The 1955 Alvis TA 21 sits in the refined postwar British touring tradition, blending coachbuilt character with the kind of road manners that make tire choice especially important to the way the car looks and feels. On this model, 15-inch fitment centers on either a 600-15 bias-ply tire or a 175R15 radial, so the decision is not just size but construction. That opens the door to a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial approach in a compatible 15-inch format. For a restoration-minded owner, the right choice comes down to appearance goals, wheel compatibility, and how the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Alvis TA 21
The 1955 Alvis TA 21 uses two primary tire sizes, both on 15-inch rims: 600-15 in bias-ply construction and 175R15 in radial construction. Since the Base sub-model can use either size, the key decision is not identifying a different trim fitment but choosing the construction and tire style that best match the car's appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
175R15 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1955 Alvis TA 21, this size represents a radial fitment path for owners who want a more modern sizing convention while staying with a 15-inch wheel. It differs in character from the traditional 600-15 bias-ply size rather than simply duplicating it. This size is worth evaluating when the car is already set up for radial use or when a radial-style driving feel is part of the goal.
600-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 600 representing an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and 15 indicating a 15-inch rim. For the 1955 Alvis TA 21, it preserves the traditional bias-ply sizing format associated with many mid-century cars and is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form. Buyers can choose between Blackwall and 2.625 inch Wide Whitewall sidewall treatments within this size. It is the size to focus on when period-style appearance and classic bias-ply presentation matter more than moving to a radial alternative.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1955 Alvis TA 21 Base can use both the 175R15 radial and the 600-15 bias-ply size. That makes construction choice the real issue, with wheel setup and intended use carrying more weight than trim-level differences.
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1955 Alvis TA 21 Base
The 1955 Alvis TA 21 Base uses either a 175R15 radial or a 600-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. Selection comes down to whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up around radial construction and its corresponding fitment checks.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1955 Alvis TA 21
For the original 600-15 size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 165R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P165/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P175/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. These choices move from a traditional Euro-metric radial format to lower-profile P-metric options rather than offering the same presentation as a bias-ply tire. A 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range applies, and wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before converting.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-15)
P165/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-15)
P175/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 Alvis TA 21 Tires for Sale
Current 600-15 choices for the 1955 Alvis TA 21 center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires, with both Blackwall and 2.625 inch Wide Whitewall sidewall treatments. That gives the buyer a clear appearance choice within the same traditional bias-ply size.
These 1955 Alvis TA 21 tire FAQs focus on the two 15-inch fitment paths, how 600-15 compares with 175R15, what radial equivalents exist, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Alvis back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Alvis TA 21?
The 1955 Alvis TA 21 uses two primary tire sizes on 15-inch rims: 600-15 in bias-ply construction and 175R15 in radial construction. The covered Base sub-model can use either fitment, so this is one of those cases where construction choice matters as much as the size itself.
That means the next step is confirming how the car is currently equipped rather than assuming one size automatically replaces the other. Check the wheel width, the tire construction already on the car, and the visual result you want before choosing between a traditional 600-15 bias-ply tire and a 175R15 radial setup.
What size rim does a 1955 Alvis TA 21 use?
The 1955 Alvis TA 21 uses a 15-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies to the 600-15 bias-ply fitment and the 175R15 radial fitment, so rim diameter does not change between the two size paths.
Rim diameter is only part of the equation, though, especially on a collector car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. Measure the actual wheel on the car and confirm its width before selecting tires, particularly if you are considering a radial alternative to a traditional bias-ply setup.
What does 600-15 mean on a 1955 Alvis TA 21?
On a 1955 Alvis TA 21, 600-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches, with the dash format reflecting an older bias-ply sizing system rather than a modern metric radial designation.
That older size format is useful to understand because it points you toward tires with a more traditional appearance and construction. If the goal is to keep the car visually in period style, 600-15 is the right place to start; if a radial alternative is under consideration, compare the wheel width and vehicle clearance first.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 600-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1955 Alvis TA 21?
For the 1955 Alvis TA 21, 600-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, including Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions that suit a traditional mid-1950s presentation.
That makes 600-15 the construction to consider when keeping the car closer to its period tire character. A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be treated as a different fitment path, with attention paid to wheel width, overall dimensions, and the look you want the Alvis to carry.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 600-15?
Radial equivalents for 600-15 include 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1955 Alvis TA 21 several radial-format alternatives tied to the original bias-ply size.
