appears across the production range here, confirmation comes down to checking the wheel on the car rather than sorting through multiple year-specific options. All available tires are radial construction and fit 15-inch rims, but the approved rim width differs slightly by product.

Start at the wheel itself: verify that it is a 15-inch wheel and then measure or confirm the width. After that, compare the wheel width against the tire you are considering, because one tire may allow 3.50-inch rims while another starts at 4.00 inches. That is the detail most likely to separate a proper fit from a marginal one.

Panhard CD tires are available here in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. The Firestone F560 Radial and Michelin XZX are listed as blackwall tires, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is offered with a 1.875-inch wide whitewall. All of them share the same basic 145R15 size family and 15-inch rim diameter.

The choice depends on how you want the car to present. A blackwall usually suits a more understated European look, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger custom or period-style visual statement. For a restoration-minded Panhard CD, sidewall style should be chosen deliberately, since it changes the character of the car even when the size remains the same.

Three brands are represented for Panhard CD in the listed 145R15 size: Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich. The specific product lines are Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin XZX, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. All three are radial-construction tires intended for 15-inch wheels.

That gives a Panhard CD owner a useful spread of choices without changing the basic fitment. The decision can then be narrowed by appearance, rim width compatibility, and the style of driving or presentation you want from the car. Buyers restoring a European car often pay particular attention to whether they want a distinctly European-looking blackwall or a more stylized whitewall presentation.

Panhard CD is offered here in three distinct tire series: Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin XZX, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. All are radial tires in the 145R15 size family, but they differ in branding, sidewall treatment, and approved rim width range. The Firestone and Michelin options are blackwall tires, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is the whitewall choice.

For an owner, the main differences are visual and fitment-related rather than a shift between bias-ply and radial technology. Compare the look you want on the car and make sure the wheel width matches the tire's approved range. That approach keeps the Panhard CD visually coherent while staying within the size and wheel specifications shown for the model.

Maintenance & Longevity

A Panhard CD should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keep the tires properly inflated while the car is parked, and move the car occasionally or use methods that reduce prolonged flat-spotting during long storage periods. Clean, dry floors are preferable to damp or contaminated surfaces.

Because Panhard CD is a low-use collector car, tire condition often declines from age and environment before tread is worn away. Good storage habits preserve both appearance and structure, especially on narrow metric radials that may spend long periods carrying the car's weight in one position. A careful storage routine is one of the simplest ways to extend service life.

Tires on a Panhard CD should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough condition check at regular intervals during the year. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, impact damage, uneven wear, and any sign that the bead or sidewall has been stressed. Inflation pressure should also be checked routinely, since collector cars often sit long enough for pressures to drift.

Frequent inspection matters because a specialty car like Panhard CD may be driven infrequently, making tire age and storage effects more important than mileage. Catching a problem early can prevent damage to the car and helps you decide whether a tire is still suitable for touring, limited local driving, or display-only use. Inspection is part of ownership, not just maintenance.

Tires on a Panhard CD should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, or other condition issues make them questionable, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars that are used only seasonally or sparingly. Visible sidewall changes, vibration, or persistent air loss are all signs that replacement deserves immediate attention.

A Panhard CD owner should think in terms of condition and age rather than tread depth alone. Narrow vintage-size tires can look outwardly acceptable while the rubber has already lost the resilience needed for dependable road use. If there is any doubt after inspection, have the tires evaluated by a professional who understands collector vehicles and older wheel-and-tire combinations.

Restoration & Authenticity

The listed fitment for Panhard CD is 145R15, and the available replacement choices are all radial tires in that size family. The products shown for the model come from Firestone, Michelin, and BFGoodrich, but that does not mean every car left the factory with one of those exact branded products. The key original-fitment point supported here is the 145-section radial on a 15-inch rim.

For a truly factory-faithful restoration, use the size first and then compare brand, sidewall appearance, and period photos or marque references for the specific car. That is especially important on European specialty models, where small visual differences can affect authenticity. A well-restored Panhard CD benefits from tires that match both its proportions and its era.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Panhard CD is judged, presented, and valued. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the car looks properly sorted for its period. Even when a tire physically fits the wheel, a visibly incorrect profile or style can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

On a niche collector car like Panhard CD, judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice details that alter the car's proportions. Staying with the listed 145R15 fitment and choosing a sidewall style that suits the restoration theme will usually present better than improvising with a more modern-looking substitute. Marque clubs and period images are useful references when authenticity matters.

Panhard CD tires are available here in blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Blackwall choices include the Firestone F560 Radial and Michelin XZX, while the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial provides a 1.875-inch wide whitewall. All are built around the same 145R15 size family, so the question is visual correctness rather than basic wheel diameter.

For many restorations, blackwall will align more naturally with the restrained European sporting character of Panhard CD. A wide whitewall creates a distinctly different look and may suit a custom presentation more than a factory-style restoration. If authenticity is the goal, compare the tire's sidewall appearance against period photographs of cars prepared in the style you want to replicate.

Safety & Road Use

The listed Panhard CD tires are modern radial-construction products in the correct 145R15 size family, so they are intended for real road use when mounted on proper 15-inch wheels in sound condition. Safety depends on much more than size alone, including wheel condition, inflation, age, alignment, and the mechanical state of the car. A properly sorted tire-and-wheel package is only one part of the equation.

Before regular road use, make sure the wheels are structurally sound, the tire chosen matches the wheel width, and the rest of the chassis is ready for service. Panhard CD is a specialized collector car, so careful preparation matters more than on an ordinary modern driver. Treat any freshly acquired car as a recommissioning project until its condition has been fully checked.

Before driving a Panhard CD, check tire pressure, visible condition, sidewall integrity, tread condition, and that each tire is seated properly on the wheel. Confirm that the wheel diameter is 15 inches and that the wheel width is appropriate for the tire installed. Also look for signs of long-term storage damage such as flat spots, cracking, or weathering.

Those checks are especially worthwhile on collector cars that may sit longer than they drive. A brief walk-around before every outing can catch small issues before they become dangerous ones at speed. Since Panhard CD is light and sensitive to proper setup, even minor tire or wheel problems can noticeably affect how the car feels on the road.

A sensible speed for a Panhard CD depends on the condition, age, and specification of the tires actually fitted, not just the car itself. One listed tire carries a 78S marking, but prudent road use on any collector car still starts with the overall condition of the tires, wheels, suspension, and steering. Stable handling and tire temperature matter more than chasing the car's theoretical capability.

The practical approach is to drive a Panhard CD conservatively until you know the condition of the complete chassis and how the car behaves on its current tires. If the car is newly restored or newly acquired, begin with shorter drives and gradual speed increases. Collector cars reward moderation, and tire age or wheel condition can lower the safe operating margin even when tread looks acceptable.