Simca 1118 Tires

The Simca 1118 uses two listed tire sizes across 1969 and 1970: 145R13 and 520-13. Both sizes fit 13-inch rims in this range, but they are not the same type of tire. The 145R13 is a radial size, while the 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. That means the car can appear with either a more modern-feeling radial fitment or a more traditional bias-ply fitment depending on how the owner wants to equip it.

Start by checking the size on the car now, then look at the wheel width and the overall look you want. If originality and period stance matter most, many owners lean toward the bias-ply option. If road manners are the priority, the radial size may be the better match. Since both sizes appear in the same years, the right choice depends on the specific wheel and the intended use of the Simca 1118.

On a Simca 1118, 520-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 520 is the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, a traditional way of marking bias-ply tires, and the 13 is the rim diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial size and it does not decode the same way as a modern size like 145R13. The products available in 520-13 are bias-ply tires built for 13-inch rims.

That distinction matters because a 520-13 tire gives the Simca 1118 a different appearance and driving character than a radial. Numeric bias-ply sizing is closely tied to period-correct presentation, especially when whitewall sidewalls are part of the restoration plan. If your car is set up for 520-13, plan on using tubes and make sure the wheel width suits the tire you choose.

A 1969 Simca 1118 has two listed tire sizes because the car appears here with two different construction approaches on the same 13-inch rim diameter. One option is 520-13, a bias-ply size, and the other is 145R13, a radial size. This is a construction split rather than a wheel-diameter change. The difference is not just the number on the sidewall, but the tire technology and overall driving character.

That means year alone does not settle the choice. Look at what is mounted on the car now, how the wheels are configured, and whether the goal is show-correct presentation or more relaxed road use. A preserved original car may call for one approach, while a driver may call for another. The Simca 1118 benefits from being matched to the owner’s purpose rather than selecting by year only.

The Simca 1118 requires inner tubes when fitted with the 520-13 bias-ply size. That tube requirement follows the construction and sizing style of the available 520-13 tires. The 145R13 radial products are a different type of tire and do not carry the same tube requirement language in this range. Tube use is therefore tied to the specific size and construction, not simply to the Simca 1118 model name.

Before fitting tubes, make sure the wheel condition is suitable and that the tube matches the tire size correctly. Collector cars often sit for long periods, so tube installation quality matters just as much as the tire itself. If your Simca 1118 is being kept in a period-correct bias-ply configuration, treat tube fitment as part of the complete tire setup rather than an optional extra.

The Simca 1118 is listed with both crossply and radial tire options, so the right choice depends on how you want the car to present and drive. The 520-13 is the bias-ply option, while the 145R13 is the radial option. Bias-ply tires typically suit a more original period look, especially when whitewall styling is part of the package. Radials generally reflect the later tire technology that many European compact cars adopted during this era.

Choose bias-ply if authenticity, sidewall appearance, and a traditional feel are the priority. Choose radial if the Simca 1118 will see regular road use and you prefer the character of a metric radial setup. The most important thing is to keep the tire choice consistent with the wheels and with the car’s intended role, whether that is show presentation, casual driving, or a restoration that balances both.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Simca 1118 feels on the road because the listed 145R13 radial is a different construction from the 520-13 bias-ply tire. Even when both fit the same 13-inch rim diameter, the sidewall behavior, tread shape, and overall response can differ. The Simca 1118 may feel more settled and less period-correct in character on radials than on bias-ply tires.

That does not automatically make one choice better than the other; it simply means the tire should match the mission of the car. Owners restoring a Simca 1118 for originality often prefer bias-ply construction because it preserves the period look and feel. Owners who plan to drive the car more frequently may prefer the radial option. Decide first whether the car is being restored as a historical presentation piece or used as a practical classic.

A Simca 1118 should be kept on one construction type rather than mixing crossply and radial tires on the same car. The listed options belong to two distinct construction families: 520-13 bias-ply and 145R13 radial. Mixing them can create uneven steering and handling responses because the tires flex and react differently. That inconsistency matters even more on a light, compact classic car.

