The 1955 Citroen W 11 comes from a period when Citroen was known for unconventional engineering and distinctly European road manners. For owners of this postwar French model, tire choice is less about sorting through multiple factory fitments and more about understanding one specialized size that suits the car’s original character. The 1955 Citroen W 11 uses a 165-400 radial tire, a millimetric radial format that differs from more familiar inch-based American sizing. That makes construction retention and proper size interpretation especially important. A careful selection starts with preserving the right proportions, confirming the wheel setup, and choosing a tire that matches the car’s intended appearance and road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Citroen W 11
The 1955 Citroen W 11 uses one primary tire size: 165-400. It is a radial fitment in a classic metric millimetric format, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but how to choose the right 165-400 tire for the car’s wheel setup, appearance, and intended driving use. Both covered sub-models share this same size, which keeps fitment straightforward as long as the wheels remain correct.
The 165-400 size uses a metric section width of 165 millimeters and a 400-millimeter wheel diameter, which is why it does not follow the more familiar inch-based sizing seen on many American collector vehicles. This is a radial tire format, and that matters on a 1955 Citroen W 11 because the tire’s dimensions and wheel compatibility depend on that millimetric standard. The size’s specialized European format makes correct interpretation more important than comparing broad styling variations. Choosing 165-400 begins with confirming that the car still has the proper wheel setup and that the tire selected suits the vehicle’s restoration goals and driving use.
Tire fitment is consistent across the covered 1955 Citroen W 11 sub-models. Both use the same 165-400 radial size, so the key step is confirming the exact wheel setup on the car rather than sorting through different sub-model-specific tire sizes.
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1955 Citroen W 11 B-4
The 1955 Citroen W 11 B-4 uses the same 165-400 radial tire size as the other covered W 11 sub-model. That keeps selection focused on finding the proper millimetric radial fitment and confirming that the car still carries the correct wheels for this specialized size.
The 1955 Citroen W 11 BL-4 also uses a 165-400 radial tire, so there is no separate primary size to sort out within this sub-model group. The practical decision is choosing the right tire within that format and checking wheel condition, diameter standard, and overall fitment before road use.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These 1955 Citroen W 11 tire FAQs focus on the 165-400 radial size, millimetric wheel fitment, sub-model consistency, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before putting a collector Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Citroen W 11?
The 1955 Citroen W 11 uses a 165-400 tire size. This is a radial tire in a classic metric millimetric format, which makes it different from common inch-based vintage American sizes and different from later metric radial sizes that use a stated aspect ratio.
That specialized sizing means the first step is confirming that the car still has the correct millimetric wheels. A 165-400 tire should be selected with attention to wheel compatibility, overall condition of the wheels, and any past changes to the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or stored for a long period.
What size rim does a 1955 Citroen W 11 use?
The 1955 Citroen W 11 uses a 400-millimeter rim with its 165-400 tire size. That rim measurement is part of the tire size itself, so it should not be confused with a more familiar inch-based rim diameter such as 15 or 16 inches.
Millimetric wheel fitment is especially important on European collector vehicles because a tire can appear similar in section width while still being wrong at the bead seat. Before choosing tires, confirm the actual wheel standard on the car and inspect the wheels for damage, corrosion, or previous alterations that could affect mounting and safe road use.
Do all 1955 Citroen W 11 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1955 Citroen W 11 sub-models use the same primary tire size. Both the W 11 B-4 and W 11 BL-4 use a 165-400 radial tire, so there is no split fitment between those sub-models at the primary size level.
That consistency simplifies tire selection, but it is still worth checking the car itself before ordering replacement tires. Collector vehicles sometimes carry later wheels, temporary substitutes, or long-ago modifications, and any of those changes can affect the proper fitment even when the original sub-model specification remains the same.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1955 Citroen W 11?
Start with the correct 165-400 size and the fact that it is a millimetric radial fitment. On a 1955 Citroen W 11, the main concerns are matching the specialized wheel diameter standard, preserving the car’s intended proportions, and choosing a tire that suits how the vehicle will be used after installation.
A restoration-oriented car may place more emphasis on traditional visual character, while a regularly driven example may put more focus on road manners and overall condition. Wheel condition, suspension health, and clearance should all be checked before mounting new tires, particularly on a car that has spent years in storage or has seen previous repair work.
How do I choose between the available 165-400 tires for a 1955 Citroen W 11?
Choosing between 165-400 tires for a 1955 Citroen W 11 begins with fitment, not branding alone. The tire must match the car’s millimetric wheel standard and should also suit the owner’s goals, whether that means a more restoration-minded presentation or a setup intended for regular road use.
Once the size is confirmed, compare the visible differences that matter most to the car’s role and appearance. It also helps to review wheel condition, age of any existing tubes or related hardware if used, and how the vehicle sits and clears at full steering angle before deciding on the final replacement tire.
Why is the 165-400 size on a 1955 Citroen W 11 different from common vintage American tire sizes?
The 165-400 size is different because it uses a millimetric wheel diameter standard rather than an inch-based rim diameter. On the 1955 Citroen W 11, that means the tire size reflects a European sizing convention that does not translate neatly into the familiar 15-inch or 16-inch formats many collectors expect.
That distinction matters any time replacement tires are being sourced for a stored or imported car. A tire that looks close in width can still be wrong at the rim, so the actual wheel standard should be verified before mounting. This is one of the most important checks on specialty European collector vehicles with nonstandard sizing systems.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Citroen W 11?
A period-style approach for a 1955 Citroen W 11 starts with staying in the correct 165-400 radial size. Because this Citroen uses a specialized millimetric radial fitment, keeping the proper size and wheel standard is a major part of preserving the car’s original visual balance and roadgoing character.
Appearance decisions should support the car’s era rather than overpower it, especially on a restrained postwar European design. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare tire details with marque references, period photos, and restoration documentation, while still making wheel condition, fitment integrity, and safe road use part of the final decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1955 Citroen W 11 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1955 Citroen W 11 because the 165-400 radial size is part of the car’s overall stance, wheel relationship, and driving character. Using the proper millimetric format helps maintain the visual proportions that suit a restoration-minded presentation.
Fitment also affects more than appearance alone. An incorrect wheel standard or poorly matched replacement can create mounting problems and may change clearance at the fenders or steering components. Even on a show-focused car, the tire and wheel combination should be checked carefully so the finished restoration remains usable and mechanically sound.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Citroen W 11?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Citroen W 11, even when the correct original tire size is 165-400. Changes to wheels, suspension height, brake components, or bodywork can alter clearance and may also complicate fitment on a car that uses a specialized millimetric wheel standard.
A W 11 with aftermarket wheels or previous restoration work should be inspected closely before new tires are mounted. Check wheel diameter standard, wheel condition, steering clearance, and how the tire sits within the fender openings. Those checks are especially worthwhile on older European collector vehicles that may have seen nonstandard parts over the years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Citroen W 11 on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Citroen W 11 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the overall condition of the suspension and steering components. Tire pressure should be set correctly, and the car should be checked for any signs of rubbing, uneven ride height, or alignment issues once the new 165-400 tires are installed.
A collector Citroen that has been parked for long periods also deserves a closer look for dry rot on old rubber components, fluid leaks, and worn wheel bearings or bushings. A short local test drive followed by another inspection can help catch air loss, heat buildup, or clearance concerns before the car is taken on a longer outing.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1955 Citroen W 11 be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1955 Citroen W 11 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, low-use collector cars can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or damage from long periods of inactivity.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older specialty vehicle. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect the tires before each driving season. A brief walkaround before use can reveal cuts, bulges, or other condition problems before they turn into a roadside issue.
