Sunbeam Alpine Tires

Sunbeam Alpine uses five sizes across the 1953-1970 production run. Early 1953-1958 cars use 550-16 on 16-inch rims. Later 1959-1970 cars use 165R13 or 600-13 on 13-inch rims, while 1960-1962 cars also show 155R13 and 560-13 as additional 13-inch options. The later range therefore includes both radial and bias-ply choices, but all of them remain 13-inch fitments.

The practical takeaway is to start with wheel diameter, then narrow the choice by year and construction type. A 16-inch early car should stay in the 550-16 family, while a 13-inch later car can fall into either a period-style bias-ply or a radial fitment depending on configuration and owner preference. If your Sunbeam Alpine is from 1960, 1961, or 1962, measure the wheel and compare the current tire size before making a final selection.

On a Sunbeam Alpine, 550-16 is a traditional numeric bias-ply size used on 1953-1958 cars. The 550 portion represents a nominal section width of about 5.50 inches, and the 16 identifies a 16-inch rim diameter. All listed products in this size are bias-ply tires, which places them squarely in the early-production character of the model.

That matters because a modern buyer may mistake the format for a later radial equivalent, when it is really part of an earlier tire sizing system. If your Sunbeam Alpine still has its original 16-inch wheels and you want the handling feel and appearance associated with early bias-ply construction, 550-16 is the size family to investigate. It is also the size where tube-type fitment should be part of the installation plan.

A 1960 Sunbeam Alpine has four sizes listed because that year includes both radial and bias-ply fitments on 13-inch wheels. The radial choices are 155R13 and 165R13, while the bias-ply choices are 560-13 and 600-13. This is a construction split rather than a wheel-diameter split, since all four sizes use 13-inch rims.

The practical implication is that the right tire for a 1960 Sunbeam Alpine depends on more than the model year alone. Look at the wheel width, the tire type already on the car, and whether the goal is period-correct bias-ply appearance or later-style radial road manners. If the car is a restoration, compare against period references for that specific configuration before deciding between the narrower and wider 13-inch options.

Sunbeam Alpine uses two rim diameters across this production range. Cars from 1953 through 1958 use 16-inch rims with 550-16 tires, while cars from 1959 through 1970 use 13-inch rims with 165R13, 600-13, 155R13, or 560-13 tires. The key transition year is 1959, when the listed fitment moves from 16-inch to 13-inch wheels.

That change is the single most important fitment check on this page. If a Sunbeam Alpine has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years, the current rim diameter may not match assumptions made from the title year alone. Read the size already mounted, inspect the wheel itself, and make sure the replacement tire matches the actual rim diameter before sorting out sidewall style or bias-versus-radial preference.

Sunbeam Alpine appears here with both bias-ply and radial fitments, all depending on year and configuration. Bias-ply choices include 550-16, 600-13, and 560-13, while radial choices include 165R13 and 155R13. That means the correct answer is tied to whether the goal is early-period authenticity, later road manners, or matching the way the car is already set up.

Owners restoring an early Sunbeam Alpine usually stay with the numeric bias-ply sizes that match the original type of fitment. Owners of later 13-inch cars may choose between period-style bias-ply appearance and radial construction that better suits regular road use. The important step is to treat the wheel diameter and the intended character of the car as a matched decision, rather than choosing only by appearance.

A Sunbeam Alpine fitted with radial tires will generally feel different from one running bias-ply tires because the construction type changes the way the tire flexes and tracks on the road. In the listed fitments, the radial options are 155R13 and 165R13, both for 13-inch later cars. The bias-ply alternatives for later cars are 560-13 and 600-13, while early 550-16 remains bias-ply only.

For a driver-focused Sunbeam Alpine, that difference usually matters more than small visual differences between sizes. Radials tend to suit owners who want a more familiar modern-road feel, while bias-ply tires better preserve period driving character and appearance. Whatever path you take, keep the car on one construction type throughout and make sure the selected size matches both the rim diameter and the wheel-width range.

A Sunbeam Alpine should be kept on one tire construction type rather than a mix of bias-ply and radial tires. The available fitments show that both constructions exist within the 13-inch years, but they are listed as separate tire approaches, not as combinations to be blended on the same car. Mixing constructions can upset the balance and feel of a lightweight sports car.

