Riley Two Point Six Tires

Riley Two Point Six fitments in 1958 and 1959 include two tire sizes: 195R15 and 670-15. The 195R15 size is a radial format built for a 15-inch wheel, while 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size that also uses a 15-inch wheel. For the 670-15 products, the listed rim diameter is 15 inches and many offerings are intended for rim widths in the 4.50 to 5.00 inch range, with a few variations around that spread.

That means year alone does not settle the decision on a Riley Two Point Six. The practical choice is to inspect the wheel, confirm the tire type already on the car, and decide whether the goal is a period-correct bias-ply presentation or a radial setup using the metric size. If the car is a restoration, compare the current wheel and tire combination against old photos, invoices, or marque references before changing sizes.

A 670-15 tire on a Riley Two Point Six uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system. The 670 indicates a nominal section width of approximately 6.70 inches, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Every listed product in this size is a bias-ply tire for a 15-inch rim, and the available examples span blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles.

Understanding that code helps prevent one of the most common mistakes with late-1950s cars: assuming an older numeric size is directly interchangeable with any modern radial that happens to fit the same wheel diameter. It is better to treat 670-15 as the period-style choice for appearance and construction, then verify the wheel width and intended use before selecting among the available versions. Tube fitment should also be part of the plan with this bias-ply size.

A 1958 Riley Two Point Six has 2 tire sizes listed because the fitment range includes both 195R15 and 670-15 for the same model year. The split is not a change in wheel diameter, since both sizes use a 15-inch rim. It is a construction and sizing-system split, with one option expressed as a radial metric-style size and the other as a traditional numeric bias-ply size.

For an owner, that means the car's current wheel and restoration direction matter more than the calendar year by itself. A car intended for factory-era appearance will usually point you toward the numeric bias-ply route, while a car already set up around radial sizing may call for the 195R15 specification. Checking the existing tire sidewall, wheel width, and any surviving service records will usually settle the question quickly.

Riley Two Point Six tube requirements depend on which size and construction you are using. The 670-15 products are bias-ply tires in an older numeric format, and that fitment should be treated as requiring an inner tube. The 195R15 size is a radial-format fitment, so tube use should be matched to the wheel design and the specific tire and wheel combination rather than assumed from the size code alone.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel carefully before mounting tires on a Riley Two Point Six. Original or older wheels may have conditions or design features that influence tube choice even when the size itself looks familiar. If the car has been restored or converted at some point, verify whether the wheels are original, replacement, or later substitutes, because that can change how the tire should be installed.

A 1959 Riley Two Point Six can use either 195R15 or 670-15, so the correct choice starts with the wheel and the car’s current setup rather than the model year alone. Both sizes use a 15-inch rim, but they reflect different construction styles: 195R15 is radial format and 670-15 is numeric bias-ply. The existing tire sidewall, wheel width, and the car’s restoration goals are the most useful clues.

Begin with the tire presently fitted if the car has a known, established setup, then compare that against wheel measurements and period photos or service paperwork. If the car is being returned to a more original presentation, the bias-ply route may make more sense visually. If it has long been used with radial sizing, preserve consistency across all four positions rather than changing one axle or one corner at a time.

Riley Two Point Six tires in the available 670-15 offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Wide whitewalls appear in several widths, while narrow whitewalls are also represented alongside plain blackwall choices. Those sidewall variations are spread across multiple brands, giving owners more than one way to match the car’s intended look.

For a restrained late-1950s British saloon presentation, many owners lean toward blackwall or a modest whitewall rather than the broadest American-style treatment, but the final choice depends on how the individual Riley Two Point Six is being restored or presented. Sidewall style is an appearance decision first, not a size decision. Once the correct size and construction are settled, choose the sidewall that best suits the car’s trim, market character, and period image.

Riley Two Point Six tire offerings in the available range include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Most of the listed products are in 670-15 bias-ply form, and they span several classic-series families such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Super Cushion, and related Goodyear lines.

Brand choice on a Riley Two Point Six usually comes after the more important decisions of size, construction, and appearance. Once those are settled, compare details such as sidewall style, load rating, and rim-width suitability within the brand options. For a car that sees shows, period-correct visual character may matter most, while a regularly driven collector car may call for a brand and construction approach consistent across the full set.

Riley Two Point Six offerings include several named series within the 670-15 range, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. Most are classic bias-ply passenger-car style tires, while some series reflect period-specific branding themes or specialty-duty applications. The Super Transport entry is part of a military and truck family, which sets it apart from the mainstream passenger-oriented offerings.

For a Riley Two Point Six owner, series selection should start with whether the tire matches the intended role of the car. A concours-style restoration may prioritize a series whose appearance best fits the era, while a display or specialty build may lean toward a particular tread or sidewall treatment. When comparing across series, focus on the tire’s stated construction, sidewall style, load capacity, and rim-width suitability rather than assuming all 670-15 tires serve the same purpose.

A Riley Two Point Six should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large swings in temperature. Tires last better when they are kept out of contact with electric motors, welders, furnaces, and petroleum spills, all of which can accelerate rubber aging. If the car will sit for long periods, keeping it clean and moving it occasionally helps avoid flat spotting and localized stress on the carcass.