Each option stays with a 15-inch rim, but the sizing conventions and profile families differ, so they should not be treated as automatic substitutions. A 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and the car should be checked for wheel compatibility and running clearance before making the change.
What should I check before converting my 1955 Alvis TA 21 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the present bias-ply setup. For a 600-15-based conversion on the 1955 Alvis TA 21, the available radial equivalents are 165R15, P165/75R15, and P175/70R15, with a 4-5 inch recommended rim-width range.
The practical checks are clearance, suspension condition, and whether the car still has its original-style wheels or has been modified over time. A collector car that has sat for long periods also deserves a close inspection of steering response, ride height, and body clearance before being driven regularly on a different tire construction.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-15 tire for a 1955 Alvis TA 21?
Choosing a 600-15 tire for a 1955 Alvis TA 21 starts with confirming that the car is staying with the bias-ply fitment path. Within that size, the main distinctions are sidewall style, rim-width specification, tire weight, and whether the appearance should lean more understated with a Blackwall or more formal with a Wide Whitewall.
The two available BFGoodrich options share the same Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series but differ in presentation and rim-width range. Matching the tire to the wheel already on the car is just as important as choosing the sidewall look, especially on a restoration-minded British touring car where visual balance matters.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Alvis TA 21 tires?
For the 1955 Alvis TA 21 in 600-15 bias-ply form, the available sidewall styles are Blackwall and 2.625 inch Wide Whitewall. Both are offered within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, so the decision is mainly about appearance rather than changing the core size itself.
Blackwall gives the car a simpler, more restrained presentation, while a Wide Whitewall adds a stronger period-style visual statement. Since neither sidewall treatment changes the need to match the tire to the correct wheel, verify the wheel width first and then choose the look that best fits the Alvis's restoration direction.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Alvis TA 21?
BFGoodrich is the available brand for the 1955 Alvis TA 21 within the 600-15 bias-ply product selection. Those tires are part of the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series and come in both Blackwall and 2.625 inch Wide Whitewall versions for owners who want a traditional size with an appearance choice.
Because the available products stay within one brand and one bias-ply series, comparison is less about brand shopping and more about configuration. Focus on the sidewall style you want, the wheel width on the car, and whether the Alvis is being kept on the original-style bias-ply path or evaluated for radial alternatives.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Alvis TA 21?
For a period-style 1955 Alvis TA 21, the 600-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional numeric fitment and overall vintage tire character. It is available in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form, which keeps the selection aligned with a mid-1950s presentation.
The final choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what visual statement suits it best. If exact originality matters, compare your tire choice against marque-club guidance or period photographs; if the goal is a restoration-oriented road car, selecting the right sidewall style within 600-15 often carries the biggest visual effect.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Alvis TA 21?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 Alvis TA 21 more than many buyers expect. A 600-15 bias-ply tire carries the older numeric sizing language and a more traditional presentation, while a 175R15 radial introduces a later radial format that can subtly shift the car's overall stance and look.
That does not make one construction universally right and the other wrong; it simply ties the tire choice to the restoration goal. A bias-ply setup usually suits a more period-style appearance, while a radial path may appeal more to owners balancing vintage style with regular road use and a different tire character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Alvis TA 21?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Alvis TA 21 even when the nominal tire size remains within the correct 15-inch family. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body and brake updates can all influence how a 600-15 or 175R15 setup sits and clears.
That is especially important on an older car that may have changed hands many times. Measure the actual wheels on the car, inspect steering and fender clearance at full lock, and confirm that any tire under consideration still works with the vehicle's present configuration rather than assuming it remains stock.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Alvis TA 21 on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Alvis TA 21 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the car's basic steering and suspension health. Then confirm that tire pressures are set correctly for the chosen tires and look for any signs that the wheels or body could create clearance issues once the car is moving.
A collector-era car also deserves a careful road-use check beyond the tires themselves. Watch for uneven ride height, binding in the steering, brake pull, and any contact marks inside the fenders after a short test drive, since those details often reveal setup issues that a parked inspection can miss.
How should 600-15 tires on a collector 1955 Alvis TA 21 be maintained?
600-15 tires on a collector 1955 Alvis TA 21 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently or spends long periods parked between outings.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older touring car. Keeping the Alvis away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, while occasional movement and routine inspection reduce the chance of discovering age-related problems only after the car is back on the road.