If your Sunbeam Alpine currently has a mixed set because of past replacements, the better long-term plan is to standardize the car around one matched size family and one construction type. That also makes pressure checks, wear evaluation, and future replacement much simpler. Decide whether the car is being restored for authenticity or driven regularly, then choose a full set that supports that purpose.

A 1960 Sunbeam Alpine can use 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, or 600-13, all on 13-inch rims. The difference is not wheel diameter in that year but configuration and construction type, with radial and bias-ply options both present. That makes 1960 one of the years where the exact setup of the car matters more than simply matching the model year.

Start by reading the size already on the car and checking the wheel width if possible. Then decide whether the goal is a period-style bias-ply presentation or a radial-equipped road car. If the Sunbeam Alpine is being restored to a specific standard, compare your choice against period references or marque-club guidance so the final tire matches both the look and the intended use of the car.

Sunbeam Alpine tires are available here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices appear in 550-16 and the radial 13-inch sizes, while narrow and wide whitewall options appear in 560-13 and 600-13, and wide whitewall is also offered in 550-16. That gives restorers and drivers a meaningful visual range across both early and later fitments.

The right sidewall style depends on the look you want the Sunbeam Alpine to present. Blackwall is the most understated choice and fits naturally with later radial offerings, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the car toward a more period-styled bias-ply appearance. Before choosing by appearance alone, make sure the sidewall style you want is available in the exact size and construction type your car requires.

Sunbeam Alpine tires in these listings come from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, and Dunlop. The early 550-16 fitment includes Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, while the later radial 13-inch sizes are represented by Michelin and Dunlop. BFGoodrich and Firestone also cover the later 13-inch bias-ply whitewall sizes.

Brand choice on a Sunbeam Alpine often follows the type of project. A road-driven later car may lean toward the radial offerings, while a restoration may focus more on a period-style bias-ply series and sidewall treatment. Once the correct size and construction are settled, the brand decision becomes much easier because the available options naturally narrow around that fitment.

Sunbeam Alpine tires here appear in several distinct series: Excelsior Bias Ply, Tourist Crossply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Michelin XAS-FF, Michelin XAS, and Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. The main divide is construction technology, with the Excelsior, Tourist, Silvertown, and Firestone lines representing bias-ply choices, and the Michelin and Dunlop lines representing radial choices. Within that, sidewall treatment and wheel-width range also vary by series and size.

That means the series name is more than branding on a Sunbeam Alpine. It usually signals whether the tire is aimed at a period-correct bias-ply restoration, a classic whitewall presentation, or a more road-oriented radial fitment for later 13-inch cars. Once you know the correct size, compare the available series by construction first and appearance second so the finished car drives and looks the way you intend.

A Sunbeam Alpine should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and prolonged contact with petroleum products or solvents. Clean concrete is acceptable, but many collectors still prefer tire pads or barriers under the tires for long storage periods. Proper inflation matters as much as the environment, especially on a light sports car that may sit for weeks or months at a time.

If the Sunbeam Alpine will be parked for an extended season, move it occasionally so the tires are not carrying the load in one position for too long. Owners using bias-ply tires should be especially attentive to flat-spotting after storage, while radial owners should still keep pressures stable and inspect sidewalls before driving. Good storage habits do more for long-term tire life than low annual mileage alone.

Tires on a Sunbeam Alpine should be inspected before regular driving and again after long storage periods. A quick visual check should cover pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, cuts, valve condition, and any sign that a tube-type tire has shifted or been run low. Collector cars often age their tires by time and inactivity rather than by mileage, so infrequent use does not reduce the need for inspection.

A more thorough inspection at least once each season is a sensible routine for a Sunbeam Alpine. If the car runs bias-ply tires, look closely for uneven wear and casing changes that may be easy to miss when the car sees only occasional miles. Any vibration, pull, or sudden change in ride quality is a reason to stop and inspect the tires rather than assuming it is normal old-car behavior.

Sunbeam Alpine tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, deformation, repeated air loss, or casing damage appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector tires often wear very slowly, but rubber condition remains the real service-life issue. A lightly driven roadster can therefore need replacement tires long before it looks worn out in the modern sense.

