Singer Gazelle Tires

Singer Gazelle uses four tire sizes across its 1957-1967 production span. Models from 1957 through 1963 are listed with 155R15 radial and 560-15 bias-ply sizes, both on 15-inch rims. Models from 1964 through 1967 use 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply sizes on 13-inch rims. That means the size question is tied directly to the year and to whether the car is on its earlier or later wheel diameter.

The practical first step is to confirm the wheel diameter on the car itself before comparing widths or sidewall styles. Once the rim diameter is settled, the remaining choice is usually between radial and bias-ply construction on early Gazelles, or between the two numeric bias-ply sizes on later cars. If the car has been restored or modified over the years, the wheel that is on the car now matters more than assumptions about model year alone.

On a Singer Gazelle, 560-15 is a period numeric bias-ply tire size used on 1957 through 1963 cars. The 560 refers to a nominal section width of roughly 5.60 inches, while the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. In the available product range, every 560-15 option is bias-ply construction and fits a 15-inch wheel.

That makes 560-15 the period-style choice for an early Singer Gazelle where original appearance and steering feel matter more than modern radial behavior. Numeric bias-ply sizing does not read like a modern metric size, so it helps to think of it as an older width-and-rim format rather than a direct modern equivalent. Early owners should also remember that a tube is required with these bias-ply offerings.

Singer Gazelle uses two rim diameters across the years covered here. From 1957 through 1963, the listed sizes are 155R15 and 560-15, both built for 15-inch rims. From 1964 through 1967, the listed sizes change to 600-13 and 650-13, both built for 13-inch rims. The wheel diameter change is one of the biggest fitment differences within the Gazelle line.

A buyer should verify wheel diameter before doing anything else, because a 13-inch tire and a 15-inch tire are not interchangeable even if the car name is the same. If the car has replacement wheels, a year-based assumption can send you in the wrong direction quickly. Measure the wheel, check any wheel stampings, and compare that information against the year-specific size listing before choosing between radial or bias-ply options.

Singer Gazelle bias-ply options in 560-15, 600-13, and 650-13 should be treated as tube-type applications. Those sizes are all offered here in bias-ply construction, and tube use is part of correct fitment practice with these period-style tires. The 155R15 radial offerings are a separate modern-style radial fitment group and are not described here with the same tube requirement language.

For an owner, the important point is to match the tube practice to the tire construction and wheel actually being used. Early and later Gazelle bias-ply restorations benefit from using the tire as intended rather than assuming modern tubeless conventions apply everywhere. If the wheel itself has been changed during restoration, inspect its condition and intended tube or tubeless use before mounting the new tires.

Singer Gazelle gives you both choices on the early 1957-1963 15-inch applications. The 155R15 offerings are radial construction, while 560-15 is bias-ply construction. Later 1964-1967 Gazelle listings here are bias-ply only in 13-inch sizes. That means the radial-versus-crossply decision mainly applies to earlier cars that still use 15-inch wheels.

Choose radial tires if your priority is more modern road behavior within the correct 15-inch size family, especially for regular touring use. Choose bias-ply tires if the goal is stronger period presentation, classic steering character, and closer visual authenticity for a restoration. The right answer depends on how the Singer Gazelle will be used: judged show car, weekend road car, or a mix of both.

A Singer Gazelle fitted with 155R15 radial tires will generally feel different from one on 560-15 bias-ply tires because the construction types are fundamentally different. The early Gazelle listings include both radial and bias-ply options on 15-inch rims, so owners of 1957-1963 cars can choose between those driving characters. Later 13-inch Gazelle sizes shown here do not present the same radial choice.

In practical terms, moving an early Singer Gazelle to radials usually appeals to owners who want more confidence for regular road use, while staying with bias-ply suits owners who value original-era response and appearance. Either way, the car should be aligned and evaluated as a complete system rather than judged by tire construction alone. A collector car that has worn old tires for years can feel transformed simply by being returned to a fresh, correct size.

Singer Gazelle owners should treat radial and bias-ply tires as separate fitment paths rather than a combination to mix on the same car. The early 15-inch applications offer both 155R15 radial and 560-15 bias-ply choices, but they represent different construction philosophies. A consistent set is the sound way to preserve predictable handling and avoid introducing unnecessary variables into an already vintage chassis.

