1955 BMW 507 Tires

The 1955 BMW 507 uses two primary tire sizes: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. Both are 16-inch fitments, so the choice is not about wheel diameter first so much as confirming which construction and tire format belong on the individual car.

A car that still follows a more traditional period-style setup may point you toward 600-16, while a car already arranged around radial tires may call for 175R16. Before selecting either size, verify the wheel width, the current tire-to-body clearance, and whether any wheel or suspension changes have altered the original setup.

The 1955 BMW 507 uses a 16-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with a 600-16 bias-ply tire or a 175R16 radial, so wheel diameter remains consistent across the two main fitment paths.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the entire fitment question. A 16-inch wheel still needs the right width and overall tire compatibility for the chosen size and construction, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or converted from one tire type to the other at some point in its life.

The 1955 BMW 507 Base is associated with the same two tire sizes used at the model level: 175R16 radial and 600-16 bias-ply. That means Base-model owners are still making a construction and presentation decision rather than sorting through several different rim diameters or multiple trim-specific tire sizes.

The practical step is confirming what is actually on the car now. A restored 507 may have been set up for a traditional bias-ply look, while another may already be running a radial-format tire, so checking the existing wheel, tire size, and overall stance helps keep the next selection aligned with the car's real configuration.

For the 1955 BMW 507, 600-16 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format commonly associated with mid-century vehicles, and it is the traditional-construction option among the two primary 16-inch fitments used on this model.

That matters because a bias-ply tire influences both the appearance and the setup choices for the car. Buyers considering 600-16 should compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, while also confirming that the car has not been changed over to a radial-oriented arrangement that would make 175R16 the more appropriate size to evaluate.

A 1955 BMW 507 can be approached from either direction because both a 600-16 bias-ply tire and a 175R16 radial are primary fitments on a 16-inch rim. The better choice depends on whether the car is being kept in a more traditional presentation or is already configured around a radial-size setup.

Bias-ply tires often appeal to restoration-minded owners who want a more period-style look, while a radial selection may better suit a car already built around radial fitment. The key checks are wheel width, the actual size mounted now, and tire clearance at the fenders and steering range before changing construction.

The first step is confirming that the car's 16-inch wheels are suitable for the 175R16 radial size rather than only the 600-16 bias-ply setup. A change in construction should also be reviewed in the context of the tire's section width, the car's stance, and how closely the new tire matches the look and space available on the vehicle.

Wheel width, steering clearance, suspension condition, and body clearance all deserve attention before making the switch. A BMW 507 that has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or old suspension components may react differently than a stock-style car, so measuring the actual setup before conversion is the safest way to avoid unwanted surprises.

Start with the fact that 600-16 is the bias-ply fitment path for the 1955 BMW 507. From there, the useful comparisons are sidewall style, tire series, brand, rim-width specification, and whether the tire's overall character suits a sports car restoration or a more specialized tread style that belongs to another type of vehicle.

Blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall choices are all available in this size, and the range of series includes traditional passenger-car designs along with military or truck-oriented patterns. Matching the tire's appearance and intended use to the car is just as important as selecting the right nominal size and 16-inch rim fitment.

Within the 600-16 fitment for the 1955 BMW 507, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those choices can change the visual character of the car significantly, even when the underlying tire size and bias-ply construction remain the same.

A blackwall generally keeps the presentation more restrained and sporting, while whitewall treatments create a more formal mid-century look. The right choice depends on how the car is restored and presented, so it helps to consider the wheel design, trim level of detail, and the overall period-style impression you want the finished car to have.

The 600-16 fitment for the 1955 BMW 507 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. That gives buyers a broad mix of period-style bias-ply choices across several different tire series and sidewall presentations.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare the tire series, tread character, sidewall style, stated rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire's look matches a sports-car restoration rather than a military or truck-inspired theme that may share the same numeric size but not the same visual intent.

For a period-style 1955 BMW 507, the 600-16 bias-ply size is the natural place to start. It matches the vintage numeric format and opens the door to several traditional-looking tire series and sidewall treatments that suit a mid-1950s restoration-minded presentation.

The best visual match depends on how the individual car is trimmed and restored. Buyers aiming for exact historical accuracy should compare the tire choice against marque references, period photography, or restoration records, while those seeking a strong vintage appearance can focus more broadly on the right size, construction, and sidewall style.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1955 BMW 507; it also changes the car's visual character. A 600-16 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional mid-century presentation, while a 175R16 radial introduces a later-style sizing format and a different overall look on the same 16-inch rim.

That difference becomes noticeable when the car is viewed from the side, especially in relation to wheel design and sidewall treatment. Owners restoring for show presentation often think carefully about construction because the tire is such a visible part of the finished stance, even before any driving considerations enter the decision.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 BMW 507 even when the tire size appears correct on paper. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can all alter how either a 600-16 bias-ply tire or a 175R16 radial sits and moves on the car.

A modified 507 should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before settling on a tire choice. Small changes in stance or wheel specification can matter on a low, tightly styled sports car, so measuring the actual car is more useful than assuming any 16-inch tire setup will behave the same way.

Before driving a 1955 BMW 507 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, tire pressure, and visible clearance around the fenders and suspension. It is also wise to confirm that the selected tire size matches the intended setup, whether that means a 600-16 bias-ply arrangement or a 175R16 radial configuration.

A short initial road test can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or other issues that are easier to address early. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the first drive after a tire change is also a good time to pay attention to brake feel, steering response, and any signs that the rest of the chassis needs attention.

Tires on a collector 1955 BMW 507 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 600-16 bias-ply tires or 175R16 radials, low annual mileage does not prevent age-related problems such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or general rubber deterioration.

Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Periodic inspection of tread condition, sidewalls, and wheel fit is especially important on collector vehicles because a tire can look acceptable at a glance while still needing closer evaluation before sustained road use.