1955 Allard Palm Beach Tires

The 1955 Allard Palm Beach uses two primary tire sizes: 590-15 and 600-15. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims, and the Palm Beach Base is associated with both of them rather than a single exclusive fitment.

The practical question is which size your particular car is set up to use today. Checking the current wheel width, the size of the existing tires, and the available clearance around the fenders and steering components will help determine whether 590-15 or 600-15 is the better match before choosing a brand or sidewall style.

The 1955 Allard Palm Beach uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 590-15 and 600-15. That means either fitment stays within the same wheel diameter family even though the nominal tire width changes slightly between the two sizes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a collector sports car like the Palm Beach. Wheel width still needs to match the tire being considered, especially when comparing 590-15 and 600-15 options or looking at radial equivalents, since the correct 15-inch diameter alone does not settle compatibility.

On a 1955 Allard Palm Beach, 590-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.90 figure refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, while the 15 indicates that the tire is designed for a 15-inch rim.

That older sizing format matters because it reflects the period construction and proportions of the tire, not a modern metric radial system. Anyone replacing 590-15 tires should verify the wheel width, compare the intended appearance to the rest of the build, and check whether the goal is to remain with a traditional bias-ply or consider one of the listed radial-equivalent sizes.

For the 1955 Allard Palm Beach, 590-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the vintage numeric bias-ply system and is one of the two period-style fitments associated with the car, alongside 600-15.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply fitment preserves the original sizing language and traditional look of the tire. Owners considering a switch away from bias-ply should not treat modern radial alternatives as automatic substitutes, since wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance around the car still need to be checked carefully before changing construction.

Both 590-15 and 600-15 share the same radial-equivalent sizes: 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. Those correspond to an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, giving the Palm Beach several modern sizing formats to compare.

Each of those equivalents should be evaluated as an alternative rather than a guaranteed interchange. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is tied to these equivalent options, so the owner should confirm wheel width first, then review tire-to-body clearance and the overall visual effect before moving away from the original bias-ply sizes.

Start by confirming which primary size the car uses now, since the 1955 Allard Palm Beach is associated with both 590-15 and 600-15 bias-ply tires. Then compare the intended radial equivalent size, wheel diameter, and the recommended 4-5 inch rim-width range before making the change.

Collector cars can vary from their original wheel and suspension setup over time, so it helps to inspect the car as it actually sits today. Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the overall stance should all be reviewed so the chosen radial equivalent supports the Palm Beach without creating avoidable fitment issues.

Begin with the actual size the car is set up to use, since the 1955 Allard Palm Beach can take either 590-15 or 600-15. From there, the main factors are bias-ply construction, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the tire's sidewall style matches the appearance you want for the car.

Brand and tire series also help shape the choice. A buyer comparing BFGoodrich and Avon options should look at the correct size first, then review details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, rim-width suitability, and load figures where available so the finished choice fits both the vehicle and the intended use.

The available sidewall styles for 1955 Allard Palm Beach tires are blackwall and wide whitewall. Blackwall appears in both 590-15 and 600-15 offerings, while wide whitewall choices are also available in both primary sizes through BFGoodrich bias-ply products.

That makes sidewall style an appearance decision as much as a fitment decision once the correct size is confirmed. A blackwall usually gives the Palm Beach a more understated sporting look, while a wide whitewall creates a more dressed, restoration-oriented presentation, so the right choice depends on how the car is being finished and shown.

Tires for the 1955 Allard Palm Beach are available from BFGoodrich and Avon in the covered primary sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 590-15 and 600-15 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Avon is available in 590H15 form through the Turbospeed Mk4 series.

Brand choice should be weighed alongside the exact size, construction, and visual style rather than treated as the only decision. Some buyers will focus on whether they want blackwall or wide whitewall, while others may be comparing the feel of a traditional bias-ply sports-car tire against the overall presentation they want on the finished Palm Beach.

A period-style 1955 Allard Palm Beach should start with the original-style bias-ply fitments associated with the car: 590-15 or 600-15 on 15-inch rims. Staying within those vintage numeric sizes preserves the most authentic sizing language and keeps the tire visually in step with the car's mid-1950s character.

The next choice is appearance within that period-style framework. Blackwall and wide whitewall options create noticeably different presentations, so the better match depends on whether the Palm Beach is being restored toward a more restrained sports-car look or a more formal show-oriented finish. Marque-specific historical references are worth consulting if exact originality matters.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1955 Allard Palm Beach because bias-ply tires carry the car's vintage sizing style and traditional profile language. On a low-volume sports car from 1955, that can strongly influence how the car sits and how correct it feels visually at a glance.

A radial equivalent may still be worth considering for road use, but it changes the conversation from strict period presentation to practical adaptation. Owners restoring for display often stay focused on the proper 590-15 or 600-15 bias-ply fitment first, then choose sidewall treatment to complement the car's trim, paint, and intended overall finish.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Allard Palm Beach even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all alter how a 590-15, 600-15, or radial-equivalent tire sits on the car.

That is especially important on specialty cars that may have been updated over the years. A Palm Beach with aftermarket wheels or suspension work should be measured as it currently exists, with attention to lock-to-lock steering clearance and fender space, rather than assuming any correct-diameter tire will behave the same way as the original setup.

Before driving a 1955 Allard Palm Beach on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter and suitable width, then confirm proper mounting and inflation. It also helps to look over the suspension, steering, and brake components so the new tires are not being paired with worn hardware.

A short initial road check is wise on a collector car, especially one that may have spent time off the road. Watch for rubbing, pulling, vibration, unusual heat buildup, or air loss, and recheck pressure after the first drive so any fitment or installation issue is caught early before the Palm Beach is used more regularly.

Tires on a collector 1955 Allard Palm Beach should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 590-15 or 600-15 tires, the owner should monitor tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs that the tire is losing air over time.

Low-mileage collector cars can age tires long before they wear them out, so condition matters as much as tread depth. Keeping the Palm Beach away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while routine inspection before seasonal driving keeps a small storage-related problem from becoming a road-use issue.