Treat the tire decision as a full-vehicle choice, not a corner-by-corner replacement. If the Simca 1118 is currently on bias-ply tires and you want to move to radials, convert the set together once wheel suitability and sizing have been confirmed. The same goes in reverse for a restoration returning to bias-ply tires. Consistency across all four positions is the sensible approach for drivability and presentation.

A 1969 Simca 1118 can use either 145R13 or 520-13, so confirmation starts with the tire already fitted, the wheel size, and the intended presentation of the car. Both listed sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, but one is a radial and the other is a bias-ply size. That means the correct answer is not just about matching the year. It is about matching the wheel setup and the type of driving or restoration you are aiming for.

Check the sidewall markings on the old tire, then inspect the wheel width and overall appearance of the car. If the Simca 1118 is being restored to a more original period style, 520-13 may be the logical direction. If the car is already on radial-size tires or has been maintained that way for years, 145R13 may be the natural continuation. Original manuals, previous service records, and marque specialists can help settle close calls.

Simca 1118 tires are available here in several sidewall styles depending on size and series. The 145R13 radial options are blackwall tires. The 520-13 bias-ply options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. That gives Simca 1118 owners a wider range of visual presentation with the bias-ply size than with the radial size.

For a factory-like European compact look, blackwall is usually the most restrained choice. Whitewall options on 520-13 can suit custom presentation or period styling preferences, especially where a lowrider-influenced or show-oriented appearance is desired. The key is to match the sidewall style to the character of the individual Simca 1118 rather than assuming every available sidewall treatment is equally appropriate for every restoration.

Three brands appear in the Simca 1118 tire range here: Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Firestone cover the radial side in 145R13, while Firestone and Premium Sport appear in the 520-13 bias-ply range. Those brands also reflect different visual and construction approaches, including blackwall radial tires and several bias-ply whitewall styles.

Brand choice should come after the basic fitment decision is made. First decide whether the Simca 1118 should wear 145R13 radial tires or 520-13 bias-ply tires, then compare the brand and sidewall options within that size. That keeps the process focused on correct fit and period character instead of choosing by name alone. A well-matched brand choice supports the look and use of the car rather than driving the decision.

The Simca 1118 range includes Michelin XAS-FF, F560 Radial, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Premium Sport Lowrider series. The first two are radial constructions in 145R13, while the latter two are bias-ply constructions in 520-13. Firestone Classic Bias Ply leans toward a traditional vintage presentation, while Premium Sport Lowrider introduces alternate whitewall styles within the same basic size.

That means the series choice changes more than branding. On a Simca 1118, it can affect whether the car reads as a straightforward period compact, a classic-car restoration with traditional bias-ply character, or a more stylized presentation using whitewall bias-ply tires. Decide first on construction type, then on the visual statement you want the car to make. The best series is the one that matches both the wheel setup and the purpose of the car.

A Simca 1118 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone sources. Clean floors and stable temperature help preserve both radial and bias-ply tires. If the car will sit for an extended period, keeping it on clean surfaces and moving it occasionally can help reduce flat-spotting. Proper inflation also matters during storage, especially on a light collector car.

If the Simca 1118 is on 520-13 bias-ply tires, storage care is especially important because older-style constructions can show storage effects more readily than modern daily-driver tires. Support the car properly if it will sit for a very long time, and avoid leaving it under full load on underinflated tires. A little preventive care in the garage preserves ride quality, appearance, and service life far better than trying to correct damage later.

Tires on a Simca 1118 should be inspected before regular road use and at routine intervals even when the car is driven only occasionally. Look for pressure loss, cracking, irregular wear, sidewall damage, and signs of age-related hardening. On bias-ply tires, also pay attention to tube-related issues and any evidence of pinching or chafing. Collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out.

A practical habit is to inspect the Simca 1118 every time it comes out of storage and again after a longer drive. That approach catches gradual air loss and age problems before they become roadside issues. If the car has been parked for months, add a more careful visual check and a pressure check before moving it any distance. Consistent inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and its occupants.

A Simca 1118 tire should be replaced when age, cracking, sidewall deterioration, repeated air loss, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires frequently spend more time aging than wearing down, so appearance alone is not enough. Bias-ply tires and tubes deserve especially close attention because long storage periods can hide deterioration that is not obvious at a glance.