The safest collector-car approach is to choose one construction type and fit a matched set in the proper size family for the car’s wheel diameter. If the Gazelle is being converted from one construction to the other, look at the car’s full condition at the same time, including suspension wear, steering play, and wheel condition. That gives the new tires a fair chance to perform as intended.

A 1960 Singer Gazelle falls into the early part of the range and is listed with two 15-inch sizes: 155R15 and 560-15. The first is a radial size and the second is a bias-ply numeric size. Both belong to the 1957-1963 wheel package rather than the later 13-inch arrangement. For a 1960 car, the real question is usually construction preference rather than a rim-diameter change.

Start by confirming that the car still wears 15-inch wheels, then decide whether you want radial road manners or a bias-ply period look. If the Singer Gazelle is a restoration, compare the car’s current setup with period photos, old service records, and marque-club guidance. If it is a driver, think about how often and how far the car will be used before choosing between the two early size paths.

Singer Gazelle tire offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The 155R15 radial choices are blackwall, while the 560-15 bias-ply offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. The later 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply sizes are offered in narrow and wide whitewall forms. That gives owners room to tailor appearance while staying within the listed sizes.

The best sidewall choice depends on the era and presentation of the individual Singer Gazelle. A blackwall radial tends to suit a more understated road-going look on early cars, while whitewall bias-ply tires lean more strongly into period styling. For restoration work, use old photographs, brochures, and club references to decide whether the car should present as a modest family saloon, a more dressed-up trim level, or a personalized period car.

Singer Gazelle tire options here come from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, Pro-Trac, and BFGoodrich. The brand mix varies by size. Early 155R15 radial choices include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while 560-15 bias-ply options include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Later 13-inch bias-ply sizes are represented by BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and US Royal.

Brand choice should come after the owner confirms the correct size, wheel diameter, and preferred construction. Once those fundamentals are settled, compare the available sidewall styles and tire series within the correct size family rather than shopping by brand name alone. On a collector car like a Singer Gazelle, appearance, construction type, and overall fitment usually matter more than simply choosing the most familiar badge.

Singer Gazelle listings include several distinct tire series, including Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X Radial, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, Vredestein Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Street Pro Front Runner, and Silvertown Classic Bias Ply. The main divide is between radial touring-style series in 155R15 and classic bias-ply series in 560-15, 600-13, and 650-13. Sidewall styling also changes by series, especially in the bias-ply group.

For a Singer Gazelle owner, the practical choice is to first decide whether the car should drive like a radial-equipped classic or present with period-correct bias-ply character. After that, look at whether the goal is blackwall understatement, a narrow whitewall accent, or a fuller whitewall appearance. The Street Pro Front Runner stands apart as a specialty bias-ply offering, so most restoration-minded Gazelle owners will focus on the classic touring-oriented series instead.

A Singer Gazelle should be stored in a clean, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone, and extreme temperature swings. Keep the car away from electric motors, welders, or other equipment that can generate ozone, since that accelerates rubber aging. Tires should be kept at the correct inflation pressure for storage, and the car should not sit indefinitely on underinflated tires.

For a collector Singer Gazelle, the goal is to prevent flat-spotting, sidewall stress, and avoidable age damage between drives. Rolling the car occasionally, using tire cradles, or taking weight off the tires during long storage can all help, depending on how the car is kept. Good storage habits matter just as much as tread depth on a low-mileage classic, because age and environment usually determine service life first.

Tires on a Singer Gazelle should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the season. A proper inspection includes checking inflation pressure, sidewall cracking, tread condition, bead area condition, and any signs of impact damage or irregular wear. On a vintage car, the wheel, valve area, and overall mounting condition deserve as much attention as the tread itself.

Frequent inspection matters because many collector cars spend long periods parked and then return to the road with little warning. A Singer Gazelle that appears fine at a glance can still have age-related rubber issues, wheel problems, or a tube-related concern on bias-ply applications. Consistent inspection helps catch those issues in the garage instead of discovering them during a drive.