Collector-car storage works best when tire care is part of the broader storage routine. Set inflation pressures correctly before parking the Riley Two Point Six, roll the car a short distance from time to time if practical, and avoid leaving the full vehicle weight on one spot for months without movement. Owners who maintain multiple seasonal cars often add tire cradles or lift-assisted storage, but even simple good housekeeping makes a meaningful difference.

Tires on a Riley Two Point Six should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals, even when the car covers very few miles. Collector tires can age out long before they wear out, and bias-ply tires deserve especially careful attention to cracking, impact damage, bulges, sidewall deterioration, and uneven tread wear. Valve stems, tubes where fitted, and wheel condition should be checked at the same time.

That inspection routine matters because a lightly used classic often gives no warning before a problem appears on the road. A Riley Two Point Six that mostly attends shows or weekend events can still develop age-related issues from sitting, heat cycling, and storage conditions. Make inspection part of the pre-drive ritual: check inflation, look over the sidewalls, and confirm that no tire shows changes in shape or condition since the last outing.

Tires on a Riley Two Point Six should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, separation, recurring air loss, impact damage, or visible structural changes appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often retire because the rubber and casing have aged rather than because the tread has been used up. Any tire that shows sidewall distress, unusual vibration, or long-term deterioration should be treated as a replacement candidate.

That principle is especially important on a car such as the Riley Two Point Six, which may spend much of its life parked and then be asked to run at road speeds with little recent use. Appearance alone is not enough to judge an older tire. A tire professional familiar with collector vehicles can help evaluate condition, and replacement should be considered part of preserving the car, not simply reacting after a failure occurs.

Riley Two Point Six fitment in the available range includes both 195R15 and 670-15, so there is more than one recognized size path for the model. The available products strongly represent classic bias-ply construction in 670-15, while 195R15 reflects a radial-format alternative for the same years. That means originality questions should be resolved by the individual car’s market specification, surviving records, and restoration target rather than by assuming one universal answer.

For a faithful restoration, tire selection should follow the same standard as paint code or trim material: match the specific car, not just the model name. Factory literature, old photos, heritage records, and marque-club references can help determine whether a given Riley Two Point Six should wear a numeric bias-ply look or a radial-format size. Once that is settled, sidewall style becomes the next major authenticity decision.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the presentation and the judged authenticity of a Riley Two Point Six. Size, construction type, sidewall treatment, and overall period appearance all influence whether the car looks consistent with its era and restoration standard. On a short-run late-1950s saloon, details that seem minor to casual observers can stand out clearly to judges, restorers, and knowledgeable enthusiasts.

A Riley Two Point Six prepared for concours or serious preservation should have tire size and sidewall style chosen with the same care as wheel finish and hubcap detail. Even when a different construction type is preferred for driving reasons, owners often keep authenticity in mind because tire appearance shapes the car’s stance so strongly. Marque clubs and model specialists remain the best reference points when judged standards matter.

Riley Two Point Six tire offerings in 670-15 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives restorers several era-appropriate visual directions, but the most correct choice depends on the exact look being recreated and the market character of the individual car. Blackwalls deliver the most restrained presentation, while whitewalls add a more decorative late-1950s visual tone.

The best way to choose for a Riley Two Point Six restoration is to compare the car against period photographs, sales literature, and any surviving history tied to that chassis. A subtle whitewall often suits cars restored with a more formal export-market appearance, while blackwall can be the better fit for a cleaner sporting saloon look. Sidewall choice should support the car’s proportions rather than overpower them.

Riley Two Point Six tires can be suitable for public-road use when they are the correct size, properly mounted to the correct 15-inch wheels, inflated correctly, and in sound condition. Safety depends at least as much on tire age, storage history, and overall condition as on size alone. Bias-ply and radial options also bring different road manners, so the car should be equipped consistently and maintained carefully.

A practical roadgoing Riley Two Point Six should be assessed as a complete system rather than as four isolated tires. Before regular use, make sure the wheels are sound, the steering and suspension are properly sorted, and all four tires match the intended setup. Collector cars often spend long periods idle, so even a handsome tire deserves a close inspection before being trusted at modern traffic speeds.

Before driving a Riley Two Point Six, inspect tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and the general seating of the tire on the wheel. If the car runs 670-15 bias-ply tires, include tube-related condition in the inspection routine and watch for any signs of age-related distortion. Also look for flat spotting from storage and any uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues.

That check should be done alongside the usual collector-car review of brakes, steering response, fluid leaks, and wheel fastener security. A Riley Two Point Six may feel fine at garage speed but reveal problems once fully warmed and moving at road pace. Spending a few minutes on a careful walkaround before each outing is one of the simplest ways to avoid tire-related trouble and protect the car.

A Riley Two Point Six on period-style tires should be driven at speeds that respect the age, construction, and condition of the tires rather than the car’s theoretical performance. Even when a late-1950s saloon is mechanically capable of sustained road speed, older-style bias-ply tires call for a more measured approach than modern daily-driver rubber. Tire condition and balance across the full set matter as much as the size code on the sidewall.

For real-world use, build speed gradually and judge the car by how settled and stable it feels, especially if it runs 670-15 bias-ply tires. A Riley Two Point Six used mostly for tours, local events, and fair-weather driving benefits from conservative cruising and regular rest stops for a quick visual inspection. If the car is fitted with a mixed-age or recently awakened set of tires, caution should increase accordingly.