Treat replacement as a condition decision, not a tread-depth decision. If the Simca 1118 sees regular road use, age and casing health matter every bit as much as visible wear. Any tire with uncertain service history should be evaluated conservatively, especially on a vintage import with light weight and narrow tires. Replacing a questionable tire early is usually far less costly than dealing with the consequences of a failure.

The Simca 1118 appears here with two period-appropriate fitment directions: 520-13 in bias-ply form and 145R13 in radial form. That tells you the model sits in a transition period where both traditional and newer construction types can be relevant. No single series should be assumed as universal across every Simca 1118. The most precise answer depends on the specific car, its market history, and how it was equipped when new.

For an exact restoration, treat the available sizes as the starting framework and then verify the individual car through original handbooks, old photos, service records, or marque-club guidance. A Simca 1118 restored for judging may need a different tire choice than one restored for touring. Getting that distinction right helps the finished car look coherent and historically appropriate rather than merely similar.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect how a Simca 1118 is judged and perceived, especially when the car is restored with originality in mind. Size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car presents as accurate for its period. A radial blackwall Simca 1118 can give a different impression from a bias-ply car, and a whitewall treatment changes that impression again. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice those details.

That does not mean every Simca 1118 needs the same tire to be respected. It means the tire should match the restoration goal. If the car is being prepared for concours or marque judging, verify the expected fitment standard before final selection. If it is a personal driver, consistency and historical plausibility may matter more than strict point judging. Tire choice is one of the easiest visual cues to get right on a finished restoration.

A Simca 1118 can be fitted here with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall tires depending on the size and series selected. The 145R13 radial options are blackwall only, while 520-13 bias-ply tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. That means sidewall correctness is tied directly to both the chosen size and the style of restoration. Not every available sidewall treatment suits every historical goal.

For a restrained European compact presentation, blackwall is usually the safer restoration direction. Whitewall 520-13 options can suit a custom look or a very specific period styling choice, but they should be selected intentionally rather than by default. The Simca 1118 is a small car, so sidewall style has a strong visual effect. Matching that effect to the car’s trim, stance, and restoration purpose is what makes the tire choice look convincing.

A Simca 1118 can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size, are in sound condition, and are fitted to suitable wheels in a mechanically healthy car. The listed options include both radial and bias-ply constructions, and each can be appropriate when used in the right context. Safety depends on condition, correct installation, inflation, and overall vehicle setup rather than on the model name alone.

Before using a Simca 1118 on the road, consider how the chosen tire construction matches the way the car will be driven. A radial-equipped car may feel different from a bias-ply-equipped car, and either setup should be approached with realistic expectations for an older compact vehicle. Public-road use is most sensible when tire condition, wheel condition, brakes, steering, and suspension have all been checked together as a system.

Before driving a Simca 1118, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread surface, valve stems, and any signs of cracking or impact damage. Also confirm that all four tires are the same construction family and that tube-type bias-ply tires are holding air properly. Since the Simca 1118 can wear either 145R13 radials or 520-13 bias-ply tires, it is worth confirming that the car has a matched set appropriate to its wheels.

A quick walk-around is helpful, but an older Simca 1118 deserves a more careful pre-drive routine than a modern daily driver. If the car has been sitting, add checks for brake operation, steering feel, and wheel security before heading onto faster roads. That small amount of preparation reduces the chance of discovering a tire or mechanical problem only after the car is already in motion.

A Simca 1118 should be driven at speeds appropriate to the construction, condition, and age of the tires actually fitted to the car. A fresh radial setup in the correct 145R13 size and a sound mechanical car may invite different use than a period-style 520-13 bias-ply setup. Original-type tires on older cars should never be treated like modern high-speed touring tires. Sensible speeds preserve both the tires and the car’s stability.

The practical rule is to let the oldest component and the most conservative tire setup set the pace. If your Simca 1118 is on bias-ply tires, drive with a wider margin, more gradual steering inputs, and lower sustained speed expectations. If it is on radials, remain mindful that the rest of the car is still a late-1960s compact, not a modern chassis. Confidence should come from condition and preparation, not from optimism.