Singer Gazelle tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on cars that see limited annual mileage. Tread depth alone is a poor guide on classics because the rubber compound, casing condition, and storage history matter just as much as visible wear.

The sensible approach is to treat time and condition as the deciding factors, not just mileage. If a Singer Gazelle has been sitting for years, or if the tires are of uncertain age, have them evaluated before returning the car to road use. Owners should be especially cautious with any long-stored specialty tire, because appearance alone does not reveal internal aging.

Singer Gazelle is represented here by multiple period-appropriate size paths rather than a single universal original fitment. Early 1957-1963 cars are associated with 155R15 radial and 560-15 bias-ply sizes on 15-inch rims, while later 1964-1967 cars use 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply sizes on 13-inch rims. The available series include both classic bias-ply and radial designs, reflecting the overlap that can exist in a car from this era.

For restoration work, the right answer for an individual Singer Gazelle comes from matching the specific year, wheel diameter, and presentation standard of the car. Factory literature, surviving original cars, and marque-club references are the best guides when narrowing from the listed options to one exact restoration choice. That is especially important on a model produced during a period of transition in tire practice.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Singer Gazelle is judged and how convincingly it presents as a restored car. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts look at size, construction type, rim diameter, and sidewall style because those details strongly influence the car’s stance and period appearance. A radial blackwall and a wide-white bias-ply can give the same Gazelle very different visual character.

For owners concerned with value, proper tire fitment supports the car’s overall authenticity and helps avoid visual cues that feel out of era. A well-restored Singer Gazelle deserves tires that match its intended standard, whether that is preservation, touring, or concours-style presentation. Marque clubs and event judging standards are the best reference points when deciding how exact the final tire choice needs to be.

Singer Gazelle restoration choices here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments, depending on size and construction. The 155R15 radial options are blackwall, while 560-15 includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. The later 600-13 and 650-13 bias-ply offerings are available in narrow and wide whitewall form. Each can be visually correct depending on the year and the look being recreated.

A restoration-minded owner should start with period photos and the personality of the specific Singer Gazelle rather than assuming one sidewall style is universally right. Blackwalls often suit a restrained, practical presentation, while narrow or wider whitewalls can reinforce a more dressy late-1950s or 1960s appearance. The most authentic choice is the one that matches the car’s exact year, trim character, and restoration goal.

A properly selected, correctly mounted, and sound-condition tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Singer Gazelle, but the tire is only one part of the equation. The car’s brakes, steering, suspension, wheels, and alignment all need to be in comparable condition for safe operation. Early 15-inch Gazelles also present a choice between radial and bias-ply behavior, which affects how the car responds on the road.

Owners should think of safety as a full-vehicle standard rather than a tire-only decision. Fresh tires in the right size are a major improvement over old, hardened rubber, but they cannot compensate for worn kingpins, weak dampers, or poor wheel condition. Before regular driving, bring the whole Singer Gazelle up to the same standard as the tire choice.

Before driving a Singer Gazelle, check tire pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel security, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. On bias-ply applications, also pay close attention to the overall mounting condition and the health of the tube-type setup. If the car has sat for an extended period, inspect for flat spotting, age cracking, and hardened rubber before moving beyond a short local test.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially valuable on collector cars because long idle periods can create problems that were not present at the previous outing. It also helps confirm that the car is wearing the correct size for its wheel diameter, which matters on Singer Gazelle more than on a model with one tire size throughout production. A few minutes in the garage can prevent damage to both the tires and the car.

Appropriate speed in a Singer Gazelle should reflect the car’s age, overall mechanical condition, and the type of tire fitted rather than the tire size alone. A Gazelle on period-style bias-ply tires should be driven with more reserve and sympathy than one fitted with modern-style radial construction in the proper 15-inch size. On any classic, sustained high-speed use asks more of the chassis, brakes, and steering than occasional local driving.

The prudent approach is to treat a Singer Gazelle as a vintage road car, not as a modern traffic appliance. Build speed gradually, evaluate how the car tracks and stops, and keep pace with what the car and tire construction are comfortably telling you. If the car is newly restored or newly fitted with tires, the first drives should be moderate and observant rather than ambitious.