That is especially important on a Sunbeam Alpine because the car is light, responsive, and sensitive to tire condition. A tire that still appears attractive at a glance may already be past the point where it should be trusted for road use. If there is any doubt about age or structural condition, have the tires evaluated by a specialist familiar with vintage and collector applications before the next driving season.

Sunbeam Alpine original-type fitment depends heavily on year. Early 1953-1958 cars fall into the 550-16 bias-ply range, while later 1959-1970 cars use 13-inch fitments including 600-13 and 165R13, with 155R13 and 560-13 also appearing for 1960-1962. The available series show both classic bias-ply and radial approaches rather than one single tire type across the full production run.

For restoration work, that means there is no one-size answer for every Sunbeam Alpine. The best practice is to begin with the model year, confirm the wheel diameter actually on the car, and then compare your target tire against period factory literature or marque-club references for that specific version. That extra step matters most in the overlap years where multiple 13-inch sizes appear.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Sunbeam Alpine is viewed in restoration, concours, and enthusiast circles. Wheel diameter, tire construction, sidewall style, and overall stance all influence whether the car presents as accurately restored or loosely interpreted. On a sports car with modest proportions, the wrong tire profile or sidewall treatment can visibly change the character of the finished car.

For an owner concerned with value or judging, the smart move is to match the Sunbeam Alpine's tires to the era and purpose of the restoration. Early 16-inch bias-ply fitment and later 13-inch bias-ply or radial fitment each tell a different story, and judges or marque specialists will usually notice the difference. Marque clubs and period photography are often the best arbiters when the goal is authenticity.

Sunbeam Alpine restoration choices here include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on size. Blackwall is available in the early 550-16 and the later radial 13-inch sizes, while the later 560-13 and 600-13 bias-ply offerings include narrow and wide whitewall options. That means the sidewall decision is tied closely to both the period look and the exact size selected.

A conservative restoration usually starts by deciding whether the Sunbeam Alpine is being presented as a restrained sports car or with a more stylized period accessory look. Whitewalls can be appropriate within the listed bias-ply offerings, but they create a noticeably different presentation from blackwalls. Before finalizing the cosmetic choice, make sure the sidewall style exists in the exact size and construction that belongs on your car.

A Sunbeam Alpine can be driven on public roads when the tires are the correct size for the wheel, are in sound condition, and are installed as a matched set appropriate to the car's configuration. The listed options include both bias-ply and radial construction, so safe road use starts with choosing the right family for the specific wheel diameter and setup. Condition matters just as much as size on a collector car.

For practical road use, a Sunbeam Alpine should be treated like any vintage sports car: inspect the tires carefully, keep pressures correct, and avoid assuming that good tread means good serviceability. A properly selected radial or bias-ply set can both be usable, but the car should not be driven hard on aged, mismatched, or damaged tires. Road safety begins in the garage, not after the car is already moving.

Before driving a Sunbeam Alpine, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the basic security of the wheel and tire assembly. If the car runs bias-ply tires, include a close look for flat-spotting after storage and confirm that any tube-type setup is holding air properly. On a later radial-equipped car, pay attention to any sign of age cracking or uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues.

A short pre-drive walkaround is especially worthwhile on a collector Sunbeam Alpine because the car may spend long periods parked between outings. Any pull, vibration, or steering change in the first miles should be treated as a reason to stop and recheck the tires rather than pressing on. Vintage roadsters reward caution, and small tire issues are easier to solve in the garage than on the roadside.

A Sunbeam Alpine on period-style tires should be driven at speeds appropriate to the tire construction, age, and overall mechanical condition of the car, rather than to modern traffic assumptions. Early 550-16 and later 560-13 or 600-13 bias-ply tires deliver a different feel from the radial 155R13 and 165R13 options, especially in tracking, braking response, and heat buildup over distance. The tire's real condition is often the deciding factor.

For a collector Sunbeam Alpine, moderation is usually the wisest approach unless the tires are known to be fresh, correctly fitted, and thoroughly inspected. Bias-ply-equipped cars especially benefit from smooth inputs and conservative cruising habits, while later radial-equipped cars may feel more relaxed without changing the need for caution. Drive within the limits of the car, the tires, and the road rather than within the limits of the speedometer.