1955 Opel Olympia Tires

The 1955 Opel Olympia uses two recognized tire sizes: 560-13 in bias-ply construction and 155R13 in radial construction. Both are associated with the same 13-inch wheel diameter, so the choice is less about wheel size and more about which construction and tire style best suit the car.

That means the first step is deciding whether the Olympia is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or moved to a radial format. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance should still be checked, especially if the car has replacement wheels or any suspension changes.

The 1955 Opel Olympia uses a 13-inch rim with both of its recognized tire sizes, 560-13 and 155R13. Even though the constructions differ, the wheel diameter remains the same, which simplifies the first stage of tire selection.

Diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so rim width still matters when choosing between available tires. Bias-ply and radial products can call for different wheel-width ranges, and that becomes especially important if the car has been fitted with non-original wheels at some point in its life.

The covered 1955 Opel Olympia Base & Rekord grouping shares the same tire fitment family, with both 560-13 bias-ply and 155R13 radial sizes associated with it. There is no separate rim diameter split within that covered sub-model grouping.

That keeps the sub-model question fairly simple, but it does not remove the need to confirm the actual wheel setup on the car. A restored or modified Olympia may have different wheel widths than expected, and that can influence whether a specific bias-ply or radial option is appropriate.

560-13 is the bias-ply tire size associated with the 1955 Opel Olympia. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is available in traditional bias-ply product lines, including whitewall treatments that suit a mid-1950s restoration-oriented presentation.

Choosing 560-13 usually means prioritizing period-style appearance and staying close to the character of an earlier tire construction. The Olympia can also be set up with a radial size, so the practical decision comes down to construction preference, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car is being prepared for show presentation or regular road use.

Radial equivalents for 560-13 include 155R13 as the 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial, and P155/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial. Each keeps the 13-inch wheel diameter in the same general fitment conversation while using a more modern radial sizing format.

The recommended rim-width range tied to that equivalency is 4 to 5 inches, which makes wheel measurement important before changing sizes. Clearance around the fenders and steering, plus the car's actual wheel width and overall setup, should be verified instead of treating any equivalent as automatic interchangeability.

A move from 560-13 bias-ply to a radial alternative starts with confirming the wheel diameter and wheel width already on the car. The Olympia's recognized radial path includes 155R13, and radial equivalents for 560-13 also include P155/75R13 and P155/70R13 for buyers comparing formats.

Construction changes can affect how the tire sits on the wheel and how much room it needs around the suspension and body. It is smart to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall tire condition at the same time, particularly on a collector car that may have had wheel changes or long periods of storage.

A 560-13 tire choice for a 1955 Opel Olympia starts with confirming that the car is being kept in its bias-ply fitment path. From there, the most meaningful differences are brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and the wheel-width range required by the specific tire being considered.

BFGoodrich and Firestone both appear in 560-13, but they are not identical in presentation or wheel-width specification. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options change the car's visual character significantly, so the final choice usually comes down to restoration goals, wheel compatibility, and how the car is expected to be used.

The 1955 Opel Olympia has three clear sidewall directions across its available tires: blackwall on the 155R13 radial choices, narrow whitewall on one 560-13 bias-ply option, and wide whitewall on other 560-13 bias-ply options. Those differences matter as much visually as the construction itself.

Blackwall radials create a more understated European look, while whitewall bias-ply tires shift the car toward a stronger mid-1950s presentation. The right style depends on whether the Olympia is being preserved as a road car, restored with a traditional appearance in mind, or set up somewhere between those two goals.

The 1955 Opel Olympia has tire options from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 155R13 radial side of the fitment, while BFGoodrich and Firestone cover the 560-13 bias-ply side with traditional styling options.

Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor because the tires also differ by construction, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width requirements. A useful way to compare them is to decide first between radial and bias-ply, then narrow the choice by the appearance and wheel compatibility that best match the actual car.

For a period-style 1955 Opel Olympia, the 560-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the traditional sizing format and opens the door to whitewall presentations that look at home on a mid-1950s car. That makes it the more restoration-oriented route in overall character.

The final decision still depends on how strictly originality is being pursued and how the car will be used. Buyers aiming for exact historical detail should compare tire appearance with marque references or period photography, while drivers who want a more contemporary road feel may weigh the radial alternative more heavily.

Tire construction changes the visual stance of a restored 1955 Opel Olympia as much as it changes the driving experience. A 560-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional presentation, while a 155R13 radial introduces a later-style tire format and, in the available Olympia choices, a blackwall appearance.

Whitewall width also plays a major role in how formal or understated the finished car looks. Narrow whitewall and wide whitewall bias-ply options create noticeably different impressions, so restoration-minded owners should choose construction and sidewall style together rather than treating them as separate decisions.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Opel Olympia even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can influence how a 560-13 or 155R13 tire sits and clears the car.

That is why an Olympia should be measured as it exists today, not just by what would have fit when new. Steering clearance, inner-fender space, and the wheel's actual dimensions are all worth checking before committing to a bias-ply replacement or a radial alternative.

Before driving a 1955 Opel Olympia on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware and valve stems are in good shape, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. A quick look at suspension and steering components is also worthwhile on an older car.

The first miles on a collector vehicle are the right time to pay attention to rubbing, pull, vibration, or unexpected steering feel. Rechecking pressure and looking for any signs of contact after a short drive helps confirm that the tire and wheel combination is behaving properly on the actual vehicle.

Tires on a collector 1955 Opel Olympia should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, and bulges, whether the car is on 560-13 bias-ply tires or 155R13 radials. Low annual mileage does not eliminate aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage habits also affect longevity. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic pressure checks are important when the Olympia sits for extended periods. Any collector car that has been parked for a long time deserves a close inspection before returning to road use.