1955 BMW 501 Tires

A 1955 BMW 501 can use 550-16, 640-15, or 185R15, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. The 501 A & B uses 550-16 bias-ply, while the 501 Base is associated with 640-15 bias-ply and 185R15 radial fitments.

The practical decision starts with identifying the sub-model, then confirming whether the car has 16-inch or 15-inch wheels. Since this model range spans both bias-ply and radial construction, it is important to match the tire to the actual wheel diameter and current setup rather than assuming every 1955 BMW 501 uses the same size.

The 1955 BMW 501 uses either a 16-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the tire size and sub-model. The 550-16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, while both 640-15 and 185R15 use 15-inch rims.

Rim diameter is one of the most important checks on this car because the model range does not stay with a single wheel size. A buyer looking at replacement tires should confirm the wheels actually on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified, since a 15-inch tire and a 16-inch tire are not cross-compatible.

No, the 1955 BMW 501 sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The 501 A & B uses 550-16 bias-ply, while the 501 Base is associated with 640-15 bias-ply and 185R15 radial fitments on 15-inch wheels.

That difference matters because a tire search for a 1955 BMW 501 can easily turn up sizes that belong to another version of the car. Matching the sub-model first helps narrow the decision to the correct wheel diameter and construction, which is especially useful when comparing a traditional restoration-oriented look against a more road-focused radial setup.

640-15 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1955 BMW 501 Base. It is the traditional 15-inch numeric bias-ply fitment, distinct from the 185R15 radial size that is also associated with the Base sub-model.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire affects both the car’s appearance and the kind of replacement options available. If the goal is to keep a period-style presentation, 640-15 keeps the selection in vintage-style construction; if a radial is being considered instead, wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should be checked before moving away from the original bias-ply format.

Radial equivalents for 640-15 include 175R15, P175/75R15, and P185/70R15. Those represent an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1955 BMW 501 Base several different radial sizing formats to compare.

A 5-6 inch rim-width range is associated with those radial equivalents, so the wheel should be measured before choosing among them. It also helps to compare the car’s current tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance, since an equivalent size is a useful alternative reference point but not something that should be treated as automatically interchangeable.

Start by confirming the exact bias-ply size on the car and whether the wheel diameter is 15 inches or 16 inches. On a 1955 BMW 501, that matters because the model range uses more than one primary fitment, and only the 640-15 size has stated radial equivalents.

Wheel width should be checked along with tire clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering range. It also makes sense to inspect the overall condition of the chassis and steering before changing construction, since a car set up around an older tire style may respond differently once a radial alternative is installed.

The first consideration is whether the car is a 1955 BMW 501 Base with the 15-inch bias-ply setup that uses 640-15. After that, the meaningful differences are sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width specification, and details such as load capacity where those values are given.

640-15 is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, so the visual goal can be very different from one tire to another. Choosing well means balancing appearance with wheel compatibility and intended road use, rather than treating every tire in the size as the same simply because the sidewall carries the same basic code.

1955 BMW 501 tire choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and redline sidewall styles, depending on the size selected. The 550-16 and 640-15 bias-ply selections lean toward blackwall and whitewall treatments, while the 185R15 radial range adds redline and narrow whitewall options.

Sidewall style can change the character of the car almost as much as the tire construction itself. A buyer trying to preserve a more formal mid-1950s look may lean toward whitewall bias-ply options, while someone using a 15-inch radial setup may compare blackwall, redline, or narrow whitewall choices to suit the car’s existing presentation.

Tires for the 1955 BMW 501 are available from Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Coker Classic, Michelin, and Universal Vintage Tire. Brand choice depends on the exact size, since the 16-inch bias-ply, 15-inch bias-ply, and 15-inch radial fitments do not all share the same product mix.

The best way to use brand information here is as part of a broader comparison rather than a shortcut. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare each brand’s available tire series, sidewall treatments, rim-width specifications, and other visible product details so the final choice matches both the car’s setup and the owner’s intended appearance.

A period-style 1955 BMW 501 usually starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then stays within the bias-ply fitment if the goal is a traditional presentation. That means 550-16 for the 501 A & B, or 640-15 for a Base model running the 15-inch bias-ply setup.

From there, sidewall treatment becomes part of the visual decision, with blackwall and whitewall options available in the bias-ply range. When exact originality matters beyond a period-style look, marque literature, restoration photos, and model-specific historical references are worth consulting before choosing a stripe width or sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 BMW 501 because bias-ply and radial tires do not present exactly the same way on the car. The 550-16 and 640-15 bias-ply fitments keep the selection rooted in traditional vintage sizing, while 185R15 gives the Base model a radial format.

That difference matters most around the car’s stance and the overall period impression it creates. Buyers restoring for a more traditional mid-1950s look often begin with the correct bias-ply size, while owners who prioritize road use may still choose a radial setup after making sure the wheel diameter, width, and visual outcome suit the finished car.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 BMW 501. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence whether a tire in the correct nominal size still has the clearance and wheel support it needs.

That is especially important on a model that already spans both 15-inch and 16-inch fitments. A car that has been restored over many decades may no longer match its original wheel setup, so measuring wheel diameter and width, then checking fender and steering clearance, is a smarter approach than relying on the model name alone.

Before driving a 1955 BMW 501 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and visible damage, and make sure the tires are mounted in the proper size for the sub-model. It also helps to check inflation, valve stems, and basic clearance at the fenders and suspension before the first road test.

A short, careful initial drive is a good way to confirm that the car tracks properly and that nothing rubs during turning or compression. Since collector cars often sit for long periods, it is also wise to look over the steering and suspension condition so the fresh tires are not masking play or wear elsewhere in the chassis.

Collector-use tires on a 1955 BMW 501 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low-mileage cars still need tire checks because age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.

Routine maintenance also means watching the car’s stance and checking for changes that suggest a slow leak or developing wheel issue. A BMW 501 that is driven only occasionally benefits from periodic movement and visual inspections before each outing, especially when the tire choice is part of a restoration-oriented setup that may see seasonal use.