1955 Nash Metropolitan Tires

The 1955 Nash Metropolitan uses a 520-13 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment paired with a 13-inch wheel, and it is the primary size associated with the car rather than one choice among several original sizes.

That makes the buying decision more about selecting the right tire within 520-13 than sorting through multiple fitments. Sidewall appearance, tire series, and brand become the main variables, while any move to a radial equivalent should be checked against the actual wheel width and the car’s present clearance at the fenders and steering components.

The 1955 Nash Metropolitan uses a 13-inch rim with its primary 520-13 tire size. Product fitment details in this size also show narrow wheel compatibility, including 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch rim-width specifications on applicable bias-ply offerings.

Rim diameter is the first point to confirm because a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a different wheel diameter. Width matters too, especially if the car has replacement wheels or if a radial equivalent is being considered, since the recommended rim-width range for the radial alternatives is 4 to 5 inches rather than every wheel that might physically bolt onto the car.

Yes. The 1955 Nash Metropolitan 4 Cyl. uses the same 520-13 bias-ply tire size as the core 1955 Nash Metropolitan fitment. That keeps original-size tire selection simple across the covered sub-model rather than splitting choices between different wheel diameters or original tire sizes.

The practical step is to verify that the car still has the expected 13-inch wheel setup and has not been altered over the years. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to style and use, such as blackwall versus whitewall appearance, period-style bias-ply presentation, or whether a radial equivalent makes sense for the car’s current wheel and driving setup.

For the 1955 Nash Metropolitan, 520-13 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available original-size products in 520-13 are bias-ply tires, which matches the vintage sizing system and traditional construction associated with this compact mid-1950s fitment.

Staying with bias-ply construction helps retain the original-style tire profile and appearance that suits the Metropolitan’s proportions. Anyone considering a radial alternative should treat that as a separate fitment decision, checking wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming that every tire carrying a similar width or a 13-inch rim diameter will behave the same way on the car.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. Those options represent an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, giving the 1955 Nash Metropolitan owner several modern sizing formats to compare.

Each of those sizes should be viewed as an alternative rather than an automatic substitute. The recommended rim-width range for the radial equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, so wheel width is an important part of the decision, along with checking how the tire’s dimensions interact with the car’s steering travel, fender clearance, and overall stance.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial-equivalent size under consideration with the 520-13 fitment. For the 1955 Nash Metropolitan, the radial alternatives are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13, with a recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches.

Conversion decisions should also account for steering clearance, fender clearance, and any wheel or suspension changes made over the years. A small collector car like the Metropolitan can be sensitive to tire proportion and wheel setup, so it is wise to inspect suspension condition and verify the car’s actual dimensions before choosing a radial format.

Begin with the correct primary size, which is 520-13, and make sure the tire matches the car’s 13-inch wheel setup. From there, the main choice is among available bias-ply options that differ by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and, in some cases, load capacity details.

The right selection depends on how the car will be used and how you want it to present visually. A blackwall creates a restrained look, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car in a more restoration-oriented direction. Wheel width should still be confirmed, especially if the Metropolitan no longer wears its original wheels.

The 1955 Nash Metropolitan’s 520-13 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. Those options create noticeably different visual effects even though they share the same primary size and basic bias-ply construction.

Choosing among them depends on the character you want the car to have. Blackwall keeps the presentation simple and understated, narrow whitewall adds a period-style custom touch, and wide whitewall brings a stronger mid-1950s visual presence. Appearance should be considered alongside wheel compatibility and the overall restoration direction of the specific car.

Tires for the 1955 Nash Metropolitan are available from Firestone and Premium Sport in the 520-13 size. The assortment includes Firestone Classic Bias Ply offerings and Premium Sport Lowrider options, giving buyers more than one brand and series to compare within the same fitment.

That variety is most useful when comparing visual presentation and fitment details rather than searching for a single universal answer. Some choices emphasize a traditional blackwall or wide whitewall look, while others focus on narrow whitewall styling. Once the correct size is established, brand and series help narrow the tire to the car’s intended appearance and use.

A period-style starting point for a 1955 Nash Metropolitan is the original-size 520-13 bias-ply tire. That keeps the car in its proper vintage sizing format and preserves the narrow tire look that suits a compact 1950s design better than a broadly modernized presentation.

From there, the choice becomes one of appearance and historical tone rather than basic fitment. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions each create a different visual impression. If exact originality matters, it is worth comparing the car’s trim, photographs, marque-club guidance, and restoration goals before deciding on the final sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1955 Nash Metropolitan as much as the sidewall style does. A 520-13 bias-ply keeps the car in its traditional vintage format, which supports the taller, narrower visual character associated with small mid-1950s automobiles.

A radial equivalent may still be worth considering for some owners, but it should be evaluated as an alternative presentation rather than assumed to duplicate the original look exactly. On a compact car with modest wheel openings, tire profile and sidewall shape are very visible, so construction choice plays a real role in the finished restoration impression.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Nash Metropolitan even when the intended tire size is still 520-13 or a recognized radial equivalent. Changes to wheels, wheel width, suspension height, steering components, or body clearances can alter how much room the tire actually has on the car.

That matters because a small car leaves less margin for error than a large full-size sedan. A Metropolitan with aftermarket wheels or suspension work should be checked at full steering lock and through suspension travel before finalizing the tire choice. Clearance at the fender edge and inner wheel area deserves particular attention.

Before driving a 1955 Nash Metropolitan on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper mounting, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also smart to check lug hardware, valve stems, and visible clearance around the front and rear wheel openings.

A broader road-use inspection helps just as much as the tires themselves. Look over steering response, suspension wear, brake function, and any tendency for the car to rub or pull once the new tires are installed. On a collector car that may have sat for long periods, those surrounding systems deserve as much attention as the rubber.

520-13 tires on a collector 1955 Nash Metropolitan should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, uneven wear, and slow air loss all deserve prompt attention, especially on a car that is driven only occasionally.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use collector car. Keeping the Metropolitan away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming low annual mileage means the tires remain road-ready.