1956 Ford Fairlane Tires

A 1956 Ford Fairlane uses one of two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 670-15 or 710-15. Both are 15-inch fitments, and both belong to the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system used on many American cars of the period.

The important next step is confirming which of those two sizes is actually on your car before ordering tires. A Fairlane that has had wheels changed over the years may not still match its earlier setup, so checking the current wheel diameter, the tire size already fitted, and available clearance is more useful than assuming every 1956 Fairlane uses the same tire.

The primary tire fitments for the 1956 Ford Fairlane both use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the two covered sizes, 670-15 and 710-15, so the wheel diameter stays the same even though the tire width class changes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a mid-1950s car that may have seen wheel changes during its life. It also helps to check actual wheel width, because available tires in these sizes can call for different width ranges, and that matters whether the goal is a restoration-style bias-ply tire or a carefully chosen radial equivalent.

On a 1956 Ford Fairlane, 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.70 portion refers to the tire’s nominal section width in inches, while the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches.

That sizing format is different from modern metric radial designations, so it helps to read it in period terms instead of trying to compare it directly at a glance. Once the size is confirmed, the buyer can focus on the more useful decisions within 670-15, such as blackwall versus whitewall appearance, brand and tire series, or whether to compare one of the radial-equivalent alternatives.

For the 1956 Ford Fairlane, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the traditional numeric bias-ply sizing format rather than a modern radial format, which is why the size looks different from metric radial designations.

That matters because staying with bias-ply construction preserves the traditional look and sizing convention of the original-style fitment. A radial alternative can still be considered, but the change should be approached as a conversion rather than an automatic one-for-one swap, with attention paid to wheel width, overall dimensions, and fender or steering clearance on the actual car.

For 670-15, the radial equivalents are 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. For 710-15, the radial equivalents are 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15. Those options cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial in each primary size family.

The practical difference is in sizing format and appearance as much as construction. The bias-look radial options keep a more traditional visual presentation, while the metric and P-metric sizes follow modern radial conventions. Each alternative should be checked against the car’s wheel width, installed wheel diameter, and available clearance before treating it as a usable replacement path.

Start by matching the Fairlane’s existing primary tire size to the correct radial-equivalent family, then confirm the wheel diameter and wheel width before going further. For 670-15, the recommended radial-equivalent rim-width range is 5-7 inches; for 710-15, it is 6-8 inches.

A conversion also deserves a careful look at overall tire dimensions, front steering clearance, rear fender clearance, and the condition of suspension and steering components. Many collector cars have replacement wheels or altered ride height, so the safest approach is to verify the actual setup on the car rather than assuming any radial equivalent will behave the same way as the existing bias-ply tire.

The first decision is confirming whether your 1956 Ford Fairlane needs 670-15 or 710-15, since both are primary 15-inch bias-ply fitments. After size, the main factors are construction, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility for the specific tire being considered.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a traditional bias-ply with the sidewall style that best suits the vehicle’s presentation, while a driver-focused car may lead you to compare radial equivalents separately. It also helps to compare rim-width recommendations and load-capacity figures where shown, especially if the car is driven regularly or no longer wears its original wheel setup.

Tires for the 1956 Ford Fairlane are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across the two primary bias-ply sizes. That gives the car a broad appearance range, from a plainer period utility look to the fuller whitewall presentation often associated with mid-1950s American cars.

The best choice depends on how the Fairlane is being presented rather than on fitment alone. A buyer focused on restoration style may compare whitewall width carefully, while someone building a more understated driver may prefer blackwall. Since sidewall treatment does not override basic fitment, the right approach is to settle the size first and then refine the visual character.

1956 Ford Fairlane tires in 670-15 and 710-15 are available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, and others, with certain size-specific offerings also appearing under Coker Classic, Excelsior, Avon, and STA. The available lineup spans several classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments.

Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow appearance, series character, or specification differences within the correct size. Instead of treating the brand name alone as the answer, compare the actual tire size, construction, rim-width guidance, sidewall style, and any stated load figure that matters to how the Fairlane will be displayed or driven.

For a period-style 1956 Ford Fairlane, the starting point is one of the two primary bias-ply sizes, 670-15 or 710-15, depending on the car’s actual setup. Within those sizes, the available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tires from several vintage-oriented brands and series.

That makes the decision more about presentation than simple fitment once the correct size is confirmed. A carefully restored car may benefit from matching the sidewall treatment to the vehicle’s trim and overall look, while a more casual driver can still stay visually appropriate with a simpler bias-ply style. Exact originality should be cross-checked against marque-specific historical references when it matters.

Tire construction has a noticeable effect on how a restored 1956 Ford Fairlane looks, especially because its primary fitments are bias-ply sizes that carry a distinctly period-style profile and stance. A traditional bias-ply tire usually supports the visual language of a mid-1950s American car more naturally than a modern-looking radial format.

That does not mean a radial alternative cannot work visually, especially when a bias-look radial is available in the equivalent family. The real decision is whether the restoration priorities favor traditional presentation or a different road-use approach. Checking the tire’s sidewall style and overall look against the car’s trim level and finish helps avoid a mismatch in character.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1956 Ford Fairlane even when the tire size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offsets, suspension changes, lowering, or brake upgrades can all affect how a 670-15, 710-15, or radial-equivalent tire sits and clears.

That is why the actual car should be checked before settling on a tire, especially if its history is uncertain. Measure the installed wheel diameter and width, inspect inner and outer clearance, and turn the steering through full travel on the front axle. A collector car with mild modifications can require a different decision than one still wearing a stock-style wheel package.

Before driving a 1956 Ford Fairlane on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of steering and suspension components. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the tire and vehicle setup, and the new tires should be checked for proper seating and adequate clearance at the front and rear.

A short test drive followed by a second inspection is a smart habit on an older car. Look for any sign of rubbing, uneven stance, air loss, or interference during full-lock steering and over bumps. On a vehicle that has been stored, it also makes sense to examine wheel bearings, brake operation, and alignment condition before assuming the tires are the only road-readiness issue.

Collector-car tires in 670-15 or 710-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, a low-use 1956 Ford Fairlane can still develop aging-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or weather-related deterioration.

Good maintenance means keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible, while also moving it often enough to avoid sitting on one contact patch for long periods. Frequent inspections for cuts, bulges, and abnormal wear help catch problems early, and any uncertainty about condition should be evaluated before the car returns to regular road use.