The 1955 Saab Saab 92 comes from Saab’s early postwar years, when the company’s aircraft-influenced engineering and compact two-stroke design gave the car a very different character from larger contemporary sedans. Tire choice on this model centers on two 15-inch fitments: a 500-15 bias-ply for a traditional vintage setup and a 135R15 radial for owners looking at a later-style radial format. That creates a meaningful decision between construction types, as well as between blackwall and wide whitewall presentation in the available selections. For a careful driver or restoration-minded owner, the right choice starts with matching the car’s wheel setup and the kind of appearance and road manners desired.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Saab Saab 92
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 uses two primary tire sizes, and both mount on a 15-inch rim. Because the 92 B can be found with either a 500-15 bias-ply or a 135R15 radial, the first step is confirming which construction and wheel setup the car currently has, then choosing the tire style and product characteristics that best suit its use.
135R15 is a Euro-metric radial size, with 135 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, R identifying radial construction, and 15 indicating the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1955 Saab Saab 92, this size represents a compact radial format that suits owners who want a road-oriented radial option on the original 15-inch wheel diameter. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone offerings in blackwall form, including Michelin X M+S 89, Michelin ZX, and Firestone F560 Radial series. This size is worth considering when the car already uses radial-compatible wheels and the goal is a more modern radial-style driving setup.
500-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 500 representing an approximate 5.00-inch nominal section width and 15 identifying the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1955 Saab Saab 92, it delivers a traditional vintage tire format and preserves the period-style bias-ply construction many restoration-oriented owners prefer. Product choices include BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options in blackwall and 2.00 inch wide whitewall form, along with a Firestone Dirt Track blackwall variation. This size deserves a close look when maintaining an earlier visual presentation or keeping the car in a more traditional bias-ply configuration.
Fitment on the covered 1955 Saab Saab 92 sub-model is straightforward in name but still requires attention to construction choice. The 92 B can use either the radial or bias-ply 15-inch setup, so tire selection depends on confirming the wheel and tire arrangement already on the car.
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1955 Saab Saab 92 B
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 B can be fitted with either 135R15 radial tires or 500-15 bias-ply tires, both on 15-inch rims. That gives the owner a real choice between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial setup, with wheel compatibility and intended use guiding the final decision.
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 Saab Saab 92 Tires for sale
Available 1955 Saab Saab 92 tire choices include Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich options across both 135R15 radial and 500-15 bias-ply sizes. The product mix gives buyers a useful comparison of construction type, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and tire series aimed at either traditional vintage presentation or radial road use.
Common questions for the 1955 Saab Saab 92 usually center on choosing between 135R15 and 500-15, understanding radial versus bias-ply construction, and checking wheel fitment, appearance, and road-use readiness before driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Saab Saab 92?
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 uses two primary tire sizes: 135R15 in radial construction and 500-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for a 15-inch wheel, and the covered 92 B sub-model can be found with either setup.
Choosing between them is less about rim diameter and more about confirming the car’s present wheel and tire configuration. A Saab 92 that has remained in a traditional vintage setup may suit the 500-15 bias-ply format, while a car already arranged for radial use may point toward 135R15.
What size rim does a 1955 Saab Saab 92 use?
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 uses a 15-inch rim with either of its primary tire sizes. Both the 135R15 radial and the 500-15 bias-ply are built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to check actual wheel width before choosing a tire. Some 135R15 radial products are suited to 3.50 to 4.50 inch rims, while 500-15 products can vary from a 3-inch wheel to wider specialty applications.
Does the 1955 Saab Saab 92 B use the same tire size?
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 B does not point to just one tire size, because it can use either 135R15 radial tires or 500-15 bias-ply tires. Both are 15-inch fitments, but they represent different construction types and sizing conventions.
That matters because tire selection should follow the actual setup on the car rather than the model name alone. Checking the tires currently mounted, measuring wheel width, and confirming whether the Saab is being kept in a restoration-oriented bias-ply format or a radial road-use format will prevent avoidable fitment mistakes.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1955 Saab Saab 92?
Start with the correct primary size and construction for the car: 500-15 if it remains in a bias-ply setup, or 135R15 if it uses a radial setup. Both sizes fit a 15-inch wheel, but they differ in sizing system, available products, and the kind of presentation they give the Saab.
After size and construction are settled, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the overall look you want from the car. A restoration-oriented Saab may lean toward the traditional bias-ply appearance, while a driver-focused example may call for one of the blackwall radial options in the correct 135R15 format.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Saab Saab 92 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size chosen for the 1955 Saab Saab 92. In 135R15, the available radial choices are blackwall tires, while 500-15 bias-ply options include both blackwall and wide whitewall versions.
That difference makes sidewall treatment part of the buying decision, not just a cosmetic afterthought. A blackwall tire gives the car a restrained and practical look, while a wide whitewall creates a more decorative vintage presentation. The right choice depends on how the Saab is being restored, displayed, or driven.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Saab Saab 92?
The 1955 Saab Saab 92 has tire options from Michelin, Firestone, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 135R15 radial size, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the 500-15 bias-ply size.
Brand should be considered alongside size, construction, and tire series rather than treated as the only deciding factor. Michelin ZX, Michelin X M+S 89, Firestone F560 Radial, BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone Dirt Track each reflect different product character, so matching the tire to the car’s use matters most.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Saab Saab 92?
For a period-style 1955 Saab Saab 92, the 500-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves a traditional vintage sizing and construction approach. That size is available in blackwall and wide whitewall form, giving the owner room to shape the car’s finished appearance.
Appearance goals should still be balanced against the actual wheel setup and how the Saab will be used. A car restored for display may call for a different visual choice than one driven regularly, and buyers pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare their selection against marque-specific references and surviving vehicle details.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Saab Saab 92?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 Saab Saab 92 as much as it changes the tire category. A 500-15 bias-ply gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 135R15 radial introduces a later-style radial format with a distinctly different overall look.
That visual shift becomes important when the goal is to maintain a restoration-oriented character rather than simply mount a usable tire. Sidewall treatment matters too, since blackwall and wide whitewall choices create different period impressions. The best result comes from matching construction, sidewall style, and wheel setup to the way the car is being finished.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Saab Saab 92?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Saab Saab 92 even when the basic tire size appears correct. Wheel width changes, aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, or body and fender work can all change how a 135R15 or 500-15 tire sits and clears the car.
That is especially important on a small vintage car where space can be tighter than modern buyers expect. Any Saab 92 that has been altered should be checked for steering clearance, suspension travel, and actual wheel dimensions before a new tire is chosen, especially when switching between bias-ply and radial constructions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Saab Saab 92 on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Saab Saab 92 on new tires, inspect the wheels, lug hardware, valve stems, and overall tire seating on the rim. It also helps to confirm that the chosen size matches the car’s current setup, whether that is 500-15 bias-ply or 135R15 radial.
A short first drive should be paired with another visual check for air loss, rubbing, or contact at full steering lock. Collector vehicles also deserve a close look at suspension condition, brake function, and alignment behavior, since fresh tires can reveal problems that older hardened tires may have been masking.
How should tires on a collector 1955 Saab Saab 92 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1955 Saab Saab 92 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car uses 135R15 radials or 500-15 bias-ply tires, low annual mileage does not prevent aging, cracking, flat spotting, or gradual air loss.
A vintage Saab benefits from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or battery chargers. Routine checks for tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, and cuts are worthwhile before every meaningful drive, and any tire showing age-related deterioration deserves prompt attention.
