The 1947 AC Saloon comes from an immediate postwar period when British cars balanced traditional coachbuilt character with practical road use. For collectors today, that makes tire choice part of the car’s overall presentation as much as its drivability. This AC Saloon uses a 550-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping the fitment rooted in the sizing and construction style of its era. Available choices include Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall treatments in BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The real decision is whether the goal is a restrained touring look or a more restoration-oriented whitewall appearance while staying with the proper size and construction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 AC Saloon
The 1947 AC Saloon uses one primary tire size: 550-17, a bias-ply fitment for a 17-inch rim. The covered sub-model shares that same size, so the main choice is not between different fitments but between sidewall appearance and the kind of period-style presentation you want while keeping the original construction type.
A 550-17 tire uses a vintage numeric bias-ply size code in which 550 refers to an approximate 5.50-inch nominal section width and 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1947 AC Saloon, that construction matches the traditional tire type associated with the car’s period and keeps the overall look in step with a postwar saloon. Within this size, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options include Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall versions. That makes 550-17 the size to evaluate when balancing authentic-looking proportions with the sidewall style that best suits the car’s restoration direction.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1947 AC Saloon. The covered 2-Liter version uses the same primary tire size, so tire selection comes down to choosing the right period-style bias-ply option and confirming the car still carries its correct 17-inch wheel setup.
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1947 AC Saloon 2-Liter
The 1947 AC Saloon 2-Liter uses the 550-17 bias-ply size on a 17-inch rim, keeping fitment simple for owners of this specific version. Selection is mainly about appearance and presentation, with Blackwall and whitewall variations offering different restoration-oriented looks within the same vintage tire format.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1947 AC Saloon Tires for Sale
Available 550-17 choices center on BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, with Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall sidewall treatments. Since all options stay within the same size and construction, the most meaningful comparison in the product grid is visual style.
Owners researching 1947 AC Saloon tires usually need clarity on the 550-17 fitment, 17-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, and which sidewall style best suits the car’s intended appearance and road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 AC Saloon?
The 1947 AC Saloon uses a 550-17 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment used on a 17-inch rim, and it is the primary tire size for the vehicle covered here, including the 2-Liter sub-model.
That means the key decision is not sorting through multiple primary sizes, but choosing the right 550-17 tire for the car’s appearance and intended use. Before purchasing, confirm that the wheels on the car are still 17-inch rims and that no previous owner changed the wheel setup during restoration or long-term ownership.
What size rim does a 1947 AC Saloon use?
The 1947 AC Saloon uses a 17-inch rim with its 550-17 tire size. That rim diameter is central to the fitment, because the final number in the tire size identifies the wheel diameter the tire is designed to mount on.
A correct tire choice starts with confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially on collector vehicles that may have had wheels changed over time. Measuring the existing wheel and checking its overall condition helps prevent buying the correct tire size for the wrong wheel setup.
Does the 1947 AC Saloon 2-Liter use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1947 AC Saloon 2-Liter uses the same 550-17 bias-ply tire size as the covered model line. That keeps sub-model fitment straightforward and avoids the need to sort between different primary tire sizes within this application.
Even with shared size fitment, owners should still verify the actual wheels on the individual car before selecting tires. A long-restored or modified vehicle may no longer carry its original wheel setup, and that can affect mounting, clearance, and the overall appearance the finished tire selection will create.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1947 AC Saloon?
Start with the essentials: the correct 550-17 size, bias-ply construction, and a 17-inch rim. Since the available choices stay within the same basic fitment, selection is mostly about the tire’s visual character and how that complements the AC Saloon’s restoration style.
Blackwall gives a restrained, traditional look, while Double-Whitewall and Wide Whitewall create a more formal presentation. It also helps to inspect the car’s wheel condition, current clearances, and intended use before deciding, especially if the Saloon is driven regularly rather than displayed or used only occasionally.
What sidewall styles are available for 1947 AC Saloon tires?
The 1947 AC Saloon’s 550-17 tire options include Blackwall, Double-Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall styles. All three are offered within the same bias-ply size, so the sidewall treatment changes the appearance more than the core fitment.
That makes sidewall choice a styling decision tied closely to the car’s restoration direction. A Blackwall tends to look understated, while whitewall treatments create a more formal period-style presentation. Matching the sidewall style to the car’s trim, paint, and overall finish usually leads to a more cohesive result.
What tire series are available for the 1947 AC Saloon?
The available 550-17 fitment for the 1947 AC Saloon appears in BFGoodrich’s Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. That keeps the selection focused within one vintage-style series rather than splitting choices across several unrelated constructions or profiles.
Because the series remains consistent, comparison shifts toward sidewall style and how the finished tire will look on the car. Owners should still review the tire’s size, construction, and wheel compatibility carefully so the final selection supports both the saloon’s appearance and its practical road setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 AC Saloon?
A period-style 1947 AC Saloon starts with the correct 550-17 bias-ply format. Staying with that size and construction preserves the traditional profile and visual character expected on a postwar saloon of this type, even before sidewall styling enters the decision.
From there, the choice becomes one of presentation. Blackwall suits a restrained look, while Double-Whitewall or Wide Whitewall can create a more formal restoration-oriented appearance. If exact historical authenticity matters beyond general period style, marque references and vehicle-specific history should guide the final visual details.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 AC Saloon?
Tire construction matters because the 1947 AC Saloon’s primary fitment is a 550-17 bias-ply tire, and that construction carries the vintage proportions and sidewall character associated with the era. On a restored car, construction influences the vehicle’s stance and overall visual impression.
Keeping the proper bias-ply format helps the finished car look cohesive, especially when paired with an appropriate sidewall treatment. Appearance is only one part of the decision, though, so wheel condition and intended driving use should still be considered before finalizing the tire that best matches the restoration plan.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 AC Saloon?
Yes. A 1947 AC Saloon may use the correct 550-17 tire size on paper, but fitment can still change if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension work, brake conversions, or body repairs that affect clearance around the tire.
That is why the actual car should be inspected before replacing tires, especially on a collector vehicle with an unknown restoration history. Checking wheel diameter, wheel condition, steering travel, and fender clearance helps confirm that the intended tire will suit the vehicle’s current setup rather than an earlier configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 AC Saloon on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that the 550-17 tires are seated properly on the 17-inch rims. It is also wise to check basic mechanical items that affect tire behavior, including steering response, brake function, and suspension condition.
A collector car deserves a careful walk-around after installation. Look for sidewall contact, uneven stance, air loss, or any sign that the wheel and tire combination is not settling correctly. A short local drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible step before longer use.
How should 550-17 tires on a collector 1947 AC Saloon be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even when the car is driven only occasionally. On a 1947 AC Saloon, that means checking the 550-17 tires for air loss, tread wear, cuts, sidewall cracking, bulges, and signs of age that may appear long before the tire wears out.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber over time. Periodic pressure checks and routine visual inspection before each drive are especially important on low-use vehicles that may sit for extended periods.
