Simca 1204 Tires

The Simca 1204 uses four sizes across its 1969-1971 production span: 145R13 for 1969-1970, 520-13 for 1969-1970, 155R13 for 1969-1971, and 560-13 for 1969-1971. All four sizes use a 13-inch rim diameter, but they split between radial metric sizes and older numeric bias-ply sizes.

That means year alone does not completely settle the decision, especially for 1969 and 1970. A careful buyer should confirm whether the car is presently set up for radial or bias-ply tires, check wheel width against the tire specification where listed, and decide whether originality of appearance or later-period driving behavior is the higher priority.

On a Simca 1204, 520-13 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 520 is the nominal section width expressed in the traditional numeric format, and the 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a metric radial code, and it belongs to the bias-ply side of the Simca 1204 size range.

That distinction matters because a 520-13 does not behave or present like a modern-looking radial. If your Simca 1204 is being restored with a more period-correct sidewall shape, or if it already carries narrow bias-ply wheels in the listed width range, 520-13 is the type of size to compare first rather than trying to translate it directly into a radial equivalent.

A 1969 Simca 1204 shows four listed sizes because that year includes both radial and bias-ply choices on the same 13-inch wheel diameter. The radial options are 145R13 and 155R13, while the bias-ply options are 520-13 and 560-13. This is a construction split rather than a rim-diameter split.

In practical terms, a 1969 Simca 1204 owner should identify what is actually on the car before replacing anything. Check the existing tire sidewall, inspect the wheel width if possible, and decide whether you are preserving a period European radial character or a more traditional bias-ply look, because both paths appear in the 1969 listings.

The Simca 1204 does require inner tubes when fitted with the listed numeric bias-ply sizes, including 520-13 and 560-13. Those sizes are offered here in bias-ply construction, and the fitment guidance for this type is to use a tube. The listed metric radial sizes, 145R13 and 155R13, are radial products and do not carry that same tube requirement statement.

That makes construction type just as important as size when servicing a Simca 1204. If the car is staying on bias-ply tires for appearance or period character, plan the installation around proper tube use and make sure the wheel condition supports it. If the car is already on radial tires, confirm that you are replacing them with the same style unless you intend a full conversion.

The Simca 1204 appears with both bias-ply and radial fitments, all on 13-inch rims. The radial choices are 145R13 and 155R13, while the bias-ply choices are 520-13 and 560-13. That gives a Simca 1204 owner a real decision between period-correct bias-ply character and the radial construction used on later-style replacements.

A restoration-minded owner may favor bias-ply sizes for the right visual profile and sidewall look, especially when whitewall styling is part of the goal. A driver-focused owner may prefer one of the metric radial sizes if the car is already configured that way. The important step is to choose one construction family deliberately rather than treating the listed sizes as interchangeable.

Yes, radial tires can change how a Simca 1204 feels compared with bias-ply tires because the construction itself is different even when the rim diameter remains 13 inches. The available radial sizes for the Simca 1204 are 145R13 and 155R13, while 520-13 and 560-13 are bias-ply sizes. That usually means the driving experience will not be identical between the two groups.

For a Simca 1204 used regularly on paved roads, a properly chosen radial can offer a more modern response than a classic bias-ply tire. For a car being restored to a more original visual presentation, the bias-ply sizes may still be the better match. Evaluate the car as a whole, including suspension condition and intended use, before changing from one construction type to the other.

A Simca 1204 is listed with both radial and bias-ply tire sizes, but that does not mean they should be mixed casually on one car. The radial sizes and the bias-ply sizes represent different construction types with different behavior. Keeping the Simca 1204 on one construction type is the more coherent approach.

If your Simca 1204 currently has a mixed set from years of piecemeal replacement, treat that as a signal to inspect the full wheel-and-tire package rather than replacing only one tire. Choosing a matching set in the correct size family will give you more predictable handling, a more uniform appearance, and a clearer baseline for future maintenance.

A 1970 Simca 1204 can use 145R13, 520-13, 155R13, or 560-13, so the correct choice depends on the specific setup of the car rather than the model year alone. All four sizes fit 13-inch rims, but they divide into two radial sizes and two bias-ply sizes. That means the existing wheel-and-tire combination matters more than simply matching the year.

Start by reading the sidewall on the tires already fitted, then compare the wheel width to the tire specification where that detail is given. If the car is a restoration, verify whether you are aiming for a period bias-ply profile or a radial setup that reflects later service practice. Looking at the car in front of you will usually answer the question faster than relying on year alone.

Simca 1204 tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across the listed products. The radial sizes shown here are blackwall products, while the numeric bias-ply sizes include blackwall as well as several whitewall treatments. That gives the Simca 1204 owner a wider styling range on the bias-ply side of the fitment options.

For a restrained late-1960s European look, blackwall is the most natural place to start. If the car is being personalized or presented with a period accessory look, the narrow and wide whitewall bias-ply options may be more appropriate. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct size and construction family are settled, not before.

The listed Simca 1204 tire brands are Michelin, Firestone, Premium Sport, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop appear in the radial 13-inch sizes, while Firestone, Premium Sport, and BFGoodrich cover the numeric bias-ply side with both blackwall and whitewall presentations. That spread gives a Simca 1204 owner both European-style radial choices and classic American-style collector tire options.

Brand should come after size, construction type, and intended appearance in your decision process. A Simca 1204 being kept close to period driving character may point you toward one part of the brand list, while a car built around whitewall styling or a custom presentation may point elsewhere. Decide what role the car fills before narrowing the brand.

