The 1956 Citroen ID arrived in the same forward-looking era as the DS, giving French motoring a distinctly modern approach to ride quality, road manners, and design. Even in collector circles, the ID stands apart from many mid-1950s sedans because tire selection is tied to its European millimetric wheel and tire format rather than a familiar inch-based American size. For this exact model, the primary fitment is a 165-400 radial. That makes the decision less about choosing between multiple factory-type sizes and more about confirming the correct millimetric fitment and selecting a tire that suits restoration goals, appearance, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1956 Citroen ID
The 1956 Citroen ID uses one primary tire size: 165-400, and it is a radial fitment. This size is shared by the covered ID 19 Sedan configuration, so the main task is confirming that the car still has the correct 400-millimeter wheel setup rather than choosing between multiple primary sizes. Once that is established, the decision becomes selecting the right tire for appearance, condition, and intended driving use.
The 165-400 size uses a classic metric millimetric format, with 165 indicating nominal section width in millimeters and 400 identifying the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches. It is a radial construction size, which suits the 1956 Citroen ID's period European tire approach and makes wheel confirmation especially important because this is not a standard inch-diameter fitment. For buyers familiar with American collector sizes, the key distinction is the 400-millimeter wheel requirement. Choosing this size starts with verifying the existing wheels, then selecting a radial tire that matches the car's restoration direction and intended road use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1956 Citroen ID range. The ID 19 Sedan uses the same primary tire size, so the main concern is confirming the car still retains the proper millimetric wheel setup before choosing a replacement tire.
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1956 Citroen ID 19 Sedan
The 1956 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial tire size as the core model fitment. That keeps tire selection simple, with attention focused on verifying the correct 400-millimeter wheels and choosing a replacement tire that matches the car's presentation and road-use plans.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners of a 1956 Citroen ID usually need clarity on the 165-400 size itself, the car's millimetric wheel fitment, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Citroen back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1956 Citroen ID?
The 1956 Citroen ID uses a 165-400 radial tire. For the covered sub-model, the 1956 Citroen ID 19 Sedan, that same 165-400 size applies as the primary fitment, so there is not a separate alternate primary size to sort through within this page.
The important detail is that 165-400 is a millimetric European size, not a typical inch-based collector-car size. A replacement search should begin by confirming the car still has the proper 400-millimeter wheels, since a tire with the correct width but the wrong bead-seat diameter is not a match.
What size rim does a 1956 Citroen ID use?
The 1956 Citroen ID uses a 400-millimeter rim diameter with its 165-400 tire size. That number is part of the tire size itself and refers to the wheel's bead-seat diameter, which is different from the inch-based rim sizing more familiar on many American collector vehicles.
That distinction matters because a 400-millimeter wheel should not be treated as interchangeable with a nearby inch size. Before ordering tires, inspect the wheels already on the car and confirm the vehicle has not been converted to a different wheel setup during restoration, repair, or long-term ownership.
Does the 1956 Citroen ID 19 Sedan use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1956 Citroen ID 19 Sedan uses the same 165-400 radial tire size as the core 1956 Citroen ID fitment covered here. That makes sub-model selection fairly simple because the tire-size decision does not change within this covered configuration.
Even with shared fitment, it still helps to verify what is actually on the car before replacing tires. Older collector vehicles are sometimes fitted with substitute wheels or nonstandard tires over time, so checking the existing wheel diameter and overall setup remains an important step before road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165-400 tire for a 1956 Citroen ID?
Start with the basics: the tire must be a 165-400 radial for the 1956 Citroen ID setup covered here. Since this is a millimetric European fitment, the first priority is matching the tire to the correct 400-millimeter wheel rather than assuming a similar-looking inch size is close enough.
After size confirmation, think about how the car will be used. A restoration-oriented ID may call for a more traditional presentation, while a regularly driven car may place more emphasis on overall tire condition, wheel compatibility, and making sure the suspension and alignment are ready for safe road use.
How do I choose between available 165-400 tires for a 1956 Citroen ID?
With a single primary size, the selection process centers on the character of the tire rather than on alternate factory-type fitments. The right 165-400 tire for a 1956 Citroen ID should match the car's wheel setup first, then suit the owner's goals for appearance, restoration style, and expected driving use.
It helps to compare details that affect ownership rather than just the size stamped on the sidewall. Look closely at construction, overall presentation, and whether the tire choice makes sense for a carefully restored sedan, a regularly exercised collector car, or a vehicle that sees mostly show and occasional road miles.
Why is the 165-400 size important on a 1956 Citroen ID?
The 165-400 size is important because it reflects the 1956 Citroen ID's millimetric wheel-and-tire system, which is a defining fitment detail on this car. The 165 portion refers to nominal width in millimeters, while the 400 identifies the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches.
That makes replacement planning more specialized than on vehicles with common inch-based sizes. A buyer who understands the size format is less likely to confuse the car's original-style wheel setup with a later conversion, and more likely to select a tire that actually matches the wheel and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1956 Citroen ID?
For a period-style 1956 Citroen ID, the natural starting point is the correct primary fitment: a 165-400 radial on the proper 400-millimeter wheel. That preserves the car's distinctive European sizing approach and keeps the visual proportions aligned with the way this mid-1950s Citroen was designed to sit.
Appearance-focused buyers should verify the wheels first, then choose a tire that complements the car's restoration direction rather than chasing a loosely similar modern size. When exact historical presentation matters, marque-club knowledge and model-specific restoration references can help refine the final appearance choice.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1956 Citroen ID restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1956 Citroen ID restoration because the car uses a specialized 165-400 millimetric radial size. That fitment is part of the vehicle's authentic visual stance and mechanical setup, so the wheel-and-tire relationship deserves the same attention as other restoration details.
A car restored with the wrong wheel diameter can look off even before driving issues are considered. Confirming the 400-millimeter wheel setup helps preserve proper presentation and reduces confusion during tire replacement, especially on examples that may have changed hands or been modified over many decades.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1956 Citroen ID?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1956 Citroen ID, especially if the car has been converted from its original-style 400-millimeter wheel setup to another wheel diameter. Changes to wheels, suspension height, or brake components can also alter the space available around the tire.
A careful inspection should include wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components. Even when a car is advertised as stock, it is worth checking what is physically on the vehicle, because older collector cars often accumulate changes gradually over long ownership histories.
What should I inspect before driving a 1956 Citroen ID on new tires?
Before driving a 1956 Citroen ID on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 400-millimeter fitment and check that the tires are mounted properly and inflated evenly. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering, and alignment condition so the new tires are not compromised immediately.
Collector cars often need a broader road-readiness check beyond the tires themselves. Examine for rubbing marks, air loss, sidewall damage, or irregular wear after the first short drive, then recheck pressure and general condition once the car has settled back into regular use.
How should 165-400 tires on a collector 1956 Citroen ID be maintained?
165-400 tires on a collector 1956 Citroen ID should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even a car that sees limited mileage can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, or slow air loss if it sits for long periods.
Good maintenance also means watching the car's overall setup, not just the rubber. Keep an eye on alignment behavior, inspect for cuts or bulges, and store the vehicle away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, and ozone sources so the tires remain serviceable between outings.
