1952 AC Typen Tires

The 1952 AC Typen uses two primary tire sizes: 185R16 in radial construction and 670-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with the car and both use a 16-inch rim, so the main fitment distinction is the type of tire rather than the wheel diameter.

Choosing between them depends on how the car is set up and what kind of driving or presentation is intended. A car kept closer to a traditional vintage setup may stay with 670-16 bias-ply, while a car using radial tires may use 185R16. Wheel width, suspension condition, and clearance should still be confirmed before final selection.

The 1952 AC Typen uses a 16-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 185R16 radial fitment and the 670-16 bias-ply fitment, so the diameter itself remains consistent even though the tire constructions differ.

Rim diameter is only one part of correct fitment on a collector car. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing radial and bias-ply options, because the available tires do not all share the same width range. Any car with replacement wheels should have both diameter and width checked before tires are chosen.

The 1952 AC Typen 2-Liter uses the same two primary fitments associated with this model: 185R16 in radial form and 670-16 in bias-ply form. There is no separate tire-size split shown for the 2-Liter within this covered fitment group.

That means the real question is not sub-model variation but which construction suits the car's current setup and intended use. Owners should confirm whether the wheels and chassis are being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or prepared for radial use, then compare the selected tire's wheel-width requirements and general clearance before mounting.

670-16 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1952 AC Typen. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment on this car and keeps the traditional sizing style and construction associated with many early-1950s applications.

That matters because a bias-ply setup and a radial setup are not simply the same tire in different materials. The AC Typen also uses a 16-inch radial option in 185R16, so the owner should decide whether preserving a more period-style feel and appearance is the priority or whether the car is already arranged around radial use and wheel-width compatibility.

Either construction can be appropriate for a 1952 AC Typen because both 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial fitments are used on this model. The better choice depends on whether the goal is a more traditional presentation with bias-ply construction or a radial setup using the later-style metric size.

A restoration-oriented car often leads buyers toward the bias-ply size, while a road-driven car may lead them to evaluate the radial option. The decision should not be made by size code alone. Wheel width, clearance around suspension and fenders, and the car's current setup all deserve a close check before changing construction.

The first items to check are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the exact radial size being considered. On the 1952 AC Typen, 185R16 is the radial fitment and it shares the 16-inch rim diameter with 670-16, but that does not remove the need to verify wheel suitability and vehicle clearance.

The next step is looking closely at the car as it sits today. Steering clearance, fender space, suspension condition, and any non-original wheels should all be reviewed before switching constructions. On a lightly used collector car, it is also smart to inspect the wheels themselves for age, damage, and proper seating surfaces before installation.

A 670-16 choice for the 1952 AC Typen starts with confirming that the car is staying with its bias-ply fitment. From there, useful comparisons include brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, rim-width compatibility, and product characteristics such as stated load figures and tire weight where those details are available.

This size is less about choosing between many sidewall treatments and more about selecting the right traditional-style tire for the car's intended use. Firestone and Avon both offer 670-16 options, so the buyer should compare the individual product specs carefully and make sure the wheel width and overall setup support the specific tire being considered.

The 1952 AC Typen has tire options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone. Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein appear in the 185R16 radial size, while Firestone and Avon appear in the 670-16 bias-ply size, giving buyers brand choice across both construction types.

Brand alone should not decide the fitment. It is more useful to start with the correct size and construction, then compare the available tire series within that group. On this car, that means deciding first between radial and bias-ply, then looking at each brand's tire series, blackwall presentation, and wheel-width requirements.

Available tire series for the 1952 AC Typen include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Turbospeed Mk4. Those series are spread across the car's two primary fitments, with the first three in 185R16 radial form and the latter two in 670-16 bias-ply form.

That variety matters because the AC Typen buyer is not choosing from one uniform group of tires. Some series are aimed at a classic radial presentation, while others keep a more traditional bias-ply approach. Once the proper construction is decided, comparing tire series helps narrow the choice to one that suits the car's visual character and wheel setup.

For a period-style 1952 AC Typen, the 670-16 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional numeric sizing format and vintage construction associated with the car's era. That makes it especially relevant for owners who want a more historically appropriate overall presentation.

The final choice still depends on how strictly the car is being restored and how it will be driven. A 185R16 radial may still suit a classic road car, but buyers focused on appearance usually begin with the bias-ply size. When exact originality matters, marque-specific documentation and restoration records are worth consulting before settling on brand details.

Tire construction changes more than the driving setup on a restored 1952 AC Typen; it also changes the car's visual character. A 670-16 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional early-1950s presentation, while a 185R16 radial introduces a later-style metric tire format even though it keeps the same 16-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction becomes important on a carefully restored car, where tire shape and overall stance contribute heavily to the finished look. Since the available products here are blackwall tires, the main appearance decision is really bias-ply versus radial. Buyers trying to preserve a distinctly vintage impression usually evaluate construction first, then compare the individual tire series.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1952 AC Typen even when the nominal tire size is correct. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all change how a 185R16 or 670-16 tire sits and clears the car.

That is why an older vehicle should be checked as it actually exists today, not only by year and model. A car with aftermarket wheels may need closer attention to wheel width and bead-seat condition, while a lowered or otherwise altered chassis may need extra steering and fender-clearance checks before the final tire choice is made.

Before driving a 1952 AC Typen on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and overall mounting condition first. Then check tire pressure, visible seating on the rim, and basic clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension so the car is not put back on the road with an obvious fitment issue.

A collector car also deserves a broader walk-around before its first drive. Look for uneven ride height, worn suspension parts, brake pull, or signs that the car has been sitting for a long time. After a short initial drive, recheck air pressure and inspect the tires again to make sure the installation is settling in normally.

Tires on a collector 1952 AC Typen should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is using 670-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radials, the owner should watch for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, especially on a vehicle that is driven infrequently.

Long periods of storage can be harder on classic-car tires than moderate use. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and periodic movement can help avoid flat spotting from long static storage. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be inspected before continued road use.