The 1955 AC Saloon comes from a period when British grand touring and sporting saloon design still leaned on narrow 16-inch tires, elegant proportions, and road manners shaped as much by tire construction as by suspension tuning. For owners of this car today, tire choice is not just a matter of size but of character. The 1955 AC Saloon uses two recognized fitments on 16-inch rims: 670-16 in bias-ply form and 185R16 in radial form. That opens a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply presentation and later-style radial behavior, with blackwall options from brands such as Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. The right selection depends on whether the goal is a more period-style restoration look or a radial setup suited to regular road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 AC Saloon
The 1955 AC Saloon uses two primary tire sizes, both on 16-inch rims, and the choice centers on construction as much as size. The Base sub-model is associated with both 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial fitments, so the first step is deciding whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply format or set up around a radial tire with the appropriate wheel and clearance checks.
185R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R marks radial construction, and 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1955 AC Saloon, this size represents the radial fitment choice and brings the sizing language into a more modern format while staying on the correct 16-inch rim diameter. Available blackwall options include Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across series such as Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car is intended for radial use and wheel width, load needs, and vehicle clearance are being checked carefully.
670-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 670 indicating an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and 16 identifying the rim diameter in inches. For the 1955 AC Saloon, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment and suits owners who want to stay closer to the driving feel and visual stance associated with mid-1950s tire construction. Blackwall offerings include Firestone and Avon in series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Turbospeed Mk4. This size deserves close consideration when period-style appearance matters and the car remains on wheels suited to bias-ply dimensions and rim-width requirements.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the 1955 AC Saloon Base is associated with both recognized tire sizes. What matters most is confirming whether the car is being kept on the bias-ply 670-16 setup or fitted with the radial 185R16 alternative on the same 16-inch rim diameter.
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1955 AC Saloon Base
The 1955 AC Saloon Base can be equipped with either the 670-16 bias-ply size or the 185R16 radial size. That gives the owner a clear construction choice between traditional period-style bias-ply tires and blackwall radial options that should be matched to the wheel, clearance, and intended road use.
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 1955 AC Saloon Tires for Sale
Available 1955 AC Saloon tires cover both radial and bias-ply construction in the correct 16-inch sizes. The product range includes blackwall options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone, with differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility worth comparing before choosing.
Owners researching 1955 AC Saloon tires usually need to sort out size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial construction, and the visual goals of the car. The questions below focus on those exact choices, along with road-use checks for a collector-era vehicle.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 AC Saloon?
The 1955 AC Saloon is associated with two tire sizes: 670-16 in bias-ply construction and 185R16 in radial construction. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim diameter, so the main fitment decision is not wheel diameter but which construction format matches the car’s current setup and the owner’s intended use.
That means a buyer should start by confirming whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or has been set up around radial tires. Even with the same rim diameter, wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance still need to be checked before making a final choice.
What size rim does a 1955 AC Saloon use?
The recognized tire fitments for a 1955 AC Saloon both use a 16-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 670-16 bias-ply size and the 185R16 radial size, so any tire choice for this car starts with confirming that the wheels on the vehicle are in fact 16-inch rims.
Rim diameter alone does not settle the full fitment question, especially on an older car that may have seen wheel changes over time. Wheel width is also important, and it is wise to compare the tire’s rim-width range and inspect fender and steering clearance before mounting a different construction type.
Does the 1955 AC Saloon Base use the same tire size?
The 1955 AC Saloon Base is associated with both of the recognized tire sizes for this model: 670-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial. Rather than pointing to a separate sub-model-only size, the Base version shares the same core fitment choices used for the 1955 AC Saloon covered here.
That simplifies sub-model identification, but it still leaves an important decision about construction. A buyer should verify which type is already on the car, confirm the wheel dimensions, and decide whether the goal is a more traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial setup for regular driving.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1955 AC Saloon tire?
Start with the correct size and construction for the car’s setup: 670-16 if the AC Saloon is staying with bias-ply tires, or 185R16 if it is using a radial fitment. Both choices share a 16-inch rim diameter, but they differ in sizing format, appearance, and how they relate to wheel-width specifications.
After that, compare practical details such as rim-width range, load figures where shown, tire series, and intended use. A restoration-minded owner may lean toward the traditional look of a bias-ply tire, while a road-use buyer may focus more on selecting among the available radial blackwall options.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 AC Saloon?
The 1955 AC Saloon has tire options from Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Firestone across its applicable 16-inch sizes. Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein appear in the 185R16 radial fitment, while Firestone and Avon are available in the 670-16 bias-ply fitment.
Brand choice matters most after the correct size and construction have been settled. From there, compare each option by tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and whether the overall character of the tire suits a more traditional restoration approach or a driver-oriented radial setup.
What tire series are available for the 1955 AC Saloon?
The available tire series for a 1955 AC Saloon include Michelin X Radial, Turbosteel CR6D, Sprint Classic, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Turbospeed Mk4. Those series are spread across the car’s two recognized fitments, with radial choices in 185R16 and bias-ply choices in 670-16.
Series names help separate one product from another when the size itself is already settled. They are most useful when comparing the overall character of the tire, the construction type, and the kind of appearance the car should have once mounted on its 16-inch wheels.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 AC Saloon?
For a period-style 1955 AC Saloon, the 670-16 bias-ply fitment is the most natural starting point because it preserves the traditional sizing format and construction associated with mid-1950s motoring. Firestone and Avon both offer blackwall bias-ply choices in that size for owners focused on a more authentic visual presentation.
That does not automatically make one tire historically exact for every car, especially when restoration standards vary. If originality is critical, compare the tire choice against marque references and the car’s existing wheel setup, then decide how closely the finished appearance should follow a traditional bias-ply look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 AC Saloon?
Tire construction has a noticeable effect on how a restored 1955 AC Saloon presents. A 670-16 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional visual character, while an 185R16 radial keeps the 16-inch fitment but introduces a later-style sizing format and a different overall impression.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but it matters on a collector car with narrow 1950s proportions. Choosing between bias-ply and radial usually comes down to whether the restoration emphasizes period-style presentation, regular road use, or a balance between visual authenticity and modern radial availability.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 AC Saloon?
Yes. Even though the recognized tire sizes for a 1955 AC Saloon use the same 16-inch rim diameter, modifications can still change what works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body and fender work can all affect clearance and overall fitment.
That is especially important when moving between the 670-16 bias-ply size and the 185R16 radial size. A modified car should be measured at the wheel, steering, and fender openings before a new set is chosen, rather than assuming any correct-diameter tire will suit the current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 AC Saloon on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 AC Saloon on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that the tire size matches the intended setup, and check for proper mounting and inflation. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake system on a collector-era car.
A short clearance check is just as important once the tires are mounted. Turn the steering from lock to lock, watch for fender or suspension interference, and monitor the tires for any unusual air loss or rubbing during the first few drives as the car settles onto the new set.
How should tires on a collector 1955 AC Saloon be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1955 AC Saloon should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, flat spotting, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older enthusiast car. Keeping the AC Saloon away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and a quick inspection before each outing is a smart habit whether the car runs bias-ply or radial tires.
