The 1948 AC Saloon comes from a British postwar period when coachbuilt character, upright proportions, and smooth touring manners still shaped the driving experience. Buyers drawn to these cars today usually care as much about proper stance and traditional appearance as they do about simple road readiness. This model uses a 550-17 bias-ply tire on a 17-inch rim, keeping tire selection centered on authentic construction and proportion. Available choices include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations within the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. For a restoration-minded owner, the key is matching the car's visual character while confirming the wheel setup remains true to the original fitment pattern.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1948 AC Saloon
The 1948 AC Saloon uses one primary tire size: 550-17. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 17-inch rim, and the covered 2-Liter sub-model uses that same size. That keeps the fitment question straightforward, so the real decision becomes choosing the right sidewall appearance within the correct size and making sure the car still has the proper wheel setup before installation.
In the 550-17 size, the 550 designation refers to a nominal section width of about 5.50 inches, while 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a traditional bias-ply tire size, which suits the period character and driving feel expected of a late-1940s saloon. Within this size, BFGoodrich offers the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives an owner room to choose a more understated touring look or a more formal restoration-oriented presentation without stepping away from the correct primary size.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1948 AC Saloon sub-models because the same primary size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car has not been fitted with different wheels during restoration or later ownership.
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1948 AC Saloon 2-Liter
The 1948 AC Saloon 2-Liter uses the same 550-17 bias-ply fitment as the model line covered here. That keeps selection focused on sidewall style and overall presentation, with wheel-condition and rim-diameter confirmation remaining important before putting the car back on the road.
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 1948 AC Saloon Tires for Sale
Available 550-17 choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. That makes the product comparison less about changing size and more about choosing the appearance that best suits the car's restoration style.
These FAQs for the 1948 AC Saloon focus on 550-17 fitment, 17-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, period-style sidewall choices, and the inspections worth making before road use in a collector-era car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1948 AC Saloon?
The 1948 AC Saloon uses a 550-17 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size fitted to a 17-inch rim, which makes it a traditional postwar fitment rather than a modern metric radial size.
That simplicity helps, but the car should still be checked carefully before replacing tires. A long-restored or modified vehicle may have different wheels than expected, so confirming the actual rim diameter and overall wheel condition is just as important as ordering the correct size code.
What size rim does a 1948 AC Saloon use?
The 1948 AC Saloon uses a 17-inch rim with its 550-17 tire fitment. In this size designation, the final number refers to the wheel diameter, so the tire and rim must both be 17 inches.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify on an older collector car, especially if the vehicle has changed hands several times or has been restored in stages. Measuring the wheel and checking its condition can prevent ordering the right tire size for the wrong wheel setup.
Does the 1948 AC Saloon 2-Liter use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1948 AC Saloon 2-Liter uses the same 550-17 bias-ply tire size as the model line here, so tire selection does not change between that sub-model and the core fitment.
Even when the size stays the same, there can still be meaningful buying choices within that fitment. Sidewall treatment, overall restoration appearance, and the condition of the existing wheels all deserve attention before mounting new tires on a low-production collector-era car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-17 tire for a 1948 AC Saloon?
Start with the correct primary size and construction: 550-17 in bias-ply form. From there, the main choice is how the tire should look on the car, since this size is available in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall versions within the same general series.
A restoration-oriented car may call for a different visual treatment than a driver with a more understated presentation. Wheel condition, rim diameter, and the car's intended use should guide the final decision, especially when an older saloon has seen wheel changes or mixed restoration work over the years.
What sidewall styles are available for 1948 AC Saloon tires?
For the 1948 AC Saloon's 550-17 fitment, available sidewall styles include blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall. Each keeps the same basic size and bias-ply construction while changing the visual effect of the tire on the car.
Blackwall gives the most restrained look, while the whitewall choices create a more formal period-style presentation. The right choice depends on how the car is finished and how closely the owner wants the tire appearance to support the overall restoration theme.
What brands offer tires for the 1948 AC Saloon?
The available 550-17 tires for the 1948 AC Saloon are offered by BFGoodrich. These options are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line and keep the fitment focused on traditional construction rather than modern reinterpretation.
Since the brand choice is narrow in this fitment, comparison shifts toward sidewall style and the look the tire gives the car. That can matter as much as the size itself on a collector saloon, particularly when the goal is a balanced, period-appropriate stance.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1948 AC Saloon?
A period-style 1948 AC Saloon should begin with the proper primary fitment, which is a 550-17 bias-ply tire. Staying with the original-style construction helps preserve the car's visual proportions and traditional tire profile in a way that suits a postwar saloon.
From there, the appearance decision comes down to sidewall treatment rather than size. Blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall options create different impressions, so owners concerned with exact historical presentation should compare the car against marque references, photographs, or restoration records before choosing.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1948 AC Saloon?
Tire construction affects both profile and visual character on a restored 1948 AC Saloon. A 550-17 bias-ply maintains the traditional look associated with this car's era, including the shape and stance many owners expect on a late-1940s touring saloon.
That matters because tire appearance can change the whole impression of the vehicle, even when the wheel diameter remains the same. Owners restoring for shows, preservation, or historically minded touring usually pay close attention to construction style as well as whitewall or blackwall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1948 AC Saloon?
Yes. A 1948 AC Saloon may have had wheel changes, suspension work, or other alterations over time, and any of those can affect how a 550-17 tire sits on the car even when the original fitment is known.
An owner should confirm the actual wheel diameter and inspect clearances before mounting new tires, particularly around the fenders and steering range. Older collector cars often carry decades of repairs and parts substitutions, so a quick visual check is not always enough.
What should I inspect before driving a 1948 AC Saloon on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then check that the tires are seated properly and inflated evenly. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components on a 1948 AC Saloon that may have spent long periods in storage.
A short test drive should be paired with another inspection for air loss, rubbing, or unusual behavior. Collector vehicles often reveal small issues only after the tires have been loaded and turned through normal steering movement, so an early recheck is worthwhile.
How should 550-17 tires on a collector 1948 AC Saloon be maintained?
550-17 tires on a collector 1948 AC Saloon should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Even when tread wear is minimal, a low-use collector car can develop age-related issues such as cracking, flat spotting, or gradual air loss.
Parking away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the sidewalls and tread before every outing, since a lightly driven historic car often ages its tires long before it wears them out.
