The 1955 Lancia Aurelia sits in one of the most interesting corners of postwar Italian motoring, blending advanced engineering with the elegant proportions that made Aurelia coupes and grand touring variants so admired by collectors. Tire selection for this car is centered on its millimetric radial fitment, with 165-400 and 165R400 tied to the Aurelia range covered here. That keeps the decision focused less on modern oversizing and more on choosing the right radial presentation, including blackwall or narrow whitewall Michelin options. For a restoration-minded owner, the real priority is matching the car's existing 400mm wheel setup and intended road use before choosing a tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Lancia Aurelia
The 1955 Lancia Aurelia uses two closely related primary tire sizes, and both are radial millimetric fitments tied to 400mm wheels. Because the covered sub-models share these sizes, the main task is confirming which size marking matches the car's existing wheel and tire setup, then choosing the Michelin radial style and rim-width range that best suits the car.
165-400 is a classic millimetric radial size in which 165 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters and 400 identifies the wheel diameter in millimeters. On a 1955 Lancia Aurelia, it represents a period European radial fitment rather than a modern inch-based sizing system. Aurelia owners will usually be comparing this style of fitment to the alternate 165R400 marking, not to larger modern replacements. The practical reason to focus on this size is preserving the car's intended wheel format and overall visual character while verifying the actual tire marking already on the car.
165R400 uses a classic Euro-metric radial format, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 400 showing the millimetric wheel diameter. This is the size with available Michelin radial choices for the 1955 Lancia Aurelia, including blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations. The available products also differ in rim-width compatibility, which matters when the car's wheels have been changed or measured differently over time. It is a useful size to evaluate when keeping the Aurelia on its original millimetric wheel standard and selecting a road-ready radial with the right appearance.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1955 Lancia Aurelia sub-models, as both use the same pair of millimetric radial sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its correct 400mm wheel format before choosing a tire.
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1955 Lancia Aurelia B12
The 1955 Lancia Aurelia B12 uses the same 165-400 and 165R400 radial fitment found across the covered Aurelia range. That keeps tire selection focused on matching the car's existing millimetric wheel setup and choosing the right radial presentation rather than sorting through different primary sizes.
The 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 & GT2500 also uses 165-400 and 165R400 radial tires on the same millimetric wheel standard. For these cars, the key step is confirming the actual wheel and tire marking in place, then selecting the Michelin radial option that suits the intended appearance and wheel width.
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 Lancia Aurelia Tires for Sale
Available 165R400 choices center on Michelin, with Michelin X Radial and X-Stop options in blackwall and narrow whitewall form. The main points to compare are sidewall appearance, rim-width range, and the tire style that best suits the Aurelia's existing 400mm wheel setup.
These FAQs for the 1955 Lancia Aurelia focus on millimetric radial sizing, 400mm rim fitment, product selection, restoration-minded appearance choices, and the inspections that matter before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
The 1955 Lancia Aurelia uses 165-400 and 165R400 tire sizes. Both are radial millimetric fitments, and both appear across the covered Aurelia sub-models, including the B12 and the B24 & GT2500.
The practical difference for most owners is not choosing between unrelated sizes, but confirming which marking matches the wheels and tires already on the car. Because these are 400mm millimetric fitments, it is important to verify the wheel format before considering any substitute or replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1955 Lancia Aurelia use?
The available 1955 Lancia Aurelia tire fitments here are built around a 400mm rim diameter rather than a conventional inch-based wheel size. That millimetric format is part of what makes 165-400 and 165R400 different from more familiar modern radial sizes.
Checking the actual wheel is especially important on collector cars that may have seen wheel swaps over the years. A tire intended for a 400mm rim should stay matched to a 400mm wheel, and wheel width should also be reviewed before selecting among the available Michelin products.
Do all 1955 Lancia Aurelia sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1955 Lancia Aurelia sub-models share the same pair of tire sizes: 165-400 and 165R400. That applies to the B12 as well as the B24 & GT2500 configurations listed here.
Shared fitment simplifies the search, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. On an older Aurelia, the next step is confirming the wheels remain 400mm millimetric rims and that the tire marking on the car matches the replacement size being considered.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R400 tire for a 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
Start with the basics: confirm that the car is using the 165R400 millimetric radial fitment and still has the correct 400mm wheels. Then compare the available tire options by sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility rather than treating every 165R400 tire as identical.
For a 1955 Lancia Aurelia, the choice often comes down to how the car will be used and presented. A road-driven car may call for one rim-width range, while a restoration-minded car may place more weight on blackwall versus narrow whitewall appearance and the overall visual character of the tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Lancia Aurelia tires?
The available 165R400 tires for the 1955 Lancia Aurelia include both blackwall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices give the Aurelia owner two distinct visual directions while staying within the same classic millimetric radial fitment.
Sidewall style affects the car's presentation more than its basic fitment, so it should be chosen with the car's finish, trim, and restoration goals in mind. A buyer should still confirm the wheel width and exact tire size marking first, since appearance should not override correct millimetric compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
The available products for the 1955 Lancia Aurelia are Michelin tires in the 165R400 size. Within that fitment, the selection includes Michelin radial offerings with different sidewall treatments and rim-width specifications.
That means the decision is less about comparing multiple brands and more about comparing the Michelin options closely. Looking at sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and the intended use of the car will usually tell an Aurelia owner more than brand name alone in this fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
A period-style 1955 Lancia Aurelia tire choice starts with staying in the correct millimetric radial format, using 165-400 or 165R400 as appropriate for the car's existing setup. Within the available 165R400 choices, the decision then shifts to sidewall presentation and wheel-width compatibility.
Owners pursuing a highly authentic restoration should compare the tire's appearance against period photos, marque references, and restoration goals rather than assuming one visible sidewall treatment suits every Aurelia. A tasteful road car may lean one way, while a more historically focused restoration may lean another.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
On the 1955 Lancia Aurelia covered here, the primary fitment story is already radial, so the appearance question centers more on the millimetric format and sidewall treatment than on choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. Blackwall and narrow whitewall options can give the car noticeably different visual character.
Construction still matters because the tire's profile and overall presentation help set the tone of a restoration. Keeping the car on its proper 400mm wheel standard preserves the look better than forcing a modern inch-based substitute, especially on a refined Italian collector car where proportion matters.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Lancia Aurelia?
Yes. Even though the 1955 Lancia Aurelia uses millimetric radial sizes tied to a 400mm wheel format, modifications can change what fits safely and cleanly. Wheel swaps, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, and bodywork differences can all influence tire selection.
A collector car should be inspected as it sits, not as it left the factory decades ago. Any Aurelia with aftermarket wheels or chassis changes should have wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance checked carefully before mounting replacement tires in 165-400 or 165R400.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Lancia Aurelia on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Lancia Aurelia on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct 400mm compatibility, check that the tires seat properly, and confirm there is no rubbing at the fenders, suspension, or steering components. Tire pressure, valve condition, and overall wheel condition also deserve attention.
A short, careful road test is a smart next step on any collector car. The first drive should be used to watch for vibration, pulling, unusual noise, or fresh marks that suggest clearance issues, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or has a history of wheel changes.
How should 165R400 tires on a collector 1955 Lancia Aurelia be maintained?
165R400 tires on a collector 1955 Lancia Aurelia should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Low-use cars still need attention for sidewall cracking, cuts, tread issues, and slow air loss even when they are not driven often.
Storage conditions make a real difference on an older grand touring car. Keeping the Aurelia away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and periodic inspections remain important because age and inactivity can affect condition as much as mileage.
