1955 Bentley R-Type Tires

A 1955 Bentley R-Type uses either a 185R16 radial or a 650-16 bias-ply tire. Both sizes are associated with the Bentley R-Type Base and both use a 16-inch rim diameter, so the decision is centered more on construction and intended presentation than on wheel diameter alone.

That means the first step is confirming whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or run on a classic radial size. It is also smart to inspect the actual wheels currently on the car, since restored or long-owned collector cars may no longer be wearing the same wheel setup they had years earlier.

The 1955 Bentley R-Type uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. The 185R16 radial and the 650-16 bias-ply are both built for a 16-inch wheel diameter, which keeps rim diameter simple even though the car can be set up with two different tire constructions.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it helps to verify wheel width before choosing among available products. That matters even more on a collector Bentley that may have had replacement wheels, older restoration work, or a long service history that changed the original tire and wheel combination.

The 1955 Bentley R-Type Base is covered by the same two primary size choices used on this model: 185R16 in radial construction and 650-16 in bias-ply construction. Rather than separating by trim, the fitment distinction comes from which tire type the car is set up to use.

That makes the Base model straightforward, but it still pays to confirm what is on the car now before replacing anything. A Bentley wearing older radial tires, replacement wheels, or restoration-era bias-ply tires should be matched carefully so the next set stays consistent with the wheel dimensions and the owner’s appearance goals.

On the 1955 Bentley R-Type, 650-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the vintage numeric bias-ply option associated with the car’s traditional fitment style, while 185R16 is the radial alternative that stays on the same 16-inch wheel diameter.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup. A 650-16 choice is often the path for owners pursuing a more period-style presentation, especially with blackwall or wide whitewall options, while owners considering a change in construction should verify wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body clearance before mixing fitment approaches.

A 1955 Bentley R-Type can be set up with either 650-16 bias-ply tires or 185R16 radial tires. The better choice depends on what matters most to the owner: a more traditional 1950s appearance and feel, or a radial format that aligns with many owners’ road-use preferences on classic touring cars.

Appearance is often the deciding factor, especially because 650-16 opens the door to both blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while 185R16 remains a classic blackwall radial choice. The safest approach is to keep all four tires in the same construction type and confirm that the wheels are appropriate for the construction being used.

A switch from 650-16 bias-ply to 185R16 radial on a 1955 Bentley R-Type starts with confirming that the car’s 16-inch wheels are suitable for the radial tire being considered. It also helps to compare the current tire’s dimensions, wheel width, and how the tire sits in the wheel opening before making the change.

Steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension condition all deserve attention on a car of this age. A Bentley that has seen wheel replacement, brake work, or suspension settling over time may react differently than a freshly restored car, so conversion decisions should be made around the actual vehicle rather than size code alone.

Start with the primary choice between 650-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial, since that determines the tire’s overall character before brand or sidewall style even enters the picture. Both sizes use a 16-inch rim, but they point the car toward different goals in appearance, construction, and product selection.

After the size path is set, compare wheel-width suitability, sidewall style, and the type of driving the car will see. A restoration-oriented Bentley may lean toward a period-style bias-ply look, while a road-going touring car may be better served by a classic radial format that still respects the car’s original size family.

The 1955 Bentley R-Type has both blackwall and wide whitewall choices, but the sidewall variety is concentrated in the 650-16 bias-ply size. The 185R16 radial options are blackwall tires, while the 650-16 selection includes traditional blackwall and several wide whitewall treatments across different bias-ply series.

That makes sidewall style an important part of the buying decision if the car’s visual presentation matters as much as fitment. A blackwall usually gives a restrained touring look, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal mid-century appearance, so the right choice depends on how the Bentley is being restored, displayed, and driven.

The 1955 Bentley R-Type is served by several brands across its two primary tire sizes. Radial options in 185R16 include Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while 650-16 bias-ply choices include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Tornel.

Brand is only one part of the decision, since the available products also vary by sidewall style, tire series, and intended presentation. It helps to narrow the search by size and construction first, then compare the remaining choices based on whether the Bentley is being equipped for preservation-minded appearance, regular touring, or a mix of both.

For a period-style 1955 Bentley R-Type, the 650-16 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional numeric bias-ply format associated with mid-1950s luxury cars. Within that size, the available choices span blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, giving the owner room to match the car’s restoration direction.

A period-style result is not just about construction, since sidewall treatment strongly affects the finished look. Owners chasing exact historical authenticity should compare the tire choice against marque references, older photographs, and restoration records for the specific car, especially if the goal is to recreate a particular delivery or show-era appearance.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 Bentley R-Type more than many buyers expect. A 650-16 bias-ply generally supports a more traditional 1950s presentation, while a 185R16 radial gives the car a later-style radial look even though it stays within the correct 16-inch rim diameter family.

That difference becomes even more noticeable when sidewall style enters the picture, since the bias-ply selection includes both blackwall and wide whitewall options. Owners restoring for formal show presentation often weigh construction and sidewall together, while owners planning regular touring may decide that a radial appearance is an acceptable trade for their intended use.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1955 Bentley R-Type even when the tire size itself looks correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, brake conversions, altered suspension height, or body repairs around the fender openings can all affect how a 650-16 or 185R16 tire sits and clears the car.

A restored Bentley should be checked as it exists today rather than assumed to match its original setup exactly. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then checking steering travel and fender clearance, helps prevent surprises, especially on cars that have been rebuilt over decades or fitted with parts from an earlier restoration.

Before driving a 1955 Bentley R-Type on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction. It also helps to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake condition so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical issues.

Once mounted, verify tire pressure, check for even clearance at full steering lock, and recheck the car after the first short drive. Collector cars that spend long periods parked can reveal wheel, alignment, or suspension issues only after they return to service, so an early follow-up inspection is worth the effort.

Tires on a collector 1955 Bentley R-Type should be checked regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven tread wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Both 650-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial tires benefit from routine pressure checks and periodic inspection because age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage on collector vehicles.

Storage habits make a real difference on a seldom-driven Bentley. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Any tire showing visible deterioration should be evaluated before the car returns to road use.