The Simca 1204 is offered in several tire series, including Michelin XAS-FF, F560 Radial, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Premium Sport Lowrider, SP Sport Aquajet, and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. Those series are not all the same type of product: some are radial touring-style tires, while others are classic bias-ply tires aimed at period appearance, including whitewall presentations. The series name therefore signals both construction and visual character.

That matters because a Simca 1204 owner choosing between series is usually also choosing between driving feel and restoration style. If the goal is a radial-equipped compact with a more European road manner, look first at the radial series in 145R13 or 155R13. If the goal is a classic bias-ply look with whitewall styling, the numeric sizes and their bias-ply series are the relevant comparison.

A Simca 1204 should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and standing moisture. Long periods in one position can create flat spotting, especially on collector tires that see little use. Keeping the Simca 1204 off contaminated concrete and away from electric motors or welders will also help preserve the rubber.

If the Simca 1204 will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or use methods that reduce concentrated load on one section of the tread. Owners running bias-ply tires should be especially attentive to storage conditions because sidewall shape and ride feel can change more noticeably after prolonged stationary storage. Consistent inflation checks are part of good storage practice.

Tires on a Simca 1204 should be visually checked before each drive and inspected more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car covers very little mileage. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, uneven wear, and signs of air loss. On a collector car, time and storage conditions can matter as much as miles.

A Simca 1204 that alternates between road use and garage storage benefits from a routine inspection schedule because problems often develop quietly. It is also smart to inspect valve stems, wheel condition, and overall tire age at the same time. That simple habit helps catch small issues before they become steering, ride, or safety problems on the road.

Tires on a Simca 1204 should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, separation, or other structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often age out before they wear out, particularly on cars driven sparingly. Tread depth alone is not a reliable measure of whether an older Simca 1204 tire remains serviceable.

That is especially important on a Simca 1204 that still wears an older bias-ply set or a long-stored radial set. If a tire shows visible deterioration or has an uncertain service history, replacement is usually the prudent path. A careful age and condition review should be part of every seasonal recommissioning, not just something done when the tread starts to look thin.

The Simca 1204 appears here with both metric radial sizes and numeric bias-ply sizes, all on 13-inch rims. Specifically, the listings include 145R13 and 155R13 on the radial side, plus 520-13 and 560-13 on the bias-ply side. That means more than one period-appropriate direction exists within the overall Simca 1204 tire range.

For a precise restoration, the best reference is the specific car's original literature, surviving factory markings, or guidance from Simca marque specialists. A restoration judge will usually care more about matching the car's actual production-era configuration than about choosing a tire simply because it appears somewhere within the broader Simca 1204 range.

Yes, correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging on a Simca 1204 because size, construction type, and sidewall style all influence whether the car looks consistent with its era and intended specification. A Simca 1204 shown on blackwall metric radials presents differently from one shown on whitewall numeric bias-ply tires, even though both types appear in the model range.

For a serious restoration, the goal is not simply mounting a usable 13-inch tire but selecting one that matches the car's historical character. If the car will be judged, check class expectations with the relevant club or event before finalizing the tire choice. That extra step can prevent an otherwise well-restored Simca 1204 from looking visually out of step.

A Simca 1204 can be restored with blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall tires within the available size range, but the most natural late-1960s compact presentation is usually blackwall, especially with the radial sizes. Whitewall options appear mainly with the numeric bias-ply selections. So the correct sidewall style depends on whether the Simca 1204 is being restored to a restrained European look or a more stylized period presentation.

Choose sidewall style after settling the correct size and construction family for your restoration plan. A blackwall radial will suit a more factory-like road-car appearance, while narrow or wide whitewall bias-ply tires may fit a custom, accessory, or show-oriented approach. Consistency across all four tires matters more visually than the whitewall width alone.

A Simca 1204 can be driven on public roads with properly matched, correctly installed, and sound-condition collector tires, but safety depends on more than size alone. The Simca 1204 range includes both radial and bias-ply constructions, and each should be used as part of a coherent, well-maintained setup. Tire age, inflation, wheel condition, and overall vehicle mechanical health all matter.

Before regular road use, make sure the Simca 1204 has four matching tires of the intended construction type and that the steering, brakes, and suspension are in proper order. A collector car that has sat for years deserves a careful recommissioning rather than a quick visual check. Safe road use starts with the whole car, not just the tread.

Before driving a Simca 1204, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, and whether all four tires match in size and construction type. On a Simca 1204, that last point matters because the listed sizes include both radial and bias-ply options that should not be treated as casually interchangeable. Also inspect for age cracking, bulges, and air loss around the valve area.

A short walk-around before each drive is good practice, and a deeper inspection is wise after long storage. If the Simca 1204 has recently changed from one tire type to another, pay close attention to how it tracks and steers during the first drives. Any vibration, pulling, or unusual behavior should be investigated before adding more miles.

The right speed for a Simca 1204 on period-style tires depends on the exact tire construction, condition, age, and the mechanical state of the car. A fresh, properly fitted radial-equipped Simca 1204 may be used more confidently in normal road conditions than a car on older-style bias-ply tires, but neither should be treated like a modern commuter without inspection and care. Age and condition are as important as the size stamped on the sidewall.

For collector use, the sensible approach is to drive a Simca 1204 at moderate speeds appropriate to the tire type and the car's overall readiness. Newly installed tires should be watched closely during initial use, and long high-speed runs should be approached conservatively on any vintage vehicle. If the car has been in storage, begin with short local drives and reassess from there.