1956 Nash Metropolitan Tires

The 1956 Nash Metropolitan uses a 520-13 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment and it is the primary size associated with the covered Metropolitan application, including the 4 Cyl. sub-model.

That makes size selection relatively simple compared with vehicles that changed fitment by trim or wheel package. The next step is confirming that the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels and then deciding whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply look with blackwall or whitewall styling, or a carefully checked radial-equivalent alternative for a different driving setup.

The 1956 Nash Metropolitan uses a 13-inch rim with its primary 520-13 tire size. Product fitment details for this size also show narrow wheel specifications in the original-style range, including examples at 3.5 inches and 3.50 to 4.00 inches wide.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify on the car before ordering tires, especially on a small collector vehicle that may have had wheel changes over the years. Width matters too, since bias-ply tires and radial equivalents do not always share the same wheel preferences, so the actual wheel on the car should be checked rather than assumed.

Yes. The covered 1956 Nash Metropolitan 4 Cyl. uses the same 520-13 bias-ply tire size as the core Metropolitan fitment. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that sub-model within this application.

That consistency helps narrow the decision quickly, but it does not eliminate the need to inspect the actual car. A Metropolitan restored for show, one fitted with different wheels, and one driven more regularly may all use the same nominal size while leading the owner toward different sidewall treatments, tire series, or a radial-equivalent comparison.

For the 1956 Nash Metropolitan, 520-13 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this fitment are bias-ply tires, which makes that construction the traditional starting point for owners keeping the car in a period-style setup.

Bias-ply construction affects both the look and the wheel compatibility conversation, especially on a compact 1950s car with narrow rims. Anyone considering a move away from bias-ply should compare the actual wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before assuming that a radial alternative will suit the car’s current setup.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13, which is a Euro-metric radial; P155/75R13, which is a P-metric 75-series radial; and P155/70R13, which is a P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with this size here.

Those alternatives give Metropolitan owners more than one path when comparing a modern radial format to the original-style bias-ply fitment. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is a useful reference for the radial options, but wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance still need to be confirmed on the individual car.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and the wheel width actually on the car. The 1956 Nash Metropolitan’s primary fitment is a 520-13 bias-ply, and the radial equivalents tied to that size use a recommended 4 to 5 inch rim-width range.

Conversion should also include a close look at tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance at full lock, and the general condition of suspension and alignment components. A Metropolitan that still carries original-style narrow wheels may point you toward staying with bias-ply, while a car set up for more frequent road use may justify a radial comparison after those measurements are verified.

Start with the correct 520-13 size and confirm that the car still has 13-inch wheels in a width suited to the tire being considered. After that, the main variables are construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and practical details such as load capacity where those specifications are given.

A Metropolitan restored for a traditional 1950s look may call for a very different presentation than one used for casual local driving. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices all change the car’s visual character, while a radial-equivalent comparison introduces a separate wheel-compatibility and clearance check rather than simply another version of the same tire.

The available 520-13 choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the 1956 Nash Metropolitan owner a meaningful appearance decision even when staying within the same primary tire size and traditional bias-ply construction.

Sidewall style has a strong effect on how a small 1950s car presents visually, especially on a Metropolitan where the tire is part of the overall charm. Narrow whitewalls can lean toward a subtle period-style look, wide whitewalls create a bolder vintage presentation, and blackwalls keep the appearance simpler and more restrained.

Firestone and Premium Sport both offer 520-13 tires for the 1956 Nash Metropolitan. The available products span Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider series, giving buyers a mix of traditional blackwall and whitewall-oriented choices within the same primary size.

Brand is only one part of the selection process on a vehicle like this. It is just as important to compare the sidewall treatment, the stated rim-width specification when shown, and whether the tire’s overall presentation matches a restoration-focused Metropolitan or one being prepared for regular collector-car road use.

A period-style 1956 Nash Metropolitan usually starts with the original-format 520-13 bias-ply size. Staying with the primary bias-ply construction preserves the vintage sizing convention and the traditional sidewall shape that many owners want on a compact mid-1950s collector car.

The finer decision is often visual rather than dimensional. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions can each suit the car differently depending on the restoration theme, and exact originality questions should be checked against marque-specific historical references when the goal goes beyond a broadly correct period-style presentation.

On a restored 1956 Nash Metropolitan, tire construction affects more than ride and handling feel; it also changes the visual character of the car. The primary 520-13 bias-ply fitment keeps the Metropolitan in its original-era sizing language, which tends to support a more traditional collector-car presentation.

A radial equivalent may still be worth considering for certain driving goals, but it should be viewed as an alternative setup rather than the same thing in a different material. Owners focused on appearance usually look closely at sidewall shape, overall stance, and whitewall style before making that choice, especially on a small car where tire proportions are easy to notice.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1956 Nash Metropolitan even though the primary size is straightforward. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, and body repairs can all change how much room is available for the tire.

That matters even more when comparing the original 520-13 bias-ply fitment with radial-equivalent alternatives. A car with aftermarket wheels or non-stock suspension should be measured at the wheel, fender, and steering points before selecting a tire, since the nominal size alone does not confirm the setup still matches the original-style fitment envelope.

Inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, then check lug hardware, valve stems, and overall wheel straightness before putting a 1956 Nash Metropolitan back on the road with new tires. It is also wise to look over steering and suspension components on a collector car that may have sat for extended periods.

Tire pressure should be set appropriately for the tire being used, and the car should be driven carefully at first while listening for rubbing or vibration. A short local test drive can reveal clearance issues, pulling, or brake and bearing problems that may not have been obvious before the new tires were mounted.

520-13 tires on a collector 1956 Nash Metropolitan should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss. A lightly driven collector car can age its tires long before it wears them out, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage plays a major role in preserving tire life on a Metropolitan. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the sidewalls, and periodic pressure checks plus occasional movement of the vehicle can reduce flat-spotting and catch problems early before the next drive.