The 1955 Singer 1500 came from the final years of a British marque known for compact sporting and touring cars with distinctly postwar character. Whether the car is a Roadster or an SM, tire choice matters because this model uses two different 16-inch bias-ply sizes depending on sub-model: 500-16 or 550-16. That makes the first step identifying the exact version of the car rather than assuming one size fits every 1500. Available choices range from straightforward blackwall bias-ply tires to wide whitewall options in 550-16, with different series and brand character across the selection. For a roadgoing restoration, the goal is balancing correct-looking proportions, wheel compatibility, and the way the car will actually be used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Singer 1500
The 1955 Singer 1500 uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends on the specific sub-model. Both are bias-ply tires for 16-inch rims, but the Roadster uses 500-16 while the SM uses 550-16. Before choosing a tire, confirm which version of the car you have and make sure the wheel diameter matches the intended tire size.
A 500-16 size is a vintage numeric bias-ply designation in which the first number refers to a nominal 5.00-inch section width and the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On the 1955 Singer 1500, this is a bias-ply fitment tied to the Roadster, so the traditional construction and proportions are part of the selection story. The available 500-16 product is a Firestone Dirt Track Ribbed Front with a blackwall sidewall and Dirt Track series character. This size should be chosen only after confirming the car is the Roadster and that its wheel setup matches the tire's intended rim-width range.
A 550-16 size is also a vintage numeric bias-ply designation, with the leading number representing a nominal 5.50-inch section width and the last number indicating a 16-inch rim. For the 1955 Singer 1500, this size belongs to the SM and keeps the car in its original-style bias-ply construction. Selection is broader here, with Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone offerings, plus blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles across several classic bias-ply series. This size is the right starting point for an SM owner who wants to compare appearance, brand, and wheel compatibility without moving away from the vehicle's primary construction type.
Tire fitment on the 1955 Singer 1500 is not shared across the covered sub-models, even though both use 16-inch bias-ply tires. Checking the exact sub-model matters first, because the Roadster and SM use different primary sizes and that changes which products belong in the comparison.
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1955 Singer 1500 Roadster
The 1955 Singer 1500 Roadster uses the narrower 500-16 bias-ply size. That makes the key decision less about choosing between multiple fitments and more about confirming the wheel setup, then selecting a tire whose style and intended use suit the car.
The 1955 Singer 1500 SM uses the 550-16 bias-ply size rather than the Roadster's 500-16. That opens a wider range of blackwall and wide whitewall choices, so selection becomes a matter of matching the car's appearance goals and wheel compatibility.
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 Singer 1500 Tires for Sale
Available 1955 Singer 1500 tires center on bias-ply 500-16 and 550-16 fitments, with Firestone, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, and Avon represented. The main product differences are sidewall treatment, tire series, intended character, and rim-width compatibility within the correct size.
Owners of a 1955 Singer 1500 usually need to sort out the correct sub-model tire size first, then compare bias-ply choices by appearance, brand, and wheel fitment. These FAQs focus on size, 16-inch rim use, restoration-minded selection, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Singer 1500?
The 1955 Singer 1500 uses two different primary tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Roadster uses 500-16, while the SM uses 550-16. Both are bias-ply tires designed for 16-inch rims, so the right size depends on confirming which version of the Singer 1500 is in front of you rather than treating all 1955 cars the same.
That distinction matters because a Roadster and an SM do not share the same tire width, even though the rim diameter stays the same. Start by identifying the exact sub-model, then verify that the car still has the expected wheel setup and has not been changed to another rim width or aftermarket wheel over the years.
What size rim does a 1955 Singer 1500 use?
The 1955 Singer 1500 uses 16-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The Roadster's 500-16 and the SM's 550-16 are both built around a 16-inch rim diameter, so wheel diameter stays consistent even though the tire size changes between sub-models.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on an older collector car. It is still worth checking the actual wheel on the car for width, condition, and any past replacement, since a Singer that has been restored, modified, or re-wheeled may no longer match its original-style setup.
Do all 1955 Singer 1500 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the covered 1955 Singer 1500 sub-models do not use the same tire size. The Roadster uses 500-16, while the SM uses 550-16. Both are 16-inch bias-ply fitments, but the difference in section width means they should not be treated as one shared tire specification.
That makes sub-model identification the first step before comparing products. Once the car is matched to the proper size, the next checks are wheel width, overall condition of the rims, and whether the car has been altered in ways that could affect clearance or change what tire works best for its current setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-16 or 550-16 tire for a 1955 Singer 1500?
Begin with the correct sub-model size, because the 1955 Singer 1500 Roadster uses 500-16 and the SM uses 550-16. Both are bias-ply tires on 16-inch rims, so the next points of comparison are the tire's intended character, sidewall style, brand, and any rim-width guidance that applies to the specific product.
A restoration-minded owner may focus on traditional proportions and appearance, while a more road-use-oriented owner may care more about product type and wheel compatibility. It also helps to inspect the car's actual wheels before purchase, since older vehicles are often fitted with replacement rims that can affect which tire makes the most sense.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Singer 1500 tires?
Sidewall choice depends on the size and product range. In 550-16, the 1955 Singer 1500 has both blackwall and wide whitewall options, which gives the SM owner a meaningful appearance decision. In 500-16, the available option is a blackwall tire, so the Roadster fitment is much more straightforward from a sidewall standpoint.
That means an SM can be tailored toward a more understated or more restoration-oriented presentation, while the Roadster stays closer to a single visual direction in the currently available size. Sidewall style should be chosen after size and wheel fitment are settled, not as a substitute for confirming the correct tire specification first.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Singer 1500?
Brand selection varies by size on the 1955 Singer 1500. The 500-16 fitment is represented by Firestone, while the 550-16 fitment includes Excelsior, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. That means the SM has a broader mix of brand and series choices than the Roadster within its proper tire size.
Brand should be compared alongside the tire's sidewall style, series, and rim-width suitability rather than treated as the only decision. Once the correct sub-model size is confirmed, the best comparison is between products that match the car's intended look and the actual wheel dimensions on the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Singer 1500?
A period-style starting point for a 1955 Singer 1500 is keeping the car in its correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model. That means 500-16 for the Roadster and 550-16 for the SM. Staying with the original-style construction helps preserve the proportions and visual character expected on a mid-1950s British car.
From there, the choice becomes more specific. A blackwall presentation keeps things simple and traditional, while 550-16 also opens the door to wide whitewall options for a different restoration-oriented look. If exact originality matters, marque-specific historical references and period photographs are the right way to refine the final appearance choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Singer 1500?
Tire construction shapes the stance and presentation of a restored 1955 Singer 1500 as much as the sidewall style does. The primary fitments for both covered sub-models are bias-ply, and that construction suits the visual language of the car's 1950s design, especially when the goal is a traditional restoration-oriented look.
Appearance is only one part of the decision, but it is an important one on a car of this era. Even within bias-ply construction, details such as blackwall versus wide whitewall can change the personality of the car, so the right choice depends on whether the restoration leans restrained, formal, or more visually prominent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Singer 1500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 Singer 1500 even when the nominal tire size remains the same. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs around the wheel openings can all influence how a 500-16 or 550-16 tire sits on the car.
That is why an older Singer should be checked as it currently exists, not only by year and model name. Measure wheel diameter and width, inspect steering and fender clearance, and look for signs of rubbing at full lock or suspension travel before settling on a replacement tire for regular road use.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Singer 1500 on new tires?
Before driving a 1955 Singer 1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. On the tires themselves, check inflation, bead seating, and any early signs of contact with fenders, steering arms, or chassis parts once the car is back on the ground.
A short, careful test drive is a smart next step on a collector car of this age. Recheck air pressure after the first outing, listen for rubbing, and confirm that the car tracks and steers consistently. Older vehicles often reveal fitment issues only after the suspension settles and the steering moves through its full range.
How should 500-16 and 550-16 tires on a collector 1955 Singer 1500 be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1955 Singer 1500 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related deterioration. Whether the car uses 500-16 or 550-16 bias-ply tires, look for cracking, flat-spotting, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss, especially if the Singer spends long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the Singer away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce stress from sitting in one position. Any tire showing significant aging or damage deserves professional inspection